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.

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 airflow control valve structure includes a metallic pivot shaft-and a valve body. The valve body includes a connection portion connected to the pivot shaft and a resin valve portion. The pivot shaft includes first and second pivot shaft side press-fit portions. The connection portion includes a first valve side press-fit portion formed integrally with the valve portion and a metallic fitting member including a second valve side press-fit portion. The first valve side press-fit portion is fitted to the first pivot shaft side press-fit portion at an angular position at which a phase of the valve portion is matched with a phase of the pivot shaft. The second valve side press-fit portion is fitted to the second pivot shaft side press-fit portion. The first pivot shaft side press-fit portion is longer than the second valve side press-fit portion.

An airflow control valve structure includes a metallic pivot shaft-and a valve body. The valve body includes a connection portion connected to the pivot shaft and a resin valve portion. The pivot shaft includes first and second pivot shaft side press-fit portions. The connection portion includes a first valve side press-fit portion formed integrally with the valve portion and a metallic fitting member including a second valve side press-fit portion. The first valve side press-fit portion is fitted to the first pivot shaft side press-fit portion at an angular position at which a phase of the valve portion is matched with a phase of the pivot shaft. The second valve side press-fit portion is fitted to the second pivot shaft side press-fit portion. The first pivot shaft side press-fit portion is longer than the second valve side press-fit portion.

A internal combustion engine comprises an engine block defining a cylinder bore, and a piston slideably supported within the cylinder bore. The piston slides reciprocally within the cylinder bore throughout an engine cycle through a piston compression stroke having a compression stroke length and a piston expansion stroke having an expansion stroke length. A crankshaft is rotatably supported by the engine block and rotatable about a crank axis, and a drive gear is co-axially mounted on the crankshaft. A control shaft is rotatably supported by the engine block and rotatable about a control axis that is parallel to and distal from the crank axis. A driven gear is coaxially mounted on the control shaft. A link rod is rotatably connected to the crankshaft and rotatable relative to the crankshaft about an axis that is parallel to and distal from the crank axis. A lower connecting rod has a first end rotatably connected to the link rod, and a second end rotatably connected to the control shaft and is rotatable relative to the control shaft about an axis that is parallel to and distal from the control axis, and an upper connecting rod has a first end rotatably connected to the link rod, and a second end rotatably connected to the piston. A phasing device is supported by the engine block between and interconnecting the crankshaft and the control shaft, and includes an idler shaft rotatable about a phase axis, an electric motor adapted to rotate the idler shaft, a gearbox mounted co-axially on the idler shaft, a crank gear supported on the gearbox co-axial to the idler shaft, and a control shaft gear mounted co-axially on the idler shaft distal from the crank gear. The drive gear engages the crank gear and transfers rotation of the crank shaft to the idler shaft, and the driven gear engages the control shaft gear and transfers rotation of the idler shaft to the control shaft, and when the electric motor rotates the idler shaft, the gearbox is adapted to allow the rotational speed of the idler shaft to change relative to the rotational speed of the crank shaft to change the rotational speed of the control shaft relative to the crankshaft and change the clearance volume.

A internal combustion engine comprises an engine block defining a cylinder bore, and a piston slideably supported within the cylinder bore. The piston slides reciprocally within the cylinder bore throughout an engine cycle through a piston compression stroke having a compression stroke length and a piston expansion stroke having an expansion stroke length. A crankshaft is rotatably supported by the engine block and rotatable about a crank axis, and a drive gear is co-axially mounted on the crankshaft. A control shaft is rotatably supported by the engine block and rotatable about a control axis that is parallel to and distal from the crank axis. A driven gear is coaxially mounted on the control shaft. A link rod is rotatably connected to the crankshaft and rotatable relative to the crankshaft about an axis that is parallel to and distal from the crank axis. A lower connecting rod has a first end rotatably connected to the link rod, and a second end rotatably connected to the control shaft and is rotatable relative to the control shaft about an axis that is parallel to and distal from the control axis, and an upper connecting rod has a first end rotatably connected to the link rod, and a second end rotatably connected to the piston. A phasing device is supported by the engine block between and interconnecting the crankshaft and the control shaft, and includes an idler shaft rotatable about a phase axis, an electric motor adapted to rotate the idler shaft, a gearbox mounted co-axially on the idler shaft, a crank gear supported on the gearbox co-axial to the idler shaft, and a control shaft gear mounted co-axially on the idler shaft distal from the crank gear. The drive gear engages the crank gear and transfers rotation of the crank shaft to the idler shaft, and the driven gear engages the control shaft gear and transfers rotation of the idler shaft to the control shaft, and when the electric motor rotates the idler shaft, the gearbox is adapted to allow the rotational speed of the idler shaft to change relative to the rotational speed of the crank shaft to change the rotational speed of the control shaft relative to the crankshaft and change the clearance volume.

A cylinder block for use in an internal combustion engine includes a first and second cylinder bores, a first and second cylinder bore liners, and a Siamese insert. The first and second cylinder bores are disposed adjacent to each other. The first and second cylinder bores each comprise a first cylinder bore wall and a second cylinder bore wall, respectively, and a shared cylinder bore wall. The first cylinder bore liner is disposed on a first inner surface of the first cylinder bore wall and the second cylinder bore liner is disposed on a second inner surface of the second cylinder bore wall. The Siamese insert is disposed in a top portion of the shared cylinder bore wall.

A multi-cylinder engine having an engine body with a cylinder head is provided. The engine includes first and second cylinder groups, each having a plurality of independent exhaust passage parts provided to the cylinder head and connected to cylinders of the first and second cylinder groups, respectively, and first and second collective exhaust passage parts collecting the first and second pluralities of independent exhaust passage parts at a location downstream in an exhaust gas flow direction, and having an opening formed in the side surface part of the cylinder head, first and second exhaust-pipe parts each connected to the openings of the first and second collective exhaust passage parts, respectively, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage connected at one end to the first exhaust passage group and connected at the other end to an intake passage, and an exhaust gas temperature sensor provided to the first exhaust-pipe part.

A multi-cylinder engine having an engine body with a cylinder head is provided. The engine includes first and second cylinder groups, each having a plurality of independent exhaust passage parts provided to the cylinder head and connected to cylinders of the first and second cylinder groups, respectively, and first and second collective exhaust passage parts collecting the first and second pluralities of independent exhaust passage parts at a location downstream in an exhaust gas flow direction, and having an opening formed in the side surface part of the cylinder head, first and second exhaust-pipe parts each connected to the openings of the first and second collective exhaust passage parts, respectively, an exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) passage connected at one end to the first exhaust passage group and connected at the other end to an intake passage, and an exhaust gas temperature sensor provided to the first exhaust-pipe part.