US4044728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal combustion engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-10-22
•
Granted: 1977-08-30
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Expires: 1995-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine includes a rigid wall having a curved surface which forms part of the combustion chamber. The remaining part of the combustion chamber is formed by a flexible curtain whose outer edge is attached and sealed to the rigid wall. The wall and the curtain together form a closed space whose geometry and volume depend on their relative position. When the curtain moves toward the wall, the two approaching surfaces displace gas toward the center of the combustion chamber, thereby compressing it or expelling it from the chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Guido Moeller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:54
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/36; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
An internal combustion engine, comprising: A. a rigid, curved wall; B. a flexible curtain including a central base portion, sealingly attached along an edge region to said rigid wall and capable of substantially conforming to the surface contours of said rigid wall, thereby defining a combustion chamber of variable geometrical form and volume; C. valve means, located in said rigid wall, for selective passage of gases to and from said combustion chamber; and D. heat transfer means for cooling said rigid wall and said flexible curtain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
An internal combustion engine, comprising: A. a rigid, curved wall; B. a flexible curtain including a central base portion, sealingly attached along an edge region to said rigid wall and capable of substantially conforming to the surface contours of said rigid wall, thereby defining a combustion chamber of variable geometrical form and volume; C. valve means, located in said rigid wall, for selective passage of gases to and from said combustion chamber; and D. heat transfer means for cooling said rigid wall and said flexible curtain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An engine as defined in claim 1, wherein said curved wall is substantially toroidal and includes a central wall member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An engine as defined in claim 2, wherein said rigid wall and said flexible curtain are continuous and metallic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An engine as defined in claim 2, wherein said flexible curtain is a continuous web of synthetic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An engine as defined in claim 1, wherein said heat transfer means includes fluid channels in said rigid wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible curtain includes a flexible metal web covered at least by one external web of rubber-like material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An engine as defined in claim 6, including a steel-mesh reinforcement web extending within said at least one web of rubber-like material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
An engine as defined in claim 1, further comprising: E. eccentric rotating means, coupled to said base portion for conversion of reciprocating motion to rotary motion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
An engine as defined in claim 8, comprising means for selective passage of gases including an inlet valve and an outlet valve and means for cyclic actuation thereof in synchronism with the motion of said rotating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An engine as defined in claim 9, including a rigid block attached to said base portion and coupled pivotably to said eccentric rotating means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An engine as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible curtain includes a continuous flexible web of rubber-like material which is provided on the side facing said rigid wall with a plurality of pads made from a heat resistant material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
An engine as defined in claim 11, wherein at least some of said pads are contiguous to one another.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
An engine as defined in claim 11, wherein at least some of said pads overlap one another.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An engine as defined in claim 1, wherein the surface of said rigid wall has at least one locus of inflections of curvature which lies entirely within said combustion chamber.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
An engine as defined in claim 11, wherein portions of said pads penetrate said curtain and extend out of said combustion chamber for transfer of heat from said combustion chamber.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
An engine as defined in claim 14, wherein said flexible curtain includes coolant channels into which said portions of said pads extend.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-08-29 | 1981-02-28 | 1981-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-29 | 1985-02-28 | 1985-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-29 | 1989-02-28 | 1989-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |