Piston Ring Inserter Or Remover Patents (Class 29/222)
  • Patent number: 11458605
    Abstract: A packing insertion tool for inserting a packing stack into a cylinder of a piston pump includes a packing holder on which the packing stack is mounted. The packing holder includes a body, a handle disposed at a first end of the body, and a plurality of fingers disposed at a second end of the body. The fingers extend axially from the body and the packing stack is mounted on the fingers, between the body and a retaining feature disposed at a distal end of the fingers. The fingers can flex to allow the diameter of the distal end of the fingers to change as the packing stack slides on to and off of the fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Jeromy D. Horning, William M. Blenkush, August F. Legatt
  • Patent number: 11079048
    Abstract: At least one adjustable clamp device is disclosed that includes a catch member, a base member, a latch member and a fine adjustment mechanism and is designed to clamp to a targeted object in a secure fashion. At least one quick release clamp device is disclosed that includes a catch member, a base member, a latch member, and a quick release mechanism and is designed to clamp to a targeted object in a secure fashion and to be quickly removable from the targeted object. At least one method for using the adjustable clamp device is disclosed that includes: wrapping an adjustable clamp device around a targeted object; placing a tool around the adjustable clamp device; squeezing the tool and thereby squeezing the adjustable clamp device around the targeted object; and causing the latch member to operably connect to the catch member in a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: TKO CLAMPING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy L. Magagna, Stanford L. Caldwell, Shea S. Caldwell, Kary R. Christopherson, Craig L. Sandstrom
  • Patent number: 10968952
    Abstract: A multi-row rolling bearing unit including an outer ring and at least two inner rings, between which rolling bodies are guided, and an elastic securing ring which engages in annular grooves of the inner rings, the securing ring having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile with two flanks which engage in the annular grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bernd Barthel, Lukas Schraut
  • Patent number: 10836004
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a component and a component manufacturing apparatus to attach an attached part in a predetermined posture to a ring-shaped channel formed in an outer circumference of a component main body. While being held by holding portions, a ring-shaped seal body is placed in contact with a tapered portion and has its diameter expanded to at least the outer diameter of the component main body. The seal body elastically deforms from the expanded-diameter state so that its diameter reduces and is attached to the attachment channel in the outer circumferential surface of the component main body while being guided by the holding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: HIRATA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Noda
  • Patent number: 10350739
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for installing a piston ring onto a piston include a piston ring feeder having at least one projection feature and a receiving aperture. Methods include receiving a piston end having a piston groove into the receiving aperture until the piston groove is above piston rings on the piston ring feeder and below projection feature top ends; raising a ring to partially snap into the piston groove with ring ends separated by a first projection feature and the ring wrapped around a second projection feature; raising the piston such that the ring is pulled off the second projection feature while the first projection feature separates the ring ends; and raising the piston such that the first projection feature releases the ring ends and the ring fully snaps into the piston groove to form a gap between the ring ends of the ring seated in the piston groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America
    Inventor: David W. Newberry
  • Patent number: 9789571
    Abstract: An auxiliary device for installing piston rings is described, which includes a mounting base, a transmission device, a connecting rod and a bracing structure. The mounting base includes a platform, an opening hole and an accommodating space. The transmission device is disposed in the accommodating space and includes a guide screw rod, a sliding base and a motor. The sliding base is slidably screwed on the guide screw rod. The motor can drive the guide screw rod to move the sliding base. The connecting rod is disposed on the sliding base. An external diameter of the piston ring while being put around the connecting rod is greater than an inner diameter of the opening hole. The bracing structure is disposed on the connecting rod. An external diameter of the bracing structure is getting greater from one end connected to the connecting rod. The bracing structure can accommodate the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: C.T.I. Traffic Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Chieh Lu
  • Patent number: 9649754
    Abstract: A pipe coupling tool used for inserting and removing a plastic pipe coupling from one end of a plastic pipe or from opposite ends of a plastic pipe. The tool includes a handle with fork arms. A pair of link arms are attached to the fork arms and to a plunger. The plunger is received inside a plunger cylinder. A cylinder block is mounted on the plunger cylinder. The block includes a first “U” shaped pipe arm and a base plate. The first “U” shaped pipe arm adapted for engaging a first clamp grip when compressing or releasing the pipe coupling in the plastic pipe. A second “U” shaped pipe arm is attached to the plunger and adapted for engaging a second clamp grip when compressing or releasing the pipe coupling in the plastic pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Inventor: Steven Chalmers
  • Patent number: 9511486
    Abstract: A seal installation guide sleeve for installing a radial lip seal onto a shaft. The radial lip seal includes a flexible sealing lip. The guide sleeve includes a cylindrical lip engaging surface, and includes an annular flange portion extending from the cylindrical lip engaging surface. The guide sleeve also includes a plurality of tabs extending from the annular flange portion. The guide sleeve is pre-installed in the radial lip seal such that the flexible sealing lip engages the cylindrical lip engaging surface, thereby protecting the flexible sealing lip from damage as the radial lip seal is installed onto the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric T. Lammers, Allan N. Schott, Blake A. Metz
  • Patent number: 9297421
    Abstract: A piston assembly transportation and assembly apparatus and methods of transporting and installing a piston assembly therewith are provided. The apparatus maintains a piston assembly in its assembled state during transportation without allowing damage and contamination to the piston assembly. The apparatus also facilitates storage and installation of the piston assembly into a cylinder bore. The apparatus includes a housing having a bore bounded by an inner cylindrical surface extending from a first end of the housing toward a second end of the housing. A chamfered surface diverges radially outwardly from the first end to mate with an upper surface of a stuffing cone during assembly. The second end has a wall extending radially inwardly from the inner cylindrical surface to axially confront an upper crown of the piston assembly to both prevent the piston assembly from passing though the apparatus and to prevent contamination from entering the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Kim Armstrong
  • Publication number: 20140298631
    Abstract: A tool for removing a piston ring from a piston is provided. The tool includes a handle portion, an elongate portion, and a working portion. The elongate portion defines a longitudinal axis. The working portion includes a first section and a second section coupled to the first section at a pivot region. The first section is coupled to the elongate portion and is inclined at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis. A retaining member protrudes from the first section. The second section includes a leading edge. A thickness of the second section decreases continuously from the pivot region to the leading edge and a width of the second section increases continuously from the pivot region to the leading edge. The working portion includes a ramp member extending from an upper surface of the second section. The ramp member includes an engaging surface to engage a piston ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventors: Aaron M. Claver, Luis A. Vazquez, Trent A. Simpson
  • Patent number: 8640314
    Abstract: A piston assembly transportation and assembly apparatus and methods of transporting and installing a piston assembly therewith are provided. The apparatus maintains a piston assembly in its assembled state during transportation without allowing damage and contamination to the piston assembly. The apparatus also facilitates storage and installation of the piston assembly into a cylinder bore. The apparatus includes a housing having a bore bounded by an inner cylindrical surface extending from a first end of the housing toward a second end of the housing. A chamfered surface diverges radially outwardly from the first end to mate with an upper surface of a stuffing cone during assembly. The second end has a wall extending radially inwardly from the inner cylindrical surface to axially confront an upper crown of the piston assembly to both prevent the piston assembly from passing though the apparatus and to prevent contamination from entering the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Corporation
    Inventor: Kim Armstrong
  • Patent number: 8607426
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated valve spring assembly includes a head assembly with elongated passageways that movably support a pair of retainer keys. A pair of control members selectively close off the passageways. The head assembly further includes a moveable divider plate and a pair of jaws. A push member or rod closes off the passageways by shifting the control members upon movement of the pushrod. The pushrod also slides the retainer keys such that the retainer keys contact tapered inner surfaces of the jaws and rotate the jaws outwardly. The retainer keys are thereby axially positioned relative to the end of a valve stem. The retainer plate is then retracted, and the jaws shift inwardly and push or position the retainer keys on the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Air Way Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Paul Coggins, John Eric Ammond, Jack Patrick Moran, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8438715
    Abstract: A method of installing a snap ring, having opposed inner and outer diameters, onto an O-ring located in an annular groove of an anvil of an impact wrench includes providing a deformable base formed with an annular seat, seating the snap ring in into the annular seat, and applying the anvil of the impact wrench through the snap ring and into the deformable base applying the snap ring over the anvil and onto the O-ring located in the groove, wherein the anvil interacts with the snap ring in response to applying the anvil into and through the snap ring enlarging inner and outer diameters of the snap ring deforming the annular seat of the base allowing the snap ring to be received over the anvil and onto the O-ring located in the annular groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: John Aloysius Cronin
  • Patent number: 8302304
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for inserting a piston pin wire lock ring, particularly Circlips, into a locking groove of a wrist pin bore of a piston. The wire lock ring is radially pre-compressed and thus reduced in size in such a manner that its outside diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the piston wrist pin bore, by insertion of the ring into a sleeve/tube. While still in the sleeve/tube, the wire lock ring is subsequently inserted, in its compressed state, into the pin bore where it is then uncompressed and released into the locking groove of the piston bore through the use of a plunger inserted in the sleeve/tube to push the lock ring past the end of the sleeve/tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Steven Michael Stomski
  • Patent number: 7788777
    Abstract: A piston-ring-installing device including a base (110) having a through-hole (111); and a guide member (120) disposed in the through-hole and fixed to the base, for positioning a piston in the vertical direction while receiving a head of the piston that is suspended downwardly in the vertical direction, and guiding a piston ring while widening a diameter of the piston ring by an outer peripheral surface of the guide member. A piston pressing member (130) is disposed above the base and supported movably toward a concave part (121b) of the guide member. The piston pressing member has a tapered inner wall surface (131) that is widened downwardly so as to come into contact with an edge of an upper end of the piston. A driving mechanism (140) is disposed on the base, and the driving mechanism is operable to drive the piston pressing member at least in the vertical direction. Also provided is a ring feeding mechanism (150) that feeds the piston ring placed on the guide member upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventor: Kenichi Haratake
  • Patent number: 7757368
    Abstract: An installation device includes an extruding mechanism that horizontally extrudes a piston ring, positions the piston ring and, after extruding, is driven downwardly and then returned to a waiting position; a ring holding mechanism that has a guide passage for guiding the piston ring, that is driven so as to move close to and apart from a piston in one direction perpendicular to the extruding direction, and that is capable of defining an insertion hole for insertion of the piston; a ring diameter extending mechanism that extends the diameter of the piston ring, that is driven to enter and leave the guide passage of the ring holding mechanism, and that is reversely driven to a position for defining a part of the guide passage when the diameter-extended state of the piston ring is released; and a piston holding member that holds the piston at a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeru Uemura, Hiroyasu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7743501
    Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a substrate surrounded by a compressible mat into a compartment of a housing of an exhaust treatment device includes an insertion member having a bore shaped substantially identically to a shape of an opening to the housing compartment and a fluid bearing generator establishing a compressed fluid bearing at a surface of the bore. The fluid bearing is operative to reduce a coefficient of friction between the compressible mat and a surface of the bore when the substrate/mat combination is moved axially in the bore into the compartment opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J Kotrba, Keith G Olivier
  • Publication number: 20100050417
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for inserting a piston pin wire lock ring, particularly Circlips and the like, into a locking groove of a wrist pin bore of a piston. The wire lock ring is radially pre-compressed and thus reduced in size in such a manner that its outside diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the piston wrist pin bore. The wire lock ring is subsequently inserted, in its compressed state, into the pin bore where it is then uncompressed and released into the locking groove of the piston bore. A kit is disclosed for permitting the installation of a wire lock ring into a groove in a bore of a piston assembly. The disclosed invention comprises a cylindrical sleeve/tube and a plunger that slips into the sleeve/tube. The sleeve/tube has an outside diameter just slightly less than the diameter of the piston wrist pin bore containing the groove in which the lock ring is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: STEVEN MICHAEL STOMSKI
  • Publication number: 20090229098
    Abstract: A tool for preparing piston rings for installation on a piston to be mounted in a bore includes a first cylindrical bore section having an inner diameter equal in measurement to an inner diameter of the cylinder in which the piston is to be mounted. A second cylindrical bore section has an inner diameter smaller in measurement to an inner diameter of the cylinder in which the piston is to be mounted, and the second cylindrical bore section is coaxial with the first cylindrical bore section. A squaring shoulder separates the first cylindrical bore section from the second cylindrical bore section, the squaring shoulder being oriented perpendicular to the axis of the bore sections. The first cylindrical bore section is adapted and constructed to receive piston rings to be mounted on the piston within the cylinder so that the rings are inserted and removed in the shaping process, thus preventing damage from insertion and removal into the cylinder itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Jeff Esterly
  • Publication number: 20080309020
    Abstract: A method of installing annular seals on a plunger. A first step involves positioning an annular seal on a seal installation tool adapted to hold the annular seal in an expanded state. A second step involves positioning the annular seal so that the annular seal overlies a body of a plunger. A third step involves transferring the annular seal from the seal installation tool to a seal groove in the body of the plunger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: FOURTH DIMENSION DESIGNS LTD.
    Inventor: Murray R. TOWNSEND
  • Publication number: 20080295331
    Abstract: A process for inserting a piston pin locking ring, particular slotted snap ring, into a locking groove of a pin bore of a piston. The piston pin locking ring is radially pre-tightened and reduced in size in a first step in such a manner that its outside diameter becomes smaller than the inner diameter of the pin bore. The piston pin locking ring is subsequently introduced in the pre-tightened state into the pin bore without contact and without contacting the inner wall of the pin bore and is brought in position inside the pin bore in the area of the locking groove. Then the piston pin locking ring is freed by a relaxing and loosening of the tightening force and by springing into the locking groove and is thus fixed in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Mahle Konig Kommanditgesellschaft GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Siegfried Stemer
  • Patent number: 7345293
    Abstract: A piston-ring inspecting device includes a sensor unit (27) including a light emitting system (27a) that emits slit-like detection light toward an outer peripheral surface (Ps) of a piston (P) and an outer peripheral surface (2c) of a piston ring (2) and a light receiving image system (27b) that receives light reflected from the outer peripheral surfaces so as to form an image; an image calculating means that subjects image information obtained by the sensor unit to numerical processing and that calculates a tilt angle of the outer peripheral surface of the piston ring with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the piston; and a controller (30) including a judgment means that, based on arithmetical information obtained by the image calculating means and preset standard information, judges whether or not the piston ring has been fitted in a predetermined direction. Accordingly, an inspection can be performed without scanning, through a simple analysis process, in a short time, and with high accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hirata Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Wakatsuki, Haruo Tsutsumi
  • Patent number: 7146724
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of assembling a modular internal combustion engine. The modular engine includes a cast crankcase having an open top and a closed bottom, a mid-plate, and an extruded cylinder bore block. A pre-assembled crankshaft with bearings, connecting rods, and pistons with piston rings are all placed through the open top crankcase. The mid-plate partially houses the assembled components over top the crankcase as the connecting rods and pistons extend through and above. Next, the piston rings are simultaneously compressed and the cylinder block is located over the pistons. The pistons with piston rings are inserted into cylinder bores through the bottom surface of the cylinder block and the assembly is completed. This method is performed with the help of a fixture for compressing and positioning the piston rings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Alexander Millerman
  • Patent number: 7114228
    Abstract: A spring compressor comprising an actuator with a body and a rod that are telescopically movable relative to each other and two jaws each comprising an attachment portion (2) for attachment to the actuator and a working portion (3) for engaging a turn of a helical spring (8, 9), the working portion (3) of each jaw comprising a first part (4) and a second part (12), one of the parts being connected to the attachment portion (2) and defining a track segment (5) for bearing against a portion of a spring turn, and the other part forming an arm (12) hinged to the attachment portion (2) or to the first part (4) in the vicinity of one end (5c) of the track segment (5) about an axis (11) that is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the track segment (5), and forming at its free end a zone for taking charge of a turn of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Mecanique Energetique
    Inventor: Patrick Lambert
  • Patent number: 6789313
    Abstract: A piston-pin lock-ring-insertion tool has a ring-insertion tube (1) in ring-insertion relationship to a ring pusher (2). The ring-insertion tube has an inside periphery with a press-close taper (8) that is tapered inwardly from a ring-feeder end (6) to a ring-guide bore (9) that is cylindrical uniformly intermediate the press-close taper and a ring-insertion end of the ring-insertion tube. The ring-insertion end (7) of the ring-insertion tube has a perpendicularity surface (10) that is adapted for alignment of the ring-guide bore and a piston-pin bore (4) in a crankshaft-engine piston (5). The ring pusher has a pusher taper (26) with a pusher head (12) adapted for being buttressed against a side of lock ring (3) for pushing the lock ring from a major diameter to a minor diameter of the press-close taper proximate a circumferential entrance to the ring-guide bore. The ring pusher has a slide rod (13) that is oppositely disposed end-to-end from the pusher head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Inventor: George P. Hendricks
  • Publication number: 20040093728
    Abstract: A piston-pin lock-ring-insertion tool has a ring-insertion tube (1) in ring-insertion relationship to a ring pusher (2). The ring-insertion tube has an inside periphery with a press-close taper (8) that is tapered inwardly from a ring-feeder end (6) to a ring-guide bore (9) that is cylindrical uniformly intermediate the press-close taper and a ring-insertion end of the ring-insertion tube. The ring-insertion end (7) of the ring-insertion tube has a perpendicularity surface (10) that is adapted for alignment of the ring-guide bore and a piston-pin bore (4) in a crankshaft-engine piston (5). The ring pusher has a pusher taper (26) with a pusher head (12) adapted for being buttressed against a side of lock ring (3) for pushing the lock ring from a major diameter to a minor diameter of the press-close taper proximate a circumferential entrance to the ring-guide bore. The ring pusher has a slide rod (13) that is oppositely disposed end-to-end from the pusher head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventor: George P. Hendricks
  • Patent number: 6722011
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for installing a c-clip outside a far end of a passage. In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises prong members each comprising a prong end, a base end, and a lip part. A base is secured to the base ends, so the prong members are parallel with each other, and so the lip parts form a ring-shaped lip adapted to secure the c-clip. A tube is provided comprising an inner surface having a varying radius. The base inserts the prong members through the tube and against the inner surface, the inner surface forcing the c-clip to close into a closed c-clip. The prong ends are moved at least partially through the rear of the tube, and in some embodiments through a tube extension, permitting a restoring force of the c-clip to open the c-clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Bradley Bacon
  • Patent number: 6722006
    Abstract: A seal ring tool that allows an installer to position a primary seal ring between hub ends of pipe flanges that are being assembled together. The tool includes a pivoting handle member and extension arms attached to the pivoting handle member. The ends of the arms have side indentation type longitudinal grooves angled toward one another for holding the primary seal ring in place between the hubs of respective pipes that are to be attached together. The arms of the tool can also have flat sides that can be used to abut against an optional second larger seal that is supported within a groove in one of the hub ends so that the second hub end can then be moved against the other side of the primary seal ring. Once the seal ring is positioned between the pipe hubs, the pipe hubs can be moved about the seal ring due to the flat sides of the arms of the tool. The tool eliminates the chances of damaging and contaminating seal rings being installed within pipe hubs that are being attached to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: L. Haynes Haselmaier
  • Publication number: 20040064928
    Abstract: A tool is disclosed, for inserting a multi-turn spiral lock, received by a groove of a piston assembly The tool includes a handle, for transmitting manual torque forces, to enter a spiral, grooved head, or a profiled fitting, a wire lock ring The spiral, grooved head, is manufactured, with a ½ turn medium-pitched, helical groove. This permits the ½ spire, after being assembled, to be easily pushed, and transferred, to a piston groove. Also, a wire lock end, equipped with a controlled sliding sleeve, allows the ring to be located on the tool, prior to assembly. This allows for an easy bore insertion to snap the wire lock into the bore groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Clyde Jewel Norwood
  • Patent number: 6516511
    Abstract: A piston ring compressor having position sensors for aligning a piston assembly with a cylinder of an engine block. The position sensors enable a piston assembly to be properly aligned with the cylinder prior to inserting the piston assembly into the cylinder without damaging either the piston assembly or the cylinder. The position sensors are linear variable distance transducer which are used to align the centerline of the piston ring compressor with the centerline of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: James A. Cook, Brad A. Moore, Kevin R. Shaffer, James L. Thien, Robert L. Walters
  • Patent number: 6427301
    Abstract: The piston ring compressor tool system comprises a compression skirt. The skirt has an interior surface and an exterior surface. It also has an upper edge and a lower edge. The tool system has a hollow, generally tapered, cylindrical tubular form and is further configured in a shape of an upper frustroconical funnel. The funnel forms a planar inlet within the interior of the upper edge. The funnel further forms a lower cylindrically shaped outlet within the interior of the lower edge. The outlet is parallel to the plane of the inlet and is for discharging the piston and ring assembly into a bore. The compression skirt has a generally outwardly curved upper horizontal portion. The lower horizontal portion is generally plumb to the plane of the opening of the lower edge. The middle horizontal area is a transition area between the radian outward curve of the upper horizontal portion and the generally plumb surface of the lower horizontal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Foster
  • Patent number: 6415488
    Abstract: A ring member and ring members made of metal are tightened and installed to the outer circumferential surface of a body made of a resin material. Accordingly, the body is prevented from outward deformation. When a tube joint is used in a high temperature atmosphere, even if any force acts on a fluid tube in the direction to cause detachment from the tube joint due to any external force or the pressure fluid flowing through the inside of the tube joint, then the fluid tube and a connecting member inserted into the body are reliably prevented from disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: SMC Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaaki Muto
  • Publication number: 20020069499
    Abstract: The piston ring compressor tool system comprises a compression skirt. The skirt has an interior surface and an exterior surface. It also has an upper edge and a lower edge. The tool system has a hollow, generally tapered, cylindrical tubular form and is further configured in a shape of an upper frustroconical funnel. The funnel forms a planar inlet within the interior of the upper edge. The funnel further forms a lower cylindrically shaped outlet within the interior of the lower edge. The outlet is parallel to the plane of the inlet and is for discharging the piston and ring assembly into a bore. The compression skirt has a generally outwardly curved upper horizontal portion. The lower horizontal portion is generally plumb to the plane of the opening of the lower edge. The middle horizontal area is a transition area between the radian outward curve of the upper horizontal portion and the generally plumb surface of the lower horizontal portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2000
    Publication date: June 13, 2002
    Inventor: John R. Foster
  • Patent number: 6389667
    Abstract: A piston ring compressor for compressing a piston ring about a circumference of a piston so that the piston can be inserted into a cylinder. The piston ring compressor includes a wall forming a hollow shaped member and an inner compression surface formed about the interior portion of the hollow shaped member. The inner compression surface has a diameter which gradually decreases from a second end to a first end. The piston ring compressor applies an even compressive force about the piston ring as the piston ring and piston are slid through the piston ring compressor from the second end to the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Cook, Brad A. Moore, Kevin R. Shaffer, James L. Thien, Robert L. Walters
  • Patent number: 5765272
    Abstract: A ring compressor is provided including a resilient compression band for encircling, and applying a compression force to, the ring, and a band actuation device connected to the compression band for moving the compression band between a decompressed position in which the band ends are spaced and a compressed position in which the band ends are positioned in end to end, nonoverlapping abutment preventing further compression of the ring. The band actuation device may include an outer band encircling the resilient compression band and a hand operated lever assembly. The outer band provides radial support to the ends of the compression band to guide the first and second ends radially into abutment. A ring end axial alignment device may also be provided for guiding the ends of the compression band into axially aligned abutment when in the compressed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard D. Borcicky
  • Patent number: 5737831
    Abstract: Piston-ringing apparatus comprises a tubular piston nest member for receiving each piston to locate the piston groove in a predetermined ring-receiving position, a plurality of ring cartridges positionable one at a time in alignment with the piston nest member. The aligned ring cartridge is engaged to the piston nest member to permit transfer of rings from the ring cartridge to the piston nest member and disengage the aligned ring cartridge when empty of rings. The stack of rings on the cartridge is moved by opposing fingers toward the piston groove to position an endmost ring residing on the nest member in the groove of each successive piston received in the nest member while the aligned ring cartridge is engaged thereto. A fiber optic switch is provided for directing a light beam tangentially through the piston groove to determine whether a ring is positioned therein. The switch provides a finger motor drive signal to stop feeding of a ring to the piston groove when a ring is present in the piston groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Micro-Precision Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryll L. Liechty, Michael R. Werling, Jerry D. Sommer
  • Patent number: 5592740
    Abstract: Method for assembling a piston ring in a circumferential groove of a piston wherein a plurality of ring nest members are disposed about a common axis for radial movement toward or away from the axis between radially contracted positions and radially expanded positions, The nest members collectively form a circular opening concentric with the axis and a ring-receiving recess concentric about the opening when they are in the contracted positions. The ring nest members are movable from the radially contracted to the expanded positions when the ring is expanded so as to collectively enlarge the opening for receiving the piston and the recess to maintain the expanded ring substantially concentric with the axis while the fixed axial dimension prevents "oil canning". A plurality of radially and axially movable ring expanding fingers are disposed about the axis and positionable in the opening for radially expanding the ring while it resides in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Micro Precision Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryll L. Liechty, James L. Geels
  • Patent number: 5588208
    Abstract: A set oil ring to be assembled into a piston ring groove is made up of a spacer ring and a pair of side rail rings to be placed on both sides thereof. In assembling one of the side rail rings into a first groove portion which is on an upper side of the spacer ring in the piston ring groove, a guide member, which can be moved up and down for fitting the rings onto a piston, is moved to a first fitting position which is substantially the same level as the groove wall surface of the first groove portion. A restricting member is disposed oppositely in front of the guide member while leaving a clearance facing the first groove portion. One of the side rail rings is pushed out of the front end of the guide member in a condition in which split end portions of the spacer ring are restricted by the restricting member so as not to overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1996
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yutaka Sato, Koichi Morita, Shuzo Fujimoto, Satoru Ichihashi, Kohji Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 5435056
    Abstract: Piston-ringing apparatus comprises a tubular piston nest member for receiving each piston to locate the piston groove in a predetermined ring-receiving position, a plurality of ring cartridges positionable one at a time in alignment with the piston nest member. The aligned ring cartridge is engaged to the piston nest member to permit transfer of rings from the ring cartridge to the piston nest member and disengage the aligned ring cartridge when empty of rings. The stack of rings on the cartridge is moved by opposing fingers toward the piston groove to position an endmost ring residing on the nest member in the groove of each successive piston received in the nest member while the aligned ring cartridge is engaged thereto. A fiber optic switch is provided for directing a light beam tangentially through the piston groove to determine whether a ring is positioned therein. The switch provides a finger motor drive signal to stop feeding of a ring to the piston groove when a ring is present in the piston groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1995
    Assignee: Micro-Precision Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryll L. Liechty, Michael R. Werling, Jerry D. Sommer
  • Patent number: 5404629
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembling a piston ring in a circumferential groove of a piston wherein a plurality of ring nest members are disposed about a common axis for radial movement toward or away from the axis between radially contracted positions and radially expanded positions. The nest members collectively form a circular opening concentric with the axis and a ring-receiving recess concentric about the opening when they are in the contracted positions. The recess locates a radially unexpanded ring concentric with the axis and has a fixed axial dimension for preventing "oil canning" of the ring when it is expanded. The ring nest members are movable from the radially contracted to the expanded positions when the ring is expanded so as to collectively enlarge the opening for receiving the piston and the recess to maintain the expanded ring substantially concentric with the axis while the fixed axial dimension prevents "oil canning".
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1995
    Assignee: Micro-Precision Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Deryll L. Liechty, James L. Geels
  • Patent number: 5303465
    Abstract: A piston ring is assembled into a groove of a piston by pushing the piston ring out of a front end of a guide member. The piston ring is mounted on an outside of the guide member which has a diameter larger than an outside diameter of the piston. The pushing is carried out while maintaining a clearance which allows for the piston ring to undulate. This clearance is formed between a front end of the guide member and a plane including a groove surface which lies away from the front end of the guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1994
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuzo Fujimoto, Hiroshi Ejiri, Yuji Tamai, Satoshi Takahashi, Naofumi Nagata
  • Patent number: 5259109
    Abstract: A machine for automatically distributing piston rings and spacers into the grooves of a piston is disclosed. The machine comprises magazine tubes onto which stacks of the spacers and rails are threaded. The machine further comprises a widened bore in which the piston is seated as rails or spacers are automatically released from the tubes and threaded into the piston grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Floquet Monopole
    Inventors: Michel A. Fefeu, Alfred Schreiber, Donatus O. Nwokoye, Francois G. Charton
  • Patent number: 4999892
    Abstract: A device at machines for continuous separation of at least one strip (49) from a hose-formed material web (14). The device (19) incorporates at least two lead rollers (16, 18) at least one (18) of which being tiltable relative to the other, thus that the end portion of the material web, which is thread on the guide rollers at rotation of the guide rollers, is imparted a continuous, axial feeding motion towards a severing device (50). The tiltable lead roller (18) is supported at one free end of an axially displaceable and in different displacement positions arrestable rod (20), the free end of which is pivotably to a limited extent on one hand about a shaft (31) mainly parallel with the rod and on the other hand about an axis (44) mainly perpendicular to the rod. This (20) is equipped with means (33, 43) for arresting its free end in different angular positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Svegea of Sweden AB
    Inventor: Sture Andersson
  • Patent number: 4982484
    Abstract: The apparatus typically includes a ring compressing assembly for compressing the ring from the exterior and mandrel means disposed in the compressing means and around which the ring is compressed to assembly size. The mandrel means includes a lug-retaining groove means into which retainer ring lugs having special flats are compressed and retained interiorly of the ring to hold the ring at reduced assembly size. The ring compressing assembly is carried on a first slide for movement between a ring load position and a ring assembly position. A ring pusher mechanism is carried on a second slide that is operably connected to the first slide for movement in unison therewith as the ring compressing assembly is moved between the ring load position and the assembly position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Micro-Precision Operations Inc.
    Inventor: Deryll Liechty
  • Patent number: 4967459
    Abstract: An automatic unit for distributing and installing rings, particularly composite rings, on engine pistons, and which includes a first device for separating elastic expanders (b 1a) consisting of two pairs of helical ramps (26, 27) and (28, 29) having opposite winding directions driven simultaneously by a ring gear (30), and of an escapement mechanism (32) controlled by a cylinder (34) able to cause the turn portion corresponding to one helical ramp turn to be performed on this ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1990
    Assignee: Renault Automation
    Inventor: Marc Garnier
  • Patent number: 4843697
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of assembling two parts of which one part is a sub-assembly formed of a plurality of relatively movable components.The method comprises the steps of holding the components of the sub-assembly in their desired relative positions for assembly, cooling the sub-assembly sufficiently to prevent relative movement between the components of the sub-assembly, and offering the sub-assembly to the other part while the components of the sub-assembly are locked against one another.It is preferred to coat the sub-assembly prior to cooling with a liquid, the cooling being sufficient to freeze the liquid to cause locking of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Marshall
  • Patent number: 4638541
    Abstract: A tool kit is provided for repairing the snap ring grooves of a cam follower bore in a diesel engine cylinder head without removing the cylinder head from the cylinder block. The tool kit includes a cutting tool which will both enlarge the cam follower bore to allow the use of an oversized spring retainer and cut an enlarged snap ring groove to allow the use of a more substantial plate-type snap ring. A snap ring installation tool allows for easy placement of the snap ring in the cam follower bore. A concentric wrench having concentric yet independently movable sockets for quick valve and fuel injector clearance adjustment is included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Inventor: Edward F. Schindler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4480365
    Abstract: In a knitted tape manufacturing device of the type designed to stretch and rotate a cylindrical knitted fabric around two drums and one roller and to continuously cut the fabric in a tape shape off from the upper circumferential edge portion thereof along a certain width of the fabric in a bias direction and including a support mechanism of the driven drum for feeding uniform width tape in the knitted tape manufacturing device wherein the support mechanism of the driven drum is adjustable so as to bring the axis of the pivot pin of the driven drum in the support mechanism into substantial agreement with the extended line of a tangent at the entering point at which the upper circumferential edge of the cylindrical knitted fabric enters the driven drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Assignee: Yugen Kaisha Manthree Shokai
    Inventor: Tamotsu Sumoto
  • Patent number: 4379234
    Abstract: Apparatus for installing a set of dissimilar piston rings (12,14,20,38) which must be arranged in proper predetermined order and orientation in an internal combustion engine piston. The apparatus includes a ring supporting element 48 for retaining the set of piston rings in the order in which they will be installed, order sensing means (115,136,138) for producing an electrical disabling signal if a corresponding ring is not in a predetermined sequential order and a plurality of orientation sensing means (140,142) for producing an electrical disabling signal if a corresponding piston ring is not in its proper orientation. Expanding means (60) responsive to a control means (174) operates to expand the set of rings to allow coaxial insertion of a piston and subsequently to relax the rings into corresponding grooves of the piston as long as a disabling signal has not been generated by the corresponding sensing means (115,136,138,140,142).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1983
    Assignee: Cummins Engine Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Jose C. Cruz
  • Patent number: 4266329
    Abstract: Apparatus for positioning a workpiece, such as a piston ring, which has an out-of-round inner circumferential face with a radially inwardly directed portion that deviates from the out-of-round contour. The apparatus includes first and second spaced cylindrical rollers each having a diameter which is substantially less than the diameter of the workpiece. Means are provided for rotating the rollers in the same direction about their respective longitudinal axes. Braking means, which is interposed between the rollers and may be in the form of a brake shoe, has a frontal face positioned with respect to the peripheral surfaces of the rollers so that the frontal face contacts only the portion of the inner circumferential face of the workpiece which deviates from the out-of-round contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1981
    Assignee: Goetze AG
    Inventors: Otto Feller, Alois Skrobek, Wilfried Schmitz