Engine Description
The REVETEC Engine design consists of two counter-rotating "trilobate" (three lobed) cams geared together, so both cams contribute to forward motion. Two bearings run along the profile of both cams (four bearings in all) and stay in contact with the cams at all times. The bearings are mounted on the underside of the two inter-connected pistons, which maintain the desired clearance throughout the stroke.
The two cams rotate and raise the piston with a scissor-like action to the bearings. Once at the top of the stroke the air/fuel mixture is fired. This is the power stroke during which the maximum mechanical advantage is reached after the piston has moved approximately 5% of its travel from top dead centre (approx. 10° ATDC), which makes better use of the high cylinder pressures at this point in the cycle. In comparison a conventional engine reaches its maximum mechanical advantage after the piston has moved approximately 40% of its travel from top dead centre (approx. 60° ATDC). A side effect of this is a CCE can idle at a much lower RPM.
Because the piston assembly only moves in one dimension (unlike the case in an engine with connecting rods), contact with the cylinder wall is minimised, which reduces wear and lubrication requirements. The cams create less piston shock, which allows ceramic components to be used. The engine can run in either direction if symmetrical lobes are used.
The effective cranking distance is determined by the length from the point of bearing contact to the centre of the output shaft (not the stroke).
The dual bearings contact the two cams in the opposite side which cancels the side forces out. The piston assembly does not experience any side force which will reduce wear and lubrication requirements at the cylinder contact. One module which consists of a minimum of five moving components, produces six power strokes per revolution. Increasing the number of lobes on each cam to five produces ten power strokes without increasing the number of components.
Read more about this topic: Controlled Combustion Engine
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