Axial cylinder rotary engine

Claim 1

An internal combustion engine comprising a stationary engine frame including a cylindrical mantle between two gables, a cylinder block rotatable within said frame and comprising an odd number of at least three cylinders extending in the axial direction of said mantle, a piston in each of said cylinders, a crankshaft in the center of and rotatable with respect to said frame and said cylinder block, first bearing means rotatably supporting said crankshaft on said frame and second bearing means supporting said cylinder block for rotation relative to said crankshaft at a slower speed than the later, a swash plate rotatable on said crankshaft and connected to said pistons for rotation with said cylinder block, a substantially planar distribution surface on one of said gables of said frame, at least two sets of intake and exhaust ports and igniting devices in said distribution surface, a port in each of said cylinders adjacent to and sealing against said distribution surface for cooperation with said intake and exhaust ports and said igniting devices, said cylinder ports each having a diameter less than that of said cylinder and a gear means coupled between said crankshaft, said cylinder block and said frame respectively for determining such relative rotational speeds of said crankshaft and said cylinder block with respect to said frame that each cylinder passes at least two complete four stroke sequences during a full revolution of said cylinder block.