Sliding joint for variable compression ratio device
OwnerRandall Gaiserinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A barrel-type internal combustion engine includes a power output shaft assembly with a sliding joint. A power output shaft has a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces and a plurality of radial splines between the bearing surfaces. A cam plate has a central hub and a cam track extending therefrom. The central hub has a longitudinal bore for receiving the shaft. The bore has a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces and a plurality of radial splines between the bearing surfaces. When assembled, the power shaft is received in the bore of the hub, the bearing surfaces are generally aligned and the splines engage such that the shaft and cam plate are coupled for rotation about the rotational axis of the shaft and the cam plate is longitudinally slidable on the shaft.
Claims13
A power output shaft assembly for a barrel-type internal combustion engine comprising:
- an elongated power output shaft defining a longitudinally extending rotational axis, the output shaft having an outer surface with a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces defined thereon, the output shaft further having a plurality of radial splines defined thereon between the spaced apart bearing surfaces, the splines each extending longitudinally along the outer surface;
- and
- a cam plate having a central hub and a cam track extending therefrom, the central hub having a longitudinal bore defined therethru, the bore having an inner surface with a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces defined thereon, the cam plate further having a plurality of radial splines defined thereon between the spaced apart bearing surfaces, the splines each extending longitudinally along the inner surface;
- wherein the elongated power shaft is received in the bore of the hub, the bearing surfaces of the shaft and hub are generally aligned and the splines of the shaft engage the splines of the hub such that the shaft and cam plate are coupled for rotation about the rotational axis of the shaft and the cam plate is longitudinally slidable on the shaft.
A barrel-type internal combustion engine comprising:
- a power output shaft assembly having:
- an elongated power output shaft defining a longitudinally extending rotational axis, the output shaft having an outer surface with a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces defined thereon, the output shaft further having a plurality of radial splines defined thereon between the spaced apart bearing surfaces, the splines each extending longitudinally along the outer surface;
- and
- a cam plate having a central hub and a cam track extending therefrom, the central hub having a longitudinal bore defined therethru, the bore having an inner surface with a pair of spaced apart bearing surfaces defined thereon, the cam plate further having a plurality of radial splines defined thereon between the spaced apart bearing surfaces, the splines each extending longitudinally along the inner surface;
- wherein the elongated power shaft is received in the bore of the hub, the bearing surfaces of the shaft and hub are generally aligned and the splines of the shaft engage the splines of the hub such that the shaft and cam plate are coupled for rotation about the rotational axis of the shaft and the cam plate is longitudinally slidable on the shaft;
- an engine housing receiving the power output shaft assembly, the engine housing defining at least one cylinder extending generally parallel to the rotational axis of the output shaft;
- a piston assembly having a piston disposed in the cylinder and a bearing portion in mechanical communication with the cam track of the cam plate and
- a variable compression ratio device operatively coupled to the output shaft and cam plate for allowing selective displacement of the cam plate along the rotational axis, thereby effecting a corresponding change in the compression ratio of the engine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.