Patents Assigned to Metal Leve S.A.
  • Patent number: 8157268
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston ring (10), particularly a compression ring, for an internal combustion engine, comprising a ring-shaped body (11) having a ring joint (13) formed by butt ends (14a, 14b), the ring-shaped body (11) further having a ring contact face (12) along its perimeter, for contacting a cylinder wall in operation. According to the invention, the ring contact face (12) has a barrel-shaped profile, the barrel-shaped profile having in any of its cross-sections an area of maximum curvature, whose radius of curvature increases in the direction of the butt ends (14a, 14b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: MAHLE International GmbH, MAHLE Metal Leve S/A
    Inventors: Antonio Eduardo Meirelles Tomanik, Mauricio Ciminelli Duarte de Souza
  • Patent number: 8104771
    Abstract: An oil-control ring for an internal combustion engine, to be mounted between the sidewalls of a respective groove of a piston has two ring segments and an annular expander disposed between the two ring segments and presenting a support body defining a seating plane for each ring segment. The ring has at least one expander portion axially projecting from the support body of the expander, beyond at least one of the seating planes of a ring segment, and at least one superficial irregularity provided in at least one of the ring segments and which is dimensioned to be contained in the thickness of the respective ring segment and to interfere with at least one expander portion, in order to rotatively lock the ring segment in relation to the expander.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: MAHLE International GmbH, MAHLE Metal Leve S.A.
    Inventors: André Ferrarese, Samantha Uehara
  • Patent number: 7891669
    Abstract: The invention relates to a piston ring for internal combustion engines, the piston ring comprises a steel or cast iron base material with a coating of chromium nitride deposited by a physical vapor deposition process on a sliding surface of the piston ring, wherein the coating is composed of a columnar crystal structure of CrN with the following features: (a) an oxygen content in solid solution of 0.5 to 2.5 wt %; (b) a content of uniformly dispersed micro-pores of less than 10% in volume of the coating; and (c) an X-ray diffraction intensity ratio of (111) planes to (200) planes parallel to the surface in the range of 0.80 to 1.20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignees: Mahle International GmbH, Mahle Metal Leve S.A.
    Inventors: Juliano Avelar Araujo, Gisela Ablas Marques, Jose Valentim Lima Sarabanda, Robert Richard Banfield
  • Patent number: 7833636
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston ring for an internal combustion engine, the piston ring comprises a sulphide rich compound layer forming a surface layer, said sulphide rich compound layer comprising an iron nitride matrix with iron sulphide (FeS) inclusions embedded in said matrix, said sulphide rich compound layer having a sulphur content of 1 to 4 wt % S and a nitrogen content of 10 to 20 wt % N.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignees: MAHLE International GmbH, MAHLE Metal Leve, S.A.
    Inventors: Juliano Avelar Araujo, Gisela Ablas Marques, Jose Valentim Lima Sarabanda
  • Publication number: 20060266322
    Abstract: The present invention provides a piston for an internal combustion engine. The design of the piston is such that the contact between the piston ring and the groove, during operation and especially in the moments of higher pressure on the ring, is as distributed as possible, in order to minimize the wear rate of the lateral walls of the groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Applicant: Mahle Metal Leve S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Tomanik, Clayton Zabeu, Germano De Almeida, Jose Lopes
  • Patent number: 6221515
    Abstract: A bimetallic strip for a sliding bearing having a sliding strip of an aluminum alloy which is adhered to a steel supporting strip and method of manufacture. The composition of the sliding strip is from 3 to 30% of tin; from 1 to 6% of silicon and the remainder being of aluminum and impurities, and the sliding strip has at least 95% of the silicon hard particles smaller than 3.5 microns and an aluminum grain average size of about 6 microns. The sliding strip is produced by roll casting the alloy and attaching the sliding strip to the steel supporting strip to form the bimetallic strip which is heat treated between 200° and 380° C. to obtain a metallurgical bonding between the strips; subjecting the bimetallic strip to a solubilizing process of the intermetallic compounds of the aluminum alloy by heating at 380-500° C., followed by cooling; and subjecting the bimetallic strip to a precipitation treatment at a temperature from 150° to 250° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Joaquim de Oliveira Ramos Júnior, Denys da Cuhna Flores, Carlos Henrique Gaspar dos Santos
  • Patent number: 6112715
    Abstract: A piston which has a diameter of about 70 to about 100 mm and which is preferably produced with a resistant, malleable alloy having low density (lower than about 3 g/cm.sup.3) and mechanical properties at high temperatures such that a yield stress greater than about 120 Mpa at temperatures of the order of 300.degree. C. to 350.degree. C. is obtained. In the preferred embodiment, the piston is a single piece piston, comprising a head portion of diameter D ranging from about 70 to about 100 mm and a skirt portion downwardly projected from the head portion and inside which is provided a pair of wrist pin bosses, each having a hole with a diameter d and axial extension L for bearing the articulating wrist pin of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Metal Leve S.A. Industria E. Comercio
    Inventors: Eduardo Bueno Nigro, Jose Valentim Lima Sarabanda, Marcos Clemente, Germano Moreira de Almeida
  • Patent number: 5628577
    Abstract: Wrist pin for a two-piece piston, having a cylindrical external surface (41) and an internal surface with an internal diameter, throughout the length of the pin (40). The end portions of the pin have a reduced internal wall thickness between the outer half of the supporting face of the bosses (50), where there exclusively occur bending moment and shearing force applied by the inertia of the skirt (20) and of the moving assembly (100). The reduction in the internal wall thickness is obtained by the increase in the internal diameter of the pin (40) at the end portions, through two different end revolution surfaces (43, 44) each having respective a generatrix which is at least substantially straight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1997
    Assignee: Metal Leve S.A. Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Jose Do Ribeiro, Luis M. Lopes, Jose M. Leites
  • Patent number: 5588351
    Abstract: A two-piece, or articulated, piston head for internal combustion engines having top and pin boss portions in which the underside of the top portion is provided with a groove whose inner wall is eccentric in relation to the longitudinal axis; of the top and the upper side of the top portion is provided with a combustion bowl eccentric in relation to the top portion longitudinal axis and concentric with the inner wall of the groove on the underside of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Andre Lippai, Jorge K. Tanigami, Paulo T. Dellanoce
  • Patent number: 5560334
    Abstract: Piston with a reinforcing insert, presenting a top face (11) with a recessed combustion chamber (12) provided with a lateral peripheral wall, defined by the annular insert (20), which presents an internal end face (24) with a radial extension (d.sub.1) that is substantially smaller than the radial extension (d.sub.2) of the opposite external end face (22) of the annular insert (20). The radial thickness of the insert (20) varies along the profile of its external peripheral face (23), in order to maintain a value necessary to meet the requirements of structural reinforcement of the piston (10), at the region where the insert (20) is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Metal Leve S.A. Industria E. Comercio
    Inventors: Georg Daxer, Jose Leites
  • Patent number: 5394788
    Abstract: A cooled piston head and method of manufacture, the piston head having a closed cooling chamber. In one embodiment, the piston head is formed of a top member, an intermediate member and a pin boss member joined to each other preferably by welding; the top and intermediate members are provided with circumferential grooves which defines the closed cooling chamber. In an alternate embodiment, the head is formed of a top member and a pin boss member joined together preferably by welding; the closed cooling chamber is defined by circumferential grooves provided on both members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria e Comercio
    Inventors: Jose A. C. Mendes, Jose M. M. Leites, Andre Lippai
  • Patent number: 5359922
    Abstract: A method to manufacture an articulated piston head wherein the two portions composing the head, i.e. the top portion and the pin boss portion, are formed separately from blanks of forged or cast chromium-molybdenum steel or a low alloy steel, subjected to preliminary machining operations, joined together by friction welding and then machined to final dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1994
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Jose M. Martins Leites, Jose A. Cardoso Mendes, Andre Lippai, Paulo T. Dellanoce
  • Patent number: 5317958
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a cooled piston head in which the upper and lower portions of the piston head are made separately a metal plate is placed on the lower side of the upper portion; then the upper portion incorporating the metal plate is joined to the lower portion by friction welding. The metal plate is provided with a central hole for the passage of cooling oil onto the undercrown, and means of communication with a closed cooling chamber defined by a circumferential groove on the head upper portion and the peripheral outer surface of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Jose M. Martins Leites, Jose A. Cardoso Mendes, Andre Lippai
  • Patent number: 5309818
    Abstract: A cooled piston head and method of manufacture, the piston head having a closed cooling chamber. In one embodiment, the piston head is formed of a top member, an intermediate member and a pin boss member joined to each other preferably by welding; the top and intermediate members are provided with circumferential grooves which defines the closed cooling chamber. In an alternate embodiment, the head is formed of a top member and a pin boss member joined together preferably by welding; the closed cooling chamber is defined by circumferential grooves provided on both members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1994
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E. Comercio
    Inventors: Jose A. C. Mendes, Jose M. M. Leites, Andre Lippai
  • Patent number: 5284393
    Abstract: A sliding bearing (10) having an inner surface (13a) provided with at least one circumferential recess (15, 16) extending over a portion of the axial dimensions of the inner surface (13).The recess (15, 16) is located over one portion of the inner surface (13a) which is subjected to a peak oil film pressure (POFP) higher than a minimum value previously calculated for, and/or located up to 45 degrees upstream considering the rotation direction of the shaft, in one region of the inner surface (13a) where the minimum oil film thickness (MOFT) is less than a value previously calculated. Each circumferential recess (15, 16) is defined by a maximum radial depth E, a circumferential range given by the angle .alpha., which vary according to construction and operational features of the bearing (10), in order to cause the values of pressure and/or oil film thickness to meet values previously calculated for the bearing (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: Metal Leve S.A. Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Durval Duarte, Jr., Manfred Kaufmann, Jr., Mario Sergio Praca, Walter Zottin
  • Patent number: 5245752
    Abstract: A two-piece, or articulated, piston head for internal combustion engines and the method for obtaining same. The top and pin boss portions composing the head are obtained separately from blanks; the underside of the top portion is provided with a groove whose inner wall is eccentric in relation to the top longitudinal axis; the two portions are joined together by welding; the upper side of the top portion is provided with a combustion bowl eccentric in relation to the top portion longitudinal axis and concentric with the inner wall of the groove on the underside of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria e Comercio
    Inventors: Andre Lippai, Jorge K. Tanigami, Paulo T. Dellanoce
  • Patent number: 5230148
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a cooled piston head in which the upper and lower portions of the piston head are made separately; a metal plate is placed on the lower side of the upper portion; the upper portion incorporating the metal plate is joined to the lower portion by friction welding. The metal plate is provided with a central hole for the passage of cooling oil onto the undercrown, and means of communication with a closed cooling chamber defined by a circumferential groove on the head upper portion and the peripheral outer surface of the metal plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Jose M. Martins Leites, Jose A. Cardoso Mendes, Andre Lippai
  • Patent number: 5207147
    Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a piston head having a cooling chamber is disclosed. The two portions composing the piston head are made separately; the underside of the upper portion is provided with a circumferential peripheral groove; notches are provided on both sides of the open end of the circumferential peripheral groove; a circumferential annular plate is placed on the notches thereby closing the circumferential peripheral groove; the two portions making up the head are joined to each other by welding and cause the inner edge of the annular plate to be retained in the piston head and become an integral part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: Metal Leve S/A Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Jose M. M. Leites, Jose A. C. Mendes, Andre Lippai
  • Patent number: 5181785
    Abstract: A bearing halfshell for internal combustion engine connecting rods with its inner surface having a substantially constant radius of curvature from a central plane of symmetry to two portions of the inner surface located one on each side of the central plane of symmetry and on a corresponding radial plane. The radial plane forms an acute angle .alpha. with a bearing parting plane, the remaining end portions of the inner surface from the radial plane to the end of the bearing being defined by surfaces with extra relief so that the bearing thickness gradually decreases away from the central plane of symmetry in an accentuated manner as compared to the constant radius of curvature of the inner surface. Thereby, two chambers are formed in the end portions, with an eccentricity .epsilon., of the inner surface ensuring a stable film of oil between the bearing halfshell and a corresponding shaft, and reducing the operating temperature of the bearing halfshell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Metal Leve S.A. Industria E Comercio
    Inventors: Durval Bencini, Mario S. Da Silva Praca
  • Patent number: 5156729
    Abstract: A method of making a plain bearing sliding layer for use in internal combustion engines, comprising the immersion of a metal substrate in a chemical solution containing copper, tin and lead salts to which is added one of the compounds represented by the following three exemplary structures: ##STR1## where X is one of the chemical elements selected from sulphur and nitrogen, --C represents one carbon atom, and radicals R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 represent the allowed variations, from a single hydrogen atom up to the typical structures of inorganic compounds or aliphatic, aromatic or cyclic chain organic radicals. The chemical solution is subjected to an electric current with a density and potential controlled as a function of time, thereby effecting the selective electrodeposition of the solution elements on the substrate so as to form successive and alternate layers of softer material and harder material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: Metal Leve, S.A.
    Inventors: Duraid Mahrus, Ademir Carubelli