Summary
The post discusses the significance of internal combustion engines in high-performance vehicles and highlights persistent issues such as torsional vibration and inefficient combustion. It examines Dan Gurney's patented moment cancelling four stroke engine, which addresses these concerns through the use of dual counter-rotating crankshafts to minimise vibration. The innovative intake system design further enhances combustion efficiency, leading to improved power output and reduced emissions. The engine’s ability to support lean fuel mixtures also contributes to better fuel economy, making it a notable advancement in automotive technology. The analysis maintains an objective and factual perspective on the patent’s impact.
Among the many components that constitute modern performance vehicles, the internal combustion engine (ICE) remains central. An ICE is a heat engine in which the combustion of fuel occurs with an oxidiser in a combustion chamber that is integral to the working fluid flow circuit. Internal combustion engines are generally subject to torsional vibrations arising from moments produced by reciprocating pistons connected to a single crankshaft via a connecting rod. The torsional vibration developed in the crankshaft tends to transmit to the remaining engine components, causing fatigue and, over time, mechanical failure. A further challenge facing internal combustion engines is inefficient combustion, which adversely affects engine power output, fuel economy, and emissions. These difficulties are particularly pronounced in two-wheeler vehicles.
The Invention: US Patent No. 9103277
American auto racing legend Dan Gurney addressed the foregoing problems by inventing a compact engine, for which he was granted US Patent No. 9103277. The invention, titled “Moment-cancelling four stroke engine,” represents a significant development in the automotive field by achieving both optimum combustion and improved operational characteristics.
Technical Features
The invention incorporates two principal innovations that distinguish it from conventional ICEs.
First, the moment-cancelling four stroke engine is a two-cylinder engine featuring two reciprocating pistons connected to two separate crankshafts. The two crankshafts rotate in opposite directions relative to each other, thereby balancing the moments produced by both reciprocating pistons and achieving reduced torsional vibrations.
Second, the intake system of the moment-cancelling four stroke engine features a distinctive design. The inlet port is configured with a tapered cross-section: the inner entry diameter is tapered to the middle region, and the inner exit diameter is similarly tapered. This design enables effective air transfer into the combustion chamber, resulting in high-efficiency combustion, greater engine power output, and reduced emissions. The moment-cancelling four stroke engine also favours a lean fuel mixture, contributing to improved fuel economy.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information and does not constitute legal advice. Readers should consult a qualified attorney before acting on any matter discussed here.