Rotary valve

Abstract

The invention to which this application relates is the provision of an engine or pump which operates in an improved manner. The engine or pump is provided with a cylinder for selective connection with an inlet to allow the fuel and air mixture to be introduced and an exhaust to allow the removal of gases following combustion in the chamber of the cylinder. The connection of the combustion chamber with the inlet and exhaust is selectively controlled by a rotary valve arrangement. The control of the valve arrangement allows the efficient operation of the cylinder and in turn each of the other cylinders of the engine or pump and thereby improve efficiency in the power and drive obtained from the engine or pump.

1 . An engine or pump, said engine or pump including one or a plurality of cylinders, each of said cylinders including a piston arrangement linearly movable therealong and a combustion chamber for the ignition of a gas fuel mixture introduced into the chamber through an inlet and exhaust gases from the combustion exiting via an exhaust and wherein the opening and closing of the inlet and exhaust are controlled by a valve, said valve having a valve head defining a passage, said passage selectively connecting the combustion chamber with the inlet and exhaust by rotation of the valve.  
     
     
         2 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  characterised in that the valve rotates in a reciprocal or rocking manner with rotation in the first direction to allow connection of the inlet and combustion chamber and rotation in a second direction to allow connection of the combustion chamber with the exhaust.  
     
     
         3 . An engine or pump according to  claim 2  wherein there is a set time delay following movement in the first direction and prior to movement of the valve in the second direction.  
     
     
         4 . An engine or pump according to  claim 2  wherein the valve has two passages, a first passage for connection of the inlet with the combustion chamber and a second passage for connection of the combustion chamber with the exhaust.  
     
     
         5 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein in one cycle of operation of the valve, the connections to both the inlet and exhaust are closed for a period of time.  
     
     
         6 . An engine or pump according to  claim 5  wherein when both inlet and exhaust connections are closed, the valve is in a rest position.  
     
     
         7 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein the valve is provided with a single passage, said passage rotatable as part of the valve to a first position connecting the inlet to the combustion chamber and a second position connecting the combustion chamber with the exhaust.  
     
     
         8 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein, simultaneously with the control of movement of the valve, the piston in each cylinder follows a conventional linear path.  
     
     
         9 . An engine or pump according to  claim 8  wherein during the compression of the gas fuel mixture in the combustion chamber by the piston, the valve passages are blanked off by the cylinder head and the gas fuel mixture is sealed in the combustion chamber.  
     
     
         10 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein the rotation of the rotary valve head is driven by the crank shaft of the engine or pump.  
     
     
         11 . An engine or pump according to  claim 10  wherein the drive arrangement between the crank shaft and the valve provides a controlled speed of rotation of the valve and controls the commencement and stop of rotation.  
     
     
         12 . An engine or pump according to  claim 11  wherein movement of the valve is sequentially controlled with respect to the movement of the piston.  
     
     
         13 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein the rotation of the valve is electronically controlled and driven.  
     
     
         14 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein the arrangement as described for one cylinder is repeated for each of the cylinders of the engine or pump.  
     
     
         15 . An engine or pump according to  claim 1  wherein the face of the piston and cylinder are shaped so as to at least partially follow the shape of the outer surface of the valve which is positioned in that cylinder.