Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

David N Leland

John Meade Beardmore

Bruce Alan Tucker

According to the present invention a connecting rod is defined by a longitudinally extending beam having, at a first end, a piston pin bearing boss and, at a second end, a crankpin bearing boss. The longitudinally extending beam includes an opening extending from a location near the piston pin bearing boss to a location near the crankpin bearing boss to define opposing webs or legs. Under loads imposed on the connecting rod during the combustion event, the opposing legs exhibit a resiliency which allows inward movement, towards the beam axis. The inward movement of the opposing legs absorbs a portion of the applied load, thereby reducing the amplitude of the force transferred to the crankpin. As the force of the combustion event diminishes through downward movement of the piston in the engine cylinder, the opposing legs move outwardly, away from the beam axis, returning to their original relationship. As the webs return to the starting position, the previously absorbed portion of the load applied to the connecting rod, by the combustion event, is transferred to the crankpin such that the total transmitted force is substantially the same as that of a typical connecting rod while the peak force amplitude is reduced.

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Farmington, MI, United States of America

David N Leland