Abstract:
A method is provided for designing and producing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) pistons. Pistons made with FRP have a lower mass than prior art metal pistons conferring advantageous engine efficiency and stability. FRP pistons also increase the thermal efficiency of engines by having a lower thermal conductivity, with tighter piston-to-bore clearance, and/increased air-fuel ratio than pistons of metal. The technical parameters of the piston are identified, and a piston body blank is produced. The blank is then machined, a bearing surface for the pin bore is created, the piston blank is optionally coated, is optionally subjected to Heavy Metal Ion Implantation (HMII) treatment and is subjected to sodium silicate impregnation to produce the final pistons.
Abstract:
A rotary internal combustion engine with a rotor body made at least in major part of a first material, including at least one land protruding axially from each of its end faces and defining a contact surface extending at a fixed position with respect to the end faces. The contact surface frictionally engages a portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity of the engine, and at least the outer surface of the land includes a second material. The second material has a greater wear resistance than that of the first material with respect to frictional engagement with the portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity contacting the land. A method of axially positioning a rotor of a rotary engine within an internal cavity of an outer body of the engine are also discussed.
Abstract:
Systems and methods are provided for forming an engine comprising a thermoset composite engine block. One example method includes reinforcing the engine block with a plurality of metal strips, wherein a first portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially transverse direction of the engine block and a second portion of the plurality of metal strips are positioned in a substantially longitudinal direction of the engine block. The plurality of metal reinforcing strips may provide additional reinforcement to the engine block.
Abstract:
A bearing carrier has a bearing body including a first material. The bearing body has an exterior surface defining a bridge land with a finger cut and rotatably supports a first and second gear. The first and second gears intermesh with one another for pressurizing fluid traversing the gears between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet defined in a housing enveloping the bearing carrier. The bridge land is defined in a second material integral with the first material.
Abstract:
A rotary internal combustion engine with a rotor body made at least in major part of a first material, including at least one land protruding axially from each of its end faces and defining a contact surface extending at a fixed position with respect to the end faces. The contact surface frictionally engages a portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity of the engine, and at least the outer surface of the land includes a second material. The second material has a greater wear resistance than that of the first material with respect to frictional engagement with the portion of the inner surface of the internal cavity contacting the land. A method of axially positioning a rotor of a rotary engine within an internal cavity of an outer body of the engine are also discussed.
Abstract:
Linear actuators (also known as an inchworm actuator) including a magnetically actuatable shape memory alloy (SMA) are described. The linear actuators include a bar and an actuator assembly, configured to achieve a linear displacement of the actuator assembly relative to the bar. A hybrid magnetic trigger including an electromagnet and a permanent magnet is used to selectively attract the magnetically actuatable SMA toward the magnetic trigger. The motion of the magnetically actuatable SMA can be converted to a linear displacement. The magnetically actuatable SMA can be implemented using a SMA exhibiting both ferromagnetic and SMA properties, or by a ferromagnetic mass coupled with an SMA (i.e., a ferromagnetic SMA composite). Linear actuators including bars incorporating a ratchet mechanism, and featureless bars are described. A hydraulic system incorporating actuators including magnetically actuatable SMA membranes is also disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention concerns a method for production of a turbine blades by centrifugal casting, the turbine blade having a leading edge portion with a first thickness and a flowing-off edge portion with a second thickness being smaller than the first thickness, comprising the following steps: a) providing a centrifugal casting device having a rotor (1) being rotatable around an axis (A), and at least one crucible (8) being accommodated in the rotor (1), the crucible having at least one outlet opening, b) providing a mold (4) having an extended cavity (20) for forming the turbine blade, c) arranging the mold (4) at a radially outward position with respect to the crucible (8), so that an inlet opening (5) of the mold (4) is arranged vis-a-vis with an outlet opening (9) of the crucible (8), and further arranging the mold (4) so that a mold leading edge (21) is directed in a direction against the rotational direction of the rotor (1), d) rotating the rotor (1) and thereby forcing a metal melt (15) by means of centrifugal forces from the crucible (8) into the mold (4), e) exerting a pressure on the melt (15) being forced into the mold (4) until the temperature of the solidifying melt (15) has reached a predetermined cooling-temperature, and f) relieving the pressure when the temperature of the solidifying melt (15) is smaller than said predetermined cooling-temperature.
Abstract:
Although modern diesel fuel formulations are intended to reduce emissions of diesel engines, at least some of those modern fuels tend to have relatively low lubricity levels. The control valve assemblies described herein help to minimize any increased wear that would otherwise result from the use of such low lubricity fuels by providing a valve element, a valve guide, and an insert. The valve element is received within the valve guide and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The insert forms a first sealed interface and a second sealed interface with the valve element and the valve guide. When the valve element is in the closed position, both of the first sealed interface and the second sealed interface are engaged. When the valve element is in the open position, only one of the first sealed interface and the second sealed interface is engaged.
Abstract:
A process for detecting an aluminum-based material deposited onto a titanium-based gas turbine engine component during engine operation is disclosed. The process comprises immersing at least a portion of the titanium-based component, which has been subjected to engine operation, into an acid solution to form an etched component. The acid solution comprises sodium fluoride, sulphuric acid and water. The etched component may then be removed from the solution and visually inspected for dark areas in contrast to light areas, the dark areas indicating deposited aluminum-based material.
Abstract:
A hinged-vane rotary pump is disclosed. The pump includes a rotor eccentrically disposed within a chamber and having attached thereto at least two vanes movable between a retracted position and an extended position. At least one friction reducer is attached to each vane, wherein the friction reducer contacts the wall of the chamber when its corresponding vane is in the extended position, and also prevents the second end of its corresponding vane from contacting the peripheral wall when the corresponding vane is in the extended position.