Abstract: A composite engine component comprises a body having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface. The body of the engine component is of unitary, integral, one-piece construction and comprises a radially inner section and a radially outer section having different material compositions. The radially inner section and the radially outer section of the body are welded together using a magnetic pulse welding process in which a metallurgical bond is formed along a bonding interface between the inner and outer sections of the body.

Abstract: Exemplary oil control rings and methods are disclosed. An oil control ring may include an upper lamella having a first outer radial surface and a lower lamella having a second outer radial surface. An expander ring is in communication with the upper lamella and the lower lamella and generates an expander radial outward force on the lamellas. At least one of the first outer radial surface and the second outer radial surface is comprised of a first contact section and a first tapered section. The first tapered section is configured to generate a first radially inward force greater than or equal to the expander radial outward force when moved in a first direction and a second radially inward force less than the expander radial outward force when moved in a second direction.

Abstract: A composite engine component comprises a body having an outer circumferential surface and an inner circumferential surface. The body of the engine component is of unitary, integral, one-piece construction and comprises a radially inner section and a radially outer section having different material compositions. The radially inner section and the radially outer section of the body are welded together using a magnetic pulse welding process in which a metallurgical bond is formed along a bonding interface between the inner and outer sections of the body.

Abstract: Exemplary oil control rings and methods are disclosed. An oil control ring may include an upper lamella having a first outer radial surface and a lower lamella having a second outer radial surface. An expander ring is in communication with the upper lamella and the lower lamella and generates an expander radial outward force on the lamellas. At least one of the first outer radial surface and the second outer radial surface is comprised of a first contact section and a first tapered section. The first tapered section is configured to generate a first radially inward force greater than or equal to the expander radial outward force when moved in a first direction and a second radially inward force less than the expander radial outward force when moved in a second direction.

Abstract: Exemplary pistons and oil control ring assemblies are disclosed, along with methods of making and using the same. An exemplary piston assembly includes a main body defining an outer circumferentially disposed groove, and an oil control ring assembly selectively disposed within the outer circumferentially disposed groove. The oil control ring assembly may include upper and lower oil control rails selectively disposed within the piston groove, each having a respective seal surface configured to seal against a piston bore surface of an engine. The oil control ring assembly may further an expander selectively disposed in the groove. The expander may be configured to push the upper and lower oil control rails radially outward to contact the piston bore surface. The upper and lower oil control rings may define different radial widths.

Abstract: An example solid state switching arrangement includes at least one bus bar configured to carry electrical current and at least one switch that is silicon carbide based. The switch is secured relative to the bus bar and the bus bar is configured to communicate thermal energy away from the switch. An example method of arranging a switch includes mounting a silicon carbide based switch relative to a bus bar and communication thermal energy away from the silicon carbide based switch using the bus bar.

Abstract: A piston has a body with a first circumferentially disposed groove. A first ring is movably disposed within the first groove. The first ring defines an inner circumferential groove. A blocking ring is at least partially located in the groove of the first ring and the groove of the piston. One or more vent passages may connect a first volume in the piston to a second volume outside the piston.

Abstract: A solid state switching arrangement includes at least one bus bar configured to carry electrical current and at least one switch that is gallium nitride based. The switch is secured relative to the bus bar and the bus bar is configured to communicate heat away from the switch. An example method of arranging a switch includes mounting a gallium nitride based switch relative to a bus bar and communication heat away from the gallium nitride based switch using the bus bar.

Abstract: A power distribution system has a bus bar and a gallium nitride based semiconductor switch interrupting the bus bar. A controller is electrically coupled to, and controlling, the semiconductor switch.

Abstract: An example solid state switching arrangement includes at least one bus bar configured to carry electrical current and at least one switch that is silicon carbide based. The switch is secured relative to the bus bar and the bus bar is configured to communicate thermal energy away from the switch. An example method of arranging a switch includes mounting a silicon carbide based switch relative to a bus bar and communication thermal energy away from the silicon carbide based switch using the bus bar.

Abstract: A piston has a body with a first circumferentially disposed groove. A first ring is movably disposed within the first groove. The first ring defines an inner circumferential groove. A blocking ring is at least partially located in the groove of the first ring and the groove of the piston. One or more vent passages may connect a first volume in the piston to a second volume outside the piston.

Abstract: A secondary seal is provided for an internal combustion engine having a piston, cylinder bore, ring seal, secondary seal, and leak path. Forces are applied from the combustion side of the piston through a cylinder gap and a leak path to the secondary seal. The secondary seal, seated on the piston and ring seal, transmits the forces generally axially to the piston and ring seal, thereby controllably limiting the radial force between the ring seal and cylinder bore.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing microwelding of a piston ring installed in a circumferential groove of a piston, wherein the ring has at least one piston groove engaging surface which is coated with a polyaryletherketone polymer. This composition provides critical lubrication during the piston and piston ring break-in period and prevents localized high pressure, and high temperature areas that promote microwelding.

Abstract: A system for preventing scuffing of a cylinder wall by a piston ring includes a piston ring, the piston ring including a surface, wherein the surface of the piston ring is coated with tungsten disulfide. The coating provides lubrication during the piston and piston ring break-in period and prevents localized high pressure and high temperature areas that produce scuffing.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing microwelding of a piston ring installed in a circumferential groove of a piston, wherein the ring has at least one piston groove engaging surface which is coated with a polyaryletherketone polymer. This composition provides critical lubrication during the piston and piston ring break-in period and prevents localized high pressure, and high temperature areas that promote microwelding.

Abstract: A piston is disclosed having both downwardly and upwardly inclined piston ring grooves, the grooves being angled less than approximately ten degrees with respect to a horizontally extending axis. In a preferred embodiment, the grooves are less than approximately three degrees in inclination and in a most preferred embodiment, the inclination is less than approximately one degree. The grooves for the combustion seal are angled upwardly from an outer diameter of the piston to adjust for thermal drooping of the piston rings received within the grooves. The grooves for the oil-control seal are angled downwardly so that oil is scraped downwardly, but the oil control ring hydroplanes over the oil when the piston moves upwardly.

Abstract: Pistons having holes extending from an outer face on piston lands to an interior portion of a piston are disclosed. The holes are used for venting blow-by gasses so that an oil control ring may more effectively scrape a cylinder wall. The holes are covered with special check valves to allow the gasses to be vented while not allowing oil to be pumped from the interior portion of the piston to the cylinder walls.

Abstract: An oil ring assembly comprising a pair of split rails and a piston ring spacer/expander on which said rails are mounted. Each rail is provided with a radially inwardly extending protrusion that lies substantially entirely within the thickness of the rail. The protrusion extends into and engages the spacer expander to limit the circumferential movement of the rail relative to the spacer/expander.