US4035111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toroidal rotary engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-06
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Granted: 1977-07-12
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Expires: 1995-08-06
Abstract
Abstract A rotary engine having a toroidal chamber which is stationary, and in which the pistons convey power to a common crankshaft under the control of a four-bar linkage including novel means for preventing reverse motion of any piston in the chamber. Inlet and exhaust valves to control the flow of energizing fluid are provided, and are actuated directly from the crankshaft. Novel sub-components include the four-bar linkage, the valving mechanism, and the arrangement by which rotary movement of the pistons in the chamber is eliminated.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter J. Cronen, Sr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:11
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01C; F01C21/00; F01C21/18; F01C17/00; F01C17/06; F01C9/00; F01C9/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
258 words
An engine comprising, in combination: a stationary toroidal chamber having a closed axis, which is circular about an axis of radial symmetry, and having a circular cross section in any plane passing through said axis of symmetry; first and second double-ended piston assemblies slidable without limit in said chamber for independent revolution about said axis of symmetry; a pair of concentric pivot arms connected severally to said piston assemblies for rotary movement therewith about said axis of symmetry; a crank shaft concentric with said axis of symmetry; a rotatable linkage, for connecting said pivot arms in bidirectional driving relation to said crank shaft, comprising four arms interlinked at pivots defining a quadrilateral, means connecting a first opposite pair of said pivots respectively to said pivot arms, and means connecting the second opposite pair of said pivots to said crank shaft; means coacting with opposite arms only of said linkage to prevent movement of said piston assemblies in a first direction; a set of three apertures communicating with said chamber at locations equally spaced about said axis of symmetry; normally closed valve means communicating severally with said apertures for controlling both the ingress and the egress of energizing fluid thereat; and valve actuating means connected individually to said piston assemblies for rotary motion therewith about said axis of symmetry to actuate said valve means in a predetermined sequence, whereby to enable said fluid to cause alternate arcuate movements of said piston assemblies in a second, opposite direction about said axis of symmetry, and produce rotation of said crank shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
258 words
An engine comprising, in combination: a stationary toroidal chamber having a closed axis, which is circular about an axis of radial symmetry, and having a circular cross section in any plane passing through said axis of symmetry; first and second double-ended piston assemblies slidable without limit in said chamber for independent revolution about said axis of symmetry; a pair of concentric pivot arms connected severally to said piston assemblies for rotary movement therewith about said axis of symmetry; a crank shaft concentric with said axis of symmetry; a rotatable linkage, for connecting said pivot arms in bidirectional driving relation to said crank shaft, comprising four arms interlinked at pivots defining a quadrilateral, means connecting a first opposite pair of said pivots respectively to said pivot arms, and means connecting the second opposite pair of said pivots to said crank shaft; means coacting with opposite arms only of said linkage to prevent movement of said piston assemblies in a first direction; a set of three apertures communicating with said chamber at locations equally spaced about said axis of symmetry; normally closed valve means communicating severally with said apertures for controlling both the ingress and the egress of energizing fluid thereat; and valve actuating means connected individually to said piston assemblies for rotary motion therewith about said axis of symmetry to actuate said valve means in a predetermined sequence, whereby to enable said fluid to cause alternate arcuate movements of said piston assemblies in a second, opposite direction about said axis of symmetry, and produce rotation of said crank shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
203 words
An engine comprising, in combination: a toroidal chamber having a closed axis, which is circular about an axis of radial symmetry, and having a circular cross section in any plane passing through said axis of symmetry; first and second double-ended piston assemblies slidable without limit in said chamber for independent revolution about said axis of symmetry; a pair of concentric pivot arms connected severally to said piston assemblies for rotary movement therewith about said axis of symmetry; a crank shaft concentric with said axis of symmetry; a rotatable linkage, for connecting said pivot arms in bidirectional driving relation to said crank shaft, comprising four arms interlinked at pivots defining a quadrilateral, means connecting a first opposite pair of said pivots respectively to said pivot arms, and means connecting the second opposite pair of said pivots to said crank shaft; means coacting with opposite arms only of said linkage to prevent movement of said piston assemblies in a first direction; a set of three apertures communicating with said chamber at locations equally spaced about said axis of symmetry; and valve means actuated severally in accordance with the movements of said piston assemblies, for controlling the ingress and egress of energizing fluid through said apertures.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
203 words
An engine comprising, in combination: a toroidal chamber having a closed axis, which is circular about an axis of radial symmetry, and having a circular cross section in any plane passing through said axis of symmetry; first and second double-ended piston assemblies slidable without limit in said chamber for independent revolution about said axis of symmetry; a pair of concentric pivot arms connected severally to said piston assemblies for rotary movement therewith about said axis of symmetry; a crank shaft concentric with said axis of symmetry; a rotatable linkage, for connecting said pivot arms in bidirectional driving relation to said crank shaft, comprising four arms interlinked at pivots defining a quadrilateral, means connecting a first opposite pair of said pivots respectively to said pivot arms, and means connecting the second opposite pair of said pivots to said crank shaft; means coacting with opposite arms only of said linkage to prevent movement of said piston assemblies in a first direction; a set of three apertures communicating with said chamber at locations equally spaced about said axis of symmetry; and valve means actuated severally in accordance with the movements of said piston assemblies, for controlling the ingress and egress of energizing fluid through said apertures.
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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) | 1980-07-11 | 1981-01-10 | 1981-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-07-11 | 1985-01-10 | 1985-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-07-11 | 1989-01-10 | 1989-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |