US6334385B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piston lubrication and coolant path
Assignee: Seneca Tech Ltd
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Filing: 2000-04-19
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Granted: 2002-01-01
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Expires: 2020-04-19
Abstract
Abstract In a piston and connecting rod assembly, for an internal combustion engine with a spherical connecting rod small-end entrained in a hollow piston body by a retention ring, a chamber serving as a localized reservoir for lubricant and/or coolant (oil) is incorporated in the underside of a piston crown along with passages or grooves communicating between the reservoir and a coolant gallery in the piston crown for continuous interchange of lubricant (such as oil) between gallery and reservoir and then lubricant return, over small end (upper and lower) part-spherical bearing surfaces to the retention ring and through lubricant passages in the ring to an engine crankcase, thereby affording an overall circulatory, lubricant feed and drainage path.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Conrad Wilksch
- 👤 Philip Clive Franklin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:01
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02F; F02F3/00; F02F3/16; F02F3/20; F02F3/22; F16; F16J; F16J1/00; F16J1/10; F16J1/14; F16J1/22; F05; F05C; F05C2201/00; F05C2201/02; F05C2201/021; F05C2201/04; F05C2201/0433; F05C2201/0448
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
67 words
A piston for an internal combustion engine with a crankcase, said piston comprising: a body member having a first spherical cavity therein and a smaller coolant chamber thereon; a groove in the surface of said cavity; and at least a first passageway communicating said groove with a cooling gallery; wherein lubricant introduced into said chamber passes into said groove and through said first passageway to said gallery.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
67 words
A piston for an internal combustion engine with a crankcase, said piston comprising: a body member having a first spherical cavity therein and a smaller coolant chamber thereon; a groove in the surface of said cavity; and at least a first passageway communicating said groove with a cooling gallery; wherein lubricant introduced into said chamber passes into said groove and through said first passageway to said gallery.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second passageway communicating said cavity with said cooling gallery, said second passageway being larger in size than said first passageway in order to allow the lubricant to drain more easily therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 2 wherein said first and second passageways are positioned in said cavity such that the relative angular displacement of a connecting rod mounted in said cavity selectively exposes or obstructs at least one of said first and second passageways in order to selectively allow flow of lubricant therethrough.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 1 further comprising a connecting rod, said connecting rod having a spherical end member positioned in said cavity.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 4 further comprising a retaining ring positioned on said body member and retaining said connecting rod in said piston cavity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 4 further comprising at least a second coolant chamber in said end member of said connecting rod.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 6 wherein said end member has a second passageway positioned in communication between said second coolant chamber and the engine crankcase.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 5 wherein said retaining ring has at least a second passageway in communication with said cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 4 wherein said connecting rod has a central axial passageway for transporting lubricant into said cavity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The piston for an internal combustion engine as recited in claim 2 further comprising a connecting rod, said connecting rod having a spherical end member positioned in said cavity, and wherein said first and second passageways are positioned in said cavity such that relative angular displacement of said connecting rod in said cavity selectively exposes or obstructs said first and second passageways.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
111 words
A piston and connecting rod assembly for a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, with a spherical connecting rod small-end entrained in a hollow piston body by a retention ring, a groove communicating with a reservoir, an upper portion of said small end, and a coolant gallery, in a piston crown, for continuous interchange of lubricant, between said gallery and said reservoir with lubricant return, over said small end and associated spherical bearing surfaces to a central cavity, and then to the retention ring and through lubricant passages in said ring to an engine crankcase, wherein an overall circulatory lubricant feed and drainage path is provided in said piston and connecting rod assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
111 words
A piston and connecting rod assembly for a liquid-cooled internal combustion engine, with a spherical connecting rod small-end entrained in a hollow piston body by a retention ring, a groove communicating with a reservoir, an upper portion of said small end, and a coolant gallery, in a piston crown, for continuous interchange of lubricant, between said gallery and said reservoir with lubricant return, over said small end and associated spherical bearing surfaces to a central cavity, and then to the retention ring and through lubricant passages in said ring to an engine crankcase, wherein an overall circulatory lubricant feed and drainage path is provided in said piston and connecting rod assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The piston and connecting rod assembly as recited in claim 11 further comprising a lubricant passage in said connecting rod small end for the return of lubricant to a hollow internal region in said small end.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
An internal combustion engine incorporating a piston and connecting rod assembly as set forth in claim 11 .
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The internal combustion engine as recited in claim 13 wherein said engine is a two-stroke combustion cycle engine.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The internal combustion engine as recited in claim 13 wherein said engine is a compression-ignition diesel combustion cycle engine.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2317004A
Cited
US4662319A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-12-31 | 2005-07-02 | 2006-01-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-12-31 | 2009-07-02 | 2010-01-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-12-31 | 2013-07-02 | 2014-01-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |