Patent ID: 6202623
Filing Date: 2001-03-20
Classification: F01B,F02B

Abstract:
An internal combustion engine comprising one or more pistons, each of which is mounted to reciprocate in a respective cylinder and is pivotally connected to a connecting rod which is connected to a respective crank on a crankshaft, the connecting rod being pivotally connected to one end of an elongate link member which is pivotally connected to the associated crank at a point intermediate its ends and whose other end constitutes a rod which is restrained by a mounting such that it may pivot about a pivotal axis parallel to the axis of the crankshaft, wherein the mounting includes a first movable mounting member connected to a second movable mounting member to be pivotable with respect thereto about the pivotal axis, the first movable mounting member being connected to the rod by a connection which permits only relative sliding movement in the direction of the rod, and including a first actuator connected to the mounting and arranged to move the mounting selectively in a first direction perpendicular to the axis of the crankshaft and a second actuator connected to the first actuator and arranged to move the first actuator and the mounting in a second direction transverse to the first direction.