Vaux Engine -- Bourke Engine

Goal

Provide an energy-efficient internal combustion engine with clean exhaust.

Problem

High fuel consumption and polluting exhaust of conventional internal-combustion engines.

Concept Summary

The Bourke Engine uses a dwelling Scotch-yoke mechanism combined with a journalled flywheel to stall the translatory motion of opposing pistons during the power stroke, maintaining a fixed volume above the pistons for complete fuel-air combustion. The flywheel also functions as an oil pump, and sealed cylinder end walls increase fuel-mixture density. Exhaust ports are timed to open only after the power stroke, yielding a longer effective stroke and higher horsepower.

Principles

• Dwelling Scotch-yoke cam profile
• Flywheel-driven cam follower
• Stalling piston translation during detonation
• Sealed cylinder end walls for mixture densification
• Delayed exhaust port opening

Scientific Domains

Materials

• Steel
• Cast iron
• Aluminum
• Lubricating oil

Mechanisms of Action

• Maintains a fixed volume above pistons during combustion
• Increases fuel-mixture density by sealing cylinder end walls
• Uses flywheel rotation to pump lubricating oil
• Times exhaust port opening to after power stroke

Energy Sources

Applications

• Lawn mowers
• Diesel electricity generators

Claimed Performance

Very clean exhaust, highly energy-efficient operation, increased horsepower compared with conventional cylinders.

Limitations

• No quantitative performance data provided
• Complex cam-profile manufacturing

Keywords

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