Abstract

A electromagnetically driven reciprocating engine. Reciprocating pistons are slidingly mounded in a cylinder and connected to a rotatable crankshaft. Fixed magnets, preferably of the samarium cobalt alloy type, are mounted in the piston to intermittently attract and repel sequentially energized electromagnets which are mounted in the cylinder walls. The electromagnets are mounted in radially oriented rows and strokewise outwardly extending layers adjacent the cylinder walls. The rows are radially disposed complimentary to the permanent magnets in the piston. The layers are disposed to provide a series of impulses both on the downstroke and on the upstroke, so as to urge the piston in the desired direction and thus turn the crankshaft to provide motive power. A power source for the electromagnets includes a capacitor discharge circuit for directing electrical energy to the electromagnets. A computerized control means regulates the timing of discharge of the capacitors and thus the timing of energizing the electromagnets. A staggered strokewise location for electromagnets which are actuating pistons operating in the same cycle is preferably provided so as to avoid the requirement for simultaneous energization of electromagnets in multiple cylinders; rather, only one layer of electromagnets at one strokewise position is simultaneously energized.