Abstract: A rocker arm mechanism is mounted on a rocker shaft via a pair of eccentric bushes, which, when made to rotate in opposite directions, disengage the rocker arm from an associated valve. The device is useful in controlling the number of operating cylinders in a multi-cylinder engine for more efficient fuel consumption.

Abstract: An air clutch has a rotatable drum positioned within a rotatable rim and an air bellows attached to the interior surface of the rim and expandable with the supply of compressed air to urge a plurality of friction blocks into contact with the exterior surface of the drum. The friction blocks are individually supported for radial movement by torque pins on the rim by means of restoring springs. An inertia device is provided for each friction block to apply an inwardly directed radial force to the friction block so as to cancel the effect of the centrifugal force acting on the friction block due to rotation of the rim.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for the light working gases of a Stirling engine comprises, surrounding the piston rod below the cylinder chamber, a block seal portion and a liquid seal portion, the latter including an oil scraping middle unit, a liquid chamber, and a liquid seal portion. Any gases passing through the block seal portion are positively blocked by the liquid seal portion. Leakage gases are also drawn off from the block seal portion, compressed, and returned to the cylinder chamber through a time controlled valve during the low periods of the pressure cycle below the piston.

Abstract: An air clutch of the type having a friction drum secured to a first shaft and an inflatable annular tube concentrically surrounding said drum and carrying friction means for engagement with the drum upon inflation of the tube, is provided with a variable elastic coupling in the drum portion of the clutch. The coupling is comprised of an annular drum having a plurality of radially inwardly disposed plates extending in the axial direction and a hub member having a plurality of axially extending radially disposed plates thereon interdigitated with the plates on the drum. A bellows member is disposed between each pair of plates with the interior of the bellows being disposed in fluid communication with conduits running through the plates on the hub member. The conduits are connected to a common source of air pressure whereby the torsional rigidity of the coupling can be varied by varying the air pressure within the plurality of bellows.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for supplying air to a torque control device of the type having a first and a second rotary member, a drum carried by one of said rotary members, a friction shoe carried on an inflatable member affixed to the other rotary member and adapted to expand so as to press the friction shoe onto the drum to transmit torque between the first and second rotary members. The control air is supplied to the inflatable member in accordance with the slip taking place between the two friction members, whereby the slip is ceased to protect the friction members from the heat which would otherwise generate and accumulate during the slip.