At NET-Journal (only in German, see External Links), editione January/February 2003 and March/April 2003, was reported and discussed about buckle connecting rod of Siegfried Meyer and double connecting rod of Gerhard Mederer. Diverse other reports are published at internet. These subjects also were discussed at meeting ´Technologies for optimising fuel´ at 16. May 2003 at Breisach/Germany. Based at these suggestions, I did some considerations concerning these problems.
So here I offer some simple views at this mechanics - which probably could lead to a purely mechanical working motor. At any case, some effects of previous inventions will come clear for some readers.
Meyer´s Buckle Connecting Rod
Connecting rod is movable part between piston and crankshaft, in order to transfer linear movement of piston into turning movement of crankshaft. This technique is well-tried since times of steam engines, still used at modern combustion engines practically unchanged. Nevertheless, Siegfried Meyer wanted to improve that technique - by buckle at connecting rod (German Knick-Pleuel).
Practical effects are reduced consumption of fuel and essential lower emissions, proved by long running tests without any doubts. Automotive-producers however, since years are not interested in these real facts of approved technology (only some of far-east). That´s sad fact - and reasons are well known to awake citizens.
As source of effects of buckled rod is claimed, piston rests longer at its uppermost position, so more time by relative constant volume is available for combustion.
Opposite is argued, distance between bearing of crank and bearing of piston is all times of same length, no matter how rod between is shaped. Indeed, only some additional ´unbalanced´ momentum of buckled rod will effect sideward movement of piston within cylinder, so crank will run easier through its uppermost position.
Mederer´s Double-Connecting-Rod
Similar improvements for consumption and emission, in addition however essentially enlarged turning momentum at whole area of revolutions, are achieved by Gerhard Mederer with his two-part connecting rod (German Doppelpleuel, at picture above right side drawn dark blue and light blue) plus third part in shape of a swivel arm (at picture above right side marked red). Following animation demonstrates resulting process of movements.
Also by this mechanism, piston will stay relative long times at area of its uppermost position, thus intensive combustion of fuel is achieve, thus also better emission values. Above this, pressure of expansion of gases can affect by better angles onto crank shaft.
Mederer got gold medals for his invention already in 1991, positive effects are well documented and really approved by long-term running motors - however, automotive producers not at all are interested - like upside.
This invention was published via diverse medias. For example, already in 1992 at FAZ, Gottfried Hilscher described complex mechanic and there he assumed, ´additional crank-forces are saved as buckled rods by itself help piston moving upwards´.
At the following are discussed these two effects of better transmission of forces at expansion-phase and at compression-phase as well. For easier understanding at first however, some considerations in general are mentioned.
Force equal Counter-force
At picture EV GM 01 at A is drawn an effective mass (WM, German Wirksame Masse), onto which gravity weights, so gravity force (GK, German Gewichtskraft) exists vertical downward. That weight could be kept at constant height for example by weight-arm (LH, German Lasthebel). Foundation (F) is fix basis for demanded supporting force (SK, German Stützkraft). As everyone knows, amounts of forces (here affected by weight of effective mass) and counter-force (here effected by weight-arm and foundation) are equal all times.
However, causal force (here gravity resp. weight) not only produces resp. demands only one, exactly corresponding counter force. One causal force well can affect much more forces to work.
At picture EV GM 01 at B for example, at this foundation (F) is installed a fix wall (W). Effective mass is leaning at this wall by weight-arm (LH).
Causal force still is gravity weight (GK) of mass. In addition however, by leaning of mass at this wall, mass presses onto the wall, i.e. wall must affect horizontal (counter-) force (HK, German Horizontalkraft). Weight-arm (LH) now takes weight into diagonal direction with power component into vertical direction (SK) and power component into horizontal direction (HK).
Naturally, causal weight force and supporting force still are equal, however there came up additional forces - out of nothing resp. only by other mechanical arrangement. Naturally also amount of all additional horicontal forces are equal.
Additional working forces
Depending at arrangement of mechanics, thus one causal force can ´generate´ additional forces. In sum, naturally all forces are null. Depending on declared aim, some forces could be neutralized, e.g. while affecting versus fix foundation.
At picture EV GM 01 at C for example, previous wall is replaced by supporting-arm (SH, German Stützhebel), symmetric to weight-arm (LH). As everyone knows, by this arrangement will weight half of weight at supporting-arm (SH) and foundation resp. there by a bearing effective forces are fixed (FK, Fixierte Kräfte). At weight-arm (LH) is demanded only half weight of mass (e.g. for manually lifting mass). Horizontal power component there, partly is done by friction at foundation.
So one causal force can affect additional forces by ´clumsy´ arrangement. By ´skilful´ arrangement some power components are to neutralize. Depending on aim - here keeping or lifting masses - could be demanded less forces than causal force originally demands.
Guesthouse Signs
It´s rather impressive, how White Horse, Blue Bull, Golden Ox, Silver Jug (or guesthouses are named) invite by signs to enter. At picture EV GM 02 for example three possible arrangements are shown.
At A effective mass (WM), thus sign or figure, is mounted at horizontal weight-arm (LH), kept in that position by an upside installed supporting-arm (SH). Causal weight (GK) affects horizontally working pressure force (HK) versus wall (W) at downside arm and diagonally working pulling force (ZK, German Zugkraft) onto upside bearing.
At B weight-arm (LH) shows diagonally upward and is kept in that position by a horizontally arranged support-arm (SH). There will exist diagonally downward pressure (DK, German Druckkraft) and a horizontally working pulling force (ZK). Again, bearings at wall (W) must take all these forces.
Even more impressive is arrangement at C, where both arms show upwards. Pressure force (DK) and pulling force (ZK) now show into diagonal directions. Pressure force (DK), like also marked at B, demands supporting force (SK) with amount of gravity weight, as counter force, in vertical direction.
Above this however horicontal components exist, equal in sum, however affecting at different places (so affecting some ´turning momentum´). By this ´clumsy´ arrangement thus at wall will affect more forces than causal force. In addition came up a pulling force, strange enough into upward direction. If however all times all forces in sum are null - where rests counter-force versus upward showing pulling component?
Double Lever Arm
If guesthouse sign should reach far out at street, much easier construction would do, e.g. as shown at picture EV GM 03 at A.
Weight of effective mass (WM) weights at horizontal supporting-arm (SH), which at its middle, at supporting-point (SP), is supported by vertical weight-arm (LH). Gravity force (GK) now practically rests like at beam scales, resulting vertical force (VK) at wall (W), showing upwards. Wall weights at that bearing (here called DP) practically as counter-weight at lever arm of ´beam scales´.
It´s clear, at foundation (F) now weights double weight (like at any beam scales), i.e. via weight-arm (LH) is demanded double amount of supporting force (SK).
At this picture at B, again previous arrangement is shown, where both arms (SH and LH) show diagonally upwards, pressure force (DK) like pulling force (ZK) also show into corresponding diagonal directions.
Supporting-arm (SH) now is mounted at wall (W) at a turning point (DP, German Drehpunkt), rather far downside. At this level, also weight-arm (LH) ends at a supporting-point (SP), while weight is installed at its other end left upside. This concept corresponds to previous beam scales, is only a little bit strange version of.
If supporting-point (SP) is positioned at the middle of weight and turning-point (DP), at supporting-point (SP) weights double gravity force (GK), i.e. there double supporting force (SK) is demanded (and in addition horizontal counter force HK), to keep system balanced.
At this picture at C even simpler ´beam scales´ are drawn, at which left arm diagonally shows upside left. Also here, gravity weight (GK) left side is balanced only by vertical counter force (VK) right side. At middle supporting-point (SP) do weight both forces.
Effect of concept (B) with two diagonal arms is identical to beam scales (C). Upward showing pulling component is compensated by double weight at supporting-point. This technique is well known and is used e.g. by footpump for pump up tyre or rubber dinghy most effective.
Roof or Crane
If now one causal force (gravity weight of effective mass or pressure on piston) should be handled or used most effectively, two mechanical arrangements are important. These are shown schematically at picture EV GM 04.
At A is drawn ´roof-arrangement´, by which gravity weight (GK) of effective mass (WM) is spread by two lever-arms (weight-arm LH and supporting-arm SH) onto two points (supporting-point SP and turning-point DP). Both arms show upwards, however into opposite directions. At turning-point (DP) right side, resulting forces are fixed at foundation. At supporting-point (SP) left side, for holding weight is demanded only half of (gravity-) weight. So by this construction a mass is to lift by relative less forces.
At B is drawn ´crane-arrangement´ (so called, cause in earlier days cranes were build with two diagonal upward showing arms). If turning-point (DP) again is fixed at foundation, at supporting-arm (SH) will affect previous upward-pulling force (pulling turning-point DP upwards-left) and weight-arm (LH) produces pressure downward (onto supporting-point SP). Causal force (GK) thus has much higher effect at supporting-point (SP), e.g. by double of gravity weight (resp. demands double counter-force SK).
Now at C schematically is shown, both arrangements should come up alternately by continuous process, resulting turning movement of crank shaft.
Turning-point (DP) is fix installed within housing of that machine, in order to take forces of supporting-arm (SH). Opposite, supporting-point (SP) is installed at crank-arm (KH, German Kurbelhebel), so forces given or demanded at weight-arm (LH) are transferred by turning of crank around system axis (SA). At this animation, process of movement of that machine is visualized. Like at this animantion, at the following turnings are assumed clockwise.
Rise and Fall
At picture EV GM 05 different situations resp. phases of movement´s process are drawn. Terms here are adapted to common names of parts of motors with crank shafts.
There is a crank shaft (KW) with crank (K), at crank´s end is crank-joint (KG, German Kurbelgelenk). There starts connecting-rod (P, German Pleuelstange), at rod´s other end is rod-joint (PG, German Pleuelgelenk). At this area, mass (M) is installed, so there is affecting causal gravity weight.
On the other hand, at rod-joint (PG) is installed swivable supporting-arm (S), which at its other end is beared by supporting-joint (SG, German Stützgelenk) within housing, also swivable.
At each of these four pictures, mechanical parts are drawn several times, in different positions, so force´s affects of different phases are to see.
At this picture at A, crank is shown in two positions, in position of 12-o´clock and in position of 1-o´clock. At this phase, transmission from ´roof- to crane-arrangement´ occurs.
At B, crank is shown by four positions from 2-o´clock to 5-o´clock. There both rods, connecting-rod and supporting-rod, show diagonally left side upwards. So this phase shows ´crane-arrangement´, i.e. at crank-joint (KG) are affecting strong forces. Each component right-angled to crank affects turning momentum at crank-shaft.
At C, crank is shown at positions of 6-o´clock and 7-o´clock. At this phase occurs transmission from crane-arrangement back to roof-arrangement.
At D, crank is shown at four positions from 8-o´clock to 11-o´clock. Connecting-rod and supporting-rod show upwards, now however into opposite directions. Via supporting-rod, gravity force partly weights on supporting-joint (SG) of housing. So crank can lift mass with relative less forces.
Track of Mass
By previous animation and by previous picture is to recognize, mass is moving at track of circle section. However, speeds at each section are rather different, also different within upward and downward movement.
Here at picture EV GM 07 at A and B are marked different tracks. Shape of track depends on lengths of rods and lever arms and also depends on location of supporting-point (SG) relative to system axis (SA).
By simulation programs could be calculated, by which dimensions optimum affects are to achieve resp. if already that simple arrangement could result a purely mechanical working, self running motor. Might be, decisive improvement could be achieved e.g. by additional, movable supporting-point (SG). So at first one should search for optimum track of effective mass and afterward could find proper technical solution of mechanical arrangement.
At this picture at C, an other possibility is mentioned, where effective mass is guided linear (e.g. like piston within cylinder), into vertical direction, in relation to system axis some shifted aside. Guiding of mass could also be done at sloped track or within frame of other shape.
Connecting rod could also reach far out above connecting-joint (straight or bended) and mass could be installed at end of this enlarged rod. Thus mass would be shifted sideward, supporting-rod thus would take more or less part of weight. However at the moment, these suggestions will do.
Working now and then
At the following, effects of upside motor with double-connecting-rod will be discussed, based at previous considerations. Upside animation here once more is shown for better understanding process of movements.
In general, piston of four-stroke combustion-engines do ´work´ only within two short time-sections. At outlet-stroke, piston push off gases of cylinder practically without power-transfer. At inlet-stroke, piston sucks air into cylinder, also practically without input of power. At compression-stroke, high pressure is achieved mainly at end of stroke, so piston has to invest pressure-forces only during short time. Also at expansion-stroke, high pressures exist only at first part of phase, while large parts of pressure- (resp. heat-) energy get lost at end of phase, with no power-effects.
Just within these short decisive phases of high power-transfer however, construction of double-connecting-rod does show specific advantages.
Animation is build by twelve ´running´ pictures, which are drawn as still pictures at EV GM 08. Uppermost position of piston is given short time after crank did leave its uppermost position. That´s why here twelve positions of crank are drawn, each some later than ´full hour´.
Row upside shows expansion-stroke with crank in positions (each some later than) 0-o´clock to 5-o´clock. Row below shows compression-stroke with crank in positions (some later than) at 6-o´clock to 11-o´clock.
Power-Transfer at Expansion-Stroke
High pressures of combustion (marked by dark yellow) at expansion-stroke practically exist only while crank is in position from 0-o´clock to maximum 2-o´clock. Just at this phase both arms, downside part (red) of two-part connecting-rod and swivel-arm (black), do show upside left, so build ´crane-arrangement´.
Power of high pressures within cylinder is transferred by this part of connecting-rod nearby right-angles onto crank. Advantages of additional weight (at previous weight-arm LH resp. support-joint SG) thus is transferred into turning momentum onto crank-shaft at its best.
Effective parts of this (´work´-) phase here are outlined by thick lines. Rest of movement´s process of expansion-stroke (from 3- to 5-o´click) is not important, at this double- like at simple connecting-rods.
Power-Transfer at Compression-Stroke
Like this, at the beginning of compression-stroke (from 6- to 8-o´clock) only relative few power is transferred. However just starting with position of 9-o´clock, (downside part of) connecting-rod and swivel-arm come into previous ´roof-arrangement´. Crank-shaft has to bring power into system, i.e. piston now affects corresponding counter-forces into downward direction.
Large parts of this counter-pressure is taken by swivel-arm within this decisive phase. That´s why high pressures (dark yellow) of compression-stroke are produced by much less input of power than common construction of simple connecting-rods demands.
Optimum Solution
By these considerations it´s easy to explain, why motors with ´Mederer´s Doppel-Pleuel´ (double-connecting-rod) do really achieve much higher turning momentum, at low areas of revolutions 100 percent, at high revolutions some 40 percent better performance. Within short times of decisive power-transfer, that concept of mechanics is much better solution - besides less consumption and less emissions.
These clear results are achieved only by some skilfull arrangements of mechanical parts. So it´s question whether or not this clear surplus of usable energy wouldn´t be sufficient for a motor without combustion, e.g. based only at steady available gravity as causal force. Upside already were mentioned some suggestions, where gravity at the one side weights on a crank-gear, at the other side is supported by joint fix installed at housing.
At following chapter Mechanisms this principle of using gravity is transferred into a wheel, without outside support of effective mass.
Evert / 10. October 2003
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