Transducer for converting linear energy to rotational energy

Abstract

A transducer includes a linear input power source ( 12 ) connected to a connecting rod ( 24 ) in turn connected to output drive shafts ( 30 & 36 ) through one-way clutches ( 28 & 40 ), with the output drive shafts being interconnected through gears ( 32 & 40 ) such that when one shaft is powered, the other is coasting. The power source includes multiple stern powered cylinders ( 16 & 94 ). Inlet and outlet valves ( 44 ) for each cylinder chamber are controlled by an actuator ( 56 ) which instantaneously snaps the valves between open and closed positions. The power cylinders ( 16 & 94 ) may be operated individually, in parallel or in series and as required, a valve passageway through the piston ( 18 ) may be operated to equalize pressure. A pair of O-rings ( 121 ) on the piston ( 18 ) engage the cylinder wall only when the adjacent chamber is pressurized, thereby reducing drag in operation of the piston.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A transducer for converting linear energy to rotational energy comprising, a linear input power source connected to a connecting rod with gear teeth, the rod in turn being continuously connected to a first output drive shaft having a first gear and a second output drive shaft having a second gear, the first and second gears being in operative engagement with one another, one-way clutches operatively interconnecting said first and second output drive shafts to said connecting rod, and said power source reciprocating said connecting rod back and forth in opposite linear directions causing said first and second output drive shafts to be continuously rotated in a single direction respectively.  
     
     
         2 . The transducer of    claim 1    wherein said one-way clutches include gear teeth with said connecting rod gear teeth continuously engaging the gear teeth of said one-way clutches.  
     
     
         3 . The transducer of    claim 2    wherein said connecting rod has first and second opposing sides and said connecting rod gear teeth are on one of said sides in engagement with the gear teeth of said one-way clutches which are positioned in side by side relationship on the same side of said connecting rod.  
     
     
         4 . The transducer of    claim 3    and a guide roller is positioned on the opposite side of said connecting rod from said one-way clutches for maintaining said connecting rod teeth in engagement with the teeth of said one-way clutches.  
     
     
         5 . The transducer of    claim 2    wherein said connecting rod has first and second opposing sides and said connecting rod gear teeth are on said first and second opposing sides in engagement with the gear teeth of said one-way clutches which are positioned on opposite sides of said connecting rod.  
     
     
         6 . The transducer of    claim 1    wherein said first and second gears are in operative engagement through an idler gear which allows both of said first and second gears to rotate in the same direction.  
     
     
         7 . The transducer of    claim 1    wherein said first and second output drive shafts are continuously rotated in opposite directions.  
     
     
         8 . The transducer of    claim 1    wherein said linear input power source includes a piston in a cylinder.  
     
     
         9 . The transducer of    claim 8    wherein said cylinder includes pressure chambers on opposite sides of said piston.  
     
     
         10 . The transducer of    claim 9    wherein said power source includes a flowable medium source and a control system for alternatively directing medium to each of said pressure chambers to cause said connecting rod to be reciprocated.  
     
     
         11 . The transducer of    claim 10    wherein said control system includes valve means for directing flowable medium to said pressure chambers and said piston is centered between said pressure chambers when said connecting rod is centered in its range of movement during each cycle of operation.  
     
     
         12 . The structure of    claim 11    wherein said valve means is connected to an actuator means which is operatively connected to said piston, said pressure chambers being adapted to be alternately pressurized, said valve means including inlet and outlet ports in each of said chambers, said one chamber is adapted to be pressurized when the inlet port in said one chamber is open while the input port in the other chamber is closed, and the outlet port in said one chamber is closed and the outlet port in said other chamber is open, said other chamber is adapted to be pressurized when the inlet port in said first chamber is closed and the inlet port in said other chamber is open, and the outlet port in said first chamber is open and the outlet port in said other chamber is closed.  
     
     
         13 . The transducer of    claim 12    wherein said actuator means includes a first link operatively connected to said connecting rod and a second link connected to said valve means for opening and closing said valve means as said connecting rod moves back and forth in opposite directions.  
     
     
         14 . The transducer of    claim 13    wherein said actuator means includes a spring means interconnecting said first and second links such that energy is increased in said spring means as said first link moves in said opposite directions and is released when resistance to movement of said valve means is overcome thereby causing said valve means to be snapped between open and closed positions.  
     
     
         15 . The transducer of    claim 14    wherein said actuator means includes a rocker block adapted to pivot about a pivot axis, and said first link is connected to said rocker block on one side of said pivot axis and said second link is connected to said rocker block on the opposite side of said pivot axis such that said rocker block is pivotably snapped back and forth between opposite positions as said valve means are snapped between open and closed positions.  
     
     
         16 . The transducer of    claim 11    wherein said flowable medium is steam.  
     
     
         17 . The transducer of    claim 12    wherein said flowable medium is steam and a condenser is connected to said outlet ports in each of said chambers.  
     
     
         18 . The transducer of    claim 12    wherein said flowable medium is connected through said valve means to said inlet ports of said chambers.  
     
     
         19 . The transducer of    claim 18    further comprising multiple input power sources having a piston in a cylinder with pressure chambers on opposite sides equivalent to said first power source, and said flowable medium is connected through said valve means to inlet ports in said chambers where all power sources operate in unison to power said output drive shafts.  
     
     
         20 . The transducer of    claim 8    wherein a second input power source is provided having a piston in a cylinder with pressure chambers on opposite sides, said second input power source being functionally equivalent to said first power source and having its inlet ports alternately connected to said outlet ports of said first power source whereby feedback flowable medium is utilized to supplement power for rotating the output drive shafts.  
     
     
         21 . The transducer of    claim 20    wherein said second power source is smaller in its capacity to process said flowable medium.  
     
     
         22 . The transducer of    claim 12    wherein said piston has passageway means through it for connecting said opposite chambers, and a piston valve for opening and closing said passageway and to equalize pressure in each chamber.  
     
     
         23 . The transducer of    claim 22    wherein a fixed sensor is provided adjacent to a signaling means on said connecting rod such that the position of said piston can be determined as it moves through each half cycle of operation.  
     
     
         24 . The transducer of    claim 23    wherein said fixed sensor and signaling means include interactive magnets which generate a signal transmitted to a computer operatively connected to said piston valve for opening and closing said piston valve.  
     
     
         25 . The transducer of    claim 12    wherein said piston includes peripherally positioned circumferential seal elements movably received in annular slots formed in the outer periphery adjacent opposite ends of said piston, and said piston having opposite end faces having openings connecting said annular slots to the adjacent chamber whereby pressure in said chamber yieldably forces said seal element outwardly into engagement with the cylinder and the absence of pressure in said chamber allows the adjacent seal to retract into its annular slot thereby reducing drag on said cylinder.  
     
     
         26 . A transducer for converting linear energy to rotational energy comprising, a linear input power source connected to a connecting rod having gear teeth, the rod in turn being continuously connected to a first crank connected to a first output drive shaft having a first gear, a second crank continuously connected to said connecting rod and to a second output drive shaft having a second gear in operative engagement with said first gear on said first output drive shaft, one-way clutches interconnecting said first and second output drive shafts to said first and second cranks, and said power source reciprocating said connecting rod back and forth in linear opposite directions causing said first and second output drive shafts to be continuously rotated in a single direction, respectively.  
     
     
         27 . A transducer for converting linear energy to rotational energy comprising, a linear input power source connected to a connecting rod in turn connected to a first output drive shaft having a first gear, a second output drive shaft having a second gear in meshing engagement with said first gear on said first output drive shaft, one-way clutches operatively interconnecting said first and second output drive shafts to said connecting rod, and said power source reciprocating said connecting rod back and forth in opposite linear directions causing said first and second output drive shafts to be continuously rotated in opposite directions.