An internal combustion engine (1) for a vehicle is equipped with a variable compression ratio mechanism (2) capable of changing the mechanical compression ratio. An idle stop, which is for automatically stopping the internal combustion engine (1) when the vehicle stops, and a sailing stop, which is for stopping the internal combustion engine (1) in conjunction with the release of a forward clutch (8) during inertial travel, are carried out. A target compression ratio during normal travel is set on the basis of the load and rotation speed of the internal combustion engine (1). During an idle stop the target compression ratio is set to an idle stop restart compression ratio (εis). During a sailing stop the target compression ratio is set to a sailing stop restart compression ratio (εss). The sailing stop restart compression ratio (εss) is lower than the idle stop restart compression ratio (εis).

A phase adjuster is disclosed herein that has improvements for a number of features thereby improving the functionality of the phase adjuster and/or simplifying the manufacturing or assembly process for the phase adjuster. The phase adjuster includes an input gear and an input shaft connected to the input gear such that the input shaft is rotationally connected to the input gear and configured to be axially displaced. A piston plate is integrally formed with the input shaft. An output gear hub is operatively connected to the input shaft via the piston plate, and an output gear ring is connected to the output gear hub.

Throttle-at-valve apparatus, internal combustion engines employing throttle-at-valve apparatus, and methods of throttling an internal combustion engine using a throttle-at-valve apparatus, where the throttle-at-valve apparatus includes a throttle slide body disposed within a throttle slide cavity that is defined between and in fluid communication with both an unobstructed air intake passage and an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, where the air flow from the air intake passage to the intake valve is regulated by the reciprocal movement of the throttle slide body within the throttle slide cavity.

A phasing system is provided. A phase angle between the gear hub and the cradle rotor can be driven by a planetary actuator. In some non-limiting examples, an input shaft rotationally coupled between a rotary actuator for rotation therewith. Rotation of the input shaft can unlock relative rotation between the cradle rotor and the gear hub. In some non-limiting examples, the phasing system can include a gear hub and a cradle rotor, and a torsion spring arrange therebetween. The torsion spring can be configured to apply an internal torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to offset an external torque load applied to the gear hub or the cradle rotor.

A system and method for providing a variable compression ratio internal combustion engine is disclosed. The system can include a crankshaft pivotally coupled to a standard engine block using a plurality of pivoting main bearing caps. The system can pivot the main bearing caps, and thus the crankshaft, to increase or decrease the compression ratio of the engine. The system can also include a plurality of actuators to move one end of the main bearing caps. The crankshaft can comprise one or more flexible joints to enable the crankshaft to move, while the output(s) of the crankshaft remain stationary to enable conventional sealing and power take-off. The compression ratio can be varied continuously during use and can be included in an overall engine management system.

A phasing system is provided. A phase angle between the gear hub and the cradle rotor can be driven by a planetary actuator. In some non-limiting examples, an input shaft rotationally coupled between a rotary actuator for rotation therewith. Rotation of the input shaft can unlock relative rotation between the cradle rotor and the gear hub. In some non-limiting examples, the phasing system can include a gear hub and a cradle rotor, and a torsion spring arrange therebetween. The torsion spring can be configured to apply an internal torque load between the gear hub and the cradle rotor to offset an external torque load applied to the gear hub or the cradle rotor.

A phase adjuster assembly configured to adjust a phase between a driving component and a driven component of an internal combustion engine is generally provided. The assembly includes an input gear assembly comprising an input gear configured to engage a driving component, and a spline carrier. An output gear assembly includes an output gear configured to engage a driven component, and a drive plate configured to drivingly engage with the spline carrier. Various components disclosed herein are formed as stamped sheet metal components. Additionally, various connections between adjacent components are provided via relative uncomplicated processes, such as welding.

A device for changing a compression ratio of a cylinder unit of a reciprocating piston combustion engine is provided. An eccentric bushing is rotatably arranged in a receiving bore hole of a bearing eye of a connecting rod (“conrod”). The conrod bearing eye is formed by a conrod upper part and a conrod lower part, and which surrounds a crankpin of a crankshaft. In addition, the eccentric bushing is rotatably guided in the receiving bore hole and can be locked preferably in two positions which are offset from one another by approximately 180° in the circumferential direction of the eccentric bushing. In order to achieve a targeted rotation of the eccentric bushing in the bore hole of the conrod bearing eye between the locking positions, a freewheel is arranged between an outer casing surface of the eccentric bushing and the receiving bore hole of the conrod bearing eye.

A bearing structure has a crankshaft rotatably supported by a crankshaft bearing part, formed of a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine and a first bearing cap, through a bearing metal, a second shaft rotatably supported by a second shaft bearing part formed of the first bearing cap and a second bearing cap, wherein the bearing metal has a bearing metal planar portion for rotatably supporting the crankshaft with an entire inner peripheral surface of the bearing metal, the inner peripheral surface at which the bearing metal planar portion is formed, a bearing metal oil groove portion formed with an oil groove formed to extend circumferentially in an inner peripheral surface of the bearing metal, the inner peripheral surface at which the bearing metal oil groove portion is formed, a first oil hole opening at the oil groove, and a second oil hole opening at the oil groove.

A phase adjuster is disclosed herein that generally includes multiple stamped components and limits threaded connections between components. According to one aspect, this configuration provides a cost-effective arrangement in which a drive nut can adjust a phase between an input gear and an output gear.