Abstract: Pistons and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston assembly may include a piston crown and skirt. The crown may include a crown collar wall extending downward toward a free end of the crown collar wall. The skirt may include a pair of oppositely disposed pin bosses that each define piston pin bores configured to receive a piston pin for securing a connecting rod between the pin bosses. The skirt may further include a radially inner skirt mating surface abutted along a radially inner interface region with the radially inner crown mating surface, and a radially outer skirt mating surface abutted along a radially outer interface region with the radially outer crown mating surface such that a cooling gallery is substantially enclosed. The skirt may further include an inner collar wall extending upwards to the free end of the crown collar wall.

Abstract: An exemplary system and method for welding a piston assembly includes a piston assembly having a cooling gallery and a loose granulated medium positioned therein. The cooling gallery is formed by a piston body and a cooling gallery ring, and a welder such as a laser welder is positioned proximate the assembly to weld the piston body to the cooling gallery ring. During welding, the assembly is rotated and the loose granulated medium is caused to remain in a gravitationally low portion of the cooling gallery. The weld is formed in an area proximate the loose granulated medium such that weld spatter emitted during welding is emitted into the loose granulated medium.

Abstract: A piston assembly and method of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston assembly may include a multi-piece skirt secured to a piston crown having a ring belt portion defining a cooling gallery. The crown may include one or more a struts extending away from the ring belt portion to define a wrist pin bore(s). The piston skirt assembly may include two separate portions that each have at least one skirt support securing the respective skirt portion to the strut. A cover plate may be provided that is secured between a radially inner surface of the ring belt portion of the crown and a radially outer surface of the strut, such that the cover plate defines in part the cooling gallery.

Abstract: A piston assembly and method of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston assembly may include a multi-piece skirt secured to a piston crown having a ring belt portion defining a cooling gallery. The crown may include one or more a struts extending away from the ring belt portion to define a wrist pin bore(s). The piston skirt assembly may include two separate portions that each have at least one skirt support securing the respective skirt portion to the strut. A cover plate may be provided that is secured between a radially inner surface of the ring belt portion of the crown and a radially outer surface of the strut, such that the cover plate defines in part the cooling gallery.

Abstract: An exemplary system and method for welding a piston assembly includes a piston assembly having a cooling gallery and a loose granulated medium positioned therein. The cooling gallery is formed by a piston body and a cooling gallery ring, and a welder such as a laser welder is positioned proximate the assembly to weld the piston body to the cooling gallery ring. During welding, the assembly is rotated and the loose granulated medium is caused to remain in a gravitationally low portion of the cooling gallery. The weld is formed in an area proximate the loose granulated medium such that weld spatter emitted during welding is emitted into the loose granulated medium.

Abstract: Pistons and methods of making the same are disclosed. An exemplary piston assembly may include a piston crown and skirt. The crown may include a crown collar wall extending downward toward a free end of the crown collar wall. The skirt may include a pair of oppositely disposed pin bosses that each define piston pin bores configured to receive a piston pin for securing a connecting rod between the pin bosses. The skirt may further include a radially inner skirt mating surface abutted along a radially inner interface region with the radially inner crown mating surface, and a radially outer skirt mating surface abutted along a radially outer interface region with the radially outer crown mating surface such that a cooling gallery is substantially enclosed. The skirt may further include an inner collar wall extending upwards to the free end of the crown collar wall.