A connecting rod assembly

摘要

A connecting rod assembly 32 is provided for varying a compression ratio of an internal combustion engine 12 having a crankshaft 36 and a piston 30. The connecting rod assembly 32 includes a first portion 69 adapted to be connected to the crankshaft 36 and a second portion 70 adapted to be connected to the piston 30 and movable with respect to the first portion 69. The connecting rod assembly 32 further includes a locking mechanism 85,86 disposed between the first and second portions 69 and 70. The locking mechanisms 85,86 include a rotatable locking element 88 that is configured to lock the second portion 70 at a first position relative to the first portion 69 which corresponds to a first compression ratio of the engine 12. <IMAGE>