Adjustable-length connecting rod (100, 200) for a reciprocating piston engine, in particular for a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, having a hydraulic cylinder for adjusting an effective connecting rod length (L) of the connecting rod (100, 200), which hydraulic cylinder has at least one piston and a first hydraulic operating chamber (21) and a second hydraulic operating chamber (22), a hydraulically actuable control device (8) which can be switched over at least between two switching states with an actuating piston (23) for controlling the adjustment of the connecting rod (100, 200), and a mechanically actuable actuating device (9) for switching the control device (8), which actuating device (9) is operatively connected via at least one hydraulic actuating line (11, 12) to the actuating piston (23) of the control device (8) for actuating it hydraulically.

The invention relates to a length-adjustable connecting rod for a reciprocating piston engine, to a reciprocating piston engine, and to a vehicle having a reciprocating piston engine, wherein the connecting rod has a second connecting rod part with a guide cylinder, and a first connecting rod part with a guide shank, wherein the guide shank is accommodated by the guide cylinder and is movable relative thereto for adjustment of an effective connecting rod length, wherein the first connecting rod part has a first stop surface and the second connecting rod part has a second stop surface, wherein lying of the first stop surface against the second stop surface restricts a relative movement between the first connecting rod part and the second connecting rod part in a first direction, and wherein, when the first stop surface lies against the second stop surface, at least a portion of a compressive force acting on the connecting rod along the longitudinal axis of the connecting rod is transferred past the guide shank via the first stop surface and the second stop surface from the first connecting rod part into the second connecting rod part and/or vice versa.

The invention relates to a reciprocating-piston machine, in particular an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one length-adjustable connecting rod (1) connected to a crank pin (21) of a crankshaft (26), wherein the connecting rod (1) comprises at least one length-adjustment mechanism (6) and at least one electrically switchable and inductively actuatable control valve (7). According to the invention, in order to enable a flexible alteration of the compression ratio in the easiest, most space-saving and reliable manner possible, the connection rod (1) has at least one induction device (11) which is arranged in the region of a large connecting-rod eye (5) of the connecting rod (1), in a position in the connecting rod (1), extending from at least one end face (13) of the connecting rod (1) and separated from a longitudinal axis (21a) of the crank pin (21) by a crank pin distance (a), wherein the induction device (11) is or can be electrically connected to the control valve (7) and an electrical current can be induced in the induction device (11) during rotation of the crankshaft (20) by means of at least one starter device (14) attached to the crankshaft.

The invention relates to a reciprocating-piston machine, in particular an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one length-adjustable connecting rod (1) connected to a crank pin (21) of a crankshaft (26), wherein the connecting rod (1) comprises at least one length-adjustment mechanism (6) and at least one electrically switchable and inductively actuatable control valve (7). According to the invention, in order to enable a flexible alteration of the compression ratio in the easiest, most space-saving and reliable manner possible, the connection rod (1) has at least one induction device (11) which is arranged in the region of a large connecting-rod eye (5) of the connecting rod (1), in a position in the connecting rod (1), extending from at least one end face (13) of the connecting rod (1) and separated from a longitudinal axis (21a) of the crank pin (21) by a crank pin distance (a), wherein the induction device (11) is or can be electrically connected to the control valve (7) and an electrical current can be induced in the induction device (11) during rotation of the crankshaft (20) by means of at least one starter device (14) attached to the crankshaft.

A length-adjustable connecting rod for a reciprocating piston machine, which may be a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, is disclosed as well as a reciprocating piston machine and a vehicle. The connecting rod comprises a hydraulic length-adjusting device for adjusting an effective connecting rod length and a control device that can switch between two switching states, for controlling the length-adjusting device. The length-adjusting device comprises a hydraulic cylinder with a piston and a first hydraulic working chamber and a second hydraulic working chamber, the control device comprising a first valve and a second valve, the first valve of the control device being connected to the first hydraulic working chamber of the length-adjusting device in a fluid-communicating manner, and the second valve to the second hydraulic working chamber, the first valve and the second valve each being actuatable by means of a hydraulically actuatable adjusting piston that can axially move along an adjusting axis, the adjusting axis of the first valve being different from the adjusting axis of the second valve.

A variable compression ratio engine comprises a stationary engine block in which movable members interact to enable a piston to translate in a combustion cylinder of the engine block, defining a stroke of the combustion piston. The engine further comprises a self-contained device for adjusting a position of a top dead center of the combustion piston, the self-contained device being connected to or built into at least one of the movable members and having a high-pressure hydraulic chamber to counteract the combustion and inertial forces at a bottom dead center, a low-pressure hydraulic chamber to counteract the inertial forces at the top dead center, at least one calibrated conduit to enable hydraulic fluid to flow between the high- and low-pressure hydraulic chambers, and return means to bring the device back to a nominal position.

A variable compression ratio engine comprises a stationary engine block in which movable members interact to enable a piston to translate in a combustion cylinder of the engine block, defining a stroke of the combustion piston. The engine further comprises a self-contained device for adjusting a position of a top dead center of the combustion piston, the self-contained device being connected to or built into at least one of the movable members and having a high-pressure hydraulic chamber to counteract the combustion and inertial forces at a bottom dead center, a low-pressure hydraulic chamber to counteract the inertial forces at the top dead center, at least one calibrated conduit to enable hydraulic fluid to flow between the high- and low-pressure hydraulic chambers, and return means to bring the device back to a nominal position.

A mechanical link comprises a shaft having a central axis, a first end portion threaded in a first direction, and a second end portion threaded in an opposite second direction. A first mounting interface and second mounting interface are respectively coupled with the first end portion and second end portion. A tubular sleeve circumscribes a portion of the shaft and comprises a slot. A pin extends from the shaft and passes through the slot. A stop is coupled with the second end portion and fixed to the shaft. A washer circumscribes a portion of the shaft between the tubular sleeve and the stop. A spring biases the tubular sleeve toward the stop. A first jam nut is coupled with the first end portion between the first mounting interface and the spring. A second jam nut is coupled with the second end portion between the second mounting interface and the stop.

A mechanical link comprises a shaft having a central axis, a first end portion threaded in a first direction, and a second end portion threaded in an opposite second direction. A first mounting interface and second mounting interface are respectively coupled with the first end portion and second end portion. A tubular sleeve circumscribes a portion of the shaft and comprises a slot. A pin extends from the shaft and passes through the slot. A stop is coupled with the second end portion and fixed to the shaft. A washer circumscribes a portion of the shaft between the tubular sleeve and the stop. A spring biases the tubular sleeve toward the stop. A first jam nut is coupled with the first end portion between the first mounting interface and the spring. A second jam nut is coupled with the second end portion between the second mounting interface and the stop.

A length-adjustable connecting rod has a first rod part and a second rod part, with the rod parts being displaceable telescopically toward and/or in one another by means of a length-adjusting means, and with the length-adjusting means being chargeable via a hydraulic channel with a hydraulic medium. The hydraulic channel is fluidly connectable by means of a control device to a hydraulic medium supply channel. The control device has a first and a second valve, each with a valve chamber and each with a valve body that can be pressed by a restorative force against a valve seat. The valve chamber of the first valve is fluidly connected to a first hydraulic channel, and the second valve chamber of the second valve to a second hydraulic channel. The valve bodies are operatively interconnected via a connecting device that can be displaced between a first position and a second position.