Patent ID: 8434435

Claim:
A system for adjusting a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine, the system comprising: a) one or more pistons disposed in the engine, the pistons being connected to a crankshaft by respective connecting rods, the crankshaft being carried by an engine block; b) a piston position adjusting mechanism, provided in connection with each piston, comprising: i) a lever pivotably mounted on each of the connecting rods, adapted and configured to pivot when actuated; and ii) a cam, rotatably mounted with respect to each of the pistons and respective connecting rods, adapted and configured to maintain, at any moment, one of a plurality of spacings therebetween, rotation of the cam by a preselected angle causing a change in relative spacing between a head of the respective piston and small end of the connecting rod; c) a trigger for actuating each piston position adjusting mechanism, causing pivoting of the lever, engagement between the cam and the lever, and rotation of the cam by the preselected angle; and d) a control for actuating the trigger.