Abstract: Variable displacement reciprocating piston engine arrangements are disclosed wherein pistons drive a variable displacement oscillating rocker member connected with an oscillating lever that in turn drives a rotating shaft through a crank mechanism. The rocker member and oscillating lever are engaged at a sliding joint displaced from their spaced axes, forming an angular multiplier drive. The rocker member and its axis are movable to vary the piston stroke by changing the lever arm of the oscillating shaft connection with the rocker member, while at the same time the piston compression ratio is held constant or varied in a predetermined manner through adjustment of the piston positions by the same movement of the rocker member. Various drive and balancing arrangements are disclosed.

Abstract: A synchronizing and indexing clutch for connecting adjacent portions of a split engine crankshaft at will, such that one or more engine pistons may be selectively rendered inoperative for low engine power operation, the clutch including input and output members formed on the adjacent ends of the split crankshaft, an annular piston including inner and outer ring members interconnected by a detent mechanism and slidably mounted on the input member, a source of fluid under pressure for actuating the piston, cooperating cone clutch surfaces formed on the output member and the inner piston member, respectively, two sets of ramped indexing teeth formed on the output member and outer piston member, respectively, the two sets of teeth having a predetermined pattern of unequally spaced, variable width teeth and spaces such that engagement of the two sets of teeth will occur only at one particular aligned circumferential position in order to interconnect the split crankshaft portions and thereby bring idle engine pisto

Abstract: A spark ignition internal combustion engine arrangement and method of operation are provided including high compression, in the range between about 17 to 1 and 30 to 1 of a lean mixture of air and fuel of sufficiently high octane to prevent preignition and detonation when compressed, late ignition of the charge, near top dead center, for combustion during the first part of the expansion phase with heat release controlled by the shape of the combustion chamber to obtain essentially constant pressure combustion up to a predetermined maximum temperature with the remaining fuel being burned at substantially constant temperature. This cycle requires a high initial rate of heat release for the constant pressure combustion portion of the burn followed by a much lower rate during the constant temperature portion. A combustion chamber and engine arrangement for operating on the novel cycle are also disclosed.

Abstract: A seat belt buckle assembly includes a male buckle member attached to a length of belt for movement with the belt and a female latch member mounted on a member of the vehicle body. The male buckle member is provided on the seat belt and has a round cylindrical pintle attached to a buckle member housing. A plunger is telescopically mounted inside the pintle and is normally retracted therein by a spring. An occupant actuatable device in the form of a push-button and linkage is provided in the buckle member housing for selectively moving the plunger from the normal retracted position to an extended position. The female latch member has a round cylindrical opening in the housing thereof for receiving the pintle of the buckle member at any degree of orientation of the pintle about its axis. A pair of latch plates are pivotally mounted in the latch member housing at diametrically opposed positions relative the round cylindrical opening.

Abstract: A rotary engine rotor housing having an exhaust port in the rotor housing's inner peripheral wall which is spanned at the center by a peripherally extending bridge that is coextensive with the inner peripheral wall and has a coolant passage therethrough through which coolant is forced to circulate from one axial flow coolant passage in the rotor housing to another by means of heating, velocity differential, ram effect and a negative pressure zone.