Patent ID: 9540932
Date: 2017-01-10
CPC Classifications: F01B

Claim:
1. A variable-displacement engine comprising: an engine block; an elongated power shaft rotatably supported by the engine block, the power shaft having a longitudinal power shaft axis defining an axial direction and being fixed axially relative to the engine block; a rotating cylinder block defining at least one cylinder, each cylinder having a bore defining a bore axis aligned substantially parallel to the power shaft axis, the cylinder block being fixedly mounted to the power shaft such that when the power shaft rotates, the cylinder block rotates around the power shaft axis and each bore axis revolves around the power shaft axis; one or more pistons corresponding in number to the number of the cylinders, each respective piston being slidably disposed within the bore of a respective cylinder; one or more connecting rods corresponding in number to the number of cylinders, each respective connecting rod having an upper end connected to a respective piston and a lower end connected to a respective connecting rod bearing; a wobble plate assembly having a generally annular configuration defining a central opening through which the power shaft passes, the wobble plate assembly including a piston control mechanism including whereby operation of the lift mechanism to selectively change the axial position of the control lever pivot bearings selectively changes the control lever angle, which in turn selectively changes, via the connecting links, the wobble plate angle θ and an axial distance d between the wobble plate pivot axis and a theoretical zero angle point, which in turn selectively changes the piston displacement of the engine while maintaining the compression ratio of the engine at a substantially constant value.