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.

Improvements to an engine comprise an air compressor cylinder with a piston, a combustion chamber cylinder with a piston. An engine has added an expansion chamber cylinder with a piston. Pistons each have a connecting rod and connecting rod head and associated parts adapted for reciprocating motion via combustion products, and a transmission associated with the engine. Improvements are to the piston seals, ignition assembly, valve shape and stem/rocker, valve operating mechanism, construction of head, heat management/heat shield, connecting rod/piston rotator, engine balancing, fuel pump placement, and a machining process.

Improvements to an engine comprise an air compressor cylinder with a piston, a combustion chamber cylinder with a piston. An engine has added an expansion chamber cylinder with a piston. Pistons each have a connecting rod and connecting rod head and associated parts adapted for reciprocating motion via combustion products, and a transmission associated with the engine. Improvements are to the piston seals, ignition assembly, valve shape and stem/rocker, valve operating mechanism, construction of head, heat management/heat shield, connecting rod/piston rotator, engine balancing, fuel pump placement, and a machining process.

A scraper ring is provided with a plurality of sealing sections on the radially inner circumferential surface, each including a scraping edge, wherein the sealing sections are spaced axially apart from each other by inner circumferential grooves, with at least one recess provided on the circumference of the scraper ring which extends at least partially from a first axial ring end to a second axial ring end and extends at least partially in a direction different from the axial direction of the scraper ring. At least one drainage opening is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the scraper ring, which is connected to at least one inner circumferential groove for removing scraped oil from the inner circumferential grooves.

A scraper ring is provided with a plurality of sealing sections on the radially inner circumferential surface, each including a scraping edge, wherein the sealing sections are spaced axially apart from each other by inner circumferential grooves, with at least one recess provided on the circumference of the scraper ring which extends at least partially from a first axial ring end to a second axial ring end and extends at least partially in a direction different from the axial direction of the scraper ring. At least one drainage opening is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the scraper ring, which is connected to at least one inner circumferential groove for removing scraped oil from the inner circumferential grooves.

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.

In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a first reciprocating mechanism that includes an axially translating y-axis component configured to reciprocate substantially along a y-axis with a reciprocating motion of a piston assembly relative to a base to which the y-axis component is slidingly attached. The first reciprocating mechanism can include an x-axis component slidingly coupled to and translating with the y-axis component along the y-axis, the x-axis component being: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis relative to the y-axis component, ii) comprising an orbital output component, and iii) comprising an orbital linking component disposed substantially concentric with the orbital output component. The first reciprocating mechanism can include a stationary output component and a stationary linking component that are substantially concentric and disposed in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the x-y plane.

In some aspects, reciprocating engines can include a first reciprocating mechanism that includes an axially translating y-axis component configured to reciprocate substantially along a y-axis with a reciprocating motion of a piston assembly relative to a base to which the y-axis component is slidingly attached. The first reciprocating mechanism can include an x-axis component slidingly coupled to and translating with the y-axis component along the y-axis, the x-axis component being: i) configured to reciprocate substantially perpendicularly to the y-axis relative to the y-axis component, ii) comprising an orbital output component, and iii) comprising an orbital linking component disposed substantially concentric with the orbital output component. The first reciprocating mechanism can include a stationary output component and a stationary linking component that are substantially concentric and disposed in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the x-y plane.

A piston arrangement is provided. The piston assembly includes a track and a piston moveable within a cylinder. The track is rotatable relative to the cylinder about an axis of rotation and has a cam surface and an edge surface extending away from the cam surface. The piston is coupled to the track by a follower running on the cam surface. The cam surface is shaped such that, as the track moves relative to the cylinder, the piston head moves in reciprocating motion within the cylinder along a piston axis in accordance with the path of the cam surface. The piston axis is perpendicular to the track axis of rotation. A stabilizing element is connected to the piston, the stabilizing element extending below the piston head and comprising a contact surface which engages the edge surface of the track.