Radial engine power system

Abstract

A power plant utilizing a radial rotary engine and incorporating onboard energy storage. The engine is of the type utilized in pre-World War I aircraft, but with certain modifications. The energy storage system exploits the flywheel effect inherent in these engines and optionally also includes auxiliary energy storage in other forms, such as compressed air or electrical. Using a continuously variable transmission enables advantageous use of engine inertia in a coast down mode of driving.

1 . A power system including a radial rotary internal combustion engine as a prime mover, and a power transmission element capable of outputting power selectively from both active internal combustion power production and also inertia of engine rotating mass, wherein said engine includes 
 a rotatable cylinder block disposed to rotate about an axis of rotation and having formed therein a plurality of cylinders generally oriented to radiate from said axis of rotation, a piston reciprocatingly disposed within each one of said plurality of cylinders, a stationary crankshaft, and a unitary connecting rod encirclingly engaging said crankshaft and pivotally connected to each said piston, wherein said crankshaft has a longitudinal center line offset from said axis of rotation of said cylinder block such that rotation of said cylinder block and pistons about said crankshaft produces apparent reciprocation of each one of said pistons relative to each one of said plurality of cylinders, and    a rotation adjuster disposed to move said crankshaft to a second axis of rotation displaced from said first axis of rotation such that said rotatable cylinder block rotates about said second axis of rotation and each one of said cylinders is located such that said piston of each one of said cylinders avoids causing displacement within its respective said cylinder.    
   
   
       2 . The power system according to  claim 1 , wherein said power transmission element includes a continuously variable transmission disposed to transmit and vary torque and rotational output speed from said engine.  
   
   
       3 . The power system according to  claim 1 , further including an energy storage system for storing energy other than in the form of inertia of engine rotating mass.  
   
   
       4 . The power system according to  claim 2 , wherein said energy storage system includes an air pump driven by said engine, a storage receptacle disposed to receive and store air compressed by said pistons, and a valve enabling compressed air to operate said air pump as a pneumatic motor.  
   
   
       5 . The power system according to  claim 1 , wherein each said cylinder is canted in the direction of rotation wherein the outermost section of each said cylinder being in a leading position, and the innermost section of each said cylinder being in a trailing position relative to said leading position.