DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention is related to the field of internal combustion engines and more specifically to engine having opposing cylinders and opposing pistons in each cylinder.
BACKGROUND
The internal combustion engines are widely used in the automotive and other applications. However, the existing internal combustion engines are large in size and heavy and designing a space for accommodating the internal combustion engine in an automobile is a cumbersome task for the designers. The problems related to the size of the internal combustion engines are overcome by the opposed piston opposed cylinder engines.
These engines use conventional crankshaft mechanisms to convert translatory motion into rotary motion. That is existing OPOC engines have a crankshaft mechanism and two opposed cylinders. Each cylinder has inner and outer pistons reciprocally disposed therein and are drivingly coupled to the crankshaft by pushrods, and the outer pistons are drivingly coupled to the crankshaft by pull rods.
In some opposed piston opposed cylinder engines, crank mechanism is very large because of the high friction in the crank loop. The above arrangement of OPOC engine includes various mechanical components such as crankshaft, connecting rods etc. These components during operation produce heat due to friction leading to loss of energy and thus results in poor efficiency. The heat produced also leads to wear and tear of the components.
Thus, there exists a need to improve the efficiency and to avoid backlash and thus minimize vibrations generated due to backlash. The device further ensures reduction in friction which results in less heat generation, and less wear and tear.
SUMMARY
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified format that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the present subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the present subject matter.
The present invention as embodied and broadly described herein, provides an internal combustion engine, more specifically opposed piston opposed cylinder engine. In accordance with the present invention, the internal combustion engine comprises a first cylinder and a second cylinder which is disposed coaxially to the first cylinder. An inner cage member is disposed between the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The internal combustion engine comprises an outer cage member adapted to encase the first cylinder, the second cylinder, and the inner cage member. The internal combustion engine further comprises an output receiving member and a pulling arrangement. The pulling arrangement is adapted to inversely correlate a movement of the outer cage member with a movement of the inner cage member to thereby cause a movement in the output receiving member.
These aspects and advantages will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
To further clarify advantages and aspects of the invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings, which are listed below for quick reference.
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an internal combustion engine, in particular opposed piston opposed cylinder, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 illustrates a schematic view of the internal combustion engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
It may be noted that to the extent possible, like reference numerals have been used to represent like elements in the drawings. Further, those of ordinary skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have been necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of aspects of the invention. Furthermore, the one or more elements may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
It should be understood at the outset that although illustrative implementations of the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrated below, the present invention may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or in existence. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the illustrative implementations, drawings, and techniques illustrated below, including the exemplary design and implementation illustrated and described herein, but may be modified within the scope along with their full scope of equivalents.
The term “some” as used herein is defined as “none, or one, or more than one, or all.” Accordingly, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would all fall under the definition of “some.” The term “some embodiments” may refer to no embodiments or to one embodiment or to several embodiments or to all embodiments. Accordingly, the term “some embodiments” is defined as meaning “no embodiment, or one embodiment, or more than one embodiment, or all embodiments.”
The terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and does not limit, restrict or reduce the spirit and scope of the invention.
More specifically, any terms used herein such as but not limited to “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and grammatical variants thereof do not specify an exact limitation or restriction and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated, and furthermore must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated with the limiting language “must comprise” or “needs to include.”
Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, either way it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language such as “there needs to be one or more . . . ” or “one or more element is required.”
Unless otherwise defined, all terms, and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having an ordinary skill in the art.
Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements presented in the description. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of illuminating one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the descriptions fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility and non-obviousness.
Use of the phrases and/or terms such as but not limited to “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or alternatively in the context of more than one embodiment, or further alternatively in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.
According to Fig. 1, the internal combustion engine, in particular an opposed piston opposed cylinder (OPOC) engine 100 includes a first cylinder 102 and a second cylinder 104. The first cylinder 102 and the second cylinder 104 are hollow cylinders and are disposed opposite to each other at substantially the same level when oriented along the horizontal. In an implementation, the first cylinder 102 is disposed coaxial to the second cylinder 104. The internal combustion engine 100 comprises an outer cage member 106 and an inner cage member 108. The outer cage member 106 comprises a first end 110 and a second end 112 opposite to the first end 110. The first end 110 of the outer cage member 106 defines an outer wall of the first cylinder 102 and a second end 112 of the outer cage member 106 defines an outer wall of the second cylinder 104. The first end 110 of the outer cage member 106 is adapted to define a first piston 110 and the second end 112 of the outer cage member 106 is adapted to define a fourth piston 112.
Likewise, the inner cage member 108 comprises a first end 114 and a second end 116 opposite to the first end 114. The first end 114 of the inner cage member 108 defines an inner wall of the first cylinder 102 and a second end 116 of the inner cage member 108 defines an inner wall of the second cylinder 104. The first end 114 of the inner cage member 108 is adapted to define a second piston 114 and the second end 116 of the inner cage member 108 is adapted to define a third piston 116.
According to an embodiment of the invention, in the first cylinder 102, a first combustion chamber is defined between the first and the second pistons. Similarly, in the second cylinder, a second combustion chamber is defined between the third piston 116 and the fourth piston.
According to an implementation, the pistons are formed integral with the outer cage member 106 and inner cage member 108. In another implementation, the pistons are mounted at the ends of the outer cage member 106 and the inner cage member 108 by suitable mounting means.
The internal combustion engine 100 further comprises a means 118 for retaining the first cylinder 102, with respect to the second cylinder 104. The means is a retaining means or an arrangement that is provided in such a manner that it also retains the outer cage member 106 and inner cage member 108.
Referring to Figure 2, the internal combustion engine 200 further comprises a pulling arrangement. The pulling arrangement is adapted to inversely correlate a movement of the outer cage member 206 with a movement of the inner cage member 208 to thereby cause a movement in an output receiving member 220. The outer cage member 206 and the inner cage member 208 exhibit a reciprocating linear movement and output receiving member 220 exhibits a rotational movement. The rotational movement may be reciprocating rotational movement or complete rotational movement.
The pulling arrangement comprises a first, a second, a third and a fourth pulling member
222a-222d. The first pulling member 222a is connected at about a first end thereof to the first end 210 of the outer cage member 206 and at about a second end thereof to the output receiving member 220. The second pulling member 222b is connected at about a first end thereof to the second end 212 of the outer cage member 206 and at about a second end thereof to the output receiving member 220. The third pulling member 222c is connected at about a first end thereof to the first end 214 of the inner cage member 208 and at about a second end thereof to an output receiving member 220. The fourth pulling member 222d is connected at about a first end thereof to the second end 116 of the inner cage member 208 and at about a second end thereof to the output receiving member 220. The output receiving member 220 is in operational rotational connection with the axis member 228. In a preferred embodiment of the claimed subject matter, the axis member 228 is a shaft.
In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the first pulling member 222a and the second pulling member 222b, which are in connection with the outer cage member 206, are connected to the output receiving member 220 from a bottom position. Likewise, the third pulling member 222c and the fourth pulling member 222d, which are in connection with the inner cage member 208, are connected to the output receiving member 220 from a top position or vice-versa. The bottom position defines a first direction of movement of the cage members and the top position defines a second direction of movement of the cage members, whereas the first direction is opposite to the second direction. In an embodiment of the present subject matter, the output receiving member can rotate partially or completely.
Further, the engine is shown to lying in a generally horizontal plane, it can be operated in other orientations as well.
According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, the first cylinder 202 includes at least one inlet for introducing a combustible material and a combustion supporting material either separately or in form of a mixture into the first cylinder 202. The said one or more inlets may be provided on one, two, three or on all the sides of the first cylinder 202. The first cylinder 202 includes at least one outlet to allow a combustion product to escape from an internal portion of the first cylinder 202. The said one or more outlets may be provided on one, two, three or on all the sides of the first cylinder 202. The location of the said at least one inlet and the said at least one outlet is such that a short circuit of the combustible material between the said at least one inlet and the said at least one outlet does not take place.
The at least one inlet and the at least one outlet in the first cylinder 102 operate in a sequence and in synchronization with each other. The at least one inlet and at least one outlet are operated such that the operation of the inlet does not affect the operation of the outlet.
The first cylinder 102 may further include at least one means for receiving an ignition element. The said one or more means for receiving an ignition element may be provided on one, two, three or on all the sides of the first cylinder 102.
Further, in an implementation of the present subject matter, the movement of the first piston 110 and second piston 114 in the cylinder 102 controls the opening and closing of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet.
Similarly, the second cylinder 104 of the engine 100 includes at least one inlet for introducing a combustible material and a combustion supporting material either separately or in form of a mixture into the second cylinder 104. The said one or more inlets may be provided on one, two, three or on all the sides of the second cylinder 104. The second cylinder 104 includes at least one outlet to allow a combustion product to escape from an internal portion of the second cylinder 104. The said one or more outlets may be provided on one, two, three or on all the sides of the second cylinder 104. The location of the said at least one inlet and the said at least one outlet is such that a short circuit of the combustible material between the said at least one inlet and the said at least one outlet does not take place.
The at least one inlet and the at least one outlet in the second cylinder 104 operate in a sequence and in synchronization with each other. The at least one inlet and at least one outlet are operated such that the operation of the inlet does not affect the operation of the outlet.
The second cylinder 104 may further include at least one means for receiving an ignition element. The said one or more means for receiving an ignition element may be provided on one, two, three or on all the sides of the second cylinder 104.
Further, in an implementation of the present subject matter, the movement of the third piston 116 and fourth piston 112 in the second cylinder 104 controls the opening and closing of the at least one inlet and the at least one outlet. In an implementation, the at least one inlet, one outlet and ignition means are preferably provided on the center of the first cylinder 202 and the second cylinder 204.
Further, in another implementation of the present subject matter, the first cylinder 202 and the second cylinder 204 are provided with one or more rings 224 which may be provided partially over the circumference of the first cylinder 202 and the second cylinder 204. The rings 224 are provided at any position on the circumference of the cylinder. For example, the first cylinder 202 and the second cylinder 204 are provided with rings 224 with one opening 226. In another embodiment, the ring 224 can be provided with a plurality of openings. These openings 226 are designed to function as inlet valve and outlet valve. During intake stroke, the opening 226 on the ring 224 coincides with the opening on the cylinder to allow introduction of the combustible material and the combustion supporting material either separately or in form of a mixture into the cylinder. Similarly during exhaust stroke, the opening on the ring 224 coincides with the opening on the cylinder and allows combustion products such as exhaust gases to escape from the cylinder to the atmosphere. Said coinciding of the opening on ring 224 with the opening on the cylinder may be performed mechanically, electronically, electro-mechanically, using actuators or any other means known in the art. In an implementation, there is single ring provided on the first and second cylinder and in another implementation there are two or more than two rings are provided on the first and second cylinder.
Further, in an implementation of the present subject matter, the first cylinder 102 and the second cylinder 104 may or may not have the same configuration.
According to another embodiment of the present subject matter, during operation, i.e., during power stroke in the first cylinder 102, 202 of the internal combustion engine 100, 200, the first piston 110, 210 and the second piston 114, 214 move from top dead center (TDC) to bottom dead center (BDC), i.e., the first piston 110, 210 and the second piston 114, 210 move away from each other. Said movement of the first piston 110, 210 and the second piston 114, 214 operate both the outer cage member 106, 206 and the inner cage member 108, 208. The outer cage member 106, 208 and the inner cage member 108, 208 move the third piston 116, 216 and the fourth piston 112, 212 from BDC to TDC in the second cylinder 104, 204. That is, the third piston 116, 216 and the fourth piston 112, 212 moves towards each other and initiates the compression. Due to said movement, the output receiving member 220 rotates in first direction and the second pulling member 222b connected to the fourth piston 112, 212 and the third pulling member 222c connected to the second piston 114, 214 experiences a pulling force. Said rotation of output receiving member 220 rotates the shaft 228. When the second cylinder 104, 204 attains the power stroke, the third piston 116, 216 and fourth piston 112, 212 moves from TDC to BDC, i.e., the third piston 116, 216 and fourth piston 112, 212 moves away from each other. When the third piston 116, 216 and fourth piston 112, 212 reach BDC, the exhaust gases escape from the first cylinder 104, 204 to the atmosphere via the one or more outlet means. Said movement of the third piston 116, 216 and fourth piston 112, 212 operate the outer cage member 106, 206, and the inner cage member 108, 208. The outer cage member 106, 206 and the inner cage member 108, 208 move the first piston 110, 210 and the second piston 114, 214 from BDC to TDC and initiate the compression process.
Further, the combustible material and a combustion supporting material either separately or in form of a mixture is introduced into the first cylinder 102, 202 when the first piston 110, 210 and the second piston 114, 214 are at BDC and after removal of exhaust gases and before start of compression process. Similarly, the combustible material and a combustion supporting material either separately or in form of a mixture is introduced into the second cylinder 104, 204 when the third piston 116, 216 and the fourth piston 112, 212 are at BDC and after removal of exhaust gases and before start of compression process.
Further, in an implementation, the output receiving member rotates completely. i.e., the output receiving member functions as a freewheel. The movement of the cages is transferred to the output receiving member using a mechanism that converts translatory motion into rotational motion and vice-versa.
Further, in another implementation, a plurality of similar engine assemblies is assembled in a single engine arrangement. The internal combustion engine of the present subject matter can also be implemented in a four stroke engine. The internal combustion engine of the present subject matter can also be implemented as a diesel engine. Also, the engine of the present subject matter can be used in pumps. Further, in yet another implementation, the engine of the present subject matter can be used in generator set.
The advantages of the invention ensure, but are not limited to, minimization of losses that are caused due to the friction in mechanical components such as crankshaft, connecting rod, gears etc. The forces in the present arrangement travel through the pulling members and the cage members, making the engine open to pre-loading and hence resulting in zero or negligible backlash, which further results in the improved efficiency. Further, the OPOC engine of the present subject matter is mechanically simple as it has fewer mechanical components which inherently minimize mechanical losses. It further ensures that the engine is lighter in weight and compact in size.
,CLAIMS:I/We Claim:
1. An internal combustion engine (100, 200), comprising:
a first cylinder (102, 202);
a second cylinder (104, 204) disposed coaxially to the first cylinder (102, 202);
an inner cage member (108, 208) disposed between the first cylinder (102, 202) and the second cylinder (104, 204);
an outer cage member (106, 206) adapted to encase the first cylinder (102, 202), the second cylinder (104, 204), and the inner cage member (108, 208);
an output receiving member (220); and
a pulling arrangement adapted to inversely correlate a movement of the outer cage member (106, 206) with a movement of the inner cage member (108, 208) to thereby cause a movement in the output receiving member (220).

2. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the movement of the outer cage member (106, 206) and the inner cage member (108, 208) is a reciprocating linear movement and the movement of a output receiving member (220) is a rotational or reciprocating rotational movement.

3. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer cage member (106, 206) comprises a first end (110, 210) defining an outer wall of the first cylinder (102, 202) and a second end (112, 212) defining an outer wall of second cylinder (104, 204).

4. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claims 3, wherein the first end (110, 210) is adapted to define a first piston in relation to the first cylinder (102, 202) and second end (112, 212) is adapted to define a fourth piston in relation to the second cylinder (102, 202).

5. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner cage member (108, 208) comprises a first end (114, 214) defining an inner wall of the first cylinder (102, 202) and a second end (116, 216) defining an inner wall of the second cylinder (104, 204).

6. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first end (114, 214) is adapted to define a second piston in relation to the first cylinder (102, 202) and second side (116, 216) is adapted to define a third piston in relation to the second cylinder (104, 204).

7. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claims 4 and 6, wherein a first combustion chamber (130a, 230a) is defined between the first and the second pistons and second combustion chamber (130b, 230b) is defined between the third and fourth pistons.

8. The internal combustion engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pulling arrangement comprises:
a first pulling member (222a) for connecting a first end (110, 210) of the outer cage member (106, 206) to the output receiving member (220),
a second pulling member (222b) for connecting a second end (112, 212) of the outer cage member (106, 206) to the output receiving member (220),
a third pulling member (222c) for connecting a first side (114, 214) of the inner cage member (108, 208) to the output receiving member (220), and
a fourth pulling member (222d) for connecting a second side (116, 216) of the inner cage member (108, 208) to the output receiving member (220).

9. The engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
• the first cylinder (102, 202) is provided with at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve and at least one ignition means; and
• the second cylinder (104, 204) is provided with at least one inlet valve, at least one outlet valve and at least one ignition means.

10. The engine (100, 200) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output receiving member (220) is in operational connection with an axis member (228).