Engine sealing

Claim 2

Sealing apparatus for an expansible chamber device comprising relatively movable first and second chamber forming elements defining a continuous gap therebetween, a uniform unsplit solid lubricant seal having a continuous and uninterrupted periphery mounted on one of the elements and extended into the gap toward the other element, heat controlling means connected to the device for maintaining temperature of the elements at substantially constant operating temperature, whereby the seal is spaced from the other element at subnormal operating temperatures and whereby the seal extends close to the other element at normal operating temperatures, substantially closing the gap and providing substantially no normal pressure against the other element.

Claim 3

The sealing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the solid lubricant element is a fused calcium fluoride element.

Claim 4

Sealing apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second elements respectively comprise a piston and a cylinder, and wherein the seal comprises an unsplit solid lubricant ring mounted on the piston and extending outward therefrom toward the cylinder whereby the ring is spaced from the cylinder at subnormal temperatures and extends close to the cylinder at operating temperature.

Claim 5

Sealing apparatus for an expansible chamber device comprising a relatively moveable piston and cylinder defining a continuous gap therebetween, the piston having first and second axially spaced parts inter-connected by a projection fixed axially on one part and connected to the other part, an unsplit solid lubricant ring mounted on the piston and positioned between the first and second parts, the ring having a continuous and uninterrupted periphery and having a central opening through which the piston projection passes, heat controlling means connected to the device for maintaining temperature of the device at a substantially constant operating temperature whereby the ring is spaced from the cylinder at subnormal operating temperatures, and whereby the ring extends close to the cylinder at normal operating temperature substantially closing the gap, and providing substantially no normal pressure against the cylinder.

Claim 6

Sealing apparatus for an expansible chamber device comprising a relatively moveable piston and cylinder defining a continuous gap therebetween, the piston having first and second axially spaced parts inter-connected by a projection fixed axially on one part and connected to the other part, an unsplit solid lubricant ring mounted on the piston and positioned between the first and second parts, the ring having a continuous and uninterrupted periphery and having a central opening through which the piston projection passes, heat controlling means connected to the device for maintaining temperature of the device at a substantially constant operating temperature whereby the ring is spaced from the cylinder at subnormal operating temperatures, and whereby the ring extends close to the cylinder at normal operating temperature substantially closing the gap, and providing substantially no normal pressure against the cylinder.

Claim 7

The apparatus of claim 4 having a crankbase, a crankshaft mounted for rotation in the crankbase, wherein the cylinder is mounted on the crankbase, wherein the piston is mounted in the cylinder for reciprocal movement therein, rod means interconnecting the piston and the crankshaft, lubricating means associated with the crankshaft means, sealing apparatus comprising first and second spaced and parallel plates connected at a longitudinal end of the cylinder, the plates having central openings for passing a position of the rod means therethrough, a solid lubricant bushing positioned between the first and second plates and having a central opening for receiving a portion of the rod means, the openings in the plates being relatively larger than the opening in the bushing, whereby bearing of the bushing on the rod means and on the plates seals the cylinder.

Claim 8

The apparatus of claim 4 having a crankbase, a crankshaft mounted for rotation in the crankbase, wherein the cylinder is mounted on the crankbase, wherein the piston is mounted in the cylinder for reciprocal movement therein, rod means interconnecting the piston and the crankshaft, lubricating means associated with the crank-shaft means, sealing apparatus comprising a flexible bellows having a first end connected to the rod means within the crankbase and having a second end connected to the crankbase around the rod means whereby gas leaking from the cylinder is caught in the bellows.

Claim 9

Sealing apparatus of claim 6 comprising further working gas storage chamber connected to the bellows, an enclosure about the bellows, and a pressurizing means connected to the crankbase for maintaining pressure therein slightly below working gas pressure in the storage chamber.

Claim 10

Sealing apparatus for an expansible chamber device comprising a relatively moveable piston and cylinder defining a continuous gap therebetween, the piston having an axial projection, a solid lubricant sealing ring mounted on the piston, the sealing ring having a continuous and uninterrupted periphery and having a central opening which receives the piston projection for holding the sealing ring on the piston, heat controlling means connected to the device for maintaining temperature of the device at a substantially constant operating temperature whereby the ring is spaced from the cylinder at subnormal operating temperatures, and whereby the ring extends close to the cylinder at normal operating temperature substantially closing the gap, and providing substantially no normal pressure against the cylinder.

Claim 11

Sealing apparatus for an expansible chamber device comprising a relatively moveable piston and cylinder defining a continuous gap therebetween, the piston having an axial projection, a solid lubricant sealing ring mounted on the piston, the sealing ring having a continuous and uninterrupted periphery and having a central opening which receives the piston projection for holding the sealing ring on the piston, heat controlling means connected to the device for maintaining temperature of the device at a substantially constant operating temperature whereby the ring is spaced from the cylinder at subnormal operating temperatures, and whereby the ring extends close to the cylinder at normal operating temperature substantially closing the gap, and providing substantially no normal pressure against the cylinder.