BACKGROUND

1. Field

[001] The present disclosure relates to an engine.

2. Description of Related Prior Art

[002] U.S. Patent. No. 1,866,022 discloses a FOUR-STOKE INTERNAL

COMBUSTION ENGINE. The Ό22 patent issued on July 5, 1932. The four-stroke internal combustion engine comprises in combination four pistons travelling in corresponding cylinders, an H-shaped connecting member for securing the pistons to its free ends, slidable blocks arranged on extensions of the cross pin at both sides of the H- shaped connecting member for supporting the latter on the casing wall, and a connecting rod connected to the said cross pin.

[003] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

[004] An engine can include at least one piston, a block, a fluid delivery system, and an output shaft. The block can define at least one cylinder. The piston can be received in the cylinder. The piston can be operable to reciprocally move rectilinearly while positioned in the cylinder. The fluid delivery system can be operable to communicate air and combustible fuel to the cylinder. The piston can be operable to compress the air and combustible fuel. The output shaft can be driven in motion by the piston and extend beyond the block to a distal end. The output shaft is limited to rectilinear movement. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] The detailed description set forth below references the following drawings:

[006] Figure 1 is a first perspective view of an engine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[007] Figure 2 is a second perspective view of the engine shown in Figure 1 ;

[008] Figure 3 is a third perspective view of the engine shown in Figures 1 and

2;

[009] Figure 4 is a schematic view of engine shown in Figures 1 - 3;

[0010] Figure 5 is a partial cross-section taken through section lines 5 - 5 in

Figure 2;

[0011] Figure 6 is a cross-section taken through section lines 6 - 6 in Figure 2; and

[0012] Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of an engine according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] A plurality of different embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in the Figures of the application. Similar features are shown in the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar features across different embodiments have been numbered with a common reference numeral and have been differentiated by an alphabetic suffix. Similar features in a particular embodiment have been numbered with a common two-digit, base reference numeral and have been differentiated by a different leading numeral. Also, to enhance consistency, the structures in any particular drawing share the same alphabetic suffix even if a particular feature is shown in less than all embodiments. Similar features are structured similarly, operate similarly, and/or have the same function unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification. Furthermore, particular features of one embodiment can replace corresponding features in another embodiment or can supplement other embodiments unless otherwise indicated by the drawings or this specification.

[0014] The present disclosure, as demonstrated by the exemplary embodiments described below, can provide an engine, a device with moving parts that converts power into motion. A first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a four stroke engine with an H-shaped arrangement of pistons operating in a dual block. This arrangement obviates the need for a crank and cam shaft; electric valves can be used to allow fuel and air to pass into cylinders in the block and allow exhaust to pass out of the cylinders. Hydraulic or electronic operated valves can be applied. The weight size and fuel consumption of the first exemplary embodiment are considerably reduced relative to traditional engines, resulting in an extremely efficient engine for vehicles and the like.

[0015] The engine according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure delivers work through rectilinear motion. Four engine pistons can be attached back-to-back to a rigid empty rectangular structure (two at each end). An output shaft can be mounted at the center of the structure in a longitudinal plane and extend at both ends. The output shaft can be located at the center of the assembly and can serve as a guide for the power pistons. The output shaft can also drive a double acting hydraulic pump. The entire assembly can move freely back and forth in rectilinear motion when the engine pistons slide inside their respective cylinders.

[0016] The configuration of the first exemplary embodiment allows the piston on the power stroke to do work on the hydraulic pump and at the same time move the three other pistons in order to start their next cycle (a four stroke engine). All of this can be accomplished without any crankshaft, connecting rods or gears. The structure could slide flat into a horizontal or a vertical plane.

[0017] Because all four pistons can be moving together in one direction and the engine heads are opposed, the engine can work like a conventional four strokes internal combustion engine in terms of timing of firing cycle. When the group piston assembly is set in motion by a starter, and when one of the cylinders reaches the compression cycle, the fuel mixture is ignited and the assembly is pushed in one direction allowing the three others pistons to start their respective next cycle. The opposite cylinder will be in compression, the adjacent in intake and the opposite diagonally in exhaust cycle. The process will continue hence at any time there is one cylinder in the combustion cycle. The pistons can't hit the engine heads because of the compression in the opposite cylinder and the remaining oil in the hydraulic pump cylinder. Also it's easy to control the engine pistons speed by restricting the oil flow. Any number of piston pairs could be engaged together to increase the output power as desired. [0018] The hydraulic pump double acting pistons could have the same or different diameter and their respective seize is determined by the delivery rate and the pressure needed.

[0019] The first exemplary embodiment is an efficient engine because the load is in line with the motion of the pistons, most of the energy is converted to work. The first exemplary embodiment is durable, quiet and reliable with a minimum of moving parts. The first exemplary embodiment is easy to maintain and inexpensive to build, having no crankshaft, connecting rod, camshaft, timing chain or gears. The output shaft can absorb side forces, so there is less friction on the pistons sides and rings. The first exemplary embodiment is compact in size and weight. Further, because the sleeves, pistons, valve seats and valves could be mounted from the bottom of the cylinder, the engine-head could be part of the engine block, so no heavy engine-head and gasket are needed.

[0020] A hydraulic (nitrogen or helium) accumulator can be applied to minimize the pump pulsations, absorb hydraulic shocks, dump vibrations and provide pressure compensation. The accumulator can also serve as a starter. Thus, no heavy battery is needed and only a relatively smaller alternator (coupled directly to a small hydraulic motor) could deliver the electric power as needed. A small hydraulic electric or hand pump can be added to charge the accumulator when it's discharged.

[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure could be designed as a diesel engine or a gas engine. Various embodiments could run on a variety of fuel because it is easy to change the compression ratio by moving two half engine blocks closer together or further apart.

[0022] An auxiliary small piston could be driven by to piston to lubricate the engine moving parts (pistons and valves).

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure are suitable for numerous operating environments. By way of example and not limitation, embodiments could be applied in high torque hydraulic motors and hydraulic arms for powering excavating, mining and agriculture equipment, helicopters and the like; four wheel drive cars (hydraulic motor in each wheel and no transmission needed); hydraulic hammer and impact tools; linear generators and air compressors; water pumps; and engine accessories such as distributers, oil and fuel pumps, power steering and power-brakes. Oil pump housings for an embodiment of the present disclosure could be located outside the engine (just by extending the pumping shaft). Because the engine is reliable, lightweight and compact, it's suitable to power drones (each propeller is driven by a hydraulic motor instead of electric motor).

[0024] Referring now to Figures 1 - 4, an exemplary engine 10 includes a plurality of primary pistons 12, 112, 212, 312, a cross member 14, a first linking member 16, a second linking member 116, a block 18, a fluid delivery system 20 (referenced only in Figure 4), and an output shaft 22. The plurality of primary pistons 12, 112, 212, 312 include a first primary piston 12 and a second primary piston 112 and a third primary piston 212 and a fourth primary piston 312. Embodiments of the present disclosure could include any number of primary pistons. The cross member 14 extends along a first axis 24 between a first distal end 26 and second distal end 126.

[0025] The first linking member 16 can be mounted to the cross member 14 at the first distal end 26. The first linking member 16 can extend along a second axis 124 between a third distal end 28 and a fourth distal end 128. The second axis 124 can be perpendicular to the first axis 24. The first primary piston 12 can be mounted on the third distal end 28 and the second primary piston 112 can be mounted on the fourth distal end 128.

[0026] The second linking member 116 can be mounted to the cross member 14 at the second distal end 126. The second linking member 116 can extend along a third axis 224 between a fifth distal end 30 and a sixth distal end 130. The third axis 224 can be perpendicular to the first axis 24. The third primary piston 212 can be mounted on the fifth distal end 30 and the fourth primary piston 312 can be mounted on the sixth distal end 130.

[002η The block 18 and pistons 12, 112, 212, 312 can define an internal combustion or IC portion of the engine 10. The block 18 can define a first cylinder and a second cylinder and a third cylinder and a fourth cylinder. The first primary piston 12 can be received in the first cylinder. The second primary piston 112 can be received in the second cylinder. The third primary piston 212 can be received in the third cylinder. The fourth primary piston 312 can be received in the fourth cylinder. The first cylinder is referenced at 32 and the second cylinder is referenced at 132 in Figure 6.

[0028] The pistons 12, 112, 212, 312 are operable to reciprocally move rectilinearly while positioned in the cylinders. The first primary piston 12 and the second primary piston 112 are operable to concurrently move in the same rectilinear direction along the axis 124 while respectively positioned in the first cylinder 32 and the second cylinder 132. The third primary piston 212 and the fourth primary piston 312 are operable to concurrently move in the same rectilinear direction along the axis 224 while respectively positioned in the third cylinder and the fourth cylinder.

[0029] The exemplary block 18 can includes a plurality of sub-blocks 34, 134.

The sub-blocks 34, 134 can be non-integral and spaced from one another. In alternative embodiments of the present disclosure, the block 18 can be a unitary structure. Each of the sub-blocks 34, 134 can define at least two of the plurality of cylinders. The plurality of sub-blocks 34, 134 are adjustably positionable with respect to one another. As shown in Figure 6, the sub-blocks 34, 134 can be releasibly mounted on a plate 36, such as with bolts or clamps. The sub-blocks 34, 134 can be releasibly mounted to a plurality of different locations or positioned on the plate 36 The sub-blocks 34, 134 can be mounted a distance apart referenced by 38 for a first period of operation. To change the compression ratio for a second period of operation, the sub-blocks 34, 134 can be moved closer together, a distance apart referenced by 138. The sub-blocks 34, 134 are shown in solid line for the first period of operation and in phantom for the second period of operation.

[0030] Referring again to Figure 4, the fluid delivery system 20 can be operable to communicate air and combustible fuel to the cylinders. One or more valves 40 can be positioned to control flow from the fluid delivery system 20 to the respective cylinders. The pistons 12, 112, 212, 312 are operable to compress the air and combustible fuel. Gas-utilizing embodiments of the present disclosure can include sparking arrangements for each cylinder (not shown). Embodiments of the present disclosure can also include a starter 42 to initiate operation of the engine.

[0031] The exemplary output shaft 22 can be driven in motion by motion of the pistons 12, 112, 212, 312. Motion is transmitted to the output shaft 22 from the pistons 12, 112, 212, 312 through the linking members 16, 116 and the cross member 14 in the first exemplary embodiment. The exemplary output shaft 22 extends beyond the sub- block 34 of the block 18 to a distal end 44 that can deliver movement for work and beyond the sub-block 134 of the block 18 to another distal end (not visible) that can deliver movement for work. The output of the output shaft 22 is referenced at arrow 46 in Figure 4.

[0032] The output shaft 22 is limited to rectilinear movement. The output shaft

22 moves rectilinearly along its axis 324 (referenced in Figure 3), back and forth, following the motion of the pistons 12, 112, 212, 312. In the first exemplary embodiment, the output shaft 22 is moveable rectilinearly along axis 324 which is parallel and spaced from both of the axes 124 and 224. In the first exemplary embodiment, the output shaft 22 passes through a bore 48 in the sub-block 34 and a bore 148 in the sub-block 134. The bores 48, 148 surround the output shaft 22 and limit the output shaft 22 to rectilinear movement along axis 324. The bores 48, 148 define a discontinuous bore, but the output shaft 122 could be mounted differently in other embodiment so as not to pass through any portion the block 18.

[0033] The first exemplary engine 10 can include a plurality of pumping assemblies. Each of the plurality of pumping assemblies can be driven in operation by the output shaft 22. Each pumping assembly can include a housing, such as housing 50 referenced in Figure 2. Each pumping assembly can also include a secondary piston, such as piston 52 referenced in Figure 1. In Figures 1 - 3, the housing on left-side of the drawing has been removed so that the piston 52 is visible; however, the exemplary embodiment includes pumping assemblies on each side of the block 18. The first distal end 44 of the output shaft 22 powers a first of the pumping assemblies and the second distal end 144 of the output shaft 22 powers a second of the pumping assemblies.

[0034] Figure 5 is a partial cross-section through the housing 50. The housing includes an inlet 54 and an outlet 56. The inlet 54 is in fluid communication with a source of hydrauhc fluid, referenced at 58. The outlet 56 is in fluid communication with an accumulator, referenced at 62. A one-way check valve 60 (illustrated schematically) is positioned at the inlet 52. The valve 60 opens when the piston 152, mounted to the distal end 144, is moved away from the inlet 52 by the output shaft 22. The valve 60 closes when the piston 152 is moved toward the inlet 52 by the output shaft 22. A oneway check valve 160 (illustrated schematically) is positioned at the outlet 56. The valve 160 closes when the piston 152 is moved away from the outlet 56 by the output shaft 22. The valve 60 opens when the piston 152 is moved toward the outlet 56 by the output shaft 22. The accumulator 62 is operable to store fluid pressurized by the pumping assembly. The exemplary accumulator 62 is positioned proximate to the block 18, the plate 36 disposed between the block 18 and the accumulator 62. A relief valve 64 can be positioned between the accumulator 62 and the source 58 of hydraulic fluid to prevent over-pressurization of the accumulator 62 or damage to the pumping assemblies.

[0035] By directly driving a double-acting hydraulic pump (as described above), the engine 10 can deliver a high volume of high pressure oil with the minimum moving parts. The oil is sent to the hydraulic accumulator 62 to minimize pump pulsation and dump vibration and then to the component to be driven, such as a hydraulic motor, hydraulic arms, hydraulic hammers etc. Such output component is referenced at 66 in Figure 4. The diameter of the pumping piston 52 can be around 40% of that of the primary piston and the same stroke.

[0036] Figure 7 is a plan view of a portion of an engine according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. A pair of pistons 12a, 112a is shown interconnected with a linking member 16a. A plurality of output shafts 22a, 122a are engaged with the linking member 16a through a cross member 14a. Each output shaft 22a, 122a defines a pair of distal ends for transnutting motion, such as distal end 44a. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure can include more than output shaft.

[0037] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various - changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from me scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Further, the "present disclosure" as that term is used in this document is what is claimed in the claims of this document. The right to claim elements and/or sub-combinations that are disclosed herein as other present disclosures in other patent documents is hereby unconditionally reserved.