Cleto Lappa

US Patent:

40107191, Mar 8, 1977

Filed:

Jan 22, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/543135

Inventors:

Cleto L. Lappa - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

F02B 5704
F02B 5708

US Classification:

123 44C

Abstract:

A rotary internal combustion engine comprising a cylindrical housing with end walls, a rotating cylinder block therein having seals mounted on the outer arcuate surface of the rotating cylindrical block as well as the end surfaces thereof to provide a tight seal with the inner walls of the housing. A plurality of radially extending cylinders are provided in the rotating block, each including a piston. Connecting rods are eccentrically mounted on a single throw or single connecting pin of a crank shaft. The cylinders are offset about one-half inch axially of the crank shaft so that they reciprocate in substantially the same plane. Different sun gear arrangements are provided to enable rotation of the rotating block either in the same direction or in an opposite direction relative to the crank shaft to obtain different ratios and different numbers of power strokes per revolution of the cylindrical bloc. Either two pistons 180. degree. apart or three pistons 120. degree.

US Patent:

42560616, Mar 17, 1981

Filed:

Nov 8, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/958637

Inventors:

Cleto L. Lappa - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

F02B 5708

US Classification:

123 44D

Abstract:

A two-cycle rotary internal combustion engine of the fuel injection type. A rotor having three radially disposed cylinders in equally spaced angular relation in a circular rim rotates in sealed rotation within a cylindrical stationary outer housing. The respective pistons in the cylinders are connected to the same crank arm of the crankshaft, which is in turn connected, through a planetary gear mechanism, to rotate in the same direction and at a three-to-one ratio of speed to the rotor. The outer housing has two exhaust ports and two fuel injectors in angularly spaced relation to which the cylinders are opened in timed sequence. Fresh air is supplied under pressure into the closed housing in surrounding relation to the cylinders for cooling the cylinders and for preheating scavenging air admitted to the interior of the cylinders through ports therein. Jets of air, provided by a hole in the rim behind each cylinder, serve to assist in combustion of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases and also dilution of particulates. In a modified embodiment, the crankshaft and rotor rotate reversely and in three-to-one speed ratio with four exhaust ports and four fuel injectors in substantial quadrature relation in the housing.

US Patent:

41366468, Jan 30, 1979

Filed:

Sep 30, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/838383

Inventors:

Cleto L. Lappa - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

F02B 5706

US Classification:

123 44C

Abstract:

A two cycle rotary internal combustion engine of the fuel injection type. A rotor having three radially disposed cylinders in equally spaced angular relation in a circular rim rotates in sealed relation within a cylindrical stationary outer housing. The respective pistons in the cylinders are connected to the same crank arm of the crankshaft, which is in turn connected, through a planetary gear mechanism, to rotate in the same direction and at a three-to-one ratio of speed to the rotor. The outer housing has two exhaust ports and two fuel injectors in angularly spaced relation to which the cylinders are opened in timed sequence. Fresh air is supplied under pressure into the closed housing in surrounding relation to the cylinders for cooling the cylinders and for preheating scavenging air admitted to the interior of the cylinders through ports therein. Jets of air, provided by a hole in the rim behind each cylinder, serve to assist in combustion of hydrocarbons in the exhaust gases and also dilution of particulates. To reduce friction of the cylinder rings on the housing, due to centrifugal force, cylinder rings are slanted in a conforming groove to cause the component of compression pressure in the cylinders acting on the rings to oppose centrifugal force on the rings.

US Patent:

40435563, Aug 23, 1977

Filed:

Mar 22, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/668847

Inventors:

Cleto L. Lappa - Pittsburgh PA

International Classification:

A63F 914

US Classification:

273 86R

Abstract:

A game comprising a base having two separately and detachably mounted wheels on the sides thereof which may be separately spun by competing players and run off in the same direction. The player making the wheel go farthest or reach the "finish" line first is the winner. The spinning is done by handles with oppositely twisted flat rods which fit into a central correspondingly shaped slot in each wheel.