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 engine with mesh anchored combustion with a pressure regulating auxiliary chamber for providing controlled internal combustion at essentially a constant pressure. The engine comprises a main cylinder and piston with an auxiliary chamber and piston integral therewith. The auxiliary chamber is adjacent to the main cylinder head, connected thereto through a relatively narrow throat. A mesh is positioned in the throat at the boundary of the main cylinder and the auxiliary chamber. Accordingly, when the main piston compresses a charge in the main cylinder during its compression stroke, the charge is pushed through the mesh into the auxiliary chamber. The auxiliary chamber piston pushes the charge in the reverse direction back through the mesh into the main cylinder. As the charge passes through the mesh back into the main chamber, its combustion forces the main piston back down toward bottom dead center.

An internal combustion engine (10) comprising: a piston (12) arranged to reciprocate within a cylinder (14); an adjustable volume induction chamber (50) communicating with the cylinder (14); an air inlet port (30) communicating (42) with the induction chamber (50), the air inlet port (30) being connectable, in use, to a pressurized air supply (38); an air inlet valve (32) configured to selectively open and close the air inlet port (30); and a fuel injector (70) communicating with the induction chamber (50), wherein the valve (32) and fuel injector (70) are together configured, in use, to deliver a charge comprising a fuel-air mixture into the induction chamber (50).

A variable compression cylinder head assembly usable with an internal combustion engine having at least one piston, the cylinder head assembly including a cylinder head housing having a combustion chamber formed therein, a compression control piston disposed within the combustion chamber, a compression head actuator coupled to the cylinder head housing, the compression head actuator including an actuator housing defining an actuator reservoir, a fluid port coupled to the actuator housing to receive a fluid, a movable force plate disposed within the actuator reservoir and coupled to the compression control piston, wherein the force plate and the compression control piston move between a first position and a second position when the fluid enters the actuator reservoir.

Apparatuses, systems and method for utilizing multi-zoned combustion chambers (and/or multiple combustion chambers) for achieving compression ignition (and/or spark-assisted or fuel-assisted compression ignition) in an internal combustion engine are provided. In addition, improved apparatuses, systems and methods for achieving and/or controlling compression ignition (and/or spark-assisted or fuel-assisted compression ignition) in a Siamese cylinder internal combustion engine are provided.

Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a compression ratio of a combustion chamber. In one example, a method may include altering an axial position and rotational orientation of a control element comprising a spark plug and a fuel injector in response to an engine operation. The method further includes changing a distance between intake and exhaust valves of a cylinder to the control element, the spark plug, and the fuel injector.

An internal combustion engine can include a piston moving in a cylinder and a junk head disposed opposite the piston head in the cylinder. The junk head can optionally be moveable between a higher compression ratio position closer to a top dead center of the piston and a lower compression ratio position further from the top dead center position of the piston. At least one intake port can deliver a fluid comprising inlet air to a combustion chamber within the cylinder. Combustion gases can be directed out of the combustion volume through at least one exhaust port. One or both of the intake port and the exhaust port can be opened and closed by operation of a sleeve valve that at least partially encircles the piston. Related articles, systems, and methods are described.

A variable compression cylinder head assembly usable with an internal combustion engine having at least one piston, the cylinder head assembly including a cylinder head housing having a combustion chamber formed therein, a compression control piston disposed within the combustion chamber, a compression head actuator coupled to the cylinder head housing, the compression head actuator including an actuator housing defining an actuator reservoir, a fluid port coupled to the actuator housing to receive a fluid, a movable force plate disposed within the actuator reservoir and coupled to the compression control piston, wherein the force plate and the compression control piston move between a first position and a second position when the fluid enters the actuator reservoir.

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 engine with mesh anchored combustion with a pressure regulating auxiliary chamber for providing controlled internal combustion at essentially a constant pressure. The engine comprises a main cylinder and piston with an auxiliary chamber and piston integral therewith. The auxiliary chamber is adjacent to the main cylinder head, connected thereto through a relatively narrow throat. A mesh is positioned in the throat at the boundary of the main cylinder and the auxiliary chamber. Accordingly, when the main piston compresses a charge in the main cylinder during its compression stroke, the charge is pushed through the mesh into the auxiliary chamber. The auxiliary chamber piston pushes the charge in the reverse direction back through the mesh into the main cylinder. As the charge passes through the mesh back into the main chamber, its combustion forces the main piston back down toward bottom dead center.