Abstract: A rotary drive mechanism has an input shaft with a first crank, mounted parallel to an output shaft, the input shaft being offset from the output shaft by a distance equal to the length of the first crank, the output shaft having a second crank of greater length than the first crank, the first and second cranks are pivotally connected to opposite ends of a link, interlocking formations are provided to prevent rotation of the second crank and link independently of the input shaft when the second crank and link are parallel to one another.

Abstract: A valve mechanism includes a poppet type valve, a valve lever pivotally mounted at one end and attached at the other end to the end of the stem of the valve, the valve lever defines a track in which is located a drive pin and a drive mechanism is arranged to drive the drive pin in oscillatory manner; the track has a first portion which, when the valve is closed is engaged by the drive pin and coincides with the path of the drive pin, and a second portion which diverges from the path of the drive pin so that when engaged by the drive pin movement of the drive pin will cause the valve lever to move, opening and closing the valve. Preferably the mean position of oscillation of the drive pin is adjustable so that the duration and amplitude of valve opening may be varied.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam shaft, a cam mounted on said cam shaft, the cam being capable of limited relative rotation with respect to the cam shaft and damping means being provided to control the extent of rotation of the cam relative to the cam shaft as a function of the speed of rotation of the cam shaft.

Abstract: A cam mechanism includes a cam of basic circular formation and having a lobe formation extending radially outwardly along part of its periphery; and a cam follower mounted for reciprocating movement along an axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the cam; the cam acting against an end face of the cam follower so that engagement of the lobe formation therewith will cause movement of the cam follower, the inclination of the face of the cam follower which is engaged by the lobe formation being adjustable to vary the duration of movement of the cam follower by the cam.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of supercharging an internal combustion engine in which a pulsed jet of gas is injected at high velocity into a mixing chamber where momentum exchange between the jet and air or air/fuel mixture in the mixing chamber will accelerate the air or air/fuel mixture towards an outlet from the mixing chamber which is connected to an inlet port of a cylinder of the engine and induce further air or air/fuel mixture into the mixing chamber, to provide a pulsed induction charge at increased pressure, the pulsed induction charge being timed to arrive at the cylinder towards the end of the induction stroke thereof.

Abstract: A rotary valve has a valve rotor with an angular discontinuity, the valve rotor being mounted for rotation relative to a port, so that as it rotates the rotor will open and close the port; a drive train is provided to rotate the rotor, said train being arranged to reduce the speed of the rotor so that it is stationary or near stationary when the port is closed; the port is surrounded by a seating area and the valve rotor is arranged to move into engagement with the seating area and close the port as the speed of the rotor is reduced and move away from the seating area as the speed of the rotor increases.

Abstract: An external rear view mirror has a first mirror surface of relatively large surface area, a second mirror surface of relatively small surface area and a mechanism for moving the first mirror surface between a first position in which it provides a rearward view and a second position in which the second mirror surface provides a rearward view.

Abstract: A linear actuator has a screw threaded shaft member and an internally screw threaded member, the threadform of the shaft member corresponding to that of the internally screw threaded member but of smaller diameter, whereby the member may be skewed relative to the shaft so that the threads of the members will engage on a diameter smaller than the diameter of the member, means being provided to rotate one of the members, the other member being mounted so that it is freely rotatable.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, and a method of operating an internal combustion engine, of the kind in which recycled exhaust gases are reacted with a hydrocarbon fuel in a combustion space to produce a reformed fuel of enhanced calorific value by cracking molecules of the hydrocarbon fuel, the invention providing for means for the supply of air to the combustion space in the cylinder and separate means for the supply of the cracked and reformed fuel enabling an efficient engine operation to be achieved with economical use of fuel.

Abstract: A mechanism for transmitting rotational motion from a drive shaft such as a crankshaft of an engine to one or more parallel shafts such as camshafts comprising a triangular link connected to the crankshaft by an eccentric crank and connected to the camshafts by internal gears which engage with sprockets connected to the camshafts. The gear ratio between the crankshaft and camshafts is determined by the radii of the internal gears and the sprockets. The link can also be used to drive auxiliary components such as an alternator or a water pump, or to transmit drive from a starter motor to the crankshaft when the engine is started.