Methods and systems for managing a clearance gap in a piston engine
US8720317B2 · kind B2 · utility
1Cited by
100References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 29, 2011 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 29, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF02F3/00
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A piston engine may include a non-contact bearing between a piston assembly and a cylinder. The piston may be configured to translate in a bore of the cylinder, and a non-contact bearing may be included in a clearance gap between the piston assembly and the bore. A bearing fluid may be supplied to the clearance gap via the piston assembly and/or cylinder to create the non-contact bearing. A bearing element may be used to direct or otherwise manage the flow of bearing fluid in the clearance gap. The bearing element may include one or more holes, porous portions, and/or passages to direct the bearing fluid to the clearance gap.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.