US3879938A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Rotary engine apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-01-12
•
Granted: 1975-04-29
•
Expires: 1993-01-12
Abstract
Abstract Engine apparatus operative to convert the chemical energy of a combustible fuel into mechanical energy, and useful both in propelling automotive vehicles and in other environments in which conventional internal combustion engines have utility. The engine apparatus is of the rotary type, and it includes a cylindrical drive rotor rotatably supported within an expansion chamber of greater diameter so as to define an annular space about the rotor. A thrust vane extends radially outwardly from the rotor to sweep through such annular space, and a reaction rotor sealingly cooperates with the drive rotor at one location so as to sealingly subdivide the annular space and separate inlet and exhaust openings. A combustion chamber adapted to receive combustible admixtures of fuel and air therein communicates with the annular expansion chamber through the inlet opening under the control of a rotary valve. Each combustible charge is ignited and burned within the combustion chamber, and the products of combustion are directed through the inlet opening into the expansion chamber to act against the thrust vane, and react against the reaction rotor, to impart thrust to the drive rotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Clark I Rinker
- 👤 Administratrix By Juani Rinker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 00:30
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01C; F01C1/00; F01C1/08; F01C1/12; F01C1/14; F01C1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
In a rotary engine a casing defining an expansion cylinder therein provided with angularly spaced inlet and exhaust openings; a drive rotor rotatably mounted within said expansion cylinder and having surface areas spaced from the circumjacent walls thereof to provide an expansion chamber therewith; said drive rotor having thrust structure comprising a single vane component extending outwardly from said rotor into leakageinhibiting relation with such circumjacent walls of said expansion cylinder and providing a pressurizable surface against which a pressure force can act to impart torque to said rotor; said drive rotor circumjacently secured to a driven shaft to transfer torque developed by said rotor; pressure force reaction structure comprising a reaction cylinder provided by the aforesaid casing and a reaction rotor rotatably mounted within said reaction cylinder, said structure operative in leakageinhibiting relation with the aforesaid surface areas of said drive rotor intermediate said inlet and exhaust openings and providing a pressurizable reaction surface against which such pressure force reacts in imparting torque to said drive rotor; and means including said inlet opening for cyclically developing within said expansion chamber intermediate said thrust and reaction structures in timed relation with the angular displacements of said drive rotor a gaseous pressure charge expansible between said pressurizable surfaces to impart torque to said drive rotor, the expanded gaseous pressure charge being exhausted directly to the atmosphere through said exhaust opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
In a rotary engine a casing defining an expansion cylinder therein provided with angularly spaced inlet and exhaust openings; a drive rotor rotatably mounted within said expansion cylinder and having surface areas spaced from the circumjacent walls thereof to provide an expansion chamber therewith; said drive rotor having thrust structure comprising a single vane component extending outwardly from said rotor into leakageinhibiting relation with such circumjacent walls of said expansion cylinder and providing a pressurizable surface against which a pressure force can act to impart torque to said rotor; said drive rotor circumjacently secured to a driven shaft to transfer torque developed by said rotor; pressure force reaction structure comprising a reaction cylinder provided by the aforesaid casing and a reaction rotor rotatably mounted within said reaction cylinder, said structure operative in leakageinhibiting relation with the aforesaid surface areas of said drive rotor intermediate said inlet and exhaust openings and providing a pressurizable reaction surface against which such pressure force reacts in imparting torque to said drive rotor; and means including said inlet opening for cyclically developing within said expansion chamber intermediate said thrust and reaction structures in timed relation with the angular displacements of said drive rotor a gaseous pressure charge expansible between said pressurizable surfaces to impart torque to said drive rotor, the expanded gaseous pressure charge being exhausted directly to the atmosphere through said exhaust opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The engine apparatus of claim 1 in which said drive rotor is generally cylindrical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The engine of claim 2 in which said vane component is radially disposed with respect to the axis of rotation of said drive rotor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The engine of claim 3 in which said reaction rotor is provided with a vane-receiving recess therealong; and means for rotating said drive and reaction rotors in synchronism to enable said vane component to be received within said recess as said rotors are displaced angularly with respect to each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engine of claim 1 in which said means comprises valve mechanism in flow communication with said inlet opening for cyclically opening and closing the same in timed relation with the angular displacements of said drive rotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The engine of claim 5 in which said valve mechanism includes a rotary valve and gear train interconnecting the same with said drive rotor so as to rotate one with respect to the other in mechanically-enforced synchronism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The engine of claim 5 in which said means further comprises combustion chamber structure operative to confine therewith for ignition a combustible admixture of fuel and air for expansion of the products of combustion thereof through said inlet opening under the control of said valve mechanism.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The engine of claim 7 in which said combustion chamber structure is equipped with a spark-ignition device to initiate ignition of a combustible charge confined therewithin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The engine of claim 8 in which said valve mechanism includes a rotary valve and gear train interconnecting the same with said drive rotor so as to rotate one with respect to the other in mechanically-enforced synchronism; said combustion chamber structure defining a generally cylindrical combustion chamber therewithin, and said rotary valve being coaxial with said combustion chamber to control the condition thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
107 words
The engine of claim 9 in which said rotary valve is mounted within said combustion chamber; said combustion chamber being provided with the aforesaid inlet opening communicating with said expansion cylinder, with an intake opening for admitting a combustible admixture of fuel and air into said expansion chamber, and with an ignition opening equipped with a spark ignition device for igniting such combusTible admixture of fuel and air within said combustion chamber; said rotary valve being provided with a plurality of ports respectively associated with said inlet, intake, and ignition openings for respectively controlling the same in timed relation with the angular displacements of said drive rotor.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
The engine of claim 1 in which said means comprises combustion chamber structure operative to confine therewithin for ignition a combustible admixture of fuel and air for expansion of the products of combustion thereof through said inlet opening into said expansion chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The engine of claim 11 in which said drive rotor is generally cylindrical.
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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) | 1978-04-28 | 1978-10-28 | 1979-04-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-28 | 1982-10-28 | 1983-04-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-28 | 1986-10-28 | 1987-04-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |