초록 ▼

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improvement in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine (10) is provided. A spherically shaped rotating element (22) is mounted in the engine head (20) for rotation about a first axis (24). The rotating element has a notch whi

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an improvement in the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine (10) is provided. A spherically shaped rotating element (22) is mounted in the engine head (20) for rotation about a first axis (24). The rotating element has a notch which aligns between the combustion chamber and inlet and exhaust passages as the rotating element rotates. A seal assembly (42) seals against the spherical rotating element. The annular seal (54) in contact with the rotating element rotates about an axis and is self-centering in its sealing action to reduce wear and increase sealing effectiveness. The annular seal is mounted and urged into sealing engagement with the rotating element with nested annular seal retainers (56) which also rotate. Various ignition sources can be used, including a spark plug (48) mounted in the rotating element, a laser ignition, multiple spark plugs and plugs having multiple ignition sparks as they pass in an arc across the combustion chamber. The advantages of the invention can be applied to two and four cycle engines and engines combusting gasoline, diesel or other fuels.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved combustion chamber assembly for an internal combustion engine having a block defining a cylinder open at a first end and piston moveable in the cylinder, comprising: a head for mounting on the block and defining an inlet passage and an exhaust passage; a rotating element having a general

An improved combustion chamber assembly for an internal combustion engine having a block defining a cylinder open at a first end and piston moveable in the cylinder, comprising: a head for mounting on the block and defining an inlet passage and an exhaust passage; a rotating element having a generally spherical outer surface mounted in said head for rotation about a first axis, a depression formed into the outer surface to define an arcuate notch; an annular seal assembly having an annular seal ring forming a circular seal with the outer surface of the rotating element, the annular seal ring lying in a seal plane generally parallel the first axis, the block, seal assembly, rotating element and piston defining a combustion chamber; rotation of the rotating element about the first axis in a first rotational direction sequentially connecting the inlet passage and combustion chamber through the notch to charge the combustion chamber with a combustible mixture, sealing the combustion chamber for compression of the combustible mixture and combustion of the mixture, and connecting the exhaust passage to the combustion chamber to exhaust the combusted gases, the annular seal ring rotating about a second axis perpendicular the seal plane as the rotating element rotates to equalize wear between the seal and rotating element. *** BRS DOCUMENT BOUNDARY ***