Abstract: An internal combustion engine that has automatic stroke length control and independent compression ratio control. The engine is of the reciprocating piston type using conventional valving and intake and exhaust manifolding. Stroke length control is effected by a first planetary gear set driven in oscillation by the piston and a clutch mechanism which selectively locks the gear set to oscillate through either a long arc length for the long stroke or a short arc length for short stroke. Compression ratio adjustment, as well as piston top dead center phasing during and after clutching, is effected by a second planetary gear set driven in oscillation by the piston and a servo-motor for varying the phase of oscillation of the second planetary gear set to shift the top dead center position of the piston as desired independently of the length of stroke of the piston.

Abstract: An improved variable stroke internal combustion engine (10) is disclosed. The power stroke and exhaust stroke of the engine are relatively longer than the intake stroke and compression stroke for increased power output from the engine (10). A connecting rod (40) is pivotally connected to the piston (16) and a trunnion assembly (28). The trunnion assembly is rotatably mounted to a journal (24) on the crankshaft (20). A control shaft (46) is rotatably mounted within the engine and connected to the crankshaft (20) so that the control shaft rotates at one-half the angular velocity of the crankshaft. A control link (52) is rotatably mounted on a journal (50) of the control shaft (46) with its opposite end being pivotally connected to the trunnion assembly (28).

Abstract: A two-part piston assembly is disclosed for increasing the removal of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine during the exhaust stroke. The two-part piston (14a), (16a), shown in several embodiments, may include an appropriately adjusted spring assembly (54), (56), (50), (52) to insure that the assembly will be in a compressed state during compression and a distended state during exhaust. This can also be accomplished by a cam mechanism (78) having a ratchet (110) with pawls (114), which operate on the angular movement of the crankshaft (18) with the cam operating a cam follower (80) producing the same result as in the previous embodiments.

Abstract: A piston (10) for a diesel engine is formed with a combustion bowl (21) which has a lesser volume until the cylinder pressure reaches that at which fuel ignition takes place. The volume of the combustion bowl is then increased to reduce the maximum pressure in the cylinder. The volume is again decreased during the expansion stroke. This has a number of beneficial effects on the engine including reducing the stress on the engine parts and allowing increased level of pressure-charging.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a cyclic power mechanism including means providing for a variable dwell between cycles of the mechanism. The mechanism produces energy during each cycle and stores the energy of each cycle for consumption. The variable dwell between cycles is terminated and a new cycle is initiated upon the consumption of a preestablished portion of the stored energy. A preferred embodiment of the mechanism is a free piston engine operation on an Otto cycle. The piston of the engine is restrained after each combustion cycle as the energy of that combustion is stored for use. When a preestablished portion of the stored energy has been consumed, the piston is released and forced into another compression and combustion cycle for further storage of the combustion energy.

Abstract: A yoke type engine wherein the orbital path of the slider is alterable to effect piston stroke and compression ratio changes. A crank component has a crankpin which carries and positions the slider. A boss of the crank component is carried by a control shaft in an offset manner. Timing gears normally drive the control shaft in synchronization with the crankshaft to maintain a constant stroke and compression ratio. Relocation of certain timing gears by an actuator causes the control shaft to rotationally advance or retard to reposition the crank component carried thereby to in turn alter the orbital path of the coaxial crankpin and slider relative to a crankshaft axis. Accordingly, high and low compression orbits for the slider may be effected to best suit engine loads. A variable length throw couples the slider to the crankshaft. The orbital path of the slider provides increased crankshaft leverage over conventional engine arrangements.

Abstract: The compression ratio of an engine is controlled to optimize efficiency or performance, or both. The effective length of the piston is varied to change the compression ratio, by means of one of several piston configurations for adjusting the effective piston length as measured from the wrist pin. The piston length is hydraulically controlled, by hydraulic fluid introduced into a control chamber of the piston by a conduit connected to the piston and extending through the side of the engine. The conduit is designed to accommodate the reciprocal motion of the piston, and may be in a form of a flexible helix or other suitable configuration. Multiple hydraulic fluid channels may be provided in the conduit to permit circulation of the fluid or to permit the monitoring of critical parameters. The compression ratio is preferably controlled externally to the engine; valving and other controls linked to the hydraulic conduits extending from the engine may be linked to a computer.

Abstract: The invention is a new and useful improvement in the design of connecting rods and pistons for use in reciprocating piston driven internal and external combustion engines and in reciprocating compressors. In the design presented the connecting rod is pivotally attached by a pin to a slider which is slidably mounted in the internal volume of the piston crown. Gas pressure forces generated in the engine cylinder above the piston crown are transmitted to a second pin which is pivotally mounted in a carrier which is in turn slidably mounted in an inclined slot in the connecting rod. Changes in angularity of the connecting rod, caused by rotation of the engine crankshaft, result in the piston being alternately raised and lowered as the carrier holding the second pin slides alternately to the right side and to the left side of the inclined slot thus augmenting the reciprocating motion of the piston.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston engine has at least one cylinder and a piston moveable back and forth therein. The piston is connected with a crank shaft through an articulated linkage which includes a first connecting rod pivotally connected to the piston, a second connecting rod pivotally connected to the crank shaft and a swinging lever, which swinging lever, at one of its ends, is pivotally supported for movement about a swing axis generally parallel to the crank shaft axis and which swinging lever, at its other end, is pivotally connected to both of the connecting rods.

Abstract: A piston which is reciprocable within a cylinder is rigidly connected to a bearing housing by a connection. The connection comprises a rigid tube fixed to the piston and a rigid rod fixed to the housing which extends within the tube coaxially thereof. The tube has an internal thread which engages with an external thread on the rod such that rotation of the tube changes the length of the connection and hence the position of the piston within its cylinder. The tube is rotated by way of a worm spindle which engages with longitudinal grooves formed on the external surface of the tube. The arrangement can be used particularly to vary the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine having a counter rotating crank drive.

Abstract: A connecting rod, especially useful as a piston rod, is bifurcated into two relatively moving components which permit the rod to elongate and contract under the influence of pressure which is selectively directed into one of two variable volume parts while being exhausted from the other. The fluid which is directed into and exhausted out of the variable volume chambers is controlled as a function of the angular displacement of the connecting rod relative to a driving shaft.

Abstract: A two-cycle, two-cylinder opposed piston internal combustion engine having means for continuously adjusting the stroke of the engine and the blocking and unblocking of intake, transfer and exhaust ports with respect to each other as the engine is operating. Corresponding pistons of each cylinder are connected to respective ends of pivotally mounted rocker arms so that pistons in one cylinder move oppositely with respect to pistons in the other cylinder, the piston side surfaces alternately blocking and unblocking transfer and exhaust ports. In a particular embodiment, the rocker arms are each fitted with a flat spring positioned so as to be in contact with the end of the associated piston rod and deflecting to allow the pistons to move apart at an increased speed in advance of the crankshaft. The springs are secured and limited so as to provide increasing spring moment as the springs are deflected.

Abstract: The clearance volume of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine at the same crankangle is varied by changing the location of a small piston reciprocally disposed in a small cylinder formed in a cylinder head, which small cylinder communicates with an engine cylinder. Changing the location of the small piston is controllable through a link mechanism in response to the movement of a throttle valve for controlling the amount of intake air supplied to the combustion chamber.

Abstract: An improved internal combustion engine and method of operation are disclosed. A method and a means are described for conserving mechanical energy in the engine cylinder during the combustion portion of the engine cycle by automatically adjusting the engine cylinder volume.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly having an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine for automatically controlling the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. A hydraulic circuit includes an upper and lower chamber which expand and contract conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and a system for supplying oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber via the upper chamber and for discharging the oil from the upper chamber in a manner which gradually changes the compression ratio of the piston until a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure has been achieved and which tends to maintain the maximum combustion chamber pressure after it has been achieved.

Abstract: A unique drive for an engine or compressor piston, including an angularly inclined piston wrist pin, an inclined throw along a crankshaft, a piston connecting rod therebetween being additionally slidable along the axes of the wrist pin and throw at each rotation of the crankshaft, and a guide and shift device for sliding the connecting rod for long or short strokes, the device being slideable transversely through an engine cylinder.

Abstract: A two-cycle, two-cylinder opposed piston internal combustion engine having means for continuously adjusting the stroke of the engine and the blocking and unblocking of intake, transfer and exhaust ports with respect to each other as the engine is operating. Corresponding pistons of each cylinder are connected to respective ends of pivotally mounted rocker arms so that pistons in one cylinder move oppositely with respect to pistons in the other cylinder, the piston side surfaces alternately blocking and unblocking transfer and exhaust ports. Two connecting rods are provided, one of which is attached at one end to each of the rocker arms at a pivot point distal from the rocker arm pivotal mount and at the other end to a rotatably mounted eccentric, one end of which is formed into a shaft containing a power drive gear operatively connected to a drive shaft, the eccentric being rotated due to an up and down motion of the connecting rod.

Abstract: A conventional internal combustion engine cylinder is provided with an integral downwardly extending housing formed by spaced wall portions tapering outwardly to an annular bottom end. A piston is reciprocable in the cylinder and the cylinder is provided with conventional intake and exhaust valves and a spark plug. An elongated connecting rod extends from the piston to the lower annular portion of the housing. The drive shaft extends into the center of the annular housing portion through one wall thereof. A crank arm extends at right angles from the end of the drive shaft. The crank arm is slotted from adjacent its outer end to adjacent the drive shaft. The end of the connecting rod is provided with a pin at right angles which extends through the slot in the crank arm. A guide channel or groove is cut in the housing wall through which the drive shaft extends.

Abstract: A compound expanding piston for an internal combustion engine. The piston includes a crown or head and a skirt, with the skirt depending from the crown. A sleeve is provided in telescoping arrangement with the skirt, the sleeve in one embodiment including vertical tabs which extend into corresponding vertical slots formed within the walls of the piston skirt. The telescoping concentric relationship of the sleeve and the skirt may be either with the skirt external to the sleeve or vice versa, in alternative embodiments. The skirt and the sleeve are kinematically linked to each other and to the crankshaft of the engine, so that the piston crown or head is raised to a maximum elevation at both the end of the compression stroke and the end of the expansion stroke of the piston. The piston crown and skirt are lowered to a lower elevation relative to the sleeve during the balance of the work stroke, the sleeve being directly connected to the crankshaft of the engine by a connecting rod.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston-type internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable length connecting rod which is operable in response to engine oil pump pressures to cause a low throttle fuel charge to be compressed in the engine cylinder to substantially the same pressure as an open throttle fuel charge. An adjustable pressure regulator valve is provided to insure a substantially constant oil pressure at the connecting rod at all times during operation of the engine.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine in which the longitudinal center line of the cylinders are parallel to and equally spaced around the longitudinal center line of the engine.The pistons, working within said cylinders, are mounted on a swash plate mechanism, by means of which the reciprocating motion of the pistons is translated into the rotary motion of a carrier plate to which the said swash plate is mounted and, from which, is taken the drive into the vehicle transmission.Said swash plate is mounted on a post at the circumference of the carrier plate and pivots around said post when moved, on a longitudinal axis, by a mechanism.As each piston, in turn, passes the point on the swashplate adjacent to the mounting post, it is at the top-dead-center position in its cylinder. As said piston passes the diametrically opposite point on the swash plate it is at the bottom-dead-center position.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has an articulated connecting rod linkage which is automatically adjusted by an improved fluid-pressure-responsive control, so that different density fuel-air charges inducted into the engine cylinder will be compressed to substantially the same extent each time the cylinder is fired, regardless of throttle setting, engine speeds, or loads.

Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the mechanism comprising the crankshaft of internal or external combustion engines and also for use in other externally heated closed vapor cycle systems. In the engine system presented an eccentric is placed between the connecting rod and crankpin and is made to rotate with each revolution of the crankshaft by use of eccentric gearing. Rotation of the eccentric augments the simple harmonic motion induced by rotation of the crankpin thus changing the reciprocating motion of the piston in a manner which improves the efficiency of the mechanical conversion process.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankshaft offset to one side of the axis of the engine cylinder and an articulated connecting rod linkage operable to vary the stroke of the engine piston in accordance with engine operating conditions, so that different density fuel-air charges inducted into the cylinder will be compressed to substantially the same extent each time the cylinder is fired, regardless of throttle setting, engine speeds, or loads.

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 compression ignition engine has two opposed pistons acting in each cylinder. The pistons are connected to a crankshaft via a rocker beam, and the fulcrum of the rocker beam is at one of its ends so that when the piston is at inner dead center, the little end of the crankshaft/rocker beam connecting rod is at its closest position to the crankshaft axis. The position of the fulcrum is also adjustable, while the pistons are in motion, to alter the engine's compression ratio.

Abstract: An improved piston and rod assembly that can be readily disassembled at several places so that the entire assembly need not be necessarily removed from an engine during servicing, and which includes dismantleable bearings around a cross pin about which the piston is pivotally supported on the piston rod, and a dismantleable bearing that supports the piston rod on a crankshaft, and shims being placable behind the bearing blocks so to selectively change a length of piston stroke within a cylinder.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly for use in a two cycle internal combustion engine, the piston assembly including an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of the engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine to automatically control the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. The hydraulic circuit includes an upper and a lower chamber which expands and contracts conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and further includes a pumping system for pumping oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber through the upper chamber to thereby vary the compression ratio of the piston.

Abstract: An engine is disclosed having at least one piston in operative connection with a crankshaft. A bearing member which defines an elongated, curved bearing surface, is pivotally attached at one end to an eccentrically-mounted member on the crankshaft. The bearing surface of the bearing member is positioned to be intermittently in power-transmitting, sliding relationship with a connection to the piston such as a piston rod. The bearing member is adapted to be rotatable about said pivotal attachment, for transverse displacement by the piston rod relative to the crankshaft, to absorb any shock generated against the piston and the crankshaft, such as by "engine knock." The bearing member is also adapted to return to its pre-displacement position after absorbing the shock.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a four-cycle, internal combustion engine se pistons have variable strokes, the adjustment of the piston displacement and of the fuel consumption being automatically and continuously realized as a function of the drive shaft load torque.The engine uses an axially annular equidistant location of the cylinders in a cylinder block, comprising an odd number of pistons whose connecting rods are connected, by means of ball joints, with a central oscillating ball, diametrically penetrated by a drive shaft, the ball being sustained by two journal bearings mounted in a gliding bracket. The drive shaft is provided at one of its ends with two oppositely mounted sides that can move along two grooves formed in the inner surfaces of a fork provided at the end of an output shaft, another drive shaft end being coupled directly to a planetary reduction gear box for the control of the intake and exhaust valves.

Abstract: A two part variable compression ratio (VCR) piston assembly having an outer member movable relative to an inner member to vary the compression ratio of an internal combustion engine and a hydraulic system utilizing oil from the lubrication system of the engine for automatically controlling the relative movement of the members to maintain a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure. A hydraulic circuit includes an upper and a lower chamber which expands and contracts conversely upon relative movement of the piston members and a system for supplying oil to the upper chamber and to the lower chamber via the upper chamber and for discharging the oil from the upper chamber in a manner which gradually changes the compression ratio of the piston until a predetermined maximum combustion chamber pressure has been achieved and which tends to maintain the maximum combustion chamber pressure after it has been achieved.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a working piston reciprocally located therein and a cylinder head cooperating to define a combustion chamber, the incorporation therein of a precombustion chamber formed in the space of the main combustion chamber and further dividing the main combustion chamber into secondary combustion chambers. Apertures in the precombustion chamber provide for communication between the precombustion chamber and the secondary combustion chambers to promote flame front propagation therebetween. The intake and exhaust ports as well as ignition means are located in the precombustion chamber.