Abstract: A reciprocating machine includes a housing (12) and piston means (20) that are cyclically relatively displaceable along an axis (11) to define a variable volume working chamber (50). There is further provided air inlet means and fuel inlet means (100) admitting air and fuel to the working chamber for forming an ignitable mixture after compression of the air therein, and means to exhaust combustion products from the working chamber. The variable volume working chamber (50) includes at least two sub-chambers, a combustion chamber (54) and a main chamber (52) mutually displaced on the axis (11) and in communication at a cross section (53) at which gas in the combustion chamber (54) may expand at least partially laterally as it flows from the combustion chamber (54) into the main chamber (52). The air admission means, the exhaust means and the chambers (52, 54) are arranged so that a swirl of gas is generated and maintained about the axis (11) in both chambers (52, 54) during operation of the machine.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed drive mechanism comprising a pair of sun discs mounted on a first shaft for rotation therewith and at least one of said discs being capable of limited axial movement along the shaft and being loaded towards each other, a plurality of planet discs each rotatably mounted on one end of a corresponding arm or fork for rotation about an axis substantially parallel to said first shaft, the other end of each arm or fork being pivotally mounted on a carrier member for movement about an axis substantially parallel to said first shaft said planet discs moving in a plane normal to the axis of rotation and being capable of limited sliding movement along their axis of rotation so that at all times they remain substantially normal to the axis of rotation, said carrier being mounted on a second shaft for rotation therewith about an axis coaxial with the axis of rotation of said first shaft, a pair of spaced non rotating annular members substantially coplanar with and concentric with said sun dis