US4140091A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Uniform compression piston engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-03-09
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Granted: 1979-02-20
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Expires: 1997-03-09
Abstract
Abstract This device pertains to an automatically adjustable length connecting rod, as applied to each cylinder of an internal combustion engine designed to operate at variable speed and torque outputs. The purpose of the adjustable length connecting rod is to substantially maintain the level of compression of the fuel mixture over a wide range of speed and torque requirements by means of varying the compression ratio. Automatic adjustment and locking of the length of the connecting rod is accomplished by means of a hydraulic cylinder within the connecting rod. Pressure is applied during a suitable portion of the intake stroke to lengthen the connecting rod. Compression stroke pressure buildup overcomes a relief valve during a suitable portion of the compression stroke to adjust the length of the connecting rod. The connecting rod length is hydraulically locked except during the two short periods of adjustment per cycle.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis M. Showers, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 12:23
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B75/00; F02B75/04; F02B75/045; F16; F16C; F16C7/00; F16C7/06; F16C2360/00; F16C2360/22; F16C7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In an internal combustion variable speed and torque throttle controlled engine, an automatic means of maintaining substantially uniform compression of the fuel mixture each compression stroke, under varying operating conditions, accomplished by means of a variable length connecting rod automatically adjusting the compression ratio; said connecting rod being composed of two major parts, one major part forming a connecting rod bearing and having a hydraulic cylinder, the other major part forming a wrist pin bearing and having a piston guided and contained in said hydraulic cylinder, both major parts having passages for lubrication and operation of said piston in said cylinder; a source of pressurized lubricating oil; a lubricating oil distributor, driven at one half crankshaft speed, arranged and synchronized to deliver pressurized oil to said crankshaft and said cylinder in said connecting rod, for lengthening said connecting rod prior to the compression stroke of engine piston; said passages arranged to allow discharge of oil from said cylinder through a pressure relief valve near the end of the compression stroke of said engine piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In an internal combustion variable speed and torque throttle controlled engine, an automatic means of maintaining substantially uniform compression of the fuel mixture each compression stroke, under varying operating conditions, accomplished by means of a variable length connecting rod automatically adjusting the compression ratio; said connecting rod being composed of two major parts, one major part forming a connecting rod bearing and having a hydraulic cylinder, the other major part forming a wrist pin bearing and having a piston guided and contained in said hydraulic cylinder, both major parts having passages for lubrication and operation of said piston in said cylinder; a source of pressurized lubricating oil; a lubricating oil distributor, driven at one half crankshaft speed, arranged and synchronized to deliver pressurized oil to said crankshaft and said cylinder in said connecting rod, for lengthening said connecting rod prior to the compression stroke of engine piston; said passages arranged to allow discharge of oil from said cylinder through a pressure relief valve near the end of the compression stroke of said engine piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
In an internal combustion engine as set fourth in claim 1, whereby lubricating oil distributor rotor is an intigral part of the camshaft of engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
223 words
In an internal combustion variable speed and torque throttle controlled engine, an automatic means of maintaining substantially uniform compression of the fuel mixture each compression stroke, under varying operating conditions, accomplished by means of a variable length connecting rod automatically adjusting the compression ratio; said connecting rod being composed of two major parts, one major part forming a connecting rod bearing and having a hydraulic cylinder, the other major part forming a wrist pin bearing and having a piston guided and contained in said hydraulic cylinder, both major parts having passages for lubrication and operation of said piston in said cylinder; a source of pressurized lubricating oil; a lubricating oil distributor, driven at one half crankshaft speed, arranged and synchronized to deliver pressurized oil to said crankshaft and said cylinder in said connecting rod, for lengthening said connecting rod prior to the compression stroke of engine piston; said passages arranged to allow discharge of oil from said cylinder through a pressure relief valve near the end of the compression stroke of said engine piston, where by; compression pressure build-up above said engine piston is limited by said pressure relief valve, reducing the volume of oil supporting said engine piston and adjusting the length of said connecting rod; thus producing uniform compression pressure, at the point of oil passage cut-off, each successive compression stroke.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
223 words
In an internal combustion variable speed and torque throttle controlled engine, an automatic means of maintaining substantially uniform compression of the fuel mixture each compression stroke, under varying operating conditions, accomplished by means of a variable length connecting rod automatically adjusting the compression ratio; said connecting rod being composed of two major parts, one major part forming a connecting rod bearing and having a hydraulic cylinder, the other major part forming a wrist pin bearing and having a piston guided and contained in said hydraulic cylinder, both major parts having passages for lubrication and operation of said piston in said cylinder; a source of pressurized lubricating oil; a lubricating oil distributor, driven at one half crankshaft speed, arranged and synchronized to deliver pressurized oil to said crankshaft and said cylinder in said connecting rod, for lengthening said connecting rod prior to the compression stroke of engine piston; said passages arranged to allow discharge of oil from said cylinder through a pressure relief valve near the end of the compression stroke of said engine piston, where by; compression pressure build-up above said engine piston is limited by said pressure relief valve, reducing the volume of oil supporting said engine piston and adjusting the length of said connecting rod; thus producing uniform compression pressure, at the point of oil passage cut-off, each successive compression stroke.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-02-19 | 1982-08-21 | 1983-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-19 | 1986-08-21 | 1987-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-19 | 1990-08-21 | 1991-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |