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Trochilic engine
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The Trochilic engine is a theoretical design composed of two mirror image gull wing segments intermeshed and rotating about a common central axis. Varying the relative segment velocities in rotation, forms four variable quadrants. The quadrants are functionally a Wankel engine requiring no mechanically driven valves and centric rotation. Each segment is integrally connected to a rotating gear cage that converts the undulating piston motion to a liner rotating output shaft. The segmented piston has a preferred direction of rotation imposed by the mechanically leveraged action of the gear cage. Similar to a Wankel engine: Intake of a working gas or combustible mixture is initiated by a quadrant expanding as it passes the intake port drawing in the working fluid. The gas is compressed and transported to a heated expansion cavity in the Stirling engine or ignited in the internal combustion engine. Expanding gas drive the quadrant through its power phase that ends when exposed to an exhaust port, followed by a decreasing volume exhausting the expended gas. All four quadrants operate in a like manner providing a continuous power stroke through the entire 360°of rotation. This gives a power to weight advantage in the trochilic design. Engine efficiency can be enhanced by the addition of a trochilic expansion stage or pre-stage compression piston. According to the inventor's website the main features are: * Trochilic engines do not employ compression rings, as conventional engines. * This design approach improves efficiency through the reduction of friction losses and reduced engine wear * A benefit of the trochilic design is no loading between piston and cylinder walls. In the absence of contact friction, lubrication is not required as in previous engines. * The unusual nature of this engine allows its use in the open cycle, requiring no recycling gas heat exchanger. At times of insufficient solar activity, for the power required, the open cycle hybrid trochilic engine can function from a dual energy source. That is, the engine can run on internal combustion to whatever level required to assist the solar function to the desired power output level. * No operable prototype of this engine exists See Also
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