Variable compression connecting rod

A connecting rod assembly for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine, the engine including a cylinder, a reciprocating piston disposed within the cylinder, and a crankshaft having a crankpin, the connecting rod comprising:

• a bearing retainer adapted to be connected to the crankpin;
• a body portion adapted to be connected to the piston, the body portion having a longitudinal body portion axis that extends in a first direction, and a body portion plane that extends through the body portion axis and bisects the body portion, the body portion further being axially movable with respect to the bearing retainer to effect a selective displacement of the body portion relative to the bearing retainer, the displacement causing a change in the effective length of the body portion and the compression ratio of the engine;
• first and second locking mechanisms disposed between the bearing retainer and the body portion, the first locking mechanism including a first locking element, the second locking mechanism including a second locking element, each locking element having a locking element axis that extends generally in the first direction, each locking element being rotatable about a respective locking element axis between an unlocked position and a locked position in which the locking element intersects the plane of the body portion, the first locking element being configured to lock the body portion at a first position relative to the bearing retainer when the first locking element is in the locked position and the second locking element is in the unlocked position, the first position corresponding to a first compression ratio of the engine, and the second locking element being configured to lock the body portion at a second position relative to the bearing retainer when the second locking element is in the locked position and the first locking element is in the unlocked position, the second position corresponding to a second compression ratio of the engine, wherein the second compression ratio is larger than the first compression ratio.