Abstract: Pistons for internal combusion engines are described. The pistons comprise a crown component and a skirt component wherein the crown component consists of an iron or nickel based alloy annular portion having fitted directly therein a ceramic insert, the crown component being joined to the skirt component by an annular composite laminated member of steel and aluminium alloy the steel of the laminated member being energy beam welded to the annular portion of the crown component and the aluminum alloy of the laminated member being energy beam welded to the skirt component there being after welding a sealed, hollow, annular chamber disposed at the junction between the crown component and the skirt component. Embodiments are described having ceramic inserts of silicon nitride and including combustion bowls.

Abstract: In order to achieve a positioning close to a combustion chamber of a swivelling axis between a connecting rod and a piston, a curved surface region facing a piston head of a tensioned band which is subjected only to tractive stress and is looped around a connecting rod shank, forms also the pressure transmitting component of a pivot bearing in that it rests directly on a bearing surface on the piston head.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine, in particular of a passenger automobile, the piston including a ring carrier held in a piston basic body for accommodation of piston rings associated with the piston. In order to attain favorable transmission conditions for the piston transverse forces, the ring carrier is made of a ceramic material and is designed for at least partial transmission of the transverse forces acting on the piston to the cylinder wall. The ring carrier may be held in the piston basic body by casting-in or also with the help of a locking ring securing the ring carrier axially and in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: Light alloy articles comprising a body of light alloy having a composite fiber/light alloy layer, a sprayed heat-resistant alloy layer, and a sprayed ceramic base layer formed on the body in this sequence exhibit improved heat resistance and insulation and are very useful in the manufacture of internal combustion engine pistons. A method for producing such a coated light alloy article by spraying is also provided.

Abstract: An actuator for a hydraulically actuated caliper disc brake having a brake shoe comprises an actuating piston of two-part construction mounted for displacement in a cylinder and acted upon by a pressure fluid. The actuator has a cup-shaped member of cast steel, the bottom of which is acted upon by the pressure-fluid, and a cylindrical core of a mechanically resistant and heat insulating material removably coaxially and having an end face pressed against the brake shoe when actuated. A plurality of thin discs of mechanically resistant material are secured to the end face of the core adjacent to the brake shoe for reducing heat transfer from the brake shoe to the piston.

Abstract: A reciprocatory piston and cylinder machine particularly suitable for use as a vacuum pump includes a cylinder (17), a cylindrical piston (16) relatively slidably reciprocable within the cylinder (17), and means for substantially sealing the annular space between the piston (16) and cylinder (17) in lieu of oil or other liquid lubricant. The sealing means comprises a sleeve (102) of a low-friction material disposed under circumferential tension, and preferably also under longitudinal tension, on the cylindrical surface of the piston (16). Also disclosed is a reciprocatory piston and cylinder machine of particular prior construction having a one-way valve (42) in an exhaust port (30) ahead of a head portion (24) of the piston (16). The arrangement is such that, as the front face of the piston head portion (24) approaches the closed cylinder end (52), the piston head portion 24 physically moves the one-way valve (42) so as to open the exhaust port (30).

Abstract: A compression linkage is disclosed for use between a first swivel pin having a first thermal expansion characteristic and a second swivel pin of a second and differing thermal expansion characteristic, comprising: (a) a first shaft comprised of substantially the same material as the first pin and having a mateable end and another end adapted for swivel connection to said first pin; (b) a second shaft comprised of substantially the same material as the second pin and having a mateable end and another end adapted for swivel connection to said second pin; and (c) means providing a rigid compression joint between the mateable ends of said first and second shafts. Preferably, the first pin is adapted to operate in a high temperature environment, such as 400.degree.-500.degree. F., and is comprised of a ceramic effective to have a flexural strength of at least 100,000 psi (500 MPa) in such temperature range.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block, a piston and a piston ring. The cylinder block includes at least one cylinder bore which includes a cylinder bore surface. The piston is located within the cylinder bore of the cylinder block so as to be displaceable upwardly and downwardly in the longitudinal direction of the cylinder bore. The piston includes at least one annular groove which has at least one inclined surface such that a bottom of the annular groove is located lower than an outer edge of the annular groove. The piston ring includes an outer peripheral portion and an inner peripheral portion. The inner peripheral portion of the piston ring is located within the annular groove of the piston for sliding engagement with the inclined surface of the annular groove of the piston.

Abstract: Piston rod assembly includes a piston head and rod which are formed separately and subsequently jointed together by injecting adhesive through a porting passage in the piston head into an annular space formed by an internal groove in the piston head and an external surface of the rod to provide a bonded joint therebetween. The piston head includes a radially enlarged center dam portion and a pair of reduced diameter end portions extending coaxially from opposite sides of the center dam portion. The internal groove extends axially beyond opposite sides of the center dam portion for a substantial portion of the length of the reduced diameter end portions. The reduced diameter end portions are externally tapered radially inwardly from opposite sides of the enlarged center dam portion toward opposite ends of the reduced diameter end portions to provide a gradual build-up of stiffness in the piston head from the opposite ends of the bonded joint toward the middle.

Abstract: A multisectional piston for opposed-piston, slider-crank-drive internal combustion engines. The piston has a ceramic skirt (1), a skirt head (2), and a ceramic piston head (3) with fire land (4). The ceramic piston head is provided with annular groove (6) for receiving a slotted, ceramic piston ring (7) and is seated on the skirt head (2). A ceramic, common centering sleeve (5) fixes the skirt and head. Metal or metal alloy centering piece (8) fixed on the piston rod (12) in snug fit (14) has a base plate (9) on which the skirt head seats. An end cover (10) seats on the piston head and has a centering hub (11) axially spaced by a gap (23) from the centering piece. In assembly, the skirt head and piston head are axially clamped between the end cover and the base plate by a screw connection (13).

Abstract: A ceramic-metal composite body including (a) a ceramic member, (b) a ferrous metal member bonded to the ceramic member, (c) an intermediate metallic member joined to the iron base member, and (d) an aluminum member bonded to the intermediate metallic member. The ceramic member and the aluminum member are integrally joined through the ferrous metal member and the intermediate metallic member.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a ceramic insert cast piston for an internal combustion engine which includes a head made of ceramic, a metal ring fitted around the peripheral portion of the ceramic head, and a piston body made of a metal by casting a metal around the ceramic head with the metal ring thereon, wherein an air insulating layer in the form of an annular groove is formed at the inner periphery of the metal ring and a buffer member is interposed between the ceramic head and the casting metal piston body.

Abstract: A cylinder and piston assembly with an oil scraper ring having a radially washer seated in a radial piston groove, and a scraping skirt having a radially resilient truncated portion with the base edge engaging the cylinder wall in a scraping line located in or substantially close to the median plane of the washer so as to avoid bending moments on the washer tending to interfere with its free radial movement in the piston groove as required to maintain uniform scraping contact with the cylinder wall.

Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engines is disclosed, which includes a piston main body of metallic material, and a ceramic piston head member embedded in the top portion of the piston main body. The piston head member is formed on its peripheral surface with one or more extensions of dovetail section protruding radially outwards and having an axially measured thickness which increases toward the outer end thereof. The piston head member is retained in place with a substantially constant retaining force, even during the operation of the engine.

Abstract: A composite piston structure is disclosed which provides a simple and reliable means for joining a carbon-carbon or ceramic piston cap 11 with a metallic piston body 13. Attachment is achieved by means of a special geometry which compensates for differences in thermal expansion without complicated mechanical fastening devices. The shape employs a flange created by opposed frustoconical shapes 12 and 19 with coincident vertices 15 intersecting on the radial centerline of the piston in order to retain the piston cap. The use of carbon-carbon for the piston cap material allows a close fit between the piston and a cylinder wall, eliminating the need for piston rings. The elimination of extra mechanical parts of previous composite pistons provides a lightweight composite piston capable of extended high temperature operation.

Abstract: A piston for internal combustion engines made of a light alloy and comprising a skirt portion and a head portion, having a ceramic insert adapted on the head portion and connected to same by mechanical locking. The ceramic insert is provided with pores at least on the portion engaging the piston head. The pores have a size which enable them to be filled with the light alloy during the manufacture of the piston by the squeeze casting method.

Abstract: The height of a piston for an internal combustion engine is reduced by the provision of gudgeon pin bores which intersect or at least partly intersect a ring band extending around the crown. This allows the mass of the piston to be reduced and allows improved visibility from the vehicle owing to reduced bonnet height. The weight of the piston is reduced so improving its performance and the performance of the engine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine piston having a metal piston body and a piston cap constituted by a plurality of ceramic pieces and fixed to the top portion of the metal piston body, wherein the piston cap is composed of at least one kind of a ceramic material, at least one of the ceramic pieces is fixed to the metal piston body through fitting or through engagement by way of a metallic piece secured onto said at least one ceramic piece, and the remaining ceramic piece or pieces are fixed onto the metal piston body by means of said at least one ceramic piece.

Abstract: An aluminum torpedo piston is provided with a piston head fabricated from a etal matrix composite material composed of aluminum and silicon carbide fibers that are integrally joined by an inertial welding technique. A 23% weight of silicon carbide fibers to powdered aluminum was selected. Resistance to intense heating which would otherwise cause melting and erosion of the piston is avoided to permit longer, high speed runs.

Abstract: A metal and plastic two-stage composite piston including an annular metal cup, a hollow plastic annular core bonded about the periphery of the cup, a plastic high pressure piston bonded to the interior of the cup, and a plastic low pressure piston bonded about the periphery of the core at the base of the high pressure piston in a fashion such that substantially all of the pressure loads on the pistons are carried directly by the cup and the core of the composite piston.

Abstract: A reinforced piston is provided for an internal combustion engine. The uppermost piston ring groove is as close as possible to the crown of the piston. At least the lower surface of the groove is defined by an en-cast insert and overlying this is a portion of the crown reinforced by fibres, thus allowing this portion to be thin and the spacing between the ring groove and the upper surface of the crown to be minimized. The reinforced crown portion also holds the insert against axial separating movement. The crown can be provided with a combustion bowl whose entrance is reinforced by the fibres.

Abstract: A piston carries on its skirt surface a number of separate strips of a plastics material, such as a polyetheretherketone alloy, so that the strips are hydrodynamically lubricated and transmit lateral thrust from the piston to an associated cylinder or liner. The strips are just proud of the skirt surface and may be contained in recesses formed in the skirt surface.

Abstract: An engine part and a method of producing the same are disclosed. The engine part includes a ceramic member, a metallic member secured to the ceramic member, and a metallic engine part body fixed to the metallic member, wherein the outer peripheral portion of the metallic member has a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ceramic member and is provided at one end facing the ceramic member with an annular notch. The engine part is produced by securing the ceramic member to the metallic member through fitting or joining and then fixing the metallic member to the metallic engine part body through fitting or screwing.

Abstract: A thermally insulating piston for internal combustion engines is provided on the piston crown or in its dished combustion space portion with a thermally insulating liner which on the side thereof facing the combustion space consists entirely of a ceramic material, and which on the side thereof facing the piston crown or its dished combustion space portion has a metallic or metal-ceramic material fused with the piston metal.

Abstract: A piston (2) is of refractory materials, particularly for a compression-ignition engine of the type having a head (4), a skirt (6) and their mutual fastening means. According to the invention, this skirt (6) is formed entirely of a refractory material and has two semicylindrical parts (18, 20) each of which has ribs (22) and a semispherical cavity (36, 38). After assembly, the cavities form a ball joint seat for the small end of a piston rod along a plane containing the longitudinal axis (14) of the piston (2). Application is to compression-ignition engines with high efficiency.

Abstract: An integrally cast composite piston assembly is disclosed which is effective to carry a ceramic plate in an iron based cap. The assembly comprises a cylindrical piston body, preferably of aluminum, having a crown top, an annular crown side wall with an upper edge, and an annular undercut surface terminating the crown side wall. The undercut surface must make an angle with a plane extending perpendicular to the axis of the piston, the angle being substantially equal to the arc tangent of H/R where H is the median distance of the undercut surface from the plane and R is the median radius of the undercut surface from the axis of the piston.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an internal combustion engine piston comprising a piston cap formed from a plurality of ceramic pieces, and a metal piston body, the piston cap being fixed to the top portion of the metal piston body, wherein the piston cap is made of one or more types of ceramic materials, and the ceramic pieces constituting the ceramic cap and the metal piston body are bonded together through a metallized layer coated onto the ceramic pieces and a metal-plated layer coated onto the metallized layer in such a manner that the bonding area between the ceramic piece or pieces and the metal piston body may be larger at a top central portion of the metal piston body than that between the ceramic piece or pieces and the metal piston body at another portion thereof. Also disclosed is a method of producing the same.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced lighweight alloy piston for an internal-combustion engine, comprising a piston body having a compression ring groove whose bounding surface is reinforced with alumina fibers. At least those alumina fibers positioned in the region of the annular opening of the groove has a crystalline structure of .theta./.alpha.-Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 type and a specific gravity limited to a value between 3.7 and 3.9.

Abstract: This invention discloses a thermally insulated piston having a cap portion and a body portion. The cap can be made of metal or ceramic. The cap and body portion are joined together by a brazing alloy. The cap portion can have a groove for receiving the brazing alloy. The ceramic cap can have a retaining band portion in a retaining band groove the band being bonded to the body portion by a brazing alloy. The piston with the ceramic cap can have an interlayer between the cap and body portion, the interlayer being bonded to the cap portion and body portion by a brazing alloy. The interlayer can have an outer knife edge. The body portion has a machined groove adjacent to the cap portion comprised of cells filled with thermal insulating material.

Abstract: A composite piston structure and a method of making same is disclosed. A piston member, carrier member, and ceramic facing member are formed, the piston member being comprised of a material selected from plastic and metal having a density of less than 0.15 lb/in.sup.3, the ceramic facing member, preferably comprised of a material selected from zirconia and aluminia, and carrier member preferably comprised of a material selected from stainless steel and cast iron. The carrier member material has a coefficient of thermal expansion differing from the coefficient of thermal expansion of the ceramic by up to 2.0.times.10.sup.-6 in/in/.degree.F. An annular grooved wall is defined in the side surface of the piston member and disposed at a location radially opposite a portion of the carrier member when the latter is wrapped about the top of the piston member.

Abstract: A heat insulated reciprocating component, such as a piston or a valve, for an internal combustion engine comprises a main component body and a ceramic member secured to the body by interference fit with a metal connector which is brazed to the body. In one embodiment, the main body of a piston has an outwardly opening cavity, a ceramic member in the cavity having an annular groove, and a ring seated in the groove and brazed to side of the cavity. In another embodiment, the combustion wall defining face of the valve has a ceramic member mounted thereon, and metal ring in overlapping engagement with the periphery of the member and brazed to the body of the valve. The invention also comprehends the method of making such a component by applying a metal ring in overlapping engagement with the periphery of a ceramic member, mounting a brazing alloy shim on the ring, assembling these parts on the combustion chamber end of the component, and brazing the ring to the component.

Abstract: To reduce deformation of the piston pin for the rotating connection of a ton and a connecting rod in a piston cylinder system, especially in internal combustion engines, where the piston pin is made of fiber-reinforced composite material in which fibers running in different directions are placed, it is proposed that the piston pin is secured against rotation around its longitudinal axis in the piston or in the connecting rod, and has first regions in which the fibers are arranged in planes parallel to the piston pin axis and when secured against rotation in the piston, running parallel to the piston axis, or when secured against rotation in the connecting rod, running parallel to the connecting rod axis, so that they have a component running parallel to the piston axis or to the connecting rod axis.

Abstract: This invention discloses a thermally insulated piston having a cap portion and a body portion. The cap can be made of metal or ceramic. The cap and body portion are joined together by a brazing alloy. The cap portion can have a groove for receiving the brazing alloy. The ceramic cap can have a retaining band portion in a retaining band groove the band being bonded to the body portion by a brazing alloy. The piston with the ceramic cap can have an interlayer between the cap and body portion, the interlayer being bonded to the cap portion and body portion by a brazing alloy. The interlayer can have an outer knife edge. The body portion has a machined groove adjacent to the cap portion comprised of cells filled with thermal insulating material.

Abstract: A piston arrangement including a hollow piston, a piston pin extending within the piston, an intermediate abutment within the piston supporting the pin between its ends, and a transmission member, e.g., a connecting rod, engaging the pin on each side of the intermediate abutment. The intermediate abutment may be supported by the circumferential wall of the piston, or by the piston head, and may be formed as one piece with the piston. The transmission member may have a forked end for engaging the piston pin, the intermediate abutment being between the arms of the fork. The piston pin may be two separate aligned pins each having an end located within the intermediate abutment. The piston, intermediate abutment, piston pin, and transmission member may all be formed of a ceramic material.

Abstract: An engine piston is formed with a top crown surface and a top ring groove. An upper annular land surface is defined between the top ring groove and the edge of the top crown surface. The upper annular land surface and the side walls of the top ring groove are defined by a part of the piston which is formed of a matrix metal reinforced with inorganic fibers. The proportion of the inorganic fibers by volume in the reinforced part of the piston may optionally be approximately between 2% and 10%.

Abstract: A quarter turn actuator comprises a body (10) defining side-by-side cylinders (11 and 12), a piston (13) in each cylinder having in one side thereof a recess in which is provided a rack (15), a pinion (16) mounted in the body and engaging the racks on the pistons, a source for supplying compressed air to the cylinders and an air distribution system interconnecting each end of each cylinder with the other end of the other cylinder. The body (10) is preferably molded of plastic material and the cylinders are lined. The pistons may also be molded plastic material.

Abstract: In a split Stirling refrigerator, the dynamic seals about the displacer are virtually dragless clearance seals. The displacer is driven by pressure differential between a working gas and a gas in a spring volume, but the displacer movement is retarded until about peak pressure by forces resulting from fluid friction of gas flowing through the regenerative matrix. The fluid friction results in pressure differentials across the displacer, and the retarding effects of those pressure differentials can be increased to eliminate the need for any Coulomb friction to retard the displacer movement.

Abstract: The disclosed engine part uses an integral combination of a ceramic member and a metallic member, which ceramic member has a metallized layer formed on one side surface thereof, and a metallic buffer is bonded to the metallized layer so as to be disposed between the ceramic member and the metallic member.

Abstract: An improved heat insulated piston assembly for an internal combustion engine and a method of assembly. The improved piston assembly includes a piston constructed of a sleeve having an interference fit about a heat insulated core. The core has a first end positioned flush with an end of the sleeve and has a second end located within the sleeve with a concave configured cavity formed therein. Mating in the concave configured cavity of the core is a connecting rod having a spherical ball shaped end. The spherical ball shaped end is securely held in the cavity by a retaining ring which attaches to the piston sleeve. The retaining ring allows for limited movement of the spherical ball shaped end of the connecting rod in the cavity while providing a means for returning the piston to its bottom position during the intake stroke.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of modifying a conventional internal combustion engine to accept ceramic material. A cast iron extension mamber is metallurgically joined to the cast iron engine block, the extension member having a wall defining a bore opening aligned with and larger than the bore opening of the engine block. The extension member has a height substantially equal to or greater than the axial stroke of the piston. The diameter of the upper portion of the wall, defining the bore opening in the engine block, is enlarged to define an annular shoulder; the shoulder has an outer surface substantially axially aligned with the wall defining the bore opening in the extension member. A cylindrical ceramic liner, such as zirconia or alumina, is attached within the wall of the bore opening of the extension member by use of a high strength metallic sleeve which is fitted along the outer surface of the shoulder. The ceramic liner has an internal surface aligned with the wall of the bore opening in the engine block.

Abstract: A piston for a swash plate type compressor is disclosed in which a plurality of similar pistons are reciprocated to provide a compressing operation by means of a swash plate which is mounted on the drive shaft and rotated in the compressor cylinder. The piston comprises a piston main body or blank made of aluminium or aluminium alloy, and a coating layer applied to the overall surface of the piston blank except central portions of both outer end faces of the blank, said coating layer being of ethylene fluoride or a copolymer of ethylene fluoride and a vinyl compound, the heat conductivity of which is lower than that of the piston blank.

Abstract: New assembly of cylinder, lightweight piston and piston rings for engines and compressors comprising in a cylinder a reduced weight piston provided with a new simpler piston rings set of a high efficiency producing a very small tension against the cylinder and lighter than the piston rings set known heretofore and wherein each of the purposes ascribed to the individual piston rings of the set is entirely attained by each piston ring of this assembly.

Abstract: A piston head structure in which a piston head made of a ceramic is firmly secured to the top portion of a metallic piston body through the medium of a metallic ring fitted to the lower part of the piston head. In assembling, the ceramic piston head to which the metallic ring is fitted beforehand is secured to the top portion of the piston body by a shrink fit or, alternatively, the assembly of the ceramic piston head and the metallic ring is inserted to the metallic material of the piston body during casting of the latter, and the cast piston body is then subjected to necessary mechanical processing. In this structure, the separation of the piston head from the piston body is prevented due to the close fit of the ceramic piston head and the metallic ring to the metallic piston body. Such a fit prevents separation even when the piston body is expanded due to the heat generated during operation of the engine.

Abstract: A fiber-reinforced piston for internal combustion engines, comprising a molded body of inorganic fiber forming a top land and a ring region of the piston. The molded body has a content of granulated fiber having larger particles of a particle diameter less than 100 mesh in an amount of not more than 10 weight percent with respect to the total amount of fiber used, and a light alloy matrix fills and is combined with the molded body of inorganic fiber.

Abstract: To avoid the necessity of piston rings in a piston-cylinder set, it is prsed that the cylinder liner be surrounded by a band consisting of a fiber composite whose thermal expansion in a radial direction is less than that of the cylinder liner, the impediment to expansion presented by the band varying over the length of the cylinder housing; that the piston be constructed with a cap consisting of a piston head facing the combustion chamber and an essentially cylindrical piston skirt adjacent to the cylinder bearing surface, and a force-transmitting core that contains the bearing for the piston pin and the spherical pressure pad; that a force-transmitting connection rotationally symmetrical to the piston's longitudinal axis be provided above the spherical pressure pad; that the cap be connected at the lower edge of the piston skirt to the force-transmitting core, but otherwise no contact be provided between cap and force-transmitting core except in the area of the force-transmitting connection; and that both cy

Abstract: A piston composed at least in part of fiber-reinforced synthetic resin material, is provided with a piston base or bottom, a piston shaft or shank, and eyes for engagement with a member to be driven by or for driving the piston. According to the method of this invention, the piston bottom and piston shaft are fabricated separately and are form-fittingly interconnected while the eyes are enclosed in a body which is fixed to the piston shaft and abuts at opposite end this shaft and the piston bottom. At least this body and the shaft are formed by a winding of fiber roving impregnated with hardenable synthetic.

Abstract: A piston assembly for an internal combustion engine having a rotatable crankshaft. The piston assembly includes a piston body having a concave configured cavity formed in one end and a plurality of recesses formed in its outer circumference. The piston body is connected to the crankshaft by a connecting rod having a spherical end which mates with the concave configured cavity. The connecting rod is secured to the piston body by an annular skirt which is attached to the piston body by a plurality of bolts. The bolts thread into retainers which are positioned in the recesses formed in the piston body.

Abstract: An engine piston composed of a head and a body separately formed from the head. The head is of ceramic material and the body is light metal or light alloy. The head and the body are connected against axial movement by interengaging means provided on the head and body by rotation of the head relative to the body, and the head and body are then fixed against relative rotation by an anti-turning device, this arrangement preventing development of excessive thermal stress. The piston is of reduced weight, can be mass-produced, and reduces fuel consumption.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piston for internal combustion engines, compressors and the like, comprising a head portion articulately connected to a separate skirt portion, wherein the skirt portion comprises a steel tubular part obtained by cutting, bending and closing of a piece of steel strip, the outer surface of said tubular part being covered by a layer of antifriction material bonded to said outer surface prior to the cutting, bending and closing of the steel strip.

Abstract: New assembly of cylinder, lightweight piston and piston rings for engines and compressors comprising in a cylinder a reduced weight piston provided with a new simpler piston rings set of a high efficiency producing a very small tension against the cylinder and lighter than the piston rings set known heretofore and wherein each of the purposes ascribed to the individual piston rings of the set is entirely attained by each piston ring of this assembly.