A slider-crank mechanism includes a slider, a shaft, and a drive train correlating reciprocation of the slider with continuous rotation of the shaft. The slider reciprocates along a slider axis with respect to a slider surface. The drive train includes a linear actuator connected to the slider for substantially pure collinear movement with the slider to substantially eliminate side forces between the slider and slider surface. The slider and drive train may include a rack-and-pinion configuration. The rack-and-pinion may drive or be driven by a Grashofian four-bar crank-rocker linkage that includes a rocker arm, floating link, web, and the shaft. The slider-crank mechanism may be employed in a power generation system such as an internal combustion engine or a power consuming system such as a compressor or pump.

A crank and connecting rod mechanism, comprising at least one piston, which reciprocates within at least one cylinder, comprising: at least one connecting rod, comprising: a piston end pivotally connected to the at least one piston, a crank end; at least one gear set, comprising: a crankpin, the crank end pivotally connected to the crankpin; a crank gear; a crank gear shaft, the crank gear rotatably mounted on the crank gear shaft, the crankpin located between centerline of the crank gear shaft and radius of the pitch circle of the crank gear; a stationary gear, the crank gear meshing with the stationary gear, the crank end driving the crankpin, which drives the crank gear and the crank gear shaft about the stationary gear; the crank pin and the crank end rotating about the stationary gear and following the path of a roulette of a centered trochoid about the stationary gear.

A mechanical device comprising, a gear rack having a first point and a second point; at least one piston attached either to said first point or said second point; said piston having an exterior surface and an interior surface; wherein said exterior surface is facing away from said gear rack and wherein said gear rack is attached to said interior surface; said gear rack being gyratingly coupled with an actuator shaft; wherein said gear rack is capable of moving in a substantially linear direction due to a force being applied to said exterior surface or said interior surface; and wherein said actuator shaft rotating due to the said motion of said gear rack; in another embodiment, at least one piston having an interior surface and an exterior surface; said inner side pivotingly mated with a connecting rod; said connecting rod having an opposing point B which is rotationally fastened to a counterbalance; said counterbalance rotating about an actuating shaft; a cylinder chamber having with a top breach housing said at least one piston; a pull shaft pivotingly connected to said exterior surface with pivoting joint and to a gear rack with a second pivoting joint; said pull shaft reciprocly advancing within said top breach; said reciprocation causing said gear rack to similarly reciprocate causing rotation of an input shaft; wherein said input shaft is mated with said gear rack through a one way gear box; and an accelerating spark plug, disposed in the body of said cylinder chamber for igniting combustible materials introduced into said cylinder chamber.

A rotating machine is disclosed and includes a stator defining a circumference, a plurality of first magnet arrays, a rotor, and a first piston. The first magnet arrays are comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets arranged around the circumference of the stator in a first magnetic pattern. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a main body. The main body defines a first passageway. The first piston includes a plurality of first magnetic elements and is actuated within the first passageway of the rotor. The plurality of discrete magnets are arranged in the first magnetic pattern and are positioned to interact with the magnetic elements of the first piston to create a first magnetic force as the rotor rotates about the axis of rotation. The first magnetic force represents a first amount of force required to actuate the first piston.

A rotating machine is disclosed and includes a stator defining a circumference, a plurality of first magnet arrays, a rotor, and a first piston. The first magnet arrays are comprised of a plurality of discrete magnets arranged around the circumference of the stator in a first magnetic pattern. The rotor is rotatable about an axis of rotation and defines a main body. The main body defines a first passageway. The first piston includes a plurality of first magnetic elements and is actuated within the first passageway of the rotor. The plurality of discrete magnets are arranged in the first magnetic pattern and are positioned to interact with the magnetic elements of the first piston to create a first magnetic force as the rotor rotates about the axis of rotation. The first magnetic force represents a first amount of force required to actuate the first piston.

A crank and connecting rod mechanism having an angularly disposed connecting rod and mirror image gear sets, each comprising: a crank gear rotatably mounted on a crank gear shaft, having a crankpin pivotally connected to and driven by the connecting rod, the crankpin following the path of a roulette of a centered trochoid about a first stationary gear as the crank gear is driven about the first stationary gear and a crankshaft driven gear is driven about a second stationary gear, a counterbalanced radial arm affixed to a drive shaft at a pivot point of the counterbalanced radial arm, the counterbalanced radial arm driving the drive shaft at the pivot point and the crank gear shaft at an outer radial arm bearing, the drive shaft driving a drive shaft gear, which drives an output gear that drives an output shaft.

In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a drive mechanism for generating a rotational motion output from reciprocating piston assembly, where the drive mechanism includes an axially translating y-axis component to reciprocate along a y-axis with the piston assembly; an x-axis component: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis, ii) having an internal ring gear, and iii) having an orbital engagement component substantially concentric with the internal ring gear; an output shaft assembly having an output pinion gear engaging tangentially with the internal ring gear; and a stationary engagement component substantially concentric with the output shaft assembly, the stationary engagement component interfacing with the orbital engagement component, the interfacing between the stationary engagement component and the orbital engagement component applying a force to the x-axis component to maintain contact between the internal ring gear and the output pinion gear.

In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a drive mechanism for generating a rotational motion output from reciprocating piston assembly, where the drive mechanism includes an axially translating y-axis component to reciprocate along a y-axis with the piston assembly; an x-axis component: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis, ii) having an internal ring gear, and iii) having an orbital engagement component substantially concentric with the internal ring gear; an output shaft assembly having an output pinion gear engaging tangentially with the internal ring gear; and a stationary engagement component substantially concentric with the output shaft assembly, the stationary engagement component interfacing with the orbital engagement component, the interfacing between the stationary engagement component and the orbital engagement component applying a force to the x-axis component to maintain contact between the internal ring gear and the output pinion gear.

A pair of cylinders (2, 5) are arranged in parallel at the two sides of a crankshaft (8). The cylinders (2, 5) are respectively provided with pairs of pistons (3, 4, 6, 7). The crankshaft (8) has a pair of crankpins (12, 13). The axes of these crankpins (12, 13) are slanted with respect to the axis of the crankshaft (8) in opposite directions. The crankpins (12, 13) have the rocker members (14, 15) attached to them to be able to turn. The tip ends of the arms (16) of the rocker member (14, 15) are connected to the connecting rods (11) of the corresponding pistons (3, 4, 6, 7). If the pistons (3, 4, 6, 7) reciprocate the rocker members (14, 15) engage in swinging motion and the crankshaft (8) rotates.

A pair of cylinders (2, 5) are arranged in parallel at the two sides of a crankshaft (8). The cylinders (2, 5) are respectively provided with pairs of pistons (3, 4, 6, 7). The crankshaft (8) has a pair of crankpins (12, 13). The axes of these crankpins (12, 13) are slanted with respect to the axis of the crankshaft (8) in opposite directions. The crankpins (12, 13) have the rocker members (14, 15) attached to them to be able to turn. The tip ends of the arms (16) of the rocker member (14, 15) are connected to the connecting rods (11) of the corresponding pistons (3, 4, 6, 7). If the pistons (3, 4, 6, 7) reciprocate the rocker members (14, 15) engage in swinging motion and the crankshaft (8) rotates.