The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 20, 2005
Filed:
Jun. 26, 2003
Yitzhak Isaac Henig, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jeffrey Eliot Chottiner, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Jagadish Sorab, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Pravin Sashidharan, Inkster, MI (US);
Satheesh Makkapati, Canton, MI (US);
Yitzhak Isaac Henig, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jeffrey Eliot Chottiner, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Jagadish Sorab, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Pravin Sashidharan, Inkster, MI (US);
Satheesh Makkapati, Canton, MI (US);
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
An adjustable connecting rod system includes a reliable, rapidly responsive mechanism for varying effective connecting rod length to vary the compression ratio of the engine. The mechanism may employ the momentum of connecting rod components during operation of the engine to provide actuation force to vary connecting rod length. Connecting rod length is preferably controlled by manipulation of fluid-actuated locking members. In a preferred embodiment, hydraulic pressure is applied through the use of engine oil or other hydraulic fluids. The connecting rod preferably employs one or more movable compression members such as roller members or other mechanical components that may be shifted from one position to another with relatively little friction in order to vary the effective length of the connecting rod. The movable compression members may engage surfaces of both the crankpin bearing retainer and the connecting rod body, loaded in compression to transmit forces therebetween.