Methods and systems for managing a clearance gap in a piston engine
US10006401B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 26, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J10/02
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A piston engine may include a clearance gap between a piston assembly and a cylinder. The piston may be configured to translate in a bore of the cylinder. The clearance gap between the piston assembly and the bore may be actively or passively controlled. A control system may provide one or more adjustments based on, for example, a detected temperature, pressure, flow rate, work metric, and/or other indicator. The adjustments may include, for example, adjusting a cylinder liner, adjusting a flow through a bearing element, adjusting a coolant flow, adjusting a heat pipe property, and/or other adjustments. One or more auxiliary systems may be used to provide the adjustments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.