US3315653A

US3315653A - Internal combustion engine

Info

Publication number: US3315653A
Application number: US490238A
Authority: US
Inventors: Chicurel Ricardo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1965-09-27
Filing date: 1965-09-27
Publication date: 1967-04-25
Anticipated expiration: 1984-04-25

Description

R. CHICUREL INTERNAL COMBUSTIONENGINE April 25, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 Filed Sept. 27, 1965 IN VEN TOR. RICARDO CHICUREL P 5 1957 R. CHICUREL 3,315,653

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed Sept. 27, 1965 2 SheetsSheet 2 L.[ I 6O INVENTOR.

RICARDO CHlC-UREL IHHIHIHI I/ l IIIHHIIWLUH 54 w FIG.3

United States Patent 3,315,653 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Ricardo Chicurel, 703 Palmer Drive, Blacksburg, Va. 24060 Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,238 16 Claims. (Cl. 12377) This invention relates to internal combustion engines and more particularly to a four-cycle internal combustion engine of flat symmetrical construction.

In the smaller sizes, internal combustion engines are generally vertical, single acting engines, however, automotive, rail-car, and marine engines usually have two banks of cylinders, being called V-type engines from the arrangement of the two banks. Aircraft engines may have their cylinders arranged in line, in line inverted, radial (in one or more banks), or opposed (quite often horizontal). Larger size internal-combustion engines may be either vertical or horizontal, the larger of the horizontal ones quite often being double-acting. Some large vertical engines are also double-acting, and a special type of engines is the opposed-piston engine wherein the cylinder is vertical and contains a piston in either end.

The structure of generally known internal combustion engines is complex and such engines require sensitively machined parts of extremely small tolerances. Parts wear is not uniform and maintenance and reconstruction is an extremely delicate and expensive process since the components are diflicult to disassemble and reassemble and require the services of highly skilled mechanics.

Four-cycle internal combustion engines have been skillfully developed to obtain a high efiiciency particularly with regard to conventionally manufactured four-cycle engines. The inherent weakness in a four-cycle engine ,is, of course, that there must be two full crank revolutions to achieve one power stroke within the engine cylinder Two-cycle engines have been developed which will operate through a complete cycle in one crank revolution, however, the high thermal efliciency obtainable within the conventional four-cycle engine is not usually retained.

The present invention retains the advantages and efficiency of a conventional four-strokecycle in that the compression and expansion strokes are used, yet only one crank revolution carries the engine through an entire four-stroke cycle in contrast to the two full revolutions that are normally required. Accordingly, a very high output torque is realized without a loss in efliciency.

Other advantages from the present concept are that there are onl ya few parts involved which are realtively easy to machine. Since construction is extremely simple, maintenance, repair and reconstruction expenses are held to a minimum. Additionally, the present unit is readily adaptable to tandem or ganged assembly or positioning so that several individual units may be combined to obtain a higher horsepower output.

It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a four-cycle internal combustion engine having an extremely simple and inexpensive structural composition of relatively few parts which are comparatively easy to machine.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a four-cycle internal combustion engine retaining the high thermal efficiency of a conventional four-stroke piston engine yet having the ability to complete a complete cycle in one crank revolution instead of the two revolution normally required in conventional four-stroke engines.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a four-cycle internal combustion engine having a higher output torque than previously obtainable with conventional four-cycle engines.

Yet another object of the present invention is to pro- "ice vide a four-cycle internal combustion engine that can be constructed and utilized to occupy a minimum of space and be placed in any desired position for efficient operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a four-cycle internal combustion engine that is adaptable to being combined with one or more individual units of the same description Where higher horsepower outputs are required.

These together withother object and advantages which will become subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation shown and described, as more fully hereinafter-described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which;

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the components in the preferred embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the assembled components of FIG. 1 in which the orientation of the internal components are shown by hidden lines;

FIG. 3 is a left side elevational view of the assembled components of FIG. 1 in which the orientation of the internal components is shown by hidden lines; and

FIGS.4(a) through (i) are a diagrammaticsequential portrayal illustrating the engine operation in eight different stages through all four cycles and one complete crank revolution.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, wherein there is shown an exploded perspective view of the various components of the invention, a fiat rectangular shaped frame or housing generally designated 10 provides a support or'retaining member for the in dividual elements. Follower ridges 12 are integrally carried along two parallelsides of frame 10, preferably the longer sides, to form a recess trough or channel -14 within which the components to be subsequently described will be slidably and reciprocally retained. A .pair of followers 16 are placed within trough 14 for reciprocal and slidable movement therein. Each of the followers 16 is constructed as a right triangle with the hypotenuse or base portion of that triangle 18 resting against the interior edge 20 or ridge 12 for slidable displacement therealong when the followers 16 are actuated. The followers have a thickness 22' corresponding to the height 24 of ridge 12 so that the upper surface of the component carrying frame or housing 10 may be sealably secured as will be subsequently described.

A pair of actuators 26 are positioned withinframe 10 to provide the synchronized reciprocating movement to followers \16. Each of the actuators 26 has two leading

follower engaging edges

28 and 30 which intersect at right angles so that these

edges

28 and 30 supplement the follower

right triangle legs

32 and 34. As a result, all edges are uniformly adjoined to provide a continuous seal as the follower and actuator members move with respect to one another.

One of the actuators has a recessed portion or tip 36 which is recessed at the apex of the ninety degree angle formed by

edges

28 and 30 of that actuator member 26. This recess 36 forms a combustion pocket to carry the ignition element. Each of the actuators 26 is supported by a crank generally designated 38 which has a fiat base member 40 carrying a pivot hub 42 which is cooperatively received by a recess 44 in actuator 26. Crank 38 has an output shaft 46 which extends from the opposite side of base member 40 through an aperture 48 in frame 10.

.Since pivot pin 42 rotates within recess 44 of actuator 26, an arcuate surface 50 is provided to allow passage of the front extending portion 52 of base member 40 as the entlre crank 38 rotates with respect to actuator 26.

The actuators 26 have a curvilinear translational motion so that each point thereon moves in a circular path of radius equal to the length of the crank throw which is base member 40. No rotational motion of the actuators 26 is possible due to the continuous contact of

edges

28 and 30 of the actuators with

edges

32 and 34 of the followers. The followers 16, in turn, are constrained by the follower guides 12 to a reciprocating motion only.

Each output shaft 46 is rigidly attached to a gear 54 which is notched 56 along its periphery to positively engage and mesh with the second gear, this engagement serving to maintain output shafts in registry and alignment. The two gears are identical and mesh with each other so that their rotations are in opposite senses or directions (see arrows), but at the same angular speed. Both gears 54 are provided with coupling shafts 53 which are used to rotatably drive any desired mechanism.

A frame or housing cover plate 60 sealably closes trough 14 of frame and completes the housing structure for holding the reciprocating actuators and followers. Plate 60 has an arcuately shaped intake port 62 critically positioned to coincide With recess tip or combustion pocket 36 during the subsequent intake cycle later to be described. A similarly shaped exhaust port 64 selectively communicates with recess tip or combustion pocket 36 during the exhaust cycle of the engine to allow the products of combustion to be expelled and removed therethrough.

When the engine is assembled, each actuator 26 contacts the two followers 16 in such a way that a square shaped opening 66 is formed by the

edges

28, 30, 32 and 34 of these members. The opening 66 varies in size as the actuators 26 and followers 16 slide relative to one another and to the frame 10. The actuators and followers are sandwiched-in between the cover plate 60 and the recessed trough 14 of frame 10 so that the square opening formed thereby becomes an enclosed compression chamber bounded on all sides. During particular phases of the operation which will be subsequently described in detail, there is access to chamber 66 to permit flow of air, or air-fuel mixture, and of exhaust gasses. This access is created whenever the recessed or steppeddown tip 36 of one of the actuators 26 comes under one of the two

elongated ports

62 or 64 cut out in the cover plate 60. These intake and exhaust ports have the shape of circular arcs subtending somewhat less than 90 degrees each.

Note that each actuator 26 has a recessed arcuate portion 50 in order to provide a clearance space for rotating crank 38. The crank throws or offsets are so oriented that they are simultaneously parallel to the follower guides 12 in frame 10. This occurs twice every revolution. Between these two times, there are intermediate positions in which the throws are at right angles to the follower guides 12 and extend in opposite directions. Thus the actuators 26 reach simultaneously their extreme positions in a direction parallel to the follower guides 12 and also reach simultaneously their extreme positions, on opposite sides, in a transverse direction.

The actuators 26 have a curvilinear translational motion so that each point thereon moves in a circular path of radius equal to the length of the crank arm or throw 40. No rotational motion of the actuators 26 is possible due to the contact with the enumerated follower edges. The followers 16, in turn, are constrained by the follower guides 12 to a reciprocating motion only.

Referring no wto FIG. 4 which shows an operational sequence in diagrammatic form, note that the cover plate 60 is not shown and the intake and

exhaust ports

62 and 64 are indicated with broken lines. For purposes of illustration, the right hand actuator connected crank 38 has a counterclockwise rotation. The sequential portrayal is presented as a series of confiugrations at intervals of 45 degreesof crank rotation. In FIG. 4w, the actuators 26 are in their extreme positions to the right which is the beginning of an engine cycle. Note that in this position, the compression chamber 66 is non-existent since the leading edges of the actuators and follows 28, 30, 32 and 34 sealably meet to form two abutting supplementary angles. In FIG. 4b, chamber 66 is formed and begins to increase in size thus creating suction to impel air or air fuel mixture into the chamber through the intake port 62. Recessed tip or combustion pocket 36 of the right hand actuator 26 communicates with port 62 for a predetermined period of time according to the length of the circular arc therein. In FIG. 40, intake port 62 has just closed and the chamber 66 is at maximum volume. Once the cycle passes this point, compression begins as the volume of chamber 66 starts decreasing while both

ports

62 and 64 are closed. FIG. 4d corresponds to the mid-point of the compression cycle. In FIG. 4e, compression is completed since the volume of chamber 66 is at a minimum, and either a spark ignites the air-fuel mixture (not shown) or fuel is injected under pressure to be ignited upon contact with the hot, compressed air. Means for producing a spark or injecting the fuel would be as in conventional spark ignition or compression ignition engines. As the rotation of crank 38 proceeds further, a power stroke results with expansion of the hot gas and products of combustion which does work on the actuators 26 that is in turn transmitted to output shafts 46. In FIG. 4f, there is depicted an intermediate stage of the power stroke while FIG. 4g illustrates the point of maximum expansion of chamber 66. The exhaust port 64 starts opening to commence the exhaust stroke as the volume decreases. In FIG. 411, the exhaust stroke is partially completed; and FIG. 41', which is identical to FIG. 4a, represents the termination of the exhause stroke, the end of the complete engine cycle and the beginning of a new cycle identical to that previously described. Power is delivered through the coupling shaft 58 as its carrying gear 54 rotates in response to the movement of output shaft 46 of crank 38.

The following example shows the velocity relationships in this device.

O 0 represent the gear axes. A and A are the points of connection between crangs and actuators. F and F designate the followers 16. The mechanism is represented in an arbitrary configuration as shown in FIG. 2. The angles A O O and (180O O A are equal, since they represent the crank rotation from the positive alignment of the cranks with the axis 0 0 The above diagram is a velocity vector diagram which shows the consistency of the motions of all members while each actuator slides relative to each follower. V the velocity of A is perpendicular to O A and thus makes an angle (0) with 0 0 The velocity of F relative to A denoted by V /A is always at 45 degrees to 0 0 since actuator 1 and the follower F must, slide relative to each other along their contacting edges. Similarly, V A is parallel to the left edge of F The figure shows that V is obtained by vector addition of V and V /A or by vector addition of V and V /A whereas V is the vector sum of V and V /A or V and V /A There is symmetry in the diagram about a horizontal axis.

The present invention may be constructed in a variety of adaptable materials for withstanding a high temperature range and follower guides 12 may be separately or integrally formed with frame member 10. The cover plate 60 may be attached by conventional means to edges 12 of frame to form trough 14 such as by bolts 68, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Gaskets 70 or other sealing means may be used to provide a sealed junction between cover plate 60 and the follower edges 12.

Obviously, many modifications and variations may be made in the construction and arrangement of the followers and actuators as well as the crank and gear assemblies as well as the height, length and thickness of the motor housing as well as the other phases of the present inventive concept in light of the the above teachings without departing from the real spirit and purpose of this invention. Such modifications in parts and alternatives as well as the use of mechanical equivalents to those herein illustrated and described are reasonably included, and modifications are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. A four-cycle fuel-operated combustion engine comprisnig: a motor housing; compression chamber defining means within said housing including follower means and actuator means in engagement and slidably and sealably cooperating to continuously vary the volume of said chamber; ignition means selectively operable within said chamber; a drive shaft having means operable within said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft; a cover plate removably retaining and sealing s'aid follower and actuator means within said housing; said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating within said defined chamber to receive and exhaust fuel therefrom.

2. A four-cycle fuel-operated internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a housing; follower means carried by and reciprocally slidable within said housing; actuator means slidably engaging said follower means within said housing, said follower means and actuator means defining a variable volume compression chamber; ignition means operatively positioned proximate said pocket; output shaft means operatively connected with said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft means; and a housing cover plate sealably retaining said follower and actuator means slidably within said housing, said plate having an intake port and an exhaust port, said ports selectively communicating with said combustion chamber as said chamber varies in volume whereby a combustible substance is injected into the compression chamber through the intake port, the chamber is decreased in size by the cooperative movement of the follower means and actuator means, the compressed substance is ignited by the ignition means, the output shaft means is revolved by the actuator means as the compression chamber is increased in size and the products of combustion are expelled through the exhaust port.

3. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame having ridges along two parallel sides, said sides forming a recess trough within said frame; a pair of followers, each follower forming a right triangle having two sides and a hypotenuse, said triangular shaped follower being slidably disposed within said frame for movement along said frame ridge by said triangle hypotenuse; a pair of actuators each having at least two leading follower engaging edges at right angles to each other, said edges engaging said followers continuously to slidably and reciprocally displace said followers in opposite directions from each other within said frame trough, said actuators and followers reciprocally and cooperatively operable to form a continuously changing compression chamber bounded by said actuators and followers, one of said actuators having a combustion pocket at said right angle engaging edges; ignition means operable with said chamber; crank means rotatably secured to each of said actuators, each of said means having an output shaft rotatably extending through said frame and moving in response to the movement of said actuator; a gear connected to each of said output shafts, each of said shaft gears having a notched periphery to positively engage and mesh with the other of said gears, said gears having an opposite rotation each from the other; and a cover plate sealably closing said frame 'and said contained followers and actuators, said plate having an intake port and an exhaust port extending through said plate and selectively communicating with said combustion pocket whereby fuel is injected into the combustion pocket through the intake port, compressed within the decreasing compression chamber, ignited by ignition means thereby increasing the compression chamber to forcibly rotate the crank and connected output shafts, and exhausted through the exhaust port.

4. A four-cycle fuel-operated internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame; a pair of followers carried by and reciprocally slidable within said frame; apair of actuators, each actuator slidably engaging said pair of followers for slidable and reciprocal movement along said frame; a continuously varying compression chamber formed by said followers and actuators; output shaft means operatively connected with said actuators for rotation; ignition means communicating with said chamber; and a cover plate secured against said plate and sealably housing said followers, actuators and chamber, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said chamber for fuel passage theret-hrough whereby a combustible substance is injected into the compression chamber through the intake port, the chamber is decreased in size by the cooperative movement of the followers and actuators, the compressed substance is ignited by ignition means through the combustion pocket, the output shaft means is revloved by the actuators as the compression chamber is increased in size and the products of combustion are expelled through the exhaust port.

'5. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a housing, follower means carried by said housing; actuator means engaging said follower means, said follower means and actuator means cooperatively defining a variable compression chamber upon movement with respect to each other; a combustion pocket communicating with said chamber, ignition means adjacent said pocket; an output shaft having means operatively connected with said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft; and a housing cover plate retaining said follower and actuator means within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said chamber as said follower means and actuator means movably define said chamber whereby a combustible substance is injected into the compression chamber through the intake port, the chamber is decreased in size by the cooperative movement of the follower means and actuator means, the compressed substance is ignited by ignition means through the combustion pocket, the output shaft is revolved by the actuator means as the compression chamber is increased in size and the products of combustion are expelled through the exhaust port.

6. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame having ridges along two parallel sides; a pair of followers, each follower forming a right triangle, said triangle being slidably disposed within said frame for movement along said frame ridge; a pair of actuators each having at least two leading follower engaging edges at right angles to each other, said edges engaging said followers continuously to slidably and reciprocally displace said followers in opposite directions from each other within said frame; a compression chamber being formed and bounded by said reciprocable actuators and followers, one of said actuators having a combustion pocket recessed therein; ignition means communicating with said pocket; crank means rotatably secured to each of said actuators, each of said means having an output shaft rotatably extending through said frame and moving in response to the movement of said actuator; a gear connected to each of said output shafts; and a cover plate sealably closing said frame and said contained followers and actuators, said plate having an intake port and an exhaust port extending therethrough whereby fuel is injected into the combustion pocket through the intake port, compressed within the decreasing compression chamber, ignited by ignition means thereby increasing the compression chamber to forceably rotate the crank and connected output shafts, and exhausted through the exhaust port.

7. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame; a pair of followers carried by and slidable within said frame; a pair of actuators, each actuator slidably engaging said pair of followers for slidable and reciprocal movement along said frame; a compression chamber being defined by said continuously moving followers and actuators, one of said actuators having a combustion pocket continuously communicating with said chamber; output shaft means operatively connected with said actuators for rotation; ignition means proximate said combustion pocket; and a cover plate secured against said frame and sealably housing said followers, actuators and cooperatively formed varying chamber, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicab ing with said varying combustion pocket whereby a combustible substance is injected into the compression chamber through the intake port, the chamber is decreased in size by the cooperative movement of the followers and actuators, the compressed substance is ignited by ignition means through the combustion pocket, the output shaft means is revolved by the actuators as the compression chamber is increased in size and the products of combustion are expelled through the exhaust port.

8. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combustion: a rectangular frame having follower ridges along two parallel frame sides; a recessed trough defined by ridges and sides; a pair of followers, each follower forming a right triangle having sides and a hypotenuse and being reciprocally disposed within said frame to slidably move and engage said frame ridge along said follower hypotenuse; a pair of actuators each having leading follower engaging edges at right angles to each other, said edges engaging said follower triangle sides continuously to displace slidably and reciprocally said followers in opposite paths of travel within said frame recessed trough, said actuators and followers slidably operable to define a continuously changing compression chamber, one of said actuators having a combustion pocket at said engaging edges; a crank rotatably secured to each of said actuators, each of said cranks having an output shaft rotatably extending through said frame and moving with said actuator as said actuator follows a substantially circular path of travel; a gear connected to each of said output shafts, each of said gears having a notched periphery to positively engage and mesh with the other of said gears, said gears having an opposite rotation each from the other; and a cover plate sealably closing said frame and said contained followers and actuators, said plate having an intake port and an exhaust port extending therethrough for selectively communicating with said combustion pocket whereby a combustible substance is injected into the combustion pocket through the intake port, compressed within the actuator control decreasing compression chamber and ignited by ignition means, the compression chamber is rapidly increased to forceably rotate the crank and connected output shafts, and the products of combustion are exhausted through the exhaust port.

9. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame having follower ridges; a pair of followers reciprocally disposed within said frame to slidably move and engage said frame ridge; a pair of actuators each having leading follower engaging edges to displace slidably and reciprocally said followers within said frame, said actuators and followers slidably defining a continuously changing compression chamber, one of said actuators having a combustion pocket recessed therein; a crank rotatably secured to each of said actuators, each of said cranks having an output shaft rotatably extending through said frame; a gear connected to each of said output shafts, each of said gears having a notched periphery to positively engage and mesh with the other of said gears; and a cover plate retaining said followers and actuators against said frame, said plate having an intake port and an exhaust port extending therethrough selectively communicating with said combustion pocket whereby a combustible substance is injected into the combustion pocket through the intake port, compressed within the actuator control decreasing compression chamber and ignited by ingition means, the compression chamber is rapidly increased to forceably rotate the crank and connected output shafts, and the products of combustion are exhausted through the exhaust port.

10. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a rectangular frame having follower ridges; a pair of followers being reciprocally disposed within said frame and engaging said ridges; a pair of actuators engaging said followers, said actuators and followers movably defining a continuously changing compression chamber, one of said actuators having a combustion pocket; a crank rotatably secured to each of said actuators, each of said cranks having an output shaft rotatably extending through said frame and moving said actuator in a substantially circular path of travel; gear means connected to each of said output shafts, each of said means having a notched periphery to positively engage and mesh with the other of said means, said gear means having an opposite rotation each from the other; and a cover plate sealably closing said frame and said contained followers and actuators, said plate having an intake port and an exhaust port extending ther-ethrough whereby a combustible substance is injected into the combustion pocket through the intake port, compressed within the compression chamber and ignited by ignition means, the compression chamber is rapidly increased to forceably rotate the crank and connected output shafts, and the products of combustion are exhausted through the exhaust port.

11. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame, follower means carried by and reciprocally slidable within said frame; actuator means slidably engaging said follower means, said follower means and actuator means cooperatively forming a compression chamber which continuously varies in size as said follower means and said actuator means move with respect to each other; a combustion pocket continuously communicating with said chamber, ignition means proximate said chamber; an output shaft having means operatively connected with said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft; and a frame cover plate sealably retaining said follower and actuator means within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said combustion chamber whereby a combustible substance is injected into the compression chamber through the intake port, the chamber is decreased in size by the cooperative movement of the follower means and actuator means, the compressed substance is ignited by ignition means through the combustion pocket, the output shaft is revolved by the actuator means as the compression chamber is increased in size and the products of combustion are expelled through the exhaust port.

12. A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising in combination: a frame; follower means slidably carried within said frame; actuator means slidably engaging said follower means, said follower means and actuator means cooperatively forming a variable volume compression chamber as said follower means and said actuator means move with respect to each other and said frame; a com bustion pocket operative with said chamber; ignition means communicating with said pocket and said chamber; an output shaft having means operatively connected with said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft; and a frame cover plate sealably retaining said follower and actuator means and said combustion chamber within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said combustion chamber whereby a combustible substance is injected into the compression chamber through the intake port, the chamber is decreased in size by the cooperative movement of the follower means and actuator means, the compressed substance is ignited by ignition means through the combustion pocket, the output shaft is revolved by the actuator means as the compression chamber is increased in size and the products of combustion are expelled through the exhaust port.

13. A four-cycle fuel-operated internal combustion engine comprising: a motor housing; a variable compression chamber within said housing including follower means and actuator means in engagement and slidably and sealably cooperating to define said chamber; ignition means selectively operable with said chamber; a drive shaft operable with said actuator means to cause said shaft to be rotated thereby; a cover plate removably retaining and sealing said follower and actuator means within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said defined chamber to pass fuel therethrough.

14. A four-cycle fuel-operated internal combustion engine comprising: a motor housing; compression chamber defining means within said housing including at least one follower and one actuator in slidable engagement with each other and a variable volume chamber formed by said follower and actuator; ignition means selectively operable with said chamber; a drive shaft having means operable with said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft; a cover plate removably retaining and sealing said follower and actuator within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said chamber to allow the passage of fuel therethrough.

15. A four-cycle fuel-operated internal combustion engine comprising: a motor housing; compression chamber defining means within said housing including a plurality of followers and actuators in engagement and slidably cooperating to define said chamber; ignition means selectively operable with said chamber; a drive shaft having means operable with said actuators to impart rotation to said shaft; a cover plate removably retaining and sealing said followers and actuators within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust means selectively communicating with said defined chamber to pass fuel therethrough.

16. A four-cycle fuel-operated internal combustion engine comprising: a motor housing; a variable compression chamber within said housing including a pair of followers and a pair of actuators in engagement with said followers and slidably and sealably cooperating to define and vary said chamber; ignition means selectively operable with said chamber; a drive shaft having means operable with said actuator means to impart rotation to said shaft; a cover plate removably retaining and sealing said followers and actuators Within said housing, said plate having an intake and exhaust port selectively communicating with said chamber to pass fuel therethr-ough.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,406,072 2/19'22 Pearsall 123-77 1,718,070 6/1929 Peters 12351 1,802,881 4/1931 Dainton 12351 3,196,854 7/1965 Novak 1238 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,128,173 8/1956 France.

MARK NEWMAN, Primary Examiner.

W. E. BURNS, Assistant Examiner.

Claims

1. A FOUR-CYCLE FUEL-OPERATED COMBUSTION ENGINE COMPRISING: A MOTOR HOUSING; COMPRESSION CHAMBER DEFINING MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSING INCLUDING FOLLOWER MEANS AND ACTUATOR MEANS IN ENGAGEMENT AND SLIDABLY AND SEALABLY COOPERATING TO CONTINUOUSLY VARY THE VOLUME OF SAID CHAMBER; IGNITION MEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE WITHIN SAID CHAMBER; A DRIVE SHAFT HAVING MEANS OPERABLE WITHIN SAID ACTUATOR MEANS TO IMPART ROTATION TO SAID SHAFT; A COVER PLATE REMOVABLY RETAINING AND SEALING SAID FOLLOWER AND ACTUATOR MEANS WITHIN SAID HOUSING; SAID PLATE HAVING AN INTAKE AND EXHAUST PORT SELECTIVELY COMMUNICATING WITHIN SAID DEFINED CHAMBER TO RECEIVE AND EXHAUST FUEL THEREFROM.