US 201102.09678A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0209678 A1 Myers (43) Pub. Date: Sep. 1, 2011

(54) INTERNAL COMBUSTON ENGINE WITH Publication Classification MODIFIED SHAFT (51) Int. Cl. FOIL 7/02 (2006.01) (76) Inventor: Russell S. Myers, Duluth, MN (US) FOIL 3L/00 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl...... 123/90.31:123/190.4:123/190.1 (21) Appl. No.: 13/037,111 (57) ABSTRACT In one embodiment, an improvement to a four- engine having a single block arrangement including an (22) Filed: Feb. 28, 2011 , timing gears, and gear, timing / chain, port, exhaust port, and arrange Related U.S. Application Data ment includes a ported rotating shaft, the ported rotating shaft having a first port, the ported rotating shaft synchronized with (60) Provisional application No. 61/308,841, filed on Feb. the crankshaft, such that the first port periodically aligns with 26, 2010. the intake port to allow for intake during the four-stroke cycle.

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INTERNAL COMBUSTON ENGINE WITH ciency, fewer moving parts, and reduction in maintenance MODIFIED SHAFT because, for example, carbon-build-up on valves is omitted. 0008. The improved motor presented herein should not be CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED confused with the Bourke or Wankle engine designs. The APPLICATIONS Bourke design uses a crankshaft with a sliding block rod bearing that keeps the always straight with the 0001. This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provi . When a typical connecting rod/piston reciprocates, sional Patent Application No. 61/308,841 filed on Feb. 26, the rod angle creates a thrust force on the skirts of the piston, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference. thereby creating drag (friction). The engine still uses , valves, and valve springs. BACKGROUND 0009. A rotary (Wankle) engine uses a triangle-shaped piston that rotates inside of an odd-shaped oval chamber. As 0002 The internal combustion engine has remained it rotates, it uncovers and covers ports that allow the air/fuel mostly unchanged for the past 100 years with most advance mixture to enter and exit. While the mixture is in there, it is ments emanating from improvements in (e.g., compressed and ignited to create power, and then allowed to direct fuel injection), , design, exit the exhaust port. Each of these lobes covers and uncovers and emissions controls. However, every four-stroke engine the ports; so it is not a conventional four-stroke engine with manufactured in the past 100 years is pretty much the same cams, valves, , etc. However, it differs from the configuration. They all use , connecting rods, pis improved motor presented herein in that the engine has pis tons, and rings in the block area. There are slight variations in tons, rods, and a crankshaft, but no cams or valves (or valve the head and intake area, but most use , valves, Springs). valve springs, retainers, etc. Some use lifters, pushrods, and 0010. In one embodiment, an improvement to a four rocker arms. Some use followers, and some use the camshaft stroke engine having a single cylinder block arrangement pushing right over the valve with a “bucket' on top of the including an engine block, timing gears, crankshaft and gear, valve. However, they all use camshafts and valves. timing belt/chain, intake port, exhaust port, and cylinder head 0003 Valves are very restrictive to linear airflow, and air arrangement includes a ported rotating shaft, the ported rotat flow has to bend to get around the intake valve to get into the ing shaft having a first port, the ported rotating shaft synchro . Furthermore, the airflow has to bend nized with the crankshaft, such that the first port periodically around the exhaust valve to get out of the combustion cham aligns with the intake port to allow for intake during the ber. In addition to valves often being a weak component of the four-stroke cycle. In one alternative, the first port periodically internal combustion engine, the bending of this airflow aligns with the exhaust port to allow for exhaust during the around the intake and exhaust valves creates inefficiencies. four-stroke cycle. Optionally, the ported rotating shaft has a second port and the second port periodically aligns with the BRIEF SUMMARY exhaust port to allow for exhaust during the four-stroke cycle. Optionally, the first port periodically is unaligned with both 0004 Removing the camshaft and valves would improve the intake port and the exhaust port. Alternatively, compres the four-stroke engine through a reduction in moving parts sion occurs during a period of non-alignment. and through improved airflow, which would translate to better 0011. In another embodiment, an improvement to a four fuel economy and horsepower gains. A rotating shaft, timed stroke engine having a single cylinder block arrangement just right, with a cross-hole through it, or multiple cross including an engine block, timing gears, crankshaft and gear, holes, would allow airflow in or out without having the timing belt/chain, intake port, exhaust port, and cylinder head restrictive nature associated with present day design. arrangement includes a first- and second-ported rotating 0005 One embodiment of an improved motor includes a shaft, the first- and second-ported rotating shaft each having a rotating shaft(s) including a hole or multiple cross-holes port, the first-ported rotating shaft synchronized with the aligned with (or over) the pistons to better facilitate airflow to crankshaft, such that the port of the first-ported rotating shaft and from the engine. The core of the engine further includes periodically aligns with the intake port to allow for intake the block, intake, exhaust, serpentine belt, , bell during the four-stroke cycle, and the second-ported rotating housing, pistons, etc. Since the airflow in and out of the shaft synchronized with the crankshaft, such that the port of engine is more efficient, the engine itself is more efficient. the second-ported rotating shaft periodically aligns with the Using the improved shaft with at least one hole aligned with exhaust port to allow for exhaust during the four-stroke cycle. the pistons, Smaller engines would make the same power as 0012. In another embodiment, a four-stroke engine larger engines without the improved shaft. Furthermore, includes an intake port; an exhaust port; and a ported rotating through the use of the improved motor and the improved shaft, synchronized with the four-stoke engine, the ported shaft, alternative fuels such as hydrogen or biomass derived rotating shaft having a port, the port periodically aligning fuels are more attractive fuels for powering a motor. with the intake port and the exhaust port to allow for intake of 0006. One skilled in the art will recognize appropriate air and output of exhaust during the four-stroke cycle. metals and proper formation of cross-holes in light of this 0013. In another embodiment, a four-stroke engine com disclosure. Although metal is a common material used in the prising: an engine block, timing gears, crankshaft and gear, construction of engines, other materials are usable including, timing belt/chain, intake port, exhaust port, and cylinder head but not limited to: ceramics, plastics, etc. In one alternative, a proper seal is placed in the space or gap between the rotating arrangement, wherein valves for intake and exhaust are omit shaft and shaft housing (head) to prevent intake or exhaustair ted and the four-stroke cycle is maintained. from leaking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 0007. The advantages of the improved engine include a 0014 For a more complete understanding of the improved reduction in hardware, improved airflow, improved fuel effi engine, a series of drawings are included demonstrating a US 2011/0209678 A1 Sep. 1, 2011

four-stroke engine with camshaft and valves and one embodi rod, valve, and push rod are shown. In this design, the spark ment of a four-stroke engine that eliminates the camshaft and plug is adjacent to the exhaust side of the arrangement. In this valves by use of an improved rotating shaft. arrangement, the valves are integral to the operations of this 0015 FIG. 1 shows a typical single- or dual-overhead four-stroke engine. For the four-stroke engine, the first stroke arrangement showing a hemispherical chamber, cylinder, pis is the piston moving in a downward motion, and the intake ton, connecting rod, and valve arrangement with an intake valve is open to permit air entry. On the upward stroke of the valve and exhaust valve; piston, the valves are closed. On the third stroke, the piston is 0016 FIG. 2 shows a typical wedge chamber (cam-in moving in the downward direction and, at the same time, the block wedge chamber) showing a cylinder, piston, connect valves are still closed. Near the bottom of the power stroke, ing rod, valve, and push rod, with the adjacent to the exhaust valve opens, allowing spent gases to exit during the exhaust side of the arrangement; the fourth (exhaust) stroke. 0017 FIGS.3a and 3b shows one embodiment of a ported 0030 FIGS. 2 and 3 depict one embodiment of an rotating shaft with timing gear; improved shaft 300 which may also be known as a rotating 0018 FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a single piston ported shaft 300, enabling the creation of an improved motor cylinder single-ported rotating shaft; 301. The improved shaft design permits air entry and exit 0019 FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of a single piston from an engine. The embodiment of the rotating shaft 300 cylinder dual-ported rotating shaft; shown has a hole 310 to permit air entry and exit from a 0020 FIG. 6a shows one embodiment of a detail of a one-cylinder engine. In other embodiments, more than one single-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the start of the cylinder is used. Also shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a are a timing intake stroke); gear 320 and the support bearings 325. The timing gear 320 0021 FIG. 6b shows one embodiment of a detail of a keeps the ported shaft 300 in synchronization with the single-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the middle of the shaft/piston dynamics. In one alternative, the improved shaft power stroke); continuously rotates a full 360 degrees. In another alternative, 0022 FIG. 6c shows one embodiment of a detail of a the improved shaft only rotates a number of degrees less than single-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the middle of the 360 degrees; just enough for the ports in the shaft to open and power stroke); close. This alternative leads to reduced friction, since the 0023 FIG. 6d shows one embodiment of a detail of a shaft rotates fewer degrees. In an alternative including rota single-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the middle of the tion of less than 360 degrees, position of multiple ports on the exhaust stroke); shaft are disposed at difference distances along the shaft in 0024 FIG. 7a shows one embodiment of a detail of a order to maintain alignment with respective corresponding dual-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the start of the inlets and exhausts. intake stroke); 0031. This representation is not limited only to one-cylin 0025 FIG. 7b shows one embodiment of a detail of a der engines, but to any four-stroke engine with 1 through 16 dual-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the end of the pistons, or even additional piston cylinder arrangements. Fur compression stroke); thermore, although the port in this particular design is shown 0026 FIG. 7c shows one embodiment of a detail of a as oval, this is not in any way meant to limit the improved dual-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the middle of the engine for the shape of the port; its position longitudinally power stroke); and and/or laterally can be positioned to maximize air entry and 0027 FIG. 7d shows one embodiment of a detail of a exit to the engine. Furthermore, there may be multiple ports dual-ported rotating shaft (piston shown at the middle of the per shaft per cylinder. exhaust stroke). 0032 FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a single cylinder block arrangement 410 with a single ported rotating shaft 300 DETAILED DESCRIPTION including an engine block 415, timing gear 320, crankshaft 0028 FIG. 1 depicts a typical piston cylinder arrangement and gear 420, timing belt/chain 425, intake port 430, exhaust for a single- or dual-overhead cam arrangement whereby the port 435, and cylinder head arrangement. In this embodiment, valves permit entry and exit of air. In this arrangement, the air enters through either a /intake manifold or valves are integral to the operation of this four-stroke engine. body/intake manifold as it enters the cylinder head For the four-stroke engine, the first stroke is the piston mov with ported rotating shaft 300. As the shaft rotates because of ing in a downward motion, and the intake valve 110 of FIG. 1 its time synchronization with the piston/crank shaft, the ports is open to permit air entry. On the upward stroke of the piston, of the ported rotating shaft are, in an alternating fashion the valves are closed. On the third stroke, the piston is moving arranged with the firing of the sparkplug 440, exposed, allow in the downward direction and, at the same time, the valves ing air to enter or exit, and not exposed, thereby preventing are still closed. Near the bottom of the power stroke, the the entry or exit of air. exhaust valve 120 opens, allowing spent gases to exit during 0033 FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a single cyl the fourth (exhaust) stroke. Typical single- or dual-overhead inder block arrangement 510 with dual ported rotating shafts cam arrangements show a hemispherical chamber, cylinder, 300 including an engine block 515, timing gears 520, crank piston, connecting rod, and valve arrangement whereby an shaft and gear 520, timing belt/chain 525, intake port 530, intake valve (left) and exhaust valve (right) introduce air into exhaust port 535, and cylinder head arrangement. In this the engine and permit the exit of combustion byproducts. In embodiment, air enters through either a carburetor/intake this design, the spark plug 130 is centered with respect to the manifold or throttle body/intake manifold as it enters the piston. Fuel entry could be carburetion or injection, and the cylinderhead with a ported rotating shaft. As the shafts rotate, intake/exhaust ports may be transposed. because of their time synchronization with the piston/crank 0029. In another typical piston cylinder arrangement for a shaft, the ports of the ported rotating shafts are, in an alter cam-in block wedge chamber, a cylinder, piston, connecting nating fashion arranged with the firing of the spark plug 540. US 2011/0209678 A1 Sep. 1, 2011 exposed, allowing air to enter or exit, and not exposed, crankshaft, such that the first port periodically aligns thereby preventing the entry or exit of air. with the intake port to allow for intake during the four 0034) For a four-stroke engine, the first stroke is the piston stroke cycle. moving in a downward motion, and the port shown in FIG. 6a 2. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the first port peri is aligned with the piston to permit air entry. On the upward odically aligns with the exhaust port to allow for exhaust stroke of the piston, the port is rotated sufficiently so that air during the four-stroke cycle. cannot escape the combustion chamber. On the third stroke, the piston is moving in the downward direction and, at the 3. The improvement of claim 1 wherein the ported rotating same time, the port is beginning to align with the combustion shaft has a second port, and the second port periodically so that during the fourth stroke the combustion gases can be aligns with the exhaust port to allow for exhaust during the exhausted through the port. four-stroke cycle. 0035 FIG. 6a shows an embodiment of a piston cylinder 4. The improvement of claim 2 wherein the first port peri arrangement 600 for a single piston 610 with a single ported odically is unaligned with both the intake port and the exhaust rotating shaft 300 during the intake stroke. For the four-stroke port. engine, the first stroke is the piston 610 moving in a down ward motion, and the ported rotating shaft 300 of FIG. 3 is 5. The improvement of claim 4 wherein compression open to permit air entry. The hole 310 of the rotating shaft 300 occurs during a period of non-alignment. aligns with intake 620. On the upward stroke of the piston 6. An improvement to a four-stroke engine having a single (FIG. 6B), the shaft has rotated, closing the port(s), allowing cylinderblockarrangement including an engine block, timing compression and power to occur (FIG. 6C). On the fourth gears, crankshaft and gear, timing belt/chain, intake port, stroke (FIG. 6D), the shaft 300 is rotated, exposing the exhaust port, and cylinder head arrangement, the improve exhaust port 630, and allowing the spent gases to exit. ment comprising: 0036 FIG. 7a shows another embodiment of a piston cyl a first- and second-ported rotating shaft, the first- and sec inder arrangement for a single piston 710 with dual-ported ond-ported rotating shaft each having a port, the first rotating shafts 300 during the intake stroke. For the four ported rotating shaft synchronized with the crankshaft, stroke engine, the first stroke is the piston moving in a down such that the port of the first-ported rotating shaft peri ward motion, and the ported rotating shafts of FIG.3 are open to permit air entry. On the upward stroke of the piston (FIG. odically aligns with the intake port to allow for intake 7B), the shafts have rotated, closing the port(s), allowing during the four-stroke cycle, and the second-ported compression and power to occur (FIG. 7C). On the fourth rotating shaft synchronized with the crankshaft, such stroke (FIG. 7D), the shafts are rotated, exposing the exhaust that the port of the second-ported rotating shaft periodi ports, and allowing the spent gases to exit. In another embodi cally aligns with the exhaust port to allow for exhaust ment, a single rotating shaft having two ports is used, one port during the four-stroke cycle. periodically aligning with the inlet, and the other port peri 7. A four-stroke engine comprising: odically aligning with the exhaust. (a) an intake port; 0037. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the improved engine systems and methods has been presented (b) an exhaust port; and only for the purpose of illustration and description and is not (c) a ported rotating shaft, Synchronized with the four intended to be exhaustive or to limited to the precise forms Stoke engine, the ported rotating shaft having a port, the disclosed. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be port periodically aligning with the intake port and the apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the exhaust port to allow for intake of air and output of spirit and scope of this disclosure. exhaust during the four-stroke cycle. What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by 8. The four stroke engine of claim 5 wherein a timing belt Letters Patent of the United States is: synchronizes the ported rotating shaft. 1. An improvement to a four-stroke engine having a single 9. A four-stroke engine comprising: an engine block, tim cylinderblock arrangement including an engine block, timing ing gears, crankshaft and gear, timing belt/chain, intake port, gears, crankshaft and gear, timing belt/chain, intake port, exhaust port, and cylinder head arrangement, wherein valves exhaust port, and cylinder head arrangement, the improve for intake and exhaust are omitted and the four-stroke cycle is ment comprising: maintained. a ported rotating shaft, the ported rotating shaft having a first port, the ported rotating shaft synchronized with the