Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-friction and anti-wear liquid coating composition for use with parts made of materials that have softening points below about 300° F. and articles so coated. The present invention also relates to a method of coating parts made from a low softening point materials with an anti-friction and anti-wear hard coating composition. The coating composition comprises a mixture of (i) solid lubricants comprising boron nitride, graphite and molybdenum disulfide, (ii) a thermoset resin system, (iii) catalyst for curing the resin system and (iv) a solvent system comprising highly volatile solvents. The coating composition is applied to the part and cured to form a coating on the part.

Abstract: A crankshaft, for use with a variable compression ratio engine having a connecting rod and a rod bearing, includes a crankpin adapted to be coupled to the connecting rod with the rod bearing disposed between the crankpin and the connecting rod. The crankpin includes a circumferential surface having first and second side surface portions and a main surface portion disposed between the side surface portions. The main surface portion is configured to receive the rod bearing. The first side surface portion has a first aperture disposed at least partially outwardly of the rod bearing when the rod bearing is received on the main surface portion of the crankpin and the crankpin is coupled to the connecting rod. The crankpin further defines, at least partially, a first fluid passage for supplying pressurized fluid to the first aperture, such that the fluid is useable to vary compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly is provided for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a piston. The assembly includes a first portion adapted to be connected to the crankshaft and having a cylindrical aperture. The assembly further includes a second portion adapted to be connected to the piston and movable with respect to the first portion. In addition, the assembly includes a locking element having a cylindrical portion that is disposed at least partially in the cylindrical aperture. The locking element is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position for locking the second portion at a first position relative to the first portion, wherein the first position corresponds to a first compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A crankshaft, for use with a variable compression ratio engine having a connecting rod and a rod bearing, includes a crankpin adapted to be coupled to the connecting rod with the rod bearing disposed between the crankpin and the connecting rod. The crankpin includes a circumferential surface having first and second side surface portions and a main surface portion disposed between the side surface portions. The main surface portion is configured to receive the rod bearing. The first side surface portion has a first aperture disposed at least partially outwardly of the rod bearing when the rod bearing is received on the main surface portion of the crankpin and the crankpin is coupled to the connecting rod. The crankpin further defines, at least partially, a first fluid passage for supplying pressurized fluid to the first aperture, such that the fluid is useable to vary compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine is provided. The engine includes first and second pressure responsive devices varying compression ratios in first and second engine cylinders, respectively. The method includes commanding the first and second devices to decrease compression ratios in the first and second cylinders, respectively. The method further includes indicating when the first device has not decreased a compression ratio in the first cylinder. Finally, the method includes commanding the second device to increase a compression ratio in the second cylinder to reduce engine torque fluctuations.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pressure responsive device in an engine is provided. The device can vary a compression ratio in an engine cylinder. The method includes supplying fluid pressure to the pressure responsive device to change a compression ratio in the cylinder. The method further includes indicating when the device has deteriorated response. Finally, the method includes increasing the fluid pressure to the device to change the compression ratio in the cylinder in response to the indication.

Abstract: An automotive exhaust gas noise attenuating device which treats exhaust gas emissions, the device having (a) a ceramic substrate for passing an automotive exhaust stream therethrough, the substrate having (i) an inlet face and an outlet face with a plurality of aligned thin porous channel walls defining channels extending between the faces, and (ii) a three dimensional aspect relationship where depth of the substrate between said faces is generally the same as either the height of width of a face, the substrate having first alternates of the channels blocked at the outlet face and second alternates of the channels blocked at the inlet face to promote lateral flow through the porous walls between each first channel and a multiple of second alternate channels while permitting laminar flow within such channels; (b) hollow shell pellets packed into and trapped in at least some of the first alternate channels which cooperate to define porous Darcy flow surfaces therein; and (c) dolomitic carbonate and catalyzing m

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly is provided for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a piston. The connecting rod assembly includes a first portion adapted to be connected to the crankshaft, and a second portion adapted to be connected to the piston and movable with respect to the first portion. The connecting rod assembly further includes a locking mechanism disposed between the first and second portions. The locking mechanism includes a rotatable locking element that is configured to lock the second portion at a first position relative to the first portion. Furthermore, the first position corresponds to a first compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anti-friction and anti-wear liquid coating composition for use with parts made of materials that have softening points below about 300° F. and articles so coated. The present invention also relates to a method of coating parts made from a low softening point materials with an anti-friction and anti-wear hard coating composition. The coating composition comprises a mixture of (i) solid lubricants comprising boron nitride, graphite and molybdenum disulfide, (ii) a thermoset resin system, (iii) catalyst for curing the resin system and (iv) a solvent system comprising highly volatile solvents. The coating composition is applied to the part and cured to form a coating on the part.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a pressure responsive device in an engine is provided. The device can vary a compression ratio in an engine cylinder. The method includes supplying fluid pressure to the pressure responsive device to change a compression ratio in the cylinder. The method further includes indicating when the device has deteriorated response. Finally, the method includes increasing the fluid pressure to the device to change the compression ratio in the cylinder in response to the indication.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an engine is provided. The engine includes first and second pressure responsive devices varying compression ratios in first and second engine cylinders, respectively. The method includes commanding the first and second devices to decrease compression ratios in the first and second cylinders, respectively. The method further includes indicating when the first device has not decreased a compression ratio in the first cylinder. Finally, the method includes commanding the second device to increase a compression ratio in the second cylinder to reduce engine torque fluctuations.

Abstract: A variable length connecting rod (12) has a first locking mechanism (36) for releasably locking connecting rod parts in a first effective length setting (FIG. 7) for the rod, and a second locking mechanism (38) for releasably locking the connecting rod parts in a second effective length setting to change the compression ratio for an engine cylinder. When a length change is to be made, hydraulic fluid unlocks a locked one of the locking mechanisms, allowing inertial force to effect the length change during an engine cycle. At completion of a length change, the other locking mechanism automatically unlocks.

Abstract: Various embodiments (20; 50; 50; 120) of variable length piston and connecting rod assemblies for imparting a variable compression ratio to an internal combustion engine. The embodiments incorporate novel arrangements of relatively movable parts (32, 34; 60, 62; 84, 86; 124, 126) related by various elastomeric elements (38; 58; 96, 104; 136) and oil passages (42; 116, 118; 140, 142) to change compression ratios.

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly is provided for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a piston. The assembly includes a first portion adapted to be connected to the crankshaft and having a cylindrical aperture. The assembly further includes a second portion adapted to be connected to the piston and movable with respect to the first portion. In addition, the assembly includes a locking element having a cylindrical portion that is disposed at least partially in the cylindrical aperture. The locking element is movable between an unlocked position and a locked position for locking the second portion at a first position relative to the first portion, wherein the first position corresponds to a first compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A connecting rod assembly is provided for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft and a piston. The connecting rod assembly includes a first portion adapted to be connected to the crankshaft, and a second portion adapted to be connected to the piston and movable with respect to the first portion. The connecting rod assembly further includes a locking mechanism disposed between the first and second portions. The locking mechanism includes a rotatable locking element that is configured to lock the second portion at a first position relative to the first portion. Furthermore, the first position corresponds to a first compression ratio of the engine.

Abstract: A desmodromic drive (30) for imparting reciprocal translation to a valve (32) has a cam ring (52) that rotates about an axis (42), a follower (50) that reciprocates with axial motion as the ring rotates, an endless cam track (69) on the ring, and rollers (76, 78) on the follower that ride along the cam track as the ring rotates. A follower guide (48) guides the follower for axial. Rollers (60, 62) constrain the follower against rotation on the follower guide.

Abstract: A variable length connecting rod (12) has a first locking mechanism (36) for releasably locking connecting rod parts in a first effective length setting (FIG. 3) for the rod, and a second locking mechanism (38) for releasably locking the connecting rod parts in a second effective length setting (FIG. 2) to change the compression ratio for an engine cylinder. When a length change is to be made, hydraulic fluid unlocks a locked one of the locking mechanisms, allowing inertial force to effect the length change during an engine cycle. At completion of a length change, the other locking mechanism automatically unlocks.

Abstract: A variable length connecting rod (12) has a first locking mechanism (36) for releasably locking connecting rod parts in a first effective length setting (FIG. 7) for the rod, and a second locking mechanism (38) for releasably locking the connecting rod parts in a second effective length setting to change the compression ratio for an engine cylinder. When a length change is to be made, hydraulic fluid unlocks a locked one of the locking mechanisms, allowing inertial force to effect the length change during an engine cycle. At completion of a length change, the other locking mechanism automatically unlocks.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine includes a bearing retainer disposed between a connecting rod and a crankpin of an internal combustion engine, the bearing retainer having an inner surface in communication with the crankpin and an outer surface in communication with the connecting rod, the connecting rod being axially movable relative to the bearing retainer along a longitudinal axis of the connecting rod to effect a selective displacement of the connecting rod relative to the bearing retainer, the displacement thereby causing a change in the effective length of the connecting rod and the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A variable length connecting rod 13 for changing a compression ratio of an engine is provided. The connecting rod 13 includes a first locking assembly 36 for locking the connecting rod 13 in a first effective length setting corresponding to a high compression ratio. The connecting rod 13 further includes a second locking assembly 38 for releasably locking the connecting rod 13 in a second effective length setting corresponding to a low compression ratio. When a length change is initiated, hydraulic fluid unlocks one of the locking assemblies 36, 38, allowing inertial force to effect the length change during an engine cycle. At completion of a length change, the other locking assembly 36, 38 automatically locks. The locking assemblies 36, 38 are self-contained units that are assembled to a bearing retainer 24.