Inertia engine

Claim 2

An inertia engine comprising a reaction mechanism adapted to be driven by a vehicle-mounted prime mover, the reaction mechanism including: a rotatable drive shaft, a mass and means attaching said mass to said drive shaft for rotation with said drive shaft, and means for moving said mass inwardly toward said drive shaft and for partially releasing said mass for movement outwardly away from said drive shaft in a direction having a component axial of said drive shaft for providing thrust in the last mentioned direction, said mass moving outwardly in response to centrifugal force as said mass is rotated by said drive shaft.

Claim 3

The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for moving said mass inwardly toward said drive shaft includes a piston rod coaxially mounted with said drive shaft, a piston for moving said rod, and linkage means interconnecting said piston rod and said mass for producing rotation thereof in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of said drive shaft.

Claim 4

An inertia engine comprising a reaction mechanism adapted to be driven by a vehicle-mounted prime mover, the reaction mechanism including: a drive shaft having a driven connection with said prime mover, at least a pair of balanced weights mounted for rotation with said drive shaft and affected by centrifugal force such that the weights are urged outwardly by such force as the drive shaft is rotated by said prime mover, actuating means for drawing said weights radially inwardly toward the axis of said drive shaft during a first portion of the operating cycle of the reaction mechanism in a direction of movement having a component parallel to the axis of said drive shaft, and means for releasing said weights for execution of the reverse motion in response to centrifugal force in a direction radially outwardly and having a component of movement parallel to the axis of said shaft in a direction reverse from said first mentioned component for producing a thrust in a direction along said drive shaft.

Claim 5

An inertia engine comprising a reaction mechanism adapted to be driven by a vehicle-mounted prime mover, the reaction mechanism including: a drive shaft having a driven connection with said prime mover, at least a pair of balanced weights mounted for rotation with said drive shaft and affected by centrifugal force such that the weights are urged outwardly by such force as the drive shaft is rotated by said prime mover, actuating means for drawing said weights radially inwardly toward the axis of said drive shaft during a first portion of the operating cycle of the reaction mechanism in a direction of movement having a component parallel to the axis of said drive shaft, and means for releasing said weights for execution of the reverse motion in response to centrifugal force in a direction radially outwardly and having a component of movement parallel to the axis of said shaft in a direction reverse from said first mentioned component for producing a thrust in a direction along said drive shaft.

Claim 6

Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said drive shaft is axially superimposed with a piston rod provided with rack teeth, said apparatus including gear segments for supporting said weights and meshing with said rack teeth, said actuating means for drawing said weights radially inwardly comprising a piston for urging said piston rod along said shaft causing said rack teeth to rotate said gear segments in a direction moving said weights in an arc with respect to said drive shaft.

Claim 7

The apparatus according to claim 4 including a pair of keys which rotate with said drive shaft for slidably engaging said piston rod on the opposite side of said gear segments from said piston, and a gear box secured to said keys for providing the axial support for said gear segments.

Claim 8

The appparatus according to claim 4 further including a valve operated in response to predetermined rotational positions of said drive shaft and coupled for moving said piston in a direction drawing said weights inwardly, said valve providing the said means for releasing said weights through valving said piston such that the piston is allowed to move in the axially reversed direction whereby said weights are forced radially outwardly by centrifugal force.

Claim 9

The apparatus according to claim 6 further including a hydraulic pump having a driven connection with said drive shaft and a fluid connection with said valve for providing hydraulic force for operating said piston.