Abstract: An improved reciprocating internal combustion engine converts a larger percentage (than a conventional engine) of the linear force exerted by the piston into rotation of the crankshaft when the combustion pressures are at maximum, high or intermediate levels. This increased conversion results in more power per cycle, when compared to conventional engines of comparable size. The improved engine includes an engine block, a cylinder within the engine block, a piston slidably positioned within the cylinder for a reciprocating motion, a crankshaft, a connecting rod and a torque arm. One side of the connecting rod is pivotally mounted to the piston and on the other side to the torque arm. The torque arm is also operatively rigidly connected to a template that is mounted to the engine block. The template guides the movement of the torque arm along a predetermined path.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a piston slidably disposed for rectilinear reciprocal movement within a cylinder. A drive rack pivotally mounted to the piston carrys a continuous internally facing row of teeth. A drive gear nonrotatably keyed to a drive shaft and internally adjacent to the continuous row of teeth engages a portion of the drive rack teeth. A runner guides the drive rack such that the drive gear cooperatively associates with the drive rack teeth to convert rectilinear movement of the reciprocating piston into rotary movement. One or both of the drive gear and the drive rack are shaped in accordance with the variable forces exerted on the piston during its motion so as to apply torque more evenly to the crank shaft.