Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having an oblong piston mounted to reciprocate within an oblong cylinder wall, the piston having a peripheral groove, the improvement comprising: a piston ring adapted to be received within the peripheral groove on the piston, the piston ring in its free state before installation having side portions of equal length and each having one end merging with a relatively longer convex arcuate portion, the other ends of said side portions merging with first and second relatively shorter convex arcuate portions, said shorter arcuate portions defining between them a gap, the width of the gap being substantially reduced when the piston ring is installed within the groove and within the oblong cylinder wall, the change in shape of the piston ring at installation serving to stress the side portions of the piston ring and thereby reduce differences in pressure against the cylinder wall along the periphery of the piston ring.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having an oblong piston mounted to reciprocate within an oblong cylinder wall, the piston having a peripheral groove, the improvement comprising: a piston ring adapted to be received within the peripheral groove on the piston, the piston ring in its free state before installation having side portions of equal length and each having one end merging with a relatively longer convex arcuate portion, the other ends of said side portions merging with first and second relatively shorter convex arcuate portions, said shorter arcuate portions defining between them a gap, the width of the gap being substantially reduced when the piston ring is installed within the groove and within the oblong cylinder wall, the change in shape of the piston ring at installation serving to stress the side portions of the piston ring and thereby reduce differences in pressure against the cylinder wall along the periphery of the piston ring.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The piston ring of claim 1 in which said side portions are concave prior to installation and substantially straight thereafter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The piston ring of claim 1 in which the cross sections of the piston and cylinder are substantially elliptical.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
172 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having an oblong piston mounted to reciprocate within an oblong cylinder, the cylinder being defined within a cylinder wall having arcuate end portions and straight side portions, and the piston having a peripheral groove, the improvement comprising: a piston ring adapted to be received within the peripheral groove on the piston, the piston ring in its free state before installation having concave side portions of equal length and each having one end merging with a relatively longer convex arcuate portion, the other ends of said side portions merging with first and second relatively shorter convex arcuate portions, said shorter arcuate portions defining between them a gap, the width of the gap being substantially reduced when the piston ring is installed within the groove and within the oblong cylinder wall, the change in shape of the piston ring at installation serving to reduce the curvature of said side portions and thereby reduce differences in pressure against the cylinder wall along the periphery of the piston ring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
172 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having an oblong piston mounted to reciprocate within an oblong cylinder, the cylinder being defined within a cylinder wall having arcuate end portions and straight side portions, and the piston having a peripheral groove, the improvement comprising: a piston ring adapted to be received within the peripheral groove on the piston, the piston ring in its free state before installation having concave side portions of equal length and each having one end merging with a relatively longer convex arcuate portion, the other ends of said side portions merging with first and second relatively shorter convex arcuate portions, said shorter arcuate portions defining between them a gap, the width of the gap being substantially reduced when the piston ring is installed within the groove and within the oblong cylinder wall, the change in shape of the piston ring at installation serving to reduce the curvature of said side portions and thereby reduce differences in pressure against the cylinder wall along the periphery of the piston ring.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
163 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having a substantially elliptical piston mounted to reciprocate within a substantially elliptical cylinder, the cylinder being defined within a cylinder wall, the piston having a peripheral groove, the improvement comprising: a piston ring adapted to be received within the peripheral groove on the piston, the piston ring in its free state before installation having side portions of equal length and each having one end merging with a relatively longer convex arcuate portion, the other ends of said side portions merging with first and second relatively shorter convex arcuate portions, said shorter arcuate portions defining between them a gap, the width of the gap being substantially reduced when the piston ring is installed within the groove and within the cylinder wall, the change in shape of the piston ring at installation serving to change the curvature of said side portions and thereby reduce differences in pressure against the cylinder wall along the periphery of the piston ring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
For use in an internal combustion engine having a substantially elliptical piston mounted to reciprocate within a substantially elliptical cylinder, the cylinder being defined within a cylinder wall, the piston having a peripheral groove, the improvement comprising: a piston ring adapted to be received within the peripheral groove on the piston, the piston ring in its free state before installation having side portions of equal length and each having one end merging with a relatively longer convex arcuate portion, the other ends of said side portions merging with first and second relatively shorter convex arcuate portions, said shorter arcuate portions defining between them a gap, the width of the gap being substantially reduced when the piston ring is installed within the groove and within the cylinder wall, the change in shape of the piston ring at installation serving to change the curvature of said side portions and thereby reduce differences in pressure against the cylinder wall along the periphery of the piston ring.