April 21, 1942- ‘R. v. FER3GUSON > 2,280,645 NINTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

Filed May 24,- 1959 ' '1 Sheeis-Sheet 1 4 E

Robert V Ferguson INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY. API'HZI, 1942. _ . R. v. FERGUSON ' 2,280,645 INTERNAL COMBUST ION ENGINE Filed May 24, 1959 7 Sheets-Sheet 2

Robert V. Férgginson INVENTORV

ATTORNEY. April 21, 1942- \R. v. FERGUSON 2,280,645 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed May 24, 1939 7 Sheeis-Sheet 5 April 21, 1942. R. v. FERGUSON 2,280,645 v INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE I

Filed May 24, 1939 - ‘7 Sheets-Sheet 4

Robert VFeryusbn

_ INVENTOR.

' ATTORNEY. Abril‘zl, 1942- R. v‘. FERGUSON ' ~ 2,280,645 INTERNAL CQMBUSTION ENGINE ‘ Filed May 24, 1939 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5

A ‘ 8 F137

Robert VFef‘guson ' INVENTOR.

I I ‘

- -- l??ATTORNEY. _APril21,1942- R. ,v. FERGUSON ‘ ' 2,280,645

_ INTERNAL I COMBUSTION ENGINE Filled May 24, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet 6

52

Robert ‘(Ferguson

' INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY. April21,1942. f R. v. FERGUSON ‘ ‘2,280,645

‘ INTERNAL‘COMBUSTION ENGINE ' ‘ Filed May 24, 1939 7 Sheets-Sheet; f7v Fig.1.‘) 88 Patented Apr. 21, ‘1942 2,280,645

UNITED STATES‘ PATENT OFFICE 2,280,645 INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE ‘Robert V. Ferguson, Amarillo, Tex. Application May 24, 1939, Serial No. 275,548 '7 Claims. (Q1. 123-43) This invention relates’ to an improvement in connecting rods always parallel with the cylinder internal combustion engines, particularly of the walls during their operation, eliminating side rotary type in which the cylinders and pistons thrust against the cylinder walls, which is pres turn bodily about an axis during their relative ent in a reciprocating engine, and also making it movements. possible to obtain a longer stroke without an in Many attempts have been made heretofore to creased side thrust. increase the e?iciency of internal combustion en A preferred embodiment of the invention is gines of the type used in motor vehicles, air shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: planes, and as stationary engines, and, various Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through rotary motors have been proposed. However, 10 the engine, with the cylinders and associated these have not materially increased the e?iciency parts in elevation; or overcome the disadvantages in the conven Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical sectional view tional reciprocating type of internal combustion therethrough on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, parts engines, and for the most part, such suggested being in elevation; rotary engines have been xintricate in construc 15 Fig. 3 is a similar view on the line 3-3 of Fig. tion and not feasible in operation. 1; The object of this invention is to improve and Fig. 4 is a cross sectional View through the simplify the construction of an internal com cylinder structure on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; bustion engine, to increase its ef?ciency, and to Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional'view through the make it practical and capable of use for the usual . valve mechanism thereof, on the line 5-5 of Fig. internal combustion engines employed hereto 3; ~ ' fore. Fig. 6 is a detailed top plan view of the cylin One cause of lack of e?iciency for a reciprocat der structure with the head removed; ing type of internal combustion engine is the Fig. 7 is a detailed vertical section through the necessity for the starting and stopping of the stationary crank shaft structure substantially on reciprocating movements of the pistons twice the line 1-4 of Fig. 2, with parts broken away during each revolution of the crank shaft, which and in section; ‘ makes it necessary to build up the momentum of Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view through the pistons to a high pitch and then reduce it to the intake manifold on the line 8-—8 of Fig. '7 ; zero twice for each revolution, with the conse- . Fig. 9 is a ‘similar view of the exhaust manifold quent material loss of power. To overcome this, structure with parts broken away and in section; the present invention provides for the operation Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional View there of the engine in a rotary motion and to utilize through the weight of the cylinders and pistons and ad Fig, 11 is a side elevation partly in section of jacent rotary parts to provide su?icient inertia the piston and connecting rod detached; for proper balance and ?y wheel capacity. Dur Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the connecting rod ing the rotation of the engine, a relative motion head structure detached; is obtained between the cylinders and pistons, Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the cylinder struc whereby the power generated by the explosions ture with parts broken away and in section to within the cylinders is diverted in a tangential show the electrical contact mechanism; ' power stroke always having a tendency to push Fig. 14 is a detailed side elevation, partly in the cylinders in a curved path, thus utilizing the section, of the breaker point and automatic spark greatest efficiency of the power generated, which control unit; and cannot be done in the conventional type of re Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic view of the ignition ciprocating engine. system of the engine, The construction and manner of operation of As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the this engine makes it possible for the designer to engine structure is mounted on a base plate l, obtain as long a stroke as desired, because the to the opposite ends of which are secured up greater the offset of the stationary crank shaft, standing pedestals 2 in longitudinally spaced re the greater the leverage will be obtained due to lation. Stationary end plates 3 are secured to the explosive power of the charge in the cylinders the respective pedestals 2 by spacing supports 4 over the fly Wheel portion of the engine. Vibra extending therebetween, and which securely sup tion is reduced to a minimum by reason of this port the operating parts of the engine. rotary action, and momentum is utilized to in Journaled on bearings 5 surrounding the end crease the power. This'arrangement holds the 55 plates 3 are rims 6 adapted to rotate thereon, 2,280,645 and which rims 8 are connected together through way between the cylinders I0 under control of longitudinal braces '1 extending therebetween. intake and exhaust valves 28 and 29, which con Rigidly mounted in the end plates 3, eccen trol communication of intake and exhaust pas trically thereof, are end portions 8 of a crank sageways 38 and 3|, respectively, with the com shaft, which end portions are laterally offset at U1 bustion chamber 25. The valves 28 and 29 their inner ends on opposite sides of the center are pressed toward seated positions by the ten of the end plates 3, and have their inner ends sion of springs 32 sleeved on the valve stems. connected together by an offset portion 9, as The lower ends of the valve stems are aligned shown in Fig. '7. The crank shaft portions 8 are with yoke shaped tappet members 33, having hollow for a purpose hereinafter described, and 10 depending points 34 in alignment with cams the offset portion 9 is integral therewith. 35 and 38 for the respective intake and exhaust The cylinders of the engine are designated valves, and which cams are set at angles to each generally by the numeral I8 and are shown in other to actuate the valves alternately, being Figs. 1 and 2, as arranged in two pairs at the mounted on a shaft 31, journaled in opposite respective opposite ends of the engine. Each 15 sides of the cylinder structure. The shaft 37 pair of cylinders is rigidly connected together or is rotated by a gear 38 thereon meshing with integral, and is journaled on bearings II .(Fig. '7) a pinion 39 ?xed to the stationary crank shaft on the crank shaft end portion 8, so as to rotate portion 8. Thus, when the cylinders turn bodily bodily therearound. about the crank shaft portion, the planetary As shown in Fig. 3, the cylinders II] have pis 20 movement of the gear 38 around the stationary tons I2 operatively mounted therein, which pis pinion 39 will cause rotation of the cam shaft tons have attached connecting rods I3 extending 31 to operate the cams 35 and 3B, and transmit therefrom to opposite ends of a yoke I4 journaled such motion through the points 34 and tappet intermediate its ends on a rod I5 extending be members 33 to unseat the valves alternately for tween the rotary rims 6. The separate pairs of 25 admitting charges to the explosion chamber 25 cylinders at the respective ends of the engine and for discharging the spent gases therefrom. are located substantially on opposite sides of It will be evident that the mounting of the the center axis of the engine, and the rods I5 cylinders with their longitudinal centers sub therefor are arranged on diametrically opposite stantially on opposite sides of the crank shaft sides of the rotary rims B, as shown in Figs. 1 30 portions 8 eccentrically of the end plates 3, and 2. will cause these cylinders to remain in the same The connection between the piston I2 and its relation to the respective axes of the crank shaft connecting rod I3 is shownlin detail in Figs. portions 8, but to turn therearound upon rota 11 and 12. Due to the inaccuracy in machining tion of the rims 6 with which the connecting and to the wear which results from operation 35 rods I3 are attached. This will cause relative over a long period of time, it is desirable to have rectilinear movement between the cylinders and the piston free to turn in any‘ direction and auto pistons during such rotation of the rims 8 which matically adjustable to any lateral extent. For rotate about the centers of the end plates 3. this purpose, the piston I2 is shown as pro During this rotary movement, the pistons and vided with a wrist pin I8 slidably received in 40 their connecting rods remain in the same par opposite sides thereof and held in place by spring allel position and side by side relation, the rela clip rings IT. The wrist pin I8 slidably receives tive movements being the same in both cylinders a mounting I8 thereon which is free to slide lon of each pair. During this bodily turning move gitudinally of the wrist pin and to rotate there ment of the cylinders,‘ the gear 38 will be ro around to a limited degree.‘ The mounting I8 tated as described above, ?rst to open the intake has a coupling I9 detachably secured to the valve 28 to draw in a charge of combustion fuel underside thereof and is split transversely to into the combustion chamber 25, after which the embrace and enclose a disc 20 attached to a valve 28 will be closed, the charge compressed in socket 2I enclosing a ball 22 on the upper end the usual way by the pistons I2 which simul of the connecting rod I3. This structure allows 50. taneously approach the ‘outer ends of the cyl limited relative movement in all directions be inders, and at the desired point and time, the tween the piston and its connecting rod, where spark plug 28 will be energized to ignite the by the piston is free to ?oat in any direction in combustible gas within the ‘explosion chamber 25 the cylinder without binding engagement with communicating with the cylinders’. This will the connecting rod and it will not bind or score cause relative separating movement between the the cylinder because of misalignment. cylinders and pistons which will be equal in both The cylinders I8 are shown in Fig. 3 as closed cylinders due to the parallel motion of the pis at their lower ends by a cover plate 23 while tons and their connection together through the their upper or outer ends are closed by a head yoke I4. Since the rims 8 are rotating during this relative movement between the pistons and 24, which has an explosion chamber 25 therein 60 communicating at its opposite ends with the cyl cylinders, the force of the explosion will be inders I0. The head 24 also carries a spark transmitted to the rims tending to increase the plug 28, extending into the. explosion chamber turning motion thereof and apply power thereto. Due to the differences in distance between the 25 approximately midway between the cylinders centers of the end plates 3 and the axes of the I8, as shown, or additional spark plugs may be crank shaft portions 8, this will cause relative provided for the respective cylinders, if desired. motion between the vpistons and cylinders equal The, head 24, the ‘cylinders II], and the closure to double this ‘distance between the centers, plate 23, are shown as being air-cooled, being whereby substantial relative movement between provided with the usual radiating ?ns 2‘! for this the parts may be obtained. purpose. After the explosion has occurred, the cam 38 As shown‘in Fig. 5, gaseous fuel is supplied is arranged in proper ‘position to open the ex to and exhaust gases are discharged from the haust valve ‘29 permitting the escape of the combustion chamber 25 and through the same exhaust gases through ‘the passageway 3| into from the cylinders, at points approximately mid the exhaustlma‘nifol‘d,hereinafter described. 2,280,645 3 ' The form of engine shown in the drawings is oil that finds 'itsway to'the inner ends of the of the four-cycle type. However, it will be under cylinders will be caught in recesses 9| at said stood that it may be readily modi?ed to operate inner ends and will be discharged through tubes on a two-cycle principle, if desired. 62 by centrifugal force, which tubes extend into For supplying fuel to the intake passageway communication with an annular oil circulating 30, a carburetor 40 is connected with one side groove 63 in the manifold 46. The groove 63 has of the crank shaft connecting portion 9, which a projection 64 (Figs. 7 and 8) located therein carburetor may be of conventional construction in position to direct the oil from said groove 63 capable of vaporizing fuel for supply to the cylin into an oil return pipe 65 which leads therefrom ders. It is shown as controlled through a ?exible 10 and is connected with a similar pipe of the op wire 4| attached to the butter?y lever of the posite manifold at a coupling 66. A discharge carburetor and extending through one of the end pipe 61 is connected with the coupling 66 for the portions 8 of the crank shaft, as shown in Figs. 1 discharge of the oil therefrom,- back to the point and 2. Fuel is fed to the carburetor through tube of supply or other desired place. 49' extending through an end portion 8 as shown Provision may be made also for lubricating any in Fig. 1 ' other bearings of the engine, such as the bear ‘The carburetor 49 has a conduit 42 extending ings 5, by the usual lubricant ?ttings as shown therefrom to the crank shaft portion 9 and com at '68. municating with the passageway 43 therein. The The inner ends of the cylinders I9 are closed passageway 43 has lateral openings 44 in opposite 20 to permit the discharge of lubricating oil there sides thereof, as shown in Fig. 7, each of which from, as described, but breather pipes 69 are pro lateral openings is in open communication with vided in the lower portions of the cylinders as an annular passageway 45 in a manifold 46 se shown in Fig. 3, to permit the intake and ex cured to one side of the connecting crank shaft haust of air beneath the pistons. These breather portion 9 between the same and the adjacent pipes project into the lower portion of the cylin side of the cylinder structure. The opposite side. ' ders a suflicient distance so that ‘the oil will not of the passageway 45 from the lateral opening ?ow out through the openings, and yet they do 44 is in open communication with the intake not interfere with the proper operations of the passageway 30 leading to the intake valve 28 be pistons. tween the cylinders. The ignition system is shown generally in Fig. On the opposite side of the pair of cylinders 15, which consists of an electric circuit 72 lead from the intake manifold 46 is secured to the ing from one side of a source of electrical sup~ cylinders for turning movement therewith, a disc ply, such as a storage battery 13, the opposite It‘! having an opening therein which registers with side of which is shown as grounded in the usual the exhaust passageway 3| and which Opening way, and which circuit is controlled by a switch also registers with an annular passageway 48 in ‘it. The circuit wire 12 extends through the hol an exhaust manifold 49 (Figs. 9 and 10). The low crank shaft 8 to a pair of spark coils 15, one exhaust manifold 49 is held stationary, being se for each pair of cylinders which spark coils are cured to and supported by the adjacent end shown in Fig. 2, as mounted on a side of the plate 3 by a disc 59 secured thereto, and having crank shaft connecting portion 9 for support springs 51 interposed between said disc and the thereby between the pairs of cylinders. A wire manifold 459 tending to press said manifold 19 leads from the primary of each spark coil 15 against the rotatable disc 41 to maintain a tight to a brush ‘I’! bearing against an insulated slip connection therebetween for the proper dis ring 78, from which ring 18 a wire ‘I9 extends to the stationary one of a pair of breaker points charge of the exhaust gases. An exhaust pipe 45 52 is connected with the manifold 49 within the 89. These breaker points are mounted within annular passageway 48. The exhaust manifold the tappet chamber 58, and the movable point is 139 also has secured thereto a lubricating ?tting carried by a lever 83 pressed by a spring 92 against 53 to introduce lubricant into an annular pas a cam 83 mounted on cam shaft 31. The cams 83 for the opposite pairs of cylinders are arranged sageway 54 in the manifold to reduce the'friction 50 between the disc 41 and said manifold and for 180° apart so as to operate the breaker points free rotation of the former relative thereto with alternately in the present construction, and out the escape of exhaust gases therebetween. which operates at one-half the speed of turning Lubricant is supplied to the operating parts movement of the cylinders about the crank shaft. As the flow of current through the wire 76 from of the engine through an inlet pipe 55 (Fig. 7) 55 which passes into the engine through crank shaft the primary of the spark coil I6 is interrupted by end portion 8 at the left in Fig. 1 and has oil the separation of the breaker points at intervals, outlets 55, leading to the bearings I l of the cylin it will excite the secondary winding of the spark der blocks, and an oil outlet 51, opening through coil and cause high tension current to flow the pinion 39 to lubricate the timing gears 38-39. through a circuit 84 to a brush 85 which is timed As shown in Fig. 7, the pipe 55 extends through 60 then to be in contact with a metallic segment 86 the opening of the left hand crank shaft portion on an insulated ring 91 attached to a side of the 8 and connecting portion 9, around the latter cylinder casing for rotation therewith. A wire 89 and into the open end of the other crank shaft leads from the segment 89 to the spark plug 26 of the pair of cylinders, in properly timed rela portion 8 with connections to lubricate similar 65 parts therein. As the oil leaks out of the various tion to ignite the charge of fuel therein, as de bearings and into the interior of the valve tappet scribed above. chamber 58 (Fig. 5), it will be thrown outward The breaker points 80 and lever 81 are mounted to the side walls thereof, as shown in Fig. 3, on an insulating plate 89 to which one end of the spring 82 is connected. The plate 89 is attached due to the turning movement of the cylinders 70 and the centrifugal force thereof, where it will to a disc 90 which is free to rotate about its bear be caught in pockets 59 and directed through ing 9| around the cam shaft 31. A retaining clip pipes 69, extending inwardly from said pockets 92 holds the disc 99 against axial movement while to the side walls of the cylinders II] for supply permitting of such turning movement under the ing lubricant thereto and to the pistons l2. Any 75 in?uence of a weight 93. This weight 93 is at 4 2,280,645 tached to a semi-?exible band 94, the opposite tion relative thereto, pistons operatively mounted end of which is attached to the disc 90 by a screw in the cylinders for movement relative thereto, 95. A spring 95 is also connected with the screw and means pivotally connecting the pistons with 85 tending to return the disc 9% to its initial posi the fly wheel structure, the cylinders having com tion in opposition to the weight 93. U! bmtion chambers therein located substantially As the speed of turning movement of the cylin on the same side of a plane extending lengthwise ders increases, the centrifugal force thereof will of the crankshaft at right angles to the ?rst~ act to throw the weight 93 outward between mentioned plane and on the opposite side of the guides 91, thus shifting the positions of the break second-mentioned plane from the connections er points 88 and lever 8| relative to the cam 83, with the ?y wheel structure, and means for caus in such manner as to cause a breaking of the cir ing approximately simultaneous explosions in the cuit earlier as the speed of the engine increases combustion chambers of said pair of cylinders. due to the action of the weight 93. As the speed ’ 4. In an internal combustion engine, the com of turning movement of the cylinders decreases, bination of a ?y wheel structure and crank shaft the spring 96 will retract the disc 90 and breaker eccentrically mounted relative to each other for points to retard the spark. relative rotary movement, a pair of cylinders ar As the engine operates as described above, the ranged in parallel side by side relation on op rotary rims 6 constitutes a ?y wheel that is driven posite sides of a plane extending lengthwise of the by the relative motion between the pistons and crank shaft between the cylinders and perma cylinders under the power of the explosion there 20 nently connected together, means mounting said in. This power may be transmitted to any desired cylinders on the crank shaft for pivotal motion point, for which purpose one of the rims 6 is relative thereto, pistons operatively mounted in shown as provided with a pulley 98 thereon the cylinders for movement relative thereto, (Fig. 1). means pivotally connecting the pistons with the I claim: 25 ?y wheel structure, and means for controlling the 1. In an internal combustion engine, the com intake of combustible fuel to the cylinders joint bination of a ?y wheel structure and crank shaft ly and for controlling the exhaust of gases there eccentrically mounted relative to each other for from, the cylinders having combustion chambers relative rotary movement, 'a pair of cylinders ar therein located substantially on the same side of ranged side by side on opposite sides of a plane 30 a plane extending lengthwise of the crankshaft extending lengthwise of the crank shaft between at right angles to the ?rst-mentioned plane and the cylinders and rigidly connected together, and on the opposite side of the second-mentioned pistons mounted in said cylinders, said pistons plane from the connections with the ?y wheel and cylinders being operatively connected be structure, and means for causing approximately tween the crank shaft and ?y wheel structure, 35 simultaneous explosions in the combustion cham the cylinders having combustion chambers there bers of said pair of cylinders. in located substantially on the same side of a 5. In an internal combustion engine, the com plane extending lengthwise of the crankshaft at bination of a ?y wheel structure having spaced right angles to the ?rst~mentioned plane and on rims connected together, a crank shaft mounted the opposite side of the second-mentioned plane ~ between the rims, a pair of parallel cylinders from the connections with the ?y wheel structure, journaled on the crank shaft for turning move and means for causing approximately simul ment relative thereto and arranged on opposite taneous explosions in the combustion chambers sides thereof, means for permanently connecting of said pair of cylinders. said cylinders together in side by side parallel 2. In an internal combustion engine, the com relation and for joint turning movement about bination of a ?y wheel structure and crank shaft the crank shaft and relative to the rims, pistons eccentrically mounted relative to each other for operatively mounted in the cylinders, means for relative rotary movement, a pair of cylinders ar rigidly connecting the pistons together and joint ranged in parallel relation on opposite sides of a ly pivoting the same to the fly wheel structure for plane extending lengthwise of the crank shaft be- ' joint action thereon, and means for controlling tween the cylinders and rigidly connected to the admission of combustible fuel jointly and gether, and pistons operatively mounted in said simultaneously to the parallel cylinders, and for cylinders, said pistons and cylinders being opera controlling the exhaust of gas therefrom. tively connected together between the ?y wheel 6. In an internal combustion engine, the com structure and crank shaft for relative movement , bination of spaced rims, end plates supporting and for pivotal connection respectively with said the rims for rotary movement relative thereof, ?y wheel structure and crank shaft, the cylin means connecting the rims rigidly together for ders having combustion chambers therein located joint turning movement, a stationary crank shaft substantially on the same side of a plane extend rigidly mounted in the end plates eccentrically ing lengthwise of the crankshaft at right angles of the rims, said crank shaft having laterally off to the ?rst-mentioned plane and on the opposite set end portions arranged out of alignment with side of the second-mentioned plane from the con each other, pairs of cylinders journaled respec nections with the ?y wheel structure, and means tively on the offset end portions of the crank for causing approximately simultaneous explo shaft for bodily turning movement relative there sions in the combustion chambers of said pair of to, each pair of cylinders having the cylinders cylinders. arranged on opposite sides of the crank shaft end 3. In an internal combustion engine, the com~ portions and rigidly secured together in parallel bination of a ?y wheel structure and crank shaft relation, pistons in the cylinders, and means for eccentrically mounted relative to each other for connecting the pistons of each pair together and relative rotary movement, ‘a pair of cylinders jointly with the rims with the pistons of one pair arranged in parallel side by side relation on op arranged to act substantially in the opposite di posite sides of a plane extending lengthwise of rection from the pistons of the other pair. the crank shaft between the cylinders and per 7. In an internal combustion engine, the com manently connected together, means mounting bination of a rotary ?y-wheel structure having said cylinders on the crank shaft for pivotal mo spaced end rims, tie rods rigidly connecting said 2,280,645 5 end rims together, a crank-shaft mounted in the connecting said yoke with one of the tie rods, said ?y-wheel structure, a pair of cylinders arranged pair of cylinders having the major portions there in parallel relation on opposite sides of the crank of disposed on the opposite side of the axis of the shaft and rigidly connected together, pistons cp~ fly-wheel structure from said connected tie-rod eratively mounted in the cylinders, connecting with the connecting rods extending in an out rods secured to the pistons and extending out ward direction from the cylinders to the yoke. wardly therefrom, a yoke rigidly securing the connecting rods together, and means pivotally ROBERT V. FERGUSON.