Patent ID: 7032385

Claim:
An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, said internal combustion engine providing variable displacement and comprising: first and second engine crankshafts mounted in parallel within said single unitary engine block; at least two first cylinders and pistons received in each of said first cylinders to define combustion chambers therein and connected to said first engine crankshaft to rotatably drive said first crankshaft by combustion of fuel in the combustion chambers of said first cylinders; at least two second cylinders and pistons received in each of the second cylinders to define combustion chambers therein and connected to said second crankshaft to rotatably drive said second crankshaft by combustion of fuel in the combustion chambers of said second cylinders; a common output shaft for receiving power output from both of said first and second crankshafts, for combining the power outputs and for powering travel of the vehicle with the combined power output; a first clutch connecting one of said first and second crankshafts to said first and second output gears, said common output shaft carrying a first input gear meshed with at least one of said first and second output gears; and an accessory drive for driving accessory systems of the vehicle, said accessory drive being driven off of said common output shaft.