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 reciprocating linear/rotational motion conversion device has a main shaft, a linear motion guiding mechanism, a sector gear and a rack frame. The sector gear is fixedly connected with the main shaft. A rack pair is arranged on the inner wall of the rack frame. The rack pair comprises a first gear rack and a second gear rack separately arranged on both sides of the sector gear. The reciprocating linear/rotational motion conversion device further includes a reversing mechanism fixedly connected with the main shaft. A cylinder device contains the reciprocating linear/rotational motion conversion device, connecting rods, pistons and cylinder bodies. The cylinder body is sleeved on the piston, and a cylinder head is arranged on one end of the cylinder body.

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.

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.

An apparatus; the apparatus has in functional combination at least one wall-track, a mechanical piston assembly, a rack and pinion assembly, and a powerer (input force/powering means). It offers a wide range of energy efficiency and environmental benefits in compressors, pumps, generators and other applications. The apparatus is designed to promote efficient energy and be durable in use.

A motion conversion apparatus (100) comprises a rodrack assembly (110), which includes two guide members (140) and a first gear connection member (120) comprising opposing engaging arrangements (1201). The motion conversion apparatus (100) further comprises a gearshaft member (150) causing reciprocating linear motion of the rodrack assembly (110) along a reciprocation direction (D) by rotational motion of the gearshaft member (150). The gearshaft member (150) includes a second gear connection member (160) configured to engage with the first gear connection member (120), and a guiding surface arrangement (170) configured to contact a guide member (140) during rotational motion of the gearshaft member (150), wherein one gearshaft member (150) revolution causes a single period of reciprocating linear motion of the rodrack assembly (110). The guiding surface arrangement (170) contacts one of the two guide members (140) at an endpoint of the reciprocating linear motion of the rodrack assembly (110).

A tool includes a core ring including a first end and an opposing second end. An opening is defined through the first and second ends. The core ring includes a first radial engagement component. The tool also includes a pin including a shaft having first and second sides. The first side of the shaft is disposed at least adjacent the opening of the core ring. The pin further comprises a second radial engagement component configured to engage with the first radial engagement component of the core ring. The second side of the shaft extends axially outwardly from the second end of the core ring. The tool also includes a sleeve connected to the core ring. The first side of the shaft of the pin is slidable with respect to the sleeve. At least a portion of the sleeve extends axially outwardly from the first side of the core ring.

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 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.