US4909133A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lightweight piston architecture
Assignee: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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Filing: 1988-09-28
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2008-09-28
Abstract
Abstract The invention is an improvement in a lightweight carbon-carbon composite piston, the improvement comprehending the use of near-net shape knitted or warp-interlock pre-forms to improve the structural qualitites of the piston. In its preferred embodiment, a one piece, tubular, closed-ended, knitted pre-form (a sock) of carbon fibers (11) embedded within the matrix of the piston structure forms the crown (12), side wall (15), skirt (16) and inner surface (18) of the piston, and wrap-interlock pre-forms strengthen the piston crown and wrist pin bosses.
Inventors
- 👤 Allan H. Taylor
- 👤 Philip O. Ransome
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:47
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02F; F02F3/00; F02F3/0015; C; C04; C04B; C04B35/00; C04B35/71; C04B35/78; C04B35/80; C04B35/83; F16; F16J; F16J1/00; F16J1/02; F05; F05C; F05C2203/00; F05C2203/08; F05C2203/0804; F05C2203/0808; F05C2251/00; F05C2251/04; F05C2251/042; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49229; Y10T29/49249; Y10T29/49256; Y10T29/49259
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
In combination with a lightweight piston having a crown, side wall, skirt, inner surface and a reinforced wrist pin boss area, said lightweight piston being composed of carbon-carbon composite, the improvement which comprises a one-piece, closed-end, single knitted fiber structural shape forming an exterior surface of the carbon-carbon composite, said knitted structural shape forming the crown, side wall, skirt and inner surfaces of the piston.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
In combination with a lightweight piston having a crown, side wall, skirt, inner surface and a reinforced wrist pin boss area, said lightweight piston being composed of carbon-carbon composite, the improvement which comprises a one-piece, closed-end, single knitted fiber structural shape forming an exterior surface of the carbon-carbon composite, said knitted structural shape forming the crown, side wall, skirt and inner surfaces of the piston.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A lightweight piston as in claim 1 wherein the improvement comprises directionally oriented fiber structural shapes within the carbon-carbon composite to improve the mechanical properties of the piston.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A lightweight piston as in claim 1 wherein the improvement comprises a selective reinforcement of the wrist pin boss area with a warp-interlock fiber shape formed to near-net shape dimensions prior to its imbedding within the carbon-carbon composite.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
A lightweight piston as in claim 1 wherein the improvement comprises a selective reinforcement of the piston crown with a warp-interlock fiber shape formed to near-net shape dimensions prior to the embedding thereof within the carbon-carbon composite.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |