Patents Examined by Christopher Bowell
  • Patent number: 6655697
    Abstract: An oil control ring for a piston of an internal combustion engine has an annular body defining a central axis. The ring has a U-shaped cross-section formed of a centrally positioned web extending parallel to the axis and a pair of axially spaced rail portions integrally connected to the web. Each rail portion extends radially outwardly with respect to the web, and an extremity of each rail portion defines a land extending parallel to the axis and adapted to sealingly engage a cylinder wall. Each land defines a pair of spaced chamfered sidewalls. Each sidewall extends contiguously from each land to define a chamfered edge adjacent the land. Finally, each chamfered edge defines a concave annular sidewall. The result is a reduction of land surface area in contact with the cylinder walls of an engine to provide improved performance, particularly during the engine break-in period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Stephane Héraud, William Spengler