Abstract: A power transfer assembly (2000) for transferring energy within a combustion engine (1010) externally of the engine. The power transfer assembly includes a crankshaft (2006) adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion. The power transfer assembly further includes an outdrive (2004, 2020, and/or 2026) adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power. The outdrive is non-rigidly interfaced with the outdrive such that the crankshaft is permitted to freely rotate relative to the outdrive about at least one axis (2014) and freely move linearly in at least one direction (2027) relative to the outdrive during operation.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed having cylinders slidably disposed in an engine block. The cylinders reciprocate, engaging movable pistons at each end. A piston and cylinder end define a combustion chamber. A centrally located crankshaft extracts work, and converts the reciprocating motion into rotary motion. Precompression plates fixed to the cylinder reciprocate in precompression chambers to pre-compress and inject an air/fuel mixture. An exhaust gas recovery system, including a catalytic converter in the precompression chamber, extracts work from energy in the exhaust gas stream to improve the engine efficiency. In one embodiment, a central piston assembly is slidable within the cylinder, and reciprocates relative to the cylinder, substantially in synchrony with the motion of the cylinder, thereby producing an effective stroke length that is greater than the stroke length of the cylinder alone. Offset piston journals engage a gliding block to couple the central piston assembly to the crankshaft.

Abstract: A power transfer assembly (2000) for transferring energy within a combustion engine (1010) externally of the engine. The power transfer assembly includes a crankshaft (2006) adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion. The power transfer assembly further includes an outdrive (2004, 2020, and/or 2026) adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power. The outdrive is non-rigidly interfaced with the outdrive such that the crankshaft is permitted to freely rotate relative to the outdrive about at least one axis (2014) and freely move linearly in at least one direction (2027) relative to the outdrive during operation.