Abstract: A device for transmitting power between mechanical movements which includes a fluid pump coupled to a first mechanical movement for pumping a fluid, a fluid motor coupled to a second mechanical movement and a manifold connecting the fluid pump and the fluid motor capable of conducting fluid output from the fluid pump to the fluid motor to drive the fluid motor and recirculate the fluid back to said fluid pump. Either the fluid pump and/or the fluid motor incorporates a conjugate drive motion translator. The power transmission is suitable for use on a bicycle replacing the typical gears and chain and preferably includes a shunt to permit the motor to override the pump, an apportionment valve to control the ratio of movement between a first and second mechanical movement, and a brake valve for stopping the second mechanical movement. Either the fluid pump and/or fluid motor may be of a variable output design incorporating a crankshaft of variable stroke, adjustable on-the-fly.

Abstract: A device for transmitting power between mechanical movements which includes a fluid pump coupled to a first mechanical movement for pumping a fluid, a fluid motor coupled to a second mechanical movement and a manifold connecting the fluid pump and the fluid motor capable of conducting fluid output from the fluid pump to the fluid motor to drive the fluid motor and recirculate the fluid back to said fluid pump. Either the fluid pump and/or the fluid motor incorporates a conjugate drive motion translator. The power transmission is suitable for use on a bicycle replacing the typical gears and chain and preferably includes a shunt to permit the motor to override the pump, an apportionment valve to control the ratio of movement between a first and second mechanical movement, and a brake valve for stopping the second mechanical movement.

Abstract: A method of creating a conjugated surface for use in a motion conversion device for converting linear motion into circular motion or vice versa through the use of an axially movable conjugate-driver moving laterally with respect to a conjugate-bearing, the conjugated surface being on the conjugate-bearing. The method includes the steps of creating a motion curve corresponding to the circular motion from the frame of reference of the lateral motion, iteratively rotating the conjugate surface :along the motion curve, and measuring a conjugated curve comprising the points of the conjugate surface farthest from a line joining the two endpoints of the motion curve during the course of the rotations. The conjugated surface is created according to the conjugated curve.

Abstract: A method of creating a conjugated surface for use in a motion conversion device for converting linear motion into circular motion or vice versa through the use of an axially movable conjugate-driver moving laterally with respect to a conjugate-bearing, the conjugated surface being on the conjugate-bearing. The method includes the steps of creating a motion curve corresponding to the circular motion from the frame of reference of the lateral motion, iteratively rotating the conjugate surface along the motion curve, and measuring a conjugated curve comprising the points of the conjugate surface farthest from a line joining the two endpoints of the motion curve during the course of the rotations. The conjugated surface is created according to the conjugated curve.

Abstract: A device for translating rotary to linear motion and vice versa includes a reciprocating linearly moving shuttle with a central aperture. The aperture has a pair of opposing gear racks protruding towards the center and which capture therebetween a pair of pinion sectors rotatably mounted to the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft with the axis of crankshaft rotation perpendicular to the linear path of the shuttle. The pinion sectors are free to rotate about the crankpin and articulate independently of each other through a selected angular range. When the crankpin, including the pinion sectors, is inserted into the aperture of the shuttle with the pinion sectors engaging the racks, motion is transferable between the crankpin and the shuttle through the pinion sectors.

Abstract: A motion converter employs a shuttle movable in a reciprocating fashion along a rectilinear path and having an aperture therein. One side of the aperture is defined by a first trackable profile and an opposite side of the aperture is defined by a second trackable profile. A pair of conjugate drivers is rotatably mounted on a crankpin positioned within the aperture of the shuttle. The conjugate drivers have tracking profiles which are in continuous conjugating engagement with the trackable profiles of the shuttle. Each of the tracking profiles has the same circumferential length as its corresponding trackable profile.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine has a conjugate drive motion translator. The engine is horizontally opposed with each shuttle having a pair of pistons attached at the ends of a pair of oppositely extending arms. A centrally located aperture in the shuttle accommodates the crankpin and incorporates a pair of conjugate bearings bolted to the shuttle. The conjugate bearings mesh with mating conjugate drivers rotatably mounted upon a crankpin and forming the interface between crankshaft and shuttle. The cycle dynamics of the engine may be matched to the thermodynamics of a selected power cycle and fuel by adjusting the shape of the conjugate drivers and conjugate bearings.

Abstract: A conjugate drive mechanism of a motion converter includes a conjugate driver, which is rotatably mounted on a crankpin, and a bearing conjugate, which is mounted on a linearly movable shuttle. The conjugate driver moves relative to the bearing conjugate between a pair of end points. A motion arrester functions to arrest the motion of the conjugate driver as it reaches each of its end points of travel relative to the bearing conjugate. The conjugate driver has a tracking profile which is in continuous conjugating engagement with a trackable profile provided on the bearing conjugate and having the same circumferential length as the tracking profile of the conjugate driver.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder reciprocating piston internal combustion engine is divided into a working section and a compressor section, with the working section supporting the combustion function and the compressor dedicated solely to infusion of intake charge into the working section. In a preferred embodiment, the compressor employs a conjugate drive motion translator with cycle dynamics matched to optimize compressor function. This is characterized by a displacement of crankshaft orientation from 0 degrees at top piston position. The working portion employs a conjugate drive motion converter exhibiting cycle dynamics matched to either a two, four, or diesel engine power cycle.

Abstract: A motion converter employs a shuttle movable in a reciprocating fashion along a rectilinear path and having an aperture therein. One side of the aperture is defined by a first trackable profile and an opposite side of the aperture is defined by a second trackable profile. A pair of conjugate drivers is rotatably mounted on a crank pin positioned within the aperture of the shuttle. The conjugate drivers have tracking profiles which are in continuous conjugating engagement with the trackable profiles of the shuttle. Each of the tracking profiles has the same circumferential length as its corresponding trackable profile.

Abstract: A conjugate drive mechanism of a motion converter includes a conjugate driver, which is rotatably mounted on a crankpin, and a bearing conjugate, which is mounted on a linearly movable shuttle. The conjugate drive mechanism is lubricated by supplying lubricating fluid from a pressurized source to an interface between trackable profiles of the bearing conjugate and the conjugate driver. The trackable profiles, which are in continuous conjugating engagement, have equal circumferential lengths.

Abstract: A device for translating rotary to linear motion and vice versa includes a reciprocating linearly moving shuttle with a central aperture. The aperture has a pair of opposing conjugate bearings protruding towards the center and which capture therebetween a pair of conjugate drivers rotatably mounted to the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft with the axis of crankshaft rotation perpendicular to the linear path of the shuttle. The conjugate drivers are free to rotate about the crankpin and articulate independently of each other through a selected angular range. When the crankpin, including the conjugate drivers, is inserted into the aperture of the shuttle with the conjugate drivers engaging the racks, motion is transferable between the crankpin and the shuttle through the conjugate drivers.

Abstract: A scotch yoke type motion converter employs a shuttle movable in a reciprocating fashion along a rectilinear path and having an aperture therein. One side of the aperture is defined by a first trackable profile and an opposite side of the aperture is defined by a second trackable profile. A pair of conjugate drivers is rotatably mounted on a crankpin positioned within the aperture of the shuttle. The conjugate drivers have tracking profiles which are in meshing engagement with the trackable profiles of the shuttle. Each of the tracking profiles has an overhanging portion which overhangs the opposite conjugate driver.

Abstract: A multi-cylinder reciprocating piston internal combustion engine is divided into a working section and a compressor section, with the working section supporting the combustion function and the compressor dedicated solely to infusion of intake charge into the working section. In a preferred embodiment, the compressor employs a scotch yoke motion translator with cycle dynamics matched to optimize compressor function. This is characterized by a displacement of crankshaft orientation from 0 degrees at top piston position. The working portion employs a scotch yoke motion converter exhibiting cycle dynamics matched to either a two, four, or diesel engine power cycle.

Abstract: A conjugate drive mechanism of a scotch yoke type motion converter includes a conjugate driver, which is rotatably mounted on a crankpin, and a bearing conjugate, which is mounted on a linearly movable shuttle. The conjugate drive mechanism is lubricated by supplying lubricating fluid from a pressurized source to an interface between meshing portions of the bearing conjugate and the conjugate driver.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston internal combustion engine has a scotch yoke-type motion translator. The engine is horizontally opposed with each shuttle having a pair of pistons attached at the ends of a pair of oppositely extending arms. A centrally located aperture in the shuttle accommodates the crankpin and incorporates a pair of rack blocks bolted to the shuttle. The rack blocks mesh with mating epicycloidal/hypocycloidal sectors rotatably mounted upon a crankpin and forming the interface between crankshaft and shuttle. The cycle dynamics of the engine may be matched to the thermodynamics of a selected power cycle and fuel by adjusting the shape of the sectors and racks.

Abstract: A conjugate drive mechanism of a scotch yoke type motion converter includes a conjugate driver, which is rotatably mounted on a crankpin, and a bearing conjugate, which is mounted on a linearly movable shuttle. The conjugate driver moves relative to the bearing conjugate between a pair of end points. A motion arrester functions to arrest the motion of the conjugate driver as it reaches each of its end points of travel relative to the bearing conjugate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing, installing and/or testing valve-spring retainer assemblies of internal combustion engines and the like employ an existing spark plug opening to mount a tool which is designed to depress a valve spring and thereby disengage an associated valve-spring retainer assembly. Once it has been disengaged, at least a portion of the valve-spring retainer assembly can be removed from a cylinder head of the engine through the tool.

Abstract: A device for translating rotary to linear motion and vice versa includes a reciprocating linearly moving shuttle with a central aperture. The aperture has a pair of opposing gear racks protruding towards the center and which capture therebetween a pair of pinion sectors rotatably mounted to the crankpin of a rotatable crankshaft with the axis of crankshaft rotation perpendicular to the linear path of the shuttle. The pinion sectors are free to rotate about the crankpin and articulate independently of each other through a selected angular range. When the crankpin, including the pinion sectors, is inserted into the shuttle aperture with the pinion sectors engaging the racks, motion is transferable between the crankpin and the shuttle through the pinion sectors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing and/or installing valve-spring retainer assemblies of internal combustion engines and the like employ an existing spark plug opening to mount a tool which is designed to depress a valve spring and thereby disengage an associated valve-spring retainer assembly. Once it has been disengaged, at least a portion of the valve-spring retainer assembly can be removed from a cylinder head of the engine through the tool.