Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
273 words
In an internal pressure engine, the combination of two parallel end plates spaced from one another and a plurality of like hedrons disposed between said end plates, the number of said hedrons being not less than three and not more than six, each of said hedrons having opposite end faces engaging said end plates respectively, a concave rectilinear side face and an adjoining convex rectilinear side face, said concave side face and said convex side face intersecting one another at an angle equal to 360* divided by the number of said hedrons, said intersection of said concave face and said convex face defining an inner corner of said hedron, said hedrons being disposed with said concave side face of each hedron slidably engaging and mating with said convex side face of an adjacent hedron to define a first chamber bounded by said concave side faces of said hedrons, a second chamber bounded by said convex side faces of said hedrons and one of said end plates, and a third chamber bounded by said convex side faces of said hedrons and the other of said end plates, said hedrons being movable in a plane parallel to said end plates to move said inner corners toward a central point to decrease the volume of said first chamber and increase the volume of said second and third chambers and away from said central point to increase the volume of said first chamber and decrease the volume of said second and third chambers, means for synchronizing said movement of said hedrons with one another and port means for admitting fluid to and exhausting fluid from said chambers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
273 words
In an internal pressure engine, the combination of two parallel end plates spaced from one another and a plurality of like hedrons disposed between said end plates, the number of said hedrons being not less than three and not more than six, each of said hedrons having opposite end faces engaging said end plates respectively, a concave rectilinear side face and an adjoining convex rectilinear side face, said concave side face and said convex side face intersecting one another at an angle equal to 360* divided by the number of said hedrons, said intersection of said concave face and said convex face defining an inner corner of said hedron, said hedrons being disposed with said concave side face of each hedron slidably engaging and mating with said convex side face of an adjacent hedron to define a first chamber bounded by said concave side faces of said hedrons, a second chamber bounded by said convex side faces of said hedrons and one of said end plates, and a third chamber bounded by said convex side faces of said hedrons and the other of said end plates, said hedrons being movable in a plane parallel to said end plates to move said inner corners toward a central point to decrease the volume of said first chamber and increase the volume of said second and third chambers and away from said central point to increase the volume of said first chamber and decrease the volume of said second and third chambers, means for synchronizing said movement of said hedrons with one another and port means for admitting fluid to and exhausting fluid from said chambers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
An engine according to claim 1, in which said concave face of each said hedron is defined by two plane surfaces disposed at an angle to one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An engine according to claim 2, in which the angle defined by said plane surfaces is of the order of 75* to 145*.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An engine according to claim 2, in which one said plane surface is wider than the other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
An engine according to claim 1, in which recesses in said hedrons at said inner corners define communicating ports connecting said first chamber with at least one of said second chamber and said third chamber when said hedrons are in selected position relative to one another.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
An engine according to claim 5, in which said second chamber comprises an intake and precompression chamber into which air is admitted through said port means in the respective end plate, compressed in said second chamber and then passes through a said communicating port into said first chamber.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An engine according to claim 6, in which said port means in said respective end plate is controlled by one-way valve means admitting air to said second chamber but preventing flow of air from said second chamber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
An engine according to claim 1, in which a fuel injection nozzle associated with one said port means injects fuel into said first chamber when said first chamber is in communication with said port means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
An engine according to claim 1, in which said means for synchronizing the movement of said hedrons comprises a shaft extending through a circular opening in each said hedron and through corresponding holes in said end plates, each said shaft having an eccentric portion engaging in said opening to rotate said shaft upon inward and outward movement of Said hedron.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
An engine according to claim 9, in which said means for synchronizing the movement of said hedrons comprises eccentrics on said shafts outside one said end plate and an oscillatable timing plate having circular openings receiving all of said last-mentioned eccentrics.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine according to claim 9, in which said means for synchronizing the movement of said hedrons comprises intermeshing gears connecting said shafts with one another.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
An engine according to claim 9, in which there are three said hedrons and the location of the center of said circular opening of each hedron is defined by the inequalities. X > or = L2/2 and where L1 and L2 represent the length of one side of said first chamber when at minimum volume and maximum volume respectively, X is the distance from the inner corner of the hedron parallel to the concave side thereof and Y is the distance from the closest portion of the concave side face of the hedron.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
An engine according to claim 9, in which there are four said hedrons and the location of the center of said circular opening of each hedron is defined by the following inequalities: X > or = , L2/2 and y > or = X - L1 where L1 and L2 represent the length of one side of said first chamber when at minimum volume and maximum volume respectively, X is the distance from the inner corner of the hedron parallel to the concave side thereof and Y is the distance from the closest portion of the concave side face of the hedron.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
An engine according to claim 9, comprising spring means acting inwardly on said hedrons to keep them in contact with one another under conditions of no pressure and negative pressure in said first chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine according to claim 14, in which outward projections are provided on said hedrons and said spring means comprises tension springs acting on said projections.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
An engine according to claim 14, in which said spring means comprises at least one hollow spring connecting with a fuel injection passage in a hedron to provide means for injection of fuel into said first chamber.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
An engine according to claim 2, in which said plane surfaces are joined by a curved cylindrical surface.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
An engine according to claim 1, in which said concave face of each hedron is defined by a curved cylindrical surface.