US3859966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Linear balanced free piston machines
Assignee: Tectonics Companies Inc
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Filing: 1973-02-16
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Granted: 1975-01-14
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Expires: 1993-02-16
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides a novel class of linear balanced free piston machines which include a first movable assembly supported for reciprocating movement along an inner axis, at least two counterbalancing assemblies supported for individual reciprocating movement along respective separate paths spaced around the inner axis, and a corresponding plurality of separate synchronizing mechanisms individually connecting each counterbalancing assembly to the first movable assembly for simultaneous synchronized movement of the counterbalancing assemblies along their respective paths with component vectors of such movement directed at all times in the opposite direction to the movement of the first assembly. At least one of the movable assemblies includes a movable member of an energy absorbing device, such as a compressor, electric generator or pump. The parts are arranged and interrelated to maintain the common center of gravity of all moving masses of the apparatus at a substantially fixed location therein for all operating positions of the respective assemblies. Preferred arrangements of individual synchronizing levers and of a cooperating sealing member between such inner and outer movable assemblies are shown.
Inventors
- 👤 Anton Braun
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:45
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B71/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S60/00; Y10S60/91
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
205 words
A balanced linear free piston machine comprising a first movable assembly having portions substantially all of which move together as a unit, said first movable assembly being supported for reciprocating movement with its center of gravity moving along an inner longitudinal axis of the machine, at least two movable counterbalancing assemblies each of which has portions substantially all of which move together as a unit, each counterbalancing assembly being supported for individual separate reciprocating movement with the respective centers of gravity of the counterbalancing assemblies moving along respective separate outer paths spaced from each other around said inner axis and first movable assembly, a separate synchronizing means mechanically and independently interconnecting each movable counterbalancing assembly with said first movable assembly for simultaneous synchronized movement of each movable counterbalancing assembly along its path in a direction having component vectors of such movement which are moving at all times in the opposite direction to the movement of the first movable assembly, at least one power cylinder stationarily mounted on said machine, one of the movable assemblies having a power piston portion supported for reciprocating movement in said power cylinder, and at least one of the other movable assemblies including a movable member of an energy absorbing device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
205 words
A balanced linear free piston machine comprising a first movable assembly having portions substantially all of which move together as a unit, said first movable assembly being supported for reciprocating movement with its center of gravity moving along an inner longitudinal axis of the machine, at least two movable counterbalancing assemblies each of which has portions substantially all of which move together as a unit, each counterbalancing assembly being supported for individual separate reciprocating movement with the respective centers of gravity of the counterbalancing assemblies moving along respective separate outer paths spaced from each other around said inner axis and first movable assembly, a separate synchronizing means mechanically and independently interconnecting each movable counterbalancing assembly with said first movable assembly for simultaneous synchronized movement of each movable counterbalancing assembly along its path in a direction having component vectors of such movement which are moving at all times in the opposite direction to the movement of the first movable assembly, at least one power cylinder stationarily mounted on said machine, one of the movable assemblies having a power piston portion supported for reciprocating movement in said power cylinder, and at least one of the other movable assemblies including a movable member of an energy absorbing device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
135 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 1 in which the paths of movement of the movable counterbalancing assemblies are angularly oriented and spaced around the inner axis at positions determined by the relative masses and lengths of stroke of the respective movable counterbalancing assemblies and of the first movable assembly, the relative location and orientation of said plurality of paths and the construction, orientation and operation of said synchronizing devices positioning all of the masses included in and associated and moving with each movable counterbalancing assembly at radial distances and angularly spaced positions around said inner axis and first movable assembly which maintain the common center of gravity of all moving masses of the apparatus in a substantially fixed position in the apparatus at all possible operating positions of the movable assemblies.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 1 in which at least one, but less than all, of said movable assemblies is provided with a power piston.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 1 in which at least two of said movable assemblies are each provided with at least one power piston and in which the power pistons of different movable assemblies are movable in respectively different paths.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 1 in which said one power cylinder is coaxial with said inner axis and said one power piston portion is also coaxial therewith, said power piston portion being part of said first movable assembly for movement of said first assembly in response to power strokes of the power piston portion coaxially along said inner axis in at least one direction, and with the center of mass of the first assembly located at all times on said inner axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 5 in which the first movable assembly includes two oppositely acting power piston portions for movement of the first assembly in response to successive alternating power strokes of the two power piston portions along said inner axis in both directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 6 in which the counterbalancing movable assemblies include at least one first working member which performs work during movement of the first movable assembly in one direction anD at least one second working member which performs work during movement of the first movable assembly in the opposite direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 5 having two counterbalancing assemblies supported for movement along respective separate paths each of which is parallel to said inner axis and spaced 180* around said inner axis and first movable assembly from the other separate path.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 8 in which the two counterbalancing assemblies are of substantially equal mass and their respective paths of movement are spaced radially equal distances from said inner axis and first movable assembly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 9 in which only one of the two counterbalancing assemblies includes a movable energy absorbing device member and the other counterbalancing assembly operates only as a counterbalancing mass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 10 in which only the first movable assembly is provided with any power piston.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 1 in which a second power cylinder is stationarily mounted on said machine, and one of the other movable assemblies has a power piston portion supported for reciprocating translational movement in said second power cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
163 words
A balanced linear free piston machine according to claim 1 having a first housing portion for the first movable assembly and a second housing portion for one of the other movable assemblies, said first and second housing portions having wall portions generally separating said movable assemblies from each other but providing a limited transverse connecting passageway between them, the synchronizing device connecting the first movable assembly to said one other movable assembly including a lever extending through said passageway generally transversely from said inner axis toward the outer path of movement of said one other movable assembly, said lever having a pivotal support on one of the housing portions close to said passageway for pivotal movement of the lever on a pivotal axis generally perpendicular to a plane defined by said inner axis and by said outer path of movement, and a flexible sealing member extending across and sealing said passageway and having sealing engagement with said lever close to its pivotal axis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A balanced linear free piston engine according to claim 13 in which said flexible sealing member has its outer edges clamped in sealing engagement against at least one of said first and second housing portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-13 | 1978-07-15 | 1979-01-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-13 | 1982-07-15 | 1983-01-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-13 | 1986-07-15 | 1987-01-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |