Pressure-responsive variable length connecting rod

Claim 1

In an internal combustion engine which includes a combustion cylinder into which combustible gases may be introduced, compressed and burned, an engine piston reciprocable in said cylinder, a crankshaft having a throw formed with an oil supply passage therein, and a variable length connecting rod comprising first and second, relatively telescoping sections connected, respectively, with said engine piston and the throw of said crankshaft and defining within said connecting rod a hydraulic pressure chamber into which oil may be introduced to lengthen said connecting rod and from which oil may be exhausted to shorten said connecting rod; that improvement which comprises an inlet passage in the second section of said connecting rod for conducting oil from the crankshaft throw to said hydraulic pressure chamber; an exhaust passage means in the second section of said connecting rod for exhausting oil from said hydraulic pressure chamber; and means on the throw of said crankshaft for controlling the flow of oil through said exhaust passage means in accordance with the rotative position of said crankshaft throw.