Abstract: There is provided, in one embodiment, a ball valve for regulating the flow of petroleum fluids therethrough. The ball valve is capable of transitioning between an open and a closed position. The ball valve includes in one embodiment a hydraulic piston, containment union, ported stem, containment cage and drag plunger, and is adapted to regulate the flow of fluid northward through the valve. A ball and seat should be positioned above these components, so that the hydraulic piston may extend therethrough. More specifically, during a pump downstroke, fluid enters the drag plunger, moves northward through the containment cage and into the interior of the ported stem, exits the interior of the ported stem and enters a plurality of angled veins, which impart cyclonic motion on fluid passing northward therethrough, assisting in the removal of debris. Also during the downstroke, a pedestal portion of the hydraulic unseats the ball from the seat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and related apparatus for rotating a piston of a drug pump during the pumping stroke to reduce drug pump wear. The actuator may move a piston that pumps fluid through a pumping channel. In the present invention, the armature includes one or more openings or shapes that cause the actuator, including the armature and the piston, to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the piston during the pumping stroke. Rotation of the actuator member may help to reduce wear to the actuator member and the pump itself caused by repetitive pumping motions.

Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly (and a piston having the combustion chamber assembly) for use in a diesel engine, includes a combustion chamber being defined in a crown of a piston, the combustion chamber having a central axis, and having a center portion being raised above a bottom plane of the combustion chamber. The center portion of the combustion chamber is defined in part by a portion of a sphere, the sphere having a radius, the origin of the radius lying on the combustion chamber central axis. The combustion chamber has a plurality of curved surfaces having smooth tangential transitions between adjacent smooth surfaces, the smooth surfaces including the spherical center portion in combination with a plurality of annular surfaces. A method of forming a combustion chamber is also included.

Abstract: A combustion chamber assembly (and a piston having the combustion chamber assembly) for use in a diesel engine, includes a combustion chamber being defined in a crown of a piston, the combustion chamber having a central axis, and having a center portion being raised above a bottom plane of the combustion chamber. The center portion of the combustion chamber is defined in part by a portion of a sphere, the sphere having a radius, the origin of the radius lying on the combustion chamber central axis. The combustion chamber has a plurality of curved surfaces having smooth tangential transitions between adjacent smooth surfaces, the smooth surfaces including the spherical center portion in combination with a plurality of annular surfaces. A method of forming a combustion chamber is also included.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly for unseating a seated traveling valve ball, and pumps utilizing such an assembly. The assembly generally includes a tubular member having therein a piston with an actuator for engaging the ball. Mechanical advantage is provided either by providing a sealing area of the piston that is greater than the sealing area of the seat valve and/or by providing a engaging member suitable to strike to seated ball asymmetrically with respect to the vertical axis through the center line of the ball.

Abstract: A downhole sucker rod pump especially well adapted for use in pumping thick oils and oils containing particles of sand or rock includes helical grooves or apertures for producing an intermittent unidirectional rotation of the plunger without appreciably restricting the flow of oil through the pump. This rotation distributes wear more uniformly around the plunger. In a first embodiment, helical apertures are provided in the cage portion at the upper end of the plunger. Because of their large axial extent, these apertures collectively provide an outlet of large area for the oil, and thus restrict the flow only slightly. Because of their inclination these apertures produce a torque on the cage and plunger. In a second embodiment, a second plunger is attached to the upper end of the cage. The second plunger includes helical grooves in its cylindrical outer surface.

Abstract: A piston engine having a piston (13) journalled in radial direction with respect to the direction of movement. The rotation-free piston (13) is centered by means of two pairs of dynamic groove bearings (41,43), (47,49) with respect to a cylinder axis (39). The piston engine is particularly suitable for use in cryo-coolers.

Abstract: The invention relates to reciprocating machines with pistons being lubricated by a gas film which is built-up by rotation of the piston in the cylinder, both piston and cylinder consisting preferably of ceramic materials. The invention relates furthermore to engines comprising rotating pistons.

Abstract: A piston cooling oil delivery tube assembly for an internal combustion engine for use in directing cooling oil from a manifold into the coolant opening of an associated piston is formed with a rigid bracket and nozzle assembly attachable to a cylinder liner and forming a nonflexible prealigned portion of the coolant delivery tube passage and a connecting tube member forming a connector portion of limited flexibility between the cylinder liner and the crankcase mounted manifold. Various other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting the lubrication of expansible chamber devices of the type having a cylinder with a piston reciprocating therein and having fluid flowing in and out of the chamber. The invention is particularly suitable for free piston Stirling engines and pumps. A torque force is applied to the piston causing it to spin sufficiently to entrain and drag along its outer surface some of the fluid in the expansible chamber so as to separate its outer surface from the wall of the cylinder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a free piston Stirling engine in which a structure for aiding in the lubrication of the engine is provided. The piston of the Stirling engine is provided with turbine surfaces, such as blades. Working fluid entering the cylinder chamber applies a spin torque to the piston thereby causing the piston to spin and entrain gas about its perimeter for hydrodynamic gas lubrication.

Abstract: A unitary packing especially suitable for use in pumps which transport liquids such as water-based solutions or suspensions includes a generally concave working face having an outer cylindrical annular flange, a generally convex opposed face preshaped for complementary overlying engagement with the working side of a pump piston. The packing, during use, is characterized by substantially reduced stresses and an extended life when compared with conventional packings. The packing may also be structured for occasional axial rotation with respect to the cylinder wall of the pump, which rotation may be enhanced by providing a force-directing element on the concave working face of the packing, this occasional rotation serving to circumferentially reorient the outer cylindrical annular flange of the packing with respect to the inner wall of the pump cylinder to thereby uniformly distribute wear caused by imperfections such as occlusions in the cylinder lining.

Abstract: A reciprocating engine including a block having at least one cylinder therein, a piston reciprocally received in the cylinder and having a crown, a depending skirt and a ring-receiving groove on the skirt near the crown. The piston has a central cavity terminating near the crown and a coolant-receiving passage in heat exchange relationship to the groove. A nozzle is stationarily mounted on the engine and has first and second jets, the first jet directing coolant to the cavity and the second jet directing coolant to the coolant-receiving passage, both for all operating positions of the piston within the cylinder. A filtered oil supply for the nozzle is provided.