A rod (1), the length of which is variable, is used for adjusting the compression ratio of an engine. The rod comprises a cylinder rigidly connected to a first end of the rod; a piston that is movable within the cylinder, and is rigidly connected to the second end of the rod, and defines, in the cylinder, a first hydraulic chamber referred to as the high-pressure hydraulic chamber, capable of transmitting compression forces, and a second hydraulic chamber referred to as the low-pressure hydraulic chamber, capable of transmitting tensile forces; at least one conduit calibrated to enable fluid to flow between the low-pressure chamber and the high-pressure chamber; and return means to bring the rod back to its nominal length, wherein the cross-sections of the low-pressure hydraulic chamber and the high-pressure hydraulic chamber are equal.

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 the position of the 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 the 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.

An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing including a socket, wherein the socket comprises a cross-sectional area, and a bearing cartridge disposed within the socket, wherein a cross-sectional area of the cartridge is less than the cross-sectional area of the socket. An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing having a socket, and a bearing cartridge positioned within the socket and comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to undergo compression when a load is applied to the drivelink, and wherein the second portion is configured to not be in tension when the load is applied to the drivelink.

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.

The invention relates to a reciprocating piston engine, in particular an internal combustion engine, comprising at least one length adjustable connecting rod (1) connected to a crankshaft (26), which connecting rod (1) comprises at least one first rod part (2) having a small connecting-rod eye (3) and at least one second rod part (4) having a large connecting-rod eye (5), which two rod parts (2, 4) can be displaced telescopically with respect to and/or into each other by means of a length adjustment device (100), wherein the length adjustment device (100) can be fluidically connected in at least one position of a control valve (15) to at least one oil pressure line (14, 6), and can be separated from the oil pressure line (16) in at least one second position of the control valve (15), wherein the control valve (15) can be electrically switched and inductively actuated. In order to allow the compression ratio to be flexibly changed in a way that is as simple, space-saving and reliable as possible, the control valve (15) can be electrically connected to at least one induction device (21) fixed to the connecting rod, in which an electrical current can be induced in at least one position of the connecting rod (1) by means of at least one magnet device (24) fixed to the crank housing or crankshaft.

An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing including a socket, wherein the socket comprises a cross-sectional area, and a bearing cartridge disposed within the socket, wherein a cross-sectional area of the cartridge is less than the cross-sectional area of the socket. An apparatus comprising a drivelink comprising a housing having a socket, and a bearing cartridge positioned within the socket and comprising a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is configured to undergo compression when a load is applied to the drivelink, and wherein the second portion is configured to not be in tension when the load is applied to the drivelink.

A damping connecting rod that can be converted into a rigid connecting rod in the case of abnormal vibrations. The damping connecting rod comprises a body having a cavity and a shaft inside the cavity, with a clevis associated with the body and allowing the clevis to be fixed to an element. The shaft can be longitudinally displaced inside the body or the body about the shaft. The connecting rod includes an arrangement for longitudinally immobilizing the shaft with respect to the clevis comprising at least one hook and at least one hollow, which are borne by two connecting rod pieces, respectively, which are configured to be displaced toward one another and with a shape such that, with the displacement of the pieces longitudinally with respect to one another, the hook driven into the corresponding hollow longitudinally immobilizes the shaft with respect to the clevis.

A damping connecting rod that can be converted into a rigid connecting rod in the case of abnormal vibrations. The damping connecting rod comprises a body having a cavity and a shaft inside the cavity, with a clevis associated with the body and allowing the clevis to be fixed to an element. The shaft can be longitudinally displaced inside the body or the body about the shaft. The connecting rod includes an arrangement for longitudinally immobilizing the shaft with respect to the clevis comprising at least one hook and at least one hollow, which are borne by two connecting rod pieces, respectively, which are configured to be displaced toward one another and with a shape such that, with the displacement of the pieces longitudinally with respect to one another, the hook driven into the corresponding hollow longitudinally immobilizes the shaft with respect to the clevis.

An energy storage device is provided for a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine. The energy storage device includes first and second end connectors connected to respective ones of a piston and crankshaft, and a flexible connection rod portion rotatably connected with the first and second end connectors. The flexible connection rod portion elastically buckles above a predetermined cylinder pressure threshold to store combustion energy and provide a more constant pressure combustion process.

A distributed load bearing including an outer flex ring, a load distribution spring, and a retainer. The outer flex ring is configured to be positioned radially outwards of a shaft. The load distribution spring is preloaded and positioned radially outwards of the outer flex ring. A radially inner surface of the load distribution spring contacts the outer flex ring. The radially inner surface is an arc defined by a first radius when the load distribution spring is in a lower load distribution mode, and a second radius when the load distribution spring is in a higher load distribution mode. The retainer is positioned radially outwards of the load distribution spring, and the retainer angularly and radially positions the load distribution spring.