Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engines with an inner piston eccentrically disposed inside the outer piston. The outer piston is attached to a journal at the top of the connecting rod by a wrist pin in the usual manner. The inner piston is attached by a wrist pin to a carrier slidably disposed within the slot of a forked lateral projection extending from the top of the connecting rod. Outer piston movement and inner piston movement relative to the outer piston, produces variable compression and applies torque to the crankshaft while at TDC (top-dead-center).

Abstract: The present application relates to a method of operating an internal combustion engine during combustion process that makes it possible to breake the increase of the gas pressure at the beginning of combustion, and partially to replace it by a lengthened substantially isobaric process, i.e., a process in which the combustion pressure keeps nearly steady. In this way, the combustion rate and the variation of the combustion chamber in volume can be optimally synchronized for improving the engine operation.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine has a trunk portion and a crown portion slidably mounted above the trunk portion. The entirety of the trunk portion extends above the piston's wrist pin bore. A resilient element positioned the crown portion with respect to the trunk portion with sufficient force in a direction tending to separate the crown portion and trunk portion such that the crown portion will be placed in a position of maximum extension during at least some part of the combustion cycle.

Abstract: In a connecting rod of a piston machine which comprises two separate parts which are longitudinally movable relative to one another but operatively interconnected and of which one part is connected to the piston and the other is rotatably mounted on the crank of a crankshaft, the two connecting rod parts are interconnected by a fluid spring structure in which a fluid is utilized as a spring element for operatively interconnecting the connecting rod parts.

Abstract: A variable compression height piston for reciprocating internal combustion engine includes a lower piston coupled to a connecting rod and an upper piston slidably carried upon the lower piston. A hydraulically actuated mechanical latching system interposed between the lower and upper pistons allows a system controller to selectably maintain the upper piston in a plurality of predetermined compression heights.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, an eccentric bearing (16) located between the connecting rod (14) and the piston pin (12) can be used to vary the compression ratio. In this invention the eccentric bearing is held in any position by a continuously variable hydraulic lock. The hydraulic lock is controlled by a valve assembly (30) which can fix or release the lock bar (18). When the lock bar is released the eccentric bearing can turn as a result of the upward or downward inertia and gas pressure forces on the piston (10). However, a check valve (34) in the valve assembly allows it to turn only in the direction set by the valve assembly until it reaches the new position and re-locks. Engine oil is provided at regulated pressures through oil passages in the connecting rod, eccentric bearing and piston pin to set the position of the valve assembly and to provide a supply for the hydraulic lock.

Abstract: An engine having a variable piston capable of adjusting an engine's compression ratio while cranking or operating throughout an engine's speed/load range. Control may be obtained through varying the volume of lubricating fluid supplied to an inertia operated pump/accumulator device located in each multi-element piston. Fluid is supplied to said pump/accumulator device by means of a low pressure jet directed into an opening in the accumulator. No direct plumbing connection is required between the fluid source and the pump/accumulator device. Each piston includes an inner element conventionally mounted on a connecting rod and an outer element slidably mounted above and around said inner element. A chamber is formed between the upper surface of said inner element and the inside top surface of said outer element. Supplying a fluid into this cavity extends the upper portion of the piston, raising the engine compression ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining a consistently high compression ratio in an internal combustion engine utilizing a variable compression piston assembly. The piston having an outer piston mounted on an inner piston with an upper oil chamber therebetween. The piston assembly further having a lower oil chamber below the inner piston and a hydraulic system of valves for feeding oil into and maintaining oil within the oil chambers in response to the pressure within the cylinder.

Abstract: A reciprocating piston is disclosed with variable compression height for internal combustion engines in particular. For structural simplification of the temperature-dependent change in the compression height of the reciprocating piston, a spring is provided which consists of a shape memory alloy and interacts with the pressure limiting valve. This permits temperature-dependent change in the compression height of the reciprocating piston exclusively by the pressure limiting valve so that structural simplification is achieved.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio device for an internal combustion engine includes a connecting rod having passages formed therein for communicating a hydraulic signal to the piston attached to the connecting rod, means for generating a hydraulic signal having a signal characteristic which is indicative of a desired compression ratio, and a variable compression height piston which is positionable in a plurality of compression heights, including fully retracted, fully extended, and at least one position therebetween, with the piston having an outer section slidably mounted on an inner section, and with the inner section being attached to the connecting rod, with the piston having means responsive to inertia and gas pressure forces and to the generated hydraulic signal for controlling the compression height.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston having a variable compression height and two control chambers connected to each other through a hydraulic system. In order to achieve better cold-start and warm-up behavior, an oil discharge bore from the upper control chamber into the crankcase is closed by a control slide valve in the cold operating state of the engine. The blockage of the oil discharge produces a great compression height and therefore high compression. The control slide valve is connected to an expansible element which maintains it in this closed position when the engine is cold. As the engine warms up, the expansible element, due to its thermal expansion, pushes the control slide valve out of its closed position, so that the discharge of oil can occur progressively more unthrottled with rising temperature. In the warm operating state of the engine the control slide valve clears the oil discharge duct completely, and an unobstructed discharge of oil is ensured.

Abstract: The pressure prevailing in a variable volume chamber which controls the compression ratio developed by a piston, is used control the movement of a valve which regulates the supply and draining of the chamber. During high load the high pressure is used to drain the chamber while under light load the lower pressure permits the chamber to be supplied with hydraulic fluid in a manner which tends to fill the same during induction phases and the like when the pressure in the cylinder is low.

Abstract: A means to control piston movement in relationship to crank arm rotation in an internal combustion engine is provided. There is provided a system to permit the crank arm of an engine to rotate a number of degrees past what would be the normal TDC (TOP DEAD CENTER). There is also provided a means to lift the piston to its highest point when the crank arm has reached its predetermined number of degrees past normal TDC. A mechanical linkage has been provided to replace the usual connecting rod. A short link is assembled to the crank arm bearing by means of a journal. The crank arm length is coupled to a longer link through a coupling pin. The longer link is attached to the piston by a standard piston pin.

Abstract: Continuous combustion heat engine including a compressor (12), combustor (14) and expander (16) which operates on a Brayton cycle with positive displacement pistons (90) in the compressor and variable expansion ratio pistons (190) in the expander. Compressor (12) delivers compressed air to the combustor (14) where it is mixed with fuel and combusted to produce expansion gases for the expander (16). Power input to the compressor and power output from the expander are achieved through the radially disposed pistons (90,190), connecting rods (94), cranks (98), crank shafts (100), planetary gears (104), sun gears (106) and sun gear connectors (114) which rotatably secure the sun gears (106) and manifolds (110,166) together. The pistons (190) for the expander have positive displacement sections (192) and free floating sections (200) for the variable volume ratio capability.

Abstract: To induce high compression engine operation hydraulic fluid is fed into a variable volume chamber defined between an outer piston and an inner one which is reciprocatively disposed therein via a supply passage which includes a one-way valve. When low compression engine operation is required the pressure supplied to a valve chamber in which a spool valve is disposed is increased to the point whereat the spool valve moves to a position wherein the supply passage is closed and a drain and transfer passages are opened. The drain passage leads directly to the cylinder bore so as to enable the hydraulic fluid in the variable volume chamber to be vented unrestrictedly. The transfer passage permits a small amount of hydraulic fluid to flow through the variable volume chamber to the drain passage in a manner which cools the same and prevents degradation of the hydraulic fluid retained in the one-way valve and the like.

Abstract: An arrangement for the control of the oil feed into a control chamber of a piston with variable compression height for internal-combustion engines comprises a control valve in the longitudinal bore of a connecting rod that is provided with a flow-through bore for the oil supply of the control chamber in the operation of the internal-combustion engine. This flow-through bore is closed as a function of the inertial forces acting in the oil feed. In order to avoid a ceasing of the oil column in the longitudinal bore, the control valve has an additional control bore that is opened only in the starting phase and via which an additional amount of oil is guided from the lubricating oil circuit of the internal-combustion engine into the control chamber, which accelerates the upward control of the piston.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piston with variable compression height, particularly for internal-combustion engines, that consists of an interior piston part to which a connecting rod is coupled, and an exterior piston part that is slidably held at said interior piston part. In this case, the exterior piston, via two control chambers that are supplied with oil from the lubricating oil circuit, supports itself by adherence at the interior piston part, said control chambers being connected by a hydraulic system.

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 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 compression compensator for an internal combustion engine comprising a flexible disc of high heat resistant spring material is secured to the top of each of the engine pistons. In addition, a spiral spring may be placed between the disc and the piston top to increase the flexibility and resilience of the compensator.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprises a piston having first and second coaxial parts movable axially relative to each other in the direction of reciprocation of the piston and having a chamber therebetween which varies in volume with the relative movement. A conduit for fluid connects the chamber to a lubricant opening on a crank pin of a crankshaft. An inlet rotary valve between the lubricant opening and the chamber permits a flow of pressurized lubricant from the opening to the chamber at a first rotational position of the crankshaft and seals the chamber from the opening at other rotational positions of the crankshaft.

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: 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 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: Concentric outer and inner pistons are provided in each cylinder of a four cycle, reciprocating, internal combustion engine. A magnet restrains each outer piston against displacement by pressure of the fuel mixture in the cylinder, so that the outer piston does not move while the engine is under low load. However, while the engine is under substantial load the magnetic restraint is overcome and the outer piston is displaced by pressure of the fuel mixture in the cylinder.

Abstract: A piston-type internal combustion engine is described including a variable valve timing device controlling the timing of the intake valve, a coupling between the accelerator pedal and the variable timing device for varying the timing of the intake valve in response to the movement of the accelerator pedal, and means for maintaining a substantially constant compression ratio in the cylinder notwithstanding variations in the engine output. The latter means comprises a floating piston crown which is permitted to move further inwardly into the cylinder at the end of the compression stroke when the delay in closing the intake-valve is increased, than when the delay is decreased.

Abstract: A piston for use in an internal combustion engine providing a variable compression ratio in response to pressure within the combustion chamber. The pistion includes a base portion which is connected to a crank and moves in an engine cylinder. Joined to the base is a head portion which includes a flexible top wall adjacent the combustion chamber which allows the head to compress downwardly toward the base in response to pressure in the combustion chamber.

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: A reciprocating piston engine, pump or compressor including a crank-shaft having a crank-pin offset laterally from the axis of rotation of the crank-shaft, a connecting-rod pivotally-mounted on the crank-pin and pivotally-connected at the end thereof remote from the crank-pin to a piston, the axis of pivoting of the connecting-rod on the crank-pin being offset laterally from the longitudinal axis of the crank-pin, a non-rotatable gear mounted co-axially of the crank-shaft axis of rotation and a rotatable gear wheel mounted co-axially on the crank-pin for rotation thereon and in mesh with said non-rotatable gear, the connecting-rod being mounted on the rotatable gear for pivoting about an axis offset laterally from the longitudinal axis of the crank-pin, whereby the axis of pivoting of the connecting-rod on the crank-pin follows a predetermined locus as the crank-shaft is rotated.

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: 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.