Abstract: The present disclosure relates to piston assembly comprising a piston having a circumferential groove and a ring groove insert within the circumferential groove of the piston. Particularly, the ring groove insert is a second material different from a first material of the piston. The second material has at least one of the following: a) a density from 90% to 120% of a density of the first material; b) a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) from 50% to 90% of a CTE of the first material; or c) a thermal conductivity greater than a thermal conductivity of the first material.

Abstract: A piston ring is made from a copper-nickel-silicon-chromium alloy. This material permits the top compression ring of a piston to be moved closer to the piston crown, reducing crevice volume and reducing the tendency for pre-Ignition. Ignition timing advance can be realized by installing the rings and letting the ECU advance the timing as the sensors allow, increasing efficiency. Also, shorter pistons and longer connecting rods are possible. The shorter pistons reduces the reciprocated mass in the engine and the longer connecting rods reduce the frictional loss caused by radial forces pushing the piston against the liner. Both reducing volume and tendency for pre-ignition increase engine efficiency.

Abstract: A piston ring is made from a copper-nickel-silicon-chromium alloy. This material permits the top compression ring of a piston to be moved closer to the piston crown, reducing crevice volume and reducing the tendency for pre-ignition. Ignition timing advance can be realized by installing the rings and letting the ECU advance the timing as the sensors allow, increasing efficiency. Also, shorter pistons and longer connecting rods are possible. The shorter pistons reduces the reciprocated mass in the engine and the longer connecting rods reduce the frictional loss caused by radial forces pushing the piston against the liner. Both reducing volume and tendency for pre-ignition increase engine efficiency.

Abstract: A continuously cast copper ingot is made by a procedure in which turbulence is imparted to the metal/solid interface during the casting operation. The ingot is then hot worked to form a billet having a smaller average grain size and a larger diameter than possible in the past. The billet is especially useful for making electroplating anodes used in the damascene process for making copper interconnects in silicon wafers.

Abstract: A continuously cast copper ingot is made by a procedure in which turbulence is imparted to the metal/solid interface during the casting operation. The ingot is then hot worked to form a billet having a smaller average grain size and a larger diameter than possible in the past. The billet is especially useful for making electroplating anodes used in the damascene process for making copper interconnects in silicon wafers.

Abstract: An improved thin walled threaded spacer for use in preventing thread galling in adjacent sections of drill pipe in a drill string is formed by mechanically deforming a strip of copper/beryllium alloy containing 2% beryllium to form a preform having a hollow, truncated conical section and then mechanically deforming the conical section to impart helical grooves therein.