Patent ID: 7328682

Claim:
A reciprocating piston machine of the yoke-follower crankshaft type, the machine comprising: a crankshaft including at least one crank throw with attached crankpin, the crankshaft rotatably mounted in a crankcase; at least one crankpin bearing mounted to the crankpin; at least one generally laterally-extending yoke-arm, the yoke-arm substantially straight, the yoke-arm having a pivot end and a yoke end, a fixed arm pivot pin pivotally connecting the yoke-arm pivot end to the crankcase such that the pivot pin maintains a stationary axis with respect to the crankcase, a yoke-follower defined by the yoke end of the yoke-arm, the yoke-follower having generally laterally-extending opposed yoke-follower track surfaces, the yoke-follower engaged by the at least one crankpin bearing such that the yoke-arm is oscillated by rotation of the crankpin while the crankpin bearing moves on the follower track surfaces; at least one piston-cylinder containing an operative piston, each piston-cylinder attached to the crankcase; and at least one piston rod pivotally connected at opposite ends to the yoke-arm and an associated piston, the piston mounted for reciprocation within the cylinder.