US1117464A - Internal-combustion engine. - Google Patents

Description

W. I. .TWOMBLY.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

. APPLICATION FILED sum. 19. 1911.

1,1 17,464. Patented Nov. 17, 1914,

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WI M58858: IN VEN TOR ATTORNEY Willard IrvingTwombly.

W. I. TWOMBLY.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLIOATIOI FILED SEPT. 19. 1911.

Patented Nov. 17; 1914,

0 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Winurd Irving Wmmbl y.

a g A ATTORNEY WITNESSES.-

W. I. TWOMBLY.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1911 Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS SHEET 3.

INVENTOR] Willard Irving mommy.

ATTORNEY w. I. TWOMBLY. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19. 1911.

Patented NOV. 17, 1914.

6 SHEETS'*SHEET 4.

INVENTOR:

uv Wlnard Irv1 gfnvombly,

42 ATTORNEY W. I. TWOMBLY.

INTERNAL GOIBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLIGATIOI nun snr'r. 19. 1911.

1 1 1 7,464. Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

8 SHBETS-BHBET 6.

wllgssfs: INVENTORI W WMard Irvm Ti/omlfl. QM, 9 Y

W. I. TWOMBLY.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION mwmn.

APPLICATION PILBD SEPT. 19. 1911.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

l N l/ f N TOR Wmard Irvmg Wombly. y fl W Li A TTORNEY WlT/VfSSES: QAWM mm IRVING TWOMBLY, OF NMOEK, N. Y., ASSIGN'OB TO TWOMBLY MOTORS COMPANY, OE NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CDRPORATION OF NEW YORK.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION EN (31111}.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 17, 1914.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD Ixvme TWOMBLY, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in IntemalCbmbustion Engines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to internal combustion engines, in which a series of radially projecting cylinders are circumferentially disposed around a shaft having a crank, pistons connected to the crank pin working in the respective cylinders.

It is the primary object of the invention to improve the general engine construction, and provide improved means to control the taking in of a charge of fuel to the cylinders, the utilization of the same, and the exhausting of the burnt gases from the cylinders.

It is a further object of the invention to provide the cylinder with a normally closed valve to control the exhaust therefrom, with a piston connected to the in of the crank shaft to work in said cylin or having 2 normally closed valve to control the passage of the fuel to the cylinder, and to provide means to open said valves, comprising an inlet-valve operatingcam on the crank pin of the shaft and an exhaust-valve operating-cam on the crank shaft, said cams being so constructed that the inlet valve will be opened upon alternate reciprocations of the piston or during the suction strokes, and the exhaust valve will be 0 ned upon alternate reeiprocations of the iston and alternately with the opening of t e inlet valve or during the exhaust strokes.

t is another object of the invention to provide meansto adjust the full intake-valve operating-cam on the crank pin to control the volume and compression of the fuel in the cylinders, and thereby regulate the power and s eed of the engine.

Another 0 jeet of the invention relates to the connection of the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, comprising a revolving member on the crank pin, and connecting rods connected to the istons and said revolving member, one o the rods being rigidly connected to the revolving member to maintain said member in proper position on the crank pin with relation to the conuecting rods of the other pistons.

Further objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

As a preface to a description of the construction and operation of the engine, I wishto state, that while the engine is illustrated as being of the rotary type operating on the four cycle principle; that is, the pistons and cylinders rotate about a fixed crank shaft or axes, it is to be understood that the engine may be constructed so that the crank shaft revolves and the cylinders are stationary; and instead of the cylinders being circumferentially disposed around the crank shaft they may be stationary to extend along the shaft and a separate cam provided for each of the valves.

In the drawin accompanying and forming a part of this specification, Figure l is a sectional side elevation of my improved engine taken substantial] throu h the engine on a line correspon ing wit the line A--A in Fig. 8. Fi 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional side e ovation taken through the middle of one of the cylinders, its piston mechanism and the casing, part of the latter being broken away, and illustrating the Inbricating means. Fig. 3 is a sectional end elevation taken through the cylinders, and is in the nature of a dia rammatic view to illustrate the positions 0 the pistons in the cylinders and the positions of the valves at a certain point in t e rotation of the en 'ne. Fig. 4 is a view looking at the front 0 the intake and exhaust valve-o rating cams, illustrating the positions 0 the cam-follower shoes in the respective cam grooves when the valves are in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of one of a pair of rings by means of which the connecting rods 0 the pistons are connected to a revolving member on the crank pin.v Fig. 6 is a sectional plan view of one of the cam-follower shoes. Fig. 7 is a view' looking at the to of one of the cylinders and a portion 0 the casing, art of the latter being broken awayto il ustrate the position of the exhaust valve operating-cam on the shaft, and also showing the manner of operating the magneto from the engine. Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the intakevalve operating-cam and the means to ad just said cam on the crank pin to control the opening and closing of the intake valves in the pistons to regulate the power and speed of the engine, said view showing the cam in full lines in normal position on the crank pin, and in dotted lines in one of the positions'to which it may be adjusted. Fig. is a sectional side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 8. Fig. is a detail view of one of the gudgeon pins upon which the connecting rods are mounted to connect them to the pistons. Fig. 11 is a sectional side elevation illustratin the manner of securing the cylinders to the casing.

Similar characters of reference designate like parts throughout the dilferent views of the drawings.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawings, I have shown the engine to be adapted as the motive power for propelling an aeroplane,and comprising a casing 1, which is in the nature of a fuel chamber, mounted by ball bearings, 3, l on a fixed hollow shaft 5 having a crank 6 to rotate about either a horizontal or vertical axis. The casing is provided with a series of circumferentially-disposed openings in which engage cylinders 7 to meet radially from the casing, said cy in ers having laterally projecting flanges to abut against the casingand secured thereto by clamping members 8 and bolts, the clamping members having a cut out portion so that they will engage over the cylinder flanges. The cylinders may also be provided with laterally-projecting flangesior fins 8 whereby to aid in the air cooling thereof. The casing is connected to the source of fuel supply, such as a carbureter, (not shown,) by means of a pipe 9 connected to the shaft 5.

The shaft is supported by a bracket 10 having a sleeve portion in which the shaft engages, one end of the sleeve abutting against a shoulder on the shaft and a pair of lock nuts 11 drawing and locking the shaft shoulder firmly up against the bracket and preventing any axial movement of the shaft. The engine is fixed in position in the fuselage of an aeroplane, or the frame of a motor vehicle by brackets 12 fixed to laterally-projecting portions of the bracket 10.

To maintain the bearing 4 in position I provide an annular cap 13 connected to the casing by bolts 14 to rotate therewith, a thrust bearing 15 being confined between the bearing 4 and the cap 13 to take up any forward pull or thrust of the'engine when a propeller 16 is secured thereto and the engine utilized as the motive power for an aeroplane.

Pistons 17 for the respective cylinders having the usual packing rings and oil grooves, are connected to the crank pin 6 to rotate with the cylinders about said pin as an axis, and during the rotation of the cvlinders reciprocating therein. The connections of the pistons to the crank pin constu sist of tubular rods 18 connected at one end to heads 19 whereby they are pivotally mounted upon gudgeon *pins 20 secumd: in hangers 21 having a screw. threaded engagement within the pistons with removable valve seats 22 in the piston heads, the said valve seats having lateral annular flan es to engage withthe top of the pistons. l he other ends of the rods 17 have a screw threaded engagement with members 23 to connect them to -a revolving member on the crank pin. This revolving member consists of a pair of bearings 24, 24, (in the present instance shown as ball bearings,) rings 25 surrounding said bearings and each having an inwardly extending annular flange with a series of equidistantly spaced and circumferentially disposed holes, one hole in each ring flange being polygonal in shape for a purpose to be hereinafter described. All of the rods 17, with the exception of one, are connected to the revolving member by gudgeon pins 26 engaging in the openings in the ring flanges and upon which the members 23 are pivotally mounted. The member 23 of one of the rods 17 has lateral projections pol gonal in shape to engage in the polygonal lioles in the ring flanges to rigidly connect said rod to the bearings 24 and thereby prevent movement of one bearing relative to the other on the crank pin, as clearly shown in Fi 5. It will be noted that one portion of t e crank pin has a reduced diameter, as at 21. This is to permit of the slipping of the bearings 21 over the offset portion of the crank when placing on the crank pin, and the maintainin of the bearings toa minimum size. A bus in 28 is provided for one of the bearings at theleft of Fig. 1) consisting of a pair of semi-circular sections.

The admission of fuel from the fuel chamber 1 to the cylinders is controlled by mechanically operated valve mechanism in the respective pistons, comprising up t valves 29 the stems of which are s ida ly sup iorted inthe valve seats 22, headed ds 30 passing through and having a screw threaded engagement with the valve stems and locked in position by nuts -81, coiled springs 32 confined between the heads of the valve studs and seats normall maintaining the valves seated. The va ves are 0 )erated by means of a cam 33, commonto all of the valves, mounted upon the wrist pin by a bracket 34 fixed to the offset of the crank, said cam comprising a disk having a air of concentric and intersecting ooves m the face thereof, the outer groove avin an eccentric or raised portion for approximately 180 degrees. Cam-followers comprising rods 35 are slidably mounted in the heads 19 and bushings 36, bushings 36', in

the hollow rods 18, being secured to and moving with the rods to prevent distorting of the latter. The rods are provided with a laterally-extendin portion 37 rojecting through slots 38 in t ie rods 18 and connecting members 23, with shoes 39 pivotally carried thereon to enga e in the cam grooves. The heads of the mic studs are provided with projectin portions 30 to extend into openings in t e connecting-rod heads 19 and pins 20 to be engaged by the ends of the rods 35. (Fig. 1).

The cam-follower shoes are so constructed that as the engine completes one revolution they will be readily switched through the intersecting portion of the cam grooves from the outer to engage in the inner cam groove during the succeeding revolution, and again be switched into the outer groove upon the subsequent revolution of the engine, and for this purpose are constructed as shown in Fig. 6, comprising a pair of connected plates with the cam engaging edges substantially fiat, while the upper edges are convex, the both ends being pointed or wedge shaped to guide and facilitate the switching thereof through the intersecting portion of the cam grooves.

The exhaust of the burnt gases from the cylinders is controlled by mechanically operated valve mechanism in the cylinders, comprising valves 40 the stems of which are slidably mounted in removable valve seats 41 in the cylinder heads. The operation of the exhaust valves is controlled by a cam 42 keyed to the projecting end 43 of the crank shaft and held thereon by a nut 43, said nut also servin to prevent axial movement of the casing T on the shaft 5. The cam 42 is similar to the fuel-inlet valve-o ratin cam 33; that is, it consists of a disk having a pair of concentric and intersecting grooves or raceway in the face thereof with the outer roove having an eccentric or raised portion or approximately 180 degrees. The fuelintake and exhaust valve operating cams are so set that the eccentric portions are substantially diametrically opposite. The cam 42 is inclosed in a chamber formed at the end of the casing 1 by an annular member 44 and a releasable plate 45 held in place by means of tie rods 2 passing through the casin 1. This chamber is adapted to be filled wit] a suitable lubricant. When the engine is to be utilized as the motive ower for an aeroplane the propeller 16 1S fixed to the plate 45. However, when used as the motive power in a motor vehicle to rotate on a horizontal axis the vehicle drive shaft is connected directly to said plate 45. but when the motor is mounted in the vehicle frame to rotate on a vertical axis a bevel pinion is fixed to the plate to mesh with a corresponding pinion on the drive shaft of the vehicle. Fulcrumed to studs 46, fixed in arms 47 project ng laterally from the cylinders are rockers 48, connected at one end to the stems of the exhaust valves and the other ends to rods 49 slidabl mounted in the arms 47 and with their ree ends engaging in tappets 50 slidably mounted in bushings 51 screw threaded mto the annular member 44, the lower end of said rods resting upon balls 52 in said tappets. Fixed in and projecting at right angles to the tappets are studs 53 on which shoes 54 (similar to the shoes 39) are pivotally supported to engage in the raceway in the cam 42. The valves are normally maintained closed by springs 55 coiled about the rods 49 and confined between the arms 47 and collars 56 on the rods.

To oil the istons and engine bearings, I provide an oi reservoir or distributer at one end of the casing 1, consisting of an annular recess 57 the outer end of which is closed by the cap 13. Oil is fed to said reservoir through a duct 58 communicating with an annular recess or duct 59 in the cap to which is connected a duct 60 passin through the shaft and connected to an oi tank. (Not shown). The oil distributer 57 is connected with the cylinders by sectional ducts 61 connected by a coupling 62. Suitable check valves are provided in said ducts to prevent a back flow of the oil, each consisting of a ball-seat in the cou ling 62, a ball 63 and a spring 64 to normal y seat the ball. Suitable means is also provided to regulate the flow of oil to the cylinders, and is shown as comprising needle valves 65 in the ducts 61. As the engine rotates the oil from the distributer 57 is thrown outwardly by centrifugal action opening the check valves in the ducts 61 and causing the oil to flow to the walls of the cylinders. As the engine is stopped or comes to rest, the balls will be seated by the springs 64 and shut off the flow of oil. Branching out from the annular recess 59 in the ca 13 is a duct 66 leading through the she the crank, and the crank pin, with ducts branching out therefrom and leading to the bearings, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. Any oil that oozes out from the chamber 44 into the casing or fuel chamber 1, or drips from the hearings, will be thrown outwardly through the valves in the pistons b centrifugal action as the engine rotates t ereby serving as an additional means to oil said valve mechanism and the pistons.

The speed and power of the engine are controlled by the volume and compression of fuel in the cylinders, and for this purpose I so mount the inlet-valve operating-cam 33 upon the wrist pin to have rotative adjustment thereon. o adjust the cam 33 I provide a sleeve 67 rotatably mounted in the shaft 5 and connected to the cam by a link 68. A lever 69 fixed to said sleeve projects through a slot 70 in the shaft and to which lever is connected an operating lever to advance or retard the cam. The connection of m 'one-half of the initial movement of its fuel compression stroke, a portion of the charge of fuel previously taken into a c linder being forced out of the cylinder an back into the fuel chamber 1, thus supplying only a portion of a charge to a cylinder, and as this will be under low compression and burn slowly the engine will not develop its maximum power and consequently revolve at a low speed. When the cam is mounted for adjustment on the crank pin the bracket 34 may be dis used with; or the bracket ma be providetl with segmental slots; and hes ed studs fixed in the cam engage and work in said slots.

As a preface to a description of the operation of m improved engine, I wish to say that for t e purpose of illustration I have shown the mgine as bein provided with seven c linders, although a ess number may be emp oyed and the engine work efliciently, and for the purpose of clearness in describing the operation, the cylinders have been indicated by the characters a, ;b, c d, e, f and g, respectively, (Fig. 3) which is the order in which combustlon will take place in the cylinders, the engine revolving) anticlockwise in the direction indicated y the arrow, it being understood that this view is taken looking at the rear of the engine. Furthermore, the engine is preferably operated on the four-cycle princ1ple;'that is, suction or admission of fuel, compression of fuel, combustion or power stroke, and the exhausting of the burnt gases. This gives one power stroke for each cylinder every two revolutions of the engine,

The centrifugal action as the engine revolves, and the vacuum created during the fuel compression and exhaust strokes of the pistons, will draw in a charge of fuel to the casing 1 through the hollow shaft and pipe 9 connected to the source of fuel supply, and as the pistons commence their suction strokes and the inlet valves are opened, the fuel will enter the cylinders and be thrown outwardly toward the cylinder heads and packed therein, so to speak, through the action of centrifugal force. I

Assuming the cylinders and pistons to be in the ositions indicated in Fig. 3, combustion taking place and a power stroke being imparted to the iston in the cylinder 9. Both the inlet an outlet exhaust valves are closed in cylinder 0 and a charge of fuel compressed therein about to be ignited; both of the valves are closed in cylinder 6 and a charge of fuel being compressed therein; the inlet valve in the piston in cylinder 0 is open and the piston a proaching the end of its suction stroke, w ile the inlet valve in the iston in cylinder 11 is open and is commencmg its suction stroke. The exhaust valve in cylinder e is open and the piston is approaching the end of its exhaust stroke, while the exhaust valve in the cylinder f is open and the piston is beginnin its exhaust stroke. In this position of the cylinders and pistons the shoes 54 of the cam-followers for the exhaust-valve operating-cam 42 will approximately assume the positions in the cam racewa indicated in Fig. 4, and the shoes 39 of the cam-followers for the inlet-valve operating-cam 33 will be substantially in the positions in the cam raceway indicated in Fi 4.

During 180 degrees of revolution of the engine in the direction of the arrow, the pistons and cylinders bein substantially in the positions shown in ig. 3 as already stated, combustion will take place and a power stroke imparted to the piston in cylinder a, the piston in cylinder e will have completed its exhaust stroke and approach the end of its suction stroke, the piston in cylinder 6 will complete its compression stroke and a power stroke imparted thereto, the burnt ases will be'exhausted from the cylinder andthe piston commence its suction stroke, the piston will complete its suction stroke and a proach the end of its compression stro e in cylinder 0, the piston will com lete its ower stroke and commence ex austing t e burnt gases from cylinder g, and the piston in cylinder (i will complete its suction stroke and commence its fuel-compression stroke. During the succeedin 180 degrees of revolution of the engine, t e burnt gases will be exhausted from cylinder a, the piston in cylinder e will complete its suction stroke and commence its el-compression stroke, the piston in cylinder 6 W111 complete its power stroke and commence exhausting the burnt gases from the c linder, the piston in cylinder f will comp ete its suction stroke and commence the compression of said charge, piston in cylinder 0 will complete its compression stroke and a power stroke being imparted thereto, the burnt gases will be exhausted from and the piston begin its suction stroke in cylinder g, while the piston in cylinder (1 has completed its compression stroke and a power stroke is being imparted thereto.

he pistom and cylinders are now a sin substantially in the positions shown in ig. 3 with the exception that the piston in the cylinder a is at the end of the exhaust stroke and the inlet valve in the piston is about to be opened, both valves are closed in the cylinders e and f and compression of fuel taking place therein, the exhaust valve is opened in cylinder b and the burnt gases being exhausted therefrom, both valves are closed in the cylinders c and d and a power stroke being imparted to the respective pistons. and the inlet valve in the iston in cylinder g is open and a charge of fuel entering the same. During the next cycle or succeeding 18Q degrees of revolution of the engine the valve in the piston in cylinder a will be opened and a charge of fuel sucked therein, the piston in cylinder 6 will complete its compression stroke and the combustion of fuel take place therein the piston approaching the end of its power stroke, the piston in cylinder 7) will complete its exhaust stroke and commence its suction stroke, the piston in cylinder f will complete its compression stroke, the charge ignited in said cylinder and a power stroke imparted thereto, the piston in cylinder 0 will'coinplete its ower stroke and approach the end of its ex aust stroke, the piston in cylinder 9 will complete its suction stroke and commence its fuel-compression stroke, while the piston in cylinder d will complete its power stroke and begin to exhaust the burnt gases from said cylinder. During the succeeding 180 degrees of revolution of the engine, the charge of fuel admitted to cylinder a, during the preceding cycle will be compressed, the piston in cylinder e will complete its power stroke and approach the end of its exhaust stroke, the piston in cylinder b will complete its suction stroke and commence to compress the charge of fuel, combustion is taking place in cylinder f, the piston completing its power stroke and commencin to exhaust the burnt gases from the cylin er, the piston in cylinder 0 will complete its exhaust stroke and commence its suction stroke, the piston in cylinder 9 will complete its compression stroke, combustion taking place therein and a power stroke imparted to the piston, while the piston in cylinder (I will complete its exhaust stroke and begin its suction stroke. The pistons, cylinders and valve mechanism are now again in the positions illustrated in Fig. 3 when the cycle of operations will be repeated.

The inlet-valve and exhaust-valve operating cams are so located upon the crank pin and shaft that the dwell or eccentric portions of said cams will come diametrically opposite to each other, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. It will be noted that the shoes 39 of the cam-followers of the inlet-valve operating-cam 33 engage in the outer oove of the raceway during the latter portion of the exhaust stroke, the entire suction stroke and the initial portion of the compression stroke of the pistons, or one revolution, and during approximately 180 degrees of said revolution, or the suction stroke, engage with the eccentric portion of the cam and impart movement to the valve-opening rods 35 whereby said rods engage with and maintain the inlet valves open, and that the are so constructed as to be readily switched through the intersecting portion of the raceway in the cam to engage in the inner groove during the succeeding revolution or the latter portion of the compression stroke, the entire power stroke and the initial portion of the exhaust stroke of the pistons with no movement imparted to the valve-operating rods 35 and the valves in the pistons maintained closed b the springs 32. It will also be noted that t e shoes 54 of the cam-followers for the exhaust-valve operating-cam 42 enga e in the outer groove of said cam during t e latter portion of the power stroke, the entire exhaust stroke and the initial portion of the suction stroke of the pistons, and will engage with the eccentric portion of the cam during approximately 180 degrees of revolution of the engine, or during the exhaust stroke of the piston, imparting movement to the exhaust-valve operating-rods 49 to open the exhaust valves, the shoes being switched through the intersecting portion of the cam racewav to the inner groove to engage therein during the latter portion of the suction stroke, the enter compression stroke, and the initial portion of the power stroke of the pistons with no movement im arted to the valve-operating rods 49 and t e exhaust valves being maintained closed by the springs 55, when the shoes are again switched through the intersecting portion of the cam raceway to the outer groove.

Ports 75 are provided in the walls of the cylinders at diametrically opposite sides, preferablv in the front and rear sides of the cylinders; that is, in the sides in and opposite the direction of rotation of the engine. These ports are normally covered by the pistons during the fuel-compression and exhaust strokes, and as the pistons approach the end of their power strokes serve as auxiliary exhaust ports to relieve the cylinders of any high pressures of combustion. These ports are also uncovered by the pistons at the end of the suction stroke and any vacuum created in the cylinders, which may be caused by the throttling of the fuel supply to the engine, pure air will enter the ports to supply this vacuum at atmospheric pressure.

The charge of fuel is ignited by the spark ing terminal of an igniting mechanism carried by a plug 76 secured in the head of each of the cylinders. The ignition mechanism consists of an annular ring 77 of insulating material fixed to rotate with the engine an having seven sections (one for each cylinder) of conducting material 78 fixedthereto, the' said ring eonstiLating a commutator.

- combination of a crank The respective sections 7 8' of the commutator rin are connected to the spark lugs 76 by con uctin wires 79 with the current grounded in the cylinders. A brush or contact-maker 80 of suitable conducting material is secured to a post of insulating material 81 fixed to the lateral flanges of the shaft-supporting bracket 10 and is connected to the source of current, such as a magneto, shown in a general way at M, Fig. 7, by a conductin wire 82, and which magneto is operated rom a gear 83 fixed to the cap 13. The commutator sections 78 are each provided with a resilient contact-making finger (Fig. 7) to contact with the contact-maker 80 as the engine revolves. The spark plugs of the respective cylinders are successively connected to the commutator sections 78 in the order of'combustion in the cylinders; that is, in the order a, b, 0, d, e, f and g, as shown in Fig. 3.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In an internal combustionengine, the combination of a crank shaft; a combined fuel chamber and crank case; a cylinder fixed to the case; a-piston to work in the cylinder connected to the crank shaft; an inlet valve in the piston to control the charge of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinder;-and a cam on the'crank pin to open the valve upon alternate reciprocations of the piston.

2. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fuel chamber, a combustion chamber, an exhaust valve for said latter chamber, a piston to work in the combustion chamber, and a mechanically-operated inlet valve in the piston to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the combustion chamber, and means to adjust said inletvalve operating mechanism at will to vary the time at which the inlet valve is opened and closed to regulate the volume and compression of fuel 1n the combustion chamber.

3. In an internal combustion engine, the shaft; a combined fuel chamber andcrank case; a cylinder fixed to the case; an exhaust valve for the cylinder; a piston to WOIk in the cylinder connected to the crank shaft; an inlet valve in the iston to control the charge of fuel from th s fuel chamber to the cylinder; a cam on the crank pin; and means carried by the piston and crank connection operable by the cam to engage with and open the valve in the piston upon alternate reciprocations thereof.

4. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft; a combined fuel chamber and crank case; a cylinder fixed to the case; a mechanically operated valve in the cylinder to control the exhaust therefrom; a piston connected to thecrank shaftto work in. the cylinder; a spring closed valve in the piston to control the charge of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinder; and a cam on the crank pin to open the valvein the piston against the action of the spring upon alternate reciprocations thereof.

5. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fuel chamber, a combustion chamber, an exhaust valve for said latter chamber, a piston to operate in the combustion chamber, an inlet valve in the piston to open and shut off communication between said chambers, a cam to operate the inlet valve, and means to adjust the cam to vary the time at which the inlet valve is closed during the compression stroke of the piston.

6. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft, a fuel chamber, a combustion chamber, an exhaust valve for said latter chamber, a piston connected to the crank-shaft to work in the combustion chamber, an inlet valve in thepiston to open and shut of communication etween said chambers, a cam on the crank shaft to operate the inlet valve upon alternate reciprocations of the pistons, and means to adjust the cam to vary the time at which the inlet valve is opened and closed during the reciprocation of the piston.

7. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft, a series of cylinders mounted to rotate about said shaft, pistons working in said cylinders, a fuel chamber common to all of said cylinders, spring closed inlet valves in the respective pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders, and a cam on the crank shaft to open the inlet valves uponalternate revolutions of the cylinders or alternate reciprocations of the pistons.

8. In an internal combustion engine, the combination with a fixed crank shaft, of a series of cylinders rotatably mounted on said shaft; pistons working in said cylinders connected to the crank pin; a fuel chamber common to all of said cylinders; spring closed inlet valves in the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; a cam on the crank pin of the shaft common to all of the piston valves; and cam followers carried by the piston and crank connections to engage with and open the inlet valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders.

9. In an internal combustion engine. the combination of a crank shaft, a series of cylinders and cofiperating pistons rotatable about said shaft. a fuel chamber common to all of said cylinders, inlet valves in the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders. and a cam on the crankshaft to open all of the inlet valves, said cam adjustable on the crank shaft to vary the time at which the inlet valves are closed during the compression strokes of the pistons.

10. In an internal combustion en ne, the combination comprising a fixed sha t having a crank pin; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders fixed thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank-pin of the shaft, said pistons rotating with the cylinders about the crank pin; spring-closed valves in the istons to control the charge of fuel from t e fuel chamber to the cylinders; a cam on the crank pin common to all of the iston valves; cam-following shoes; and r s slidably supported by the connecting rods and connected to the shoes to engage with and open the valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders.

11. In an internal combustion engine, the combination comprisin a fixed crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotata ly mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected there to; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connectin rods to connect the pistons to the clan -pin of the shaft whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; spring-closed valves in the pistons; and a cam on the crank pin to open said valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; and means to adjust said cam on the crank pin at will to vary the time at which the valves are opened and closed during the reciprocation of the pistons to regulate the volume and compression of fuel in the cylinders.

12. In an internal combustion engine, the combination comprisin a. fixed crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotate ly mounted on said shaft; a series'of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank-pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; spring closed valves in the pistons; and means to open said valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders to control the assa e of fuel from the fuel chamber to t e cy inders, comprising a cam common to all of said valves consistin of a stationary disk on the crank pin and aving a raceway in the face thereof, tappets slidably mounted in the connecting rods to engage with the valves, and shoes connected to the tappets to engage in the cam raceway.

18. 'In an internal combustion engine, the combination comprisin a fixed crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotate 1y mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank-pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; spring closed valves in the pistons; means to open said valves upon alternatc revolutions of the cylinders to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamher to the cylinders, comprising a face-cam common to all the valves mounted on the crank pin, tappets slidably mounted in the connecting rods to engage with the valves, and shoes connected to the tappets to engage with the cam; and means to adjust said cam at will on the crank pin to vary the time at which the valves are opened and closed during the reciprocation of the pistons to regulate the volume and compression of fuel in the cylinders.

14. In an internal combustion en 'ne, the combination of a fixed hollow cra shaft; a crank case rotatably mounted on said shaft, said case connected to the source of fuel supplv through said shaft and constituting a fuel chamber; cylinders fixed to and rotatable with said case; pistons to work in the respective cylinders and connected to the crank pin of the shaft to rotate about the same; spring-closed valves in the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders, a cam on the crank pin of the shaft common to all of the piston valves; and means carried by the piston and crank connections operable by the cam to engage with and open the valves upon alternate reciprocations or revolutions of the pistons.

15. In an internal combustion en 'ne, the combination of a fixed hollow cran shaft; a crank case rotatably mounted on said shaft, said case connected to the source of fuel supply through said shaft and constituting a fuel chamber; cylinders fixed to and rotatable with said case; pistons to work in the respective cylinders and connected to the crank pin of the shaft to rotats about the same; s ring-closed valves in the pistons to contro the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; and a stationary cam on the crank pin of the shaft common to all of said valves to open said valves upon alternate reciprocations or revolutions o the pistons.

16. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed hollow crank shaft; a crank case rotatably mounted on said shaft, said case connected to the source of fuel supply through said shaft and constituting a fuel chamber; cylinders fixed to and rotatable with said case; pistons to work in the respective cylinders and connected to the crank pin of the shaft to rotate about the same; spring-closed valves in the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; and a cam on'the crank-pin of the shaft to open said valves, said cam being adjustable about the crank pin to vary the time at which the valves are opened during the reciprocation of the pistons to regulate the volume and compression of the fuel in the cylinders.

17. An internal combustion engine, comprising a rotatable fuehchamber; a series of cylinders fixed to said'chamber to project radially therefrom; pistons working in the cylinders; inlet valves in the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; and a cam to control the operation of all of saidvalves, said cam being adjustable to vary the time at which the valves are opened and closed during the reciprocation of the pistons.

18. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected thereto pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons with the crank pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cvlinders about the crank pin; spring-closed valves in the pistons; and means to open said valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders to control the passa of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders, comprising a face cam stationary on the crank pin, and cam followers slidably mounted in the connecting rods.

19. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; :1 series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; -connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank-pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; spring-closed valves in the pistons; and means to open said valves to permit the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber'to the cylinders, comprising a cam consisting of a disk on the crank pin having a pair of concentric and intersecting grooves in the face thereof to constitute a raceway, tappets slidably mounted in the connecting rods and adapted to engage with the valves, and cam followers connected to said rods to engage in the cam raceway, said cam followers during the latter portion of the exhaustin stroke, the entire suction stroke and the initial portion of the compression strokes of the pistons engaging in the outer groove of the raceway an so constructed as to be switched through the intersecting portion in the raceway to the inner groove and engage therein during the latter portion of the com premion stroke, the entire power stroke and the initial portion of the exhausting stroke of the pistons; said outer oove having a raised portion for substantially 180 degrees and with which the cam followers engage during the suction stroke of the pistons to maintain the inlet valves open during such stroke.

20. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; s ring-closed valves in the pistons to contro the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; a stations face cam on the crank pin; ta pets slidably mounted in the connecting r0 s and ads ted to engage with the valves; and cam fol owers connected to said rods .to engage with the cam; said cam bein so-constructed'that during the suction strc e of the pistons orone-half revolution of the cylinders the valves will be maintained open, 'and during the compression, power and exhaustin strokes of the pistons or one and one-hal revolutions of the cylinders the valves will be maintained closed.

21. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft;a-fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft;a series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank" pin; s ring-closed valves in the pistons to centre the assage of fuel'from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; a face cam'on the crank pin; tappets slidably mounted in the connecting rods and adapted to engage with the valves; cam followers connected to said rods to engage with the cam; said cam'being so constructed thatdnrin the's'uction strokes of the pistons or one-ha f revolution of the cylinders movement will be imparted to the valve tappets through the c m followers to unseat and maintain the va ves open, and during the compression, power and exhaust strokes of the pistons or one and one-half revolution of the cylinders no movement will be imparted to the vhlve tappets the valves'mainteined closed; and means to" adjust the cam to vary the time at which the valves are opened and closed to regulate the volume and compression of fuel in the cylinders.

22. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft; a fuel'chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons workinfi in the respective cylinders; connecting r s to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; removable valve seats in the pistons; puppet valves ada ted to be seated in said seats; headed stu s having a screw threaded engagement with the puppet valves; coiled springs confined between the heads of the studs and the valve seats to maintain the valves closed: a stationary cam on the crank pin: and cam followers slidahly mounted in the connecting rods to engage with and unseat the valves upon alternate rcciprocations or revolutions of the pistons.

23. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin; removable valve seats in the pistons; puppet valves adapted to be seated in said seats; headed studs having a screw threaded engagement with the puppet valves; coiled sprihgs confined between the heads of the studs and the valve seats to maintain the valves closed; a stationary face cam on the crank in; cam followers adapted to unseat the va ves, comprising rods slidabl mounted in the connecting rods and at apted to engage with the heads of the valve studs, said rods having a portion extending transversely to the movement thereof and projecting through slots in the connecting rods; shoes pivotally supported on said extending portion and engaging with the cam, said ("am imparting movement to the cam followers to maintain the valves open during 180 degrees of revolution of the cylinders or during the suction strokes of the pistons and during the succeeding one and one-half revolution imparting no movement to the cam followers and the valves remaining closed.

24. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft; a series of cylinders connected thereto; pistons working in the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, whereby said pistons rotate with the cylinders about the crank pin: removable valve seats in the pistons; puppet valves; headed studs having a screw threaded engagement with the puppet valves; coiled springs confined between the heads of the studs and the valve seats to maintain the valves closed; and means to unseat said valves to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders, comprising a cam consisting of a disk on the crank pin having a pair of concentric and intersecting grooves in the face thereof and constituting a raceway. rods slidably mounted in the connecting rods and adapted to engage with the heads of the valve studs, said rods having a portion extending transversely to the movement thereof and projecting-through slots in the connecting rods, shoes pivotally supported on said extending portions, said shoes during one revolution of the cylinders engaging in the outer groove of the raceway, and maintaining the inlet alves open during 180 degrees of said revolution, and during the second revolution engaging in the innergroove of the raceway with the valves closed.

25. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a hollow stationary crank shaft: a hollow casing rotatably mounted on said shaft and connected to the fuel supply through said shaft; :1 series of cylinders secured tosaid casing; pistons for the respec tive cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, whereby the pistons rotate with. the cylinders about said crank pin; inlet valves in the heads of the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the case to the cylinders; a cam on the crank pin; and cam followers slidably mounted in the connecting rods and adapted to engage. with the valves to operate the sanie.

:26. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a hollow stationary crank shaft; a hollow casing rotatably mounted on said shaft and connected to the fuel supply through said shaft; a series of cylinders secured to said casing; pistons for the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, whereby the pistons rotate with the cylinders about said crank pin; inlet valves in the heads of the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the case to the cylinders; an adjustable cam on the crank pin; cam followers slidably mounted in the connecting rods and adapted to engage with the valves to operate the same; and means to adjust the cam on the crank pin, com rising a sleeve rotatably mounted in the ollow crank shaft, an actuating lever fixed to said sleeve and projecting through a slot in the shaft, and a link to connect said sleeve to the cam.

27. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft; a fuel chamber; a series of cylinders fixed to 'said chamber; pistons to work in the respective cylinders and connected to the crank of the shaft; inlet valves in the respective pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamher to the cylinders; a cam on the crank pin of the shaft common to all of the inlet valves; cam followers slidably carried by the piston and crank connections adapted to engage with and open the valves upon alternate reciprocations of the pistons; spring closed exhaust valves in the heads of the cylinders: a cam fixed to the crank shaft; and cam followers connected to said exhaust valves and actuated by said latter valve to open said valves alternately with the opening of the valves in the pistons.

28. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a fixed hollow crank shaft; a hollow casing rotatably mounted on said shaft and communicating with the fuel supply therethrough; a series of cylinders fixed to said casing; pistons for the respective ylinders connected to the crank pin of the shaft; valves in the pistons to control the passage of fuel from the casing to the cylinders; an adjustable valve-operating cam on the crank pin; exhaust valves in the cylinders, and a stationary cam on the crank shaft to operate said latter valves.

29. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed hollow shaft; a hollow casing rotatably mounted on said shaft and communicating with the fuel supply therethrough; a series of cylinders fixed to said casing; pistons for the respective cylinders; connecting rods to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft; spring closed valves in the pistons; a cam on the crank pin; cam followers carried by the connecting rods adapted to engage with and open the valves upon alternate reciprocations or revolutions of the pistons; spring closed exhaust valves in the heads of the cylinders; a cam on the crank shaft; and cam followers connected to said latter valves to open the same alternately with the opening of so ithe piston valves.

30. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed hollow crank shaft; a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft and connected to the source of fuel 36 supply through said shaft; cylinders fixed to and rotatable with said chamber; pistons to work in the respective cylinders and connected to the crank pin of the shaft to rotate about the same; valves in the respec- 40 tive pistons to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinders; a,

valve operating cam common to all of the valves on the crank pin of the shaft to open said valves upon alternate reciprocations of the pistons: spring-closed exhaust valves in the heads of the cylinders; and a cam on the crank shaft to open the exhaust valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders and alternately with the opening of the piston valves.

31. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed hollow shaft having a crank: a fuel chamber rotatably mounted on said shaft and connected to the source of fuel supply through said shaft; cylinders fixed to and rotatable with said chambers; pistons to work in the respective cylinders and connected to the crank pin of the shaft to rotate about the same; spring-closed valves in the respective pistons; a cam on the crank pin common to all of said valves to open the valves upon alternate revolutions of the cylinders to control the passage of fuel from the fuel chamber to the cylinas ders: spring-closed exhaust valves in the heads of the cylinders; and means to open the exhaust valves upon altimate revolutions of the cylinders and alternately with the opening of the inlet valves, comprisin a cam common to all of said valves fixe to the crank shaft, levers carried by the cylinders and connected with the valves, slidably supported rods connected to the levers, and earn-followers connected to said rods and engaging with the cam.

32. A four cycle internal combustion engine, comprising in combination a crank shaft. :1 fuel chamber; a series of cylinders; pistons for the respective cylinders connected to the crank shaft; spring closed in- 0 let valves in the respective pistons; a cam on the crank pin of the shaft: valve opening cam followers, said cam being so constructed as to actuate the cam followers to cause them to engage with and maintain the 35 inlet valves open during the suction stroke of the pistons; exhaust valves in the cylinders; a second cam on the crank shaft; and valve opening cam-followers, said latter cam being so constructed as to actuate the latter o cam followers to cause them to open and maintain said exhaust valves open during the exhaust stroke of the pistons.

33. An internal combustion en ine, comprising in combination a fixed hol ow crank shaft: a hollow casing rotatably mounted on said shaft and communicating with the fuel supply therethrough; a series of cylinders. fixed to said casing; pistons for the respective cylinders connected to the crank pin of 00 the shaft; spring closed inlet valves in the respective pistons; a cam on the crank pin common to all of said valves; valve opening cam followers, said cam being so constructed as to actuate the cam followers to cause them to engage with and maintain the valves open during 180 degrees of two revolutions of the cylinders: spring closed exhaust valves in the heads of the cylinders; a second cam on the crank shaft; and valve opening cam fol- 0 lowers. said latter cam being so constructed as to actuate-the latter cam followers to cause them to open and maintain said exhaust valves open during 180 degrees of two revolutions of the pistons and alternately 1 5 with the opening of the inlet valves.

34. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a crank shaft; a cylinder; a piston to work in the cylinder; a removable valve cage in the piston head; a valve, the stem of which is slidably mounted in the valve cage; a hanger connected to said valve cage within the piston; a connecting rod connected to said hanger and crank pin to connect the piston to the crank shaft; a cam on the crank pin; and a cam follower slidablv carried by the connecting rod to engage with the valve stem and open the valve upon alternate reciprocations of the piston.

35. In an internal combustion engine, the 50 combination of a crank shaft; a cylinder; an exhaust valve in the cylinder; apiston to work in the cylinder; a removable valve seat in the piston head; a spring closed puppet valve to engage in said seat; a stationary valve-operating face-cam on the crank pin; means to connect the piston to the crank shaft, comprising a pair of ball bearings on the crank pin, rings surrounding and secured to the bearings, a tubular member having a head consisting of laterally-projecting trunnions whereby it is connected to the valve seat, and at'the other end connected to the bearing rings; and a cam-follower slidably carried by the piston and crank connection to engage with the valve to unseat the same to control the passage of fuel to the cylinder.

36. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft; a series of cylinders rotatable about said shaft; ex-

haust valves in the, respective cylinders; pistons to work in the cylinders; removable valve seats in the piston heads; puppet valves seated in the valve seats; a cam common to all of said latter valveson the crank pin; and means to connect the pistons to the crank pin of the shaft, comprising hangers connected to the valve seats within the pistons, a pair of ball hearings on the crank pin, rings secured to and surrounding said bearings, each ring provided with an annular flange having a series of circumferentially disposed holes, one of the holes in each ring being polygonal in shape, rods, gudgeon pins whereby the rods are connected to the hangers, one of said rods provided with a pair of lateral pol gonal shapedprojections at the, other en to engage in the polygonal holes in the bearing rings to secure said rod to the crank-pin, and gud- Ezon pins to engage in the holes in the arin rings to pivotally connect the other rods 0 the crank pin.

37. In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a fixed crank shaft; a series of cylinders rotatable about said shaft; exhaust valves in the respective cylinders; pisp 38. In an internal combustion engine, the

combination of a fixed hollow crank shaft; a casing rotatable on said shaft and connected to the fuel supply therethrou h; a series of cylinders fixed to and rotatab Q with the casing; exhaust valves in the res tive cylinders; pistons to work in the cy inders; removable valve seats in the piston heads; puppet valves seated in the valve seats; a cam common to a l of said latter valves on the crank pin of the shaft; means to connect the pistons to the crank shaft comprising hangers connected to valve seats within the pistons, a pair 0 ball bearings on the crank pin, rings secured to and surrounding said b'earings, each ring provided with an annular flange having a series of circumferentially disposed holes, one of the holes in each rin being polygonal in shape, tubular, rods, gu geon pins whereby the rods are connected to the hangers, one of said rods provided with a pair of lateral projections at the other end polygonal in shape to engage in the polygonal ho es in the bearing rings to secure said rod to the crank-pin, and gudgeon pins to engage in the holes in the bearing rings to pivotally connect the other rods to the crank pin; and cam-followers slidably mounted in the hollow rods and adapted to engage with the valves in the piston heads to unseat the same.

WILLARD IRVING ,TWOMBLY.

Witnesses Joms 0. Serum, PAULA Farms.

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