Methods and systems for managing a clearance gap in a piston engine
US8656895B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 21, 2012 |
| Grant date | Feb 25, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 21, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16J1/09
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A piston engine may include a piston assembly, which may include a piston having a self-centering feature. The piston assembly may be configured to translate in a bore of the cylinder, and contact a combustion section and/or gas driver section. The self-centering feature may use a flow of blow-by gas in a clearance gap to provide a self-centering force on the piston assembly. The self-centering feature may include one or more slotted pockets, a step, a tapered portion, any other suitable feature, or a combination thereof. Optionally, a piston assembly may include a feature that aids in self-centering such as, for example, a labyrinth seal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.