Patent ID: 6394047
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F02B,F16C

Abstract:
A connecting rod for selectively varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine, said connecting rod being operably connected between a crankshaft and a piston of said engine, said connecting rod comprising:a body portion extending along a first axis having a aperture extending therethrough generally perpendicular to said first axis and parallel to a crankpin axis; a bearing retainer disposed in said aperture between said body portion and a crankpin of said engine, said receiving aperture being configured to allow selective displacement of said body portion along said first axis relative to said bearing retainer, said displacement causing a change in the effective length of said body portion and the compression ratio of said engine; and, a first locking mechanism contained within said aperture of said body portion and operably disposed between said bearing retainer and said body portion, said first locking mechanism being configured to create a first compression fit between said body portion and said bearing retainer to lock said body portion at a first position relative to said bearing retainer, said first position corresponding to a first selected compression ratio of said engine.