Patent ID: 6443107
Filing Date: 2002-09-03
Classification: F02B

Abstract:
A variable compression ratio mechanism for an engine having at least one cylinder, a piston mounted for reciprocating movement in the cylinder, a crankshaft defining an axis about which the crankshaft rotates, and a connecting rod connecting the piston to the crankshaft, comprising;a rigid crankshaft cradle supporting the crankshaft for rotation of the crankshaft about the rotational axis of the crankshaft, the cradle being mounted in the engine for pivoting relative to the engine about a pivot axis, the pivot axis being substantially parallel to and spaced from the rotational axis of the crankshaft, an actuator for varying the position of the cradle about the pivot axis for varying the position of the rotational axis of the crankshaft, said cradle comprising a primary member and a plurality of bearing caps and bearing cap bolts, said primary member comprising eccentric main bearing supports, said eccentric main bearing supports being rigidly connected by webbing, each bearing cap being removably fastened to each of said eccentric main bearing supports by said bolts, and a plurality of crankshaft main bearings, said crankshaft main bearings being mounted between said eccentric main bearing supports and attached bearing caps for rigidly supporting said crankshaft in said cradle, said engine having a housing for rotatably supporting said cradle, wherein said webbing rigidly joins said eccentric members, and said housing slidably supports each of said bearing caps and said primary member thereby providing rigid support of said crankshaft main bearings.