Patent ID: 6588384
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: F02B

Abstract:
An internal combustion engine comprising(a) an engine block; (b) a plurality of cylinders arranged in line in said engine block; (c) a piston accommodated for reciprocating motion in respective said cylinders; each said piston having an upper dead center position; (d) a plurality of eccentric rings; (e) ring bearings for supporting said eccentric rings in said engine block for rotation about a ring axis; (f) a crankshaft; (g) a plurality of crankshaft bearings supported in respective said eccentric rings and carrying said crankshaft for rotation about crankshaft axis being radially spaced from said ring axis; (h) a respective connecting rod coupling each piston to said crankshaft; (i) a respective setting arm secured to and projecting from each said eccentric ring; (j) a respective toothed element carried by each said setting arm; (k) a setting shaft rotatably supported on said engine block and being oriented parallel to said crankshaft; (l) a plurality of pinion elements each having (1) first pinion fixedly secured to said setting shaft and meshing with the toothed element of one of the setting arms; (2) second pinion rotatable relative to said first pinion and meshing with the toothed element of one of the setting arms; and (3) resilient connecting means for coupling said first and second pinions to one another and for resiliently resisting a rotation of said first and second pinions relative to one another whereby a resilient torque biases said first and second pinions toward one another; and (m) a setting drive for turning said setting shaft for adjusting together an angular position of said eccentric rings to radially shift said the crankshaft axis, whereby the upper dead center position of the pistons is altered for varying a compression ratio of the engine.