Patents by Inventor Kenneth L. Wirkkala, II

Kenneth L. Wirkkala, II has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Asymmetric piston
    Patent number: 9759156
    Abstract: Exemplary pistons and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston may include a crown defining a combustion bowl and a ring land extending circumferentially around the combustion bowl. Exemplary pistons may further include a skirt supporting the crown. The skirt may include a pair of pin bosses defining a pin bore configured to receive a piston pin, and two opposing skirt supports defining surfaces configured to slide along a cylinder bore surface. The skirt supports each define a different radial stiffness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Luiz Perrone, Kenneth L. Wirkkala, II, Iosif Muscas
  • ASYMMETRIC PISTON
    Publication number: 20160258382
    Abstract: Exemplary pistons and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston may include a crown defining a combustion bowl and a ring land extending circumferentially around the combustion bowl. Exemplary pistons may further include a skirt supporting the crown. The skirt may include a pair of pin bosses defining a pin bore configured to receive a piston pin, and two opposing skirt supports defining surfaces configured to slide along a cylinder bore surface. The skirt supports each define a different radial stiffness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 8, 2016
    Inventors: Luiz Perrone, Kenneth L. Wirkkala, II, Iosif Muscas
  • Piston crown cooling gallery insert
    Patent number: 9228480
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine piston includes a crown including a ring belt portion including an outer wall and ring grooves, wherein the outer wall has a first end, a combustion bowl including an inner wall having a second end, a top wall extending between the inner and outer walls, and an annular cavity between the inner and outer walls, including an opening opposite the top wall, and at least partially defining a cooling gallery. At least one insert protrudes into the cooling gallery so as to axially overlap the ring grooves to direct coolant to desired portions of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Wirkkala, II, Michael T. Lapp, Alex Antoc
  • PISTON CROWN COOLING GALLERY INSERT
    Publication number: 20150354435
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine piston includes a crown including a ring belt portion including an outer wall and ring grooves, wherein the outer wall has a first end, a combustion bowl including an inner wall having a second end, a top wall extending between the inner and outer walls, and an annular cavity between the inner and outer walls, including an opening opposite the top wall, and at least partially defining a cooling gallery. At least one insert protrudes into the cooling gallery so as to axially overlap the ring grooves to direct coolant to desired portions of the crown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Wirkkala, II, Michael T. Lapp, Alex Antoc