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.

Various exemplary embodiments relate to an engine including a cylindrical cassette that converts linear into rotational motion. The linear motion is provided by a normal cylinder and valve mechanism driving pistons in a reciprocating motion, and the rotational motion is transmitted to an output shaft. Further embodiments relate to methods of converting linear motion to rotational motion by using a cylindrical cassette.

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.

According to an embodiment, a driving apparatus includes a housing, a first driving body in the housing to be rotatable around a first central axis, an eccentric driving body provided in the first driving body to be rotatable around a second central axis parallel to the first central axis, a first pivot provided at one axial end of the eccentric driving body and eccentrically to the second central axis, a second pivot provided at another axial end of the eccentric driving body and eccentrically to the second central axis, a first moving body rotatably coupled to the first pivot and linearly movable along a third central axis, a first guide body which guides movement of the first moving body, and a second guide body which guides the second pivot to be movable in a first direction.

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 high efficiency reciprocating engine, nominally of the internal combustion type but alternatively of the external combustion type is disclosed. The new engine uses Hypocycloidal and alternatively Epicycloidal gear mechanisms to create differentiated compression and expansion ratios which then promote significant improvements in efficiency through lower compression losses and higher extraction of available energy. Through suitable augmentation, the engines can be made to provide higher power when needed over higher efficiency. Additionally, other parameter modifications enable realization of low side wall loads and true zero exhaust volume.

The invention relates to a constant-volume combustion engine (10; 110; 210), in particular a reciprocating engine for generating mechanical energy by the expansion of a gas or a hot gas from the combustion of a gas mixture or gas-fuel mixture, having at least one piston/cylinder unit, the piston (14; 114; 214) of which is connected to a piston rod (20; 120; 220), wherein said piston rod (20; 120; 220) is drivingly connected to at least two crankshafts (30, 40; 130, 140; 230a, 230b, 240), the first crankshaft (40; 140; 240) being mounted, such that it can rotate eccentrically, on the second crankshaft (30; 130; 230a, 230b), which is parallel thereto and is rotationally coupled thereto.

Various exemplary embodiments relate to an engine including a cylindrical cassette that converts linear into rotational motion. The linear motion is provided by a normal cylinder and valve mechanism driving pistons in a reciprocating motion, and the rotational motion is transmitted to an output shaft. Further embodiments relate to methods of converting linear motion to rotational motion by using a cylindrical cassette.

A reciprocating internal combustion engine is disclosed having co-axially aligned cylinder blocks within a housing, each cylinder block having a piston structure comprising a piston head and a connecting rod. The piston heads are adapted to reciprocate within their respective cylinder blocks. The connecting rods are connected to opposite ends of a central yoke structure, pivotally, with the ability to angularly deviate from a longitudinal axis during a cycle of motion. The central yoke structure consists of a roller gear disposed within a void of the central yoke structure, and the linear motion of the piston structure is translated into the rotary motion of the roller gear.

Systems, apparatuses and methods in interoperating with multiple clean energy sources, such as pneumatic energy, electrical energy, hydrogen energy and steam energy, with engine configurations employing theses clean energy sources dynamically and synchronously. Further embodiments including fossil fuel energies.