The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 06, 1986
Filed:
Jun. 04, 1984
Edwin W Dibrell, San Antonio, TX (US);
Glenn B O'Neal, San Antonio, TX (US);
Wilbur A Schaich, San Antonio, TX (US);
Centrifugal Piston Expander, Inc., San Antonio, TX (US);
Abstract
Apparatus for producing a reciprocating oscillation of a power output shaft comprises a plurality of peripherally spaced cylinders disposed in generally tangential relationship to the periphery of a cylindrical fluid pressure chamber and connected at their inner ends to such fluid pressure chamber. The gas pressure in such chamber is regulated to maintain a selected value above ambient. Cooperating pistons in each of the cylinders are interconnected by connecting rods to a spoke-like rocker element which is freely oscillatable about the output shaft to which the housing defining the cylindrical fluid pressure chamber is secured for co-rotation. A flywheel mass is connected to the spokes of the rocker element. Inlet and exhaust valves are provided in a cylinder head mounted in the outer end of each cylinder and are operable by contact with the outer face of the respective piston. A radial exhaust port is uncovered by each piston as it nears the end of its power stroke, thus reducing the fluid pressure on the outer piston face to ambient and permitting the regulated fluid pressure chamber to effect the return of the pistons to their outermost pistons relative to the cylinder.