Patent ID: 6412453
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: F02B,F16C

Abstract:
A system for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine having a cylinder, a reciprocating piston disposed within the cylinder, a crank shaft having a crank pin, and a connecting rod coupled to the crank pin and the piston, said system comprising:at least one sensor for measuring an operating condition of the internal combustion engine; a variable compression ratio apparatus for varying the effective length of the connecting rod, the compression ratio apparatus itself comprising a bearing retainer disposed between the connecting rod and the crank pin, the bearing retainer having an inner surface in communication with the crank pin and an outer surface in communication with the connecting rod, the connecting rod being axially movable relative to the bearing retainer along a longitudinal axis of the connecting rod to effect a selective displacement of the connecting rod relative to the bearing retainer, the displacement thereby causing a change in the effective length of the connecting rod and a desired compression ratio of the internal combustion engine; and an engine controller coupled to the internal combustion engine, said sensor and said variable compression ratio apparatus for generating, based on the measured operating condition of the internal combustion engine, a control signal required to displace the bearing retainer in accordance with the desired compression ratio of the internal combustion engine.