Patent ID: 6422196
Filing Date: 2002-07-23
Classification: F01B,F02B

Abstract:
A piston engine powertrain comprising, an engine body, a cylinder supported by said engine body and having a centerline, a piston mounted for reciprocation within said cylinder, means for introducing compressed air into said cylinder above said piston, connecting rod having opposite ends, one of said ends being pivotally connected to said piston, a rotatable power output shaft, a member drivingly connected to said output shaft and having a cam surface thereon, a lever pivotally supported by said engine body, the opposite end of said connecting rod being pivotally connected to said lever, drive means rotatably supported on said lever, said lever being formed of strong elastic material, and operating means for selectively locking said lever in a first operative position wherein said drive means is out of contact with said cam surface and in a second operative position wherein the lever is deformed so as to act as a bar spring to urge said drive means into continuous contact with said cam surface as said output shaft and member connected thereto rotate, whereby the opposite end of the connecting rod deviates very little from said centerline as the piston reciprocates, and side forces generated between said drive means and said cam surface are transmitted through the lever to said engine body.