Differential-Stroke Piston Seat with Cushioning Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional differential-stroke cycle combustion engines face challenges with the inner piston part's seating impact and noise issues due to the dynamic contact forces during the combustion cycle, which can lead to structural damage and reduced engine efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A piston seat apparatus with a cushioning mechanism, height adjustment, and locking means is introduced to absorb impact forces, mitigate noise, and control the piston seat height, utilizing a piston seat cover and cup with a spring bias and fluid management to adjust the seat height and maintain it under compression.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If the inner piston part is directly seated on the outer piston part during compression, then the compression force is transmitted efficiently, but impact forces and noise increase due to dynamic contact

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompression force transmissionVSAvoidimpact forces and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A cushioning mechanism is introduced between the inner and outer piston parts to absorb impact forces before they can cause damage or noise. This cushioning element compresses during the seating process, reducing the dynamic contact forces and associated noise while maintaining efficient force transmission during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary cushioning element is placed between the inner piston part and outer piston part to mediate the contact forces. This intermediary component absorbs the impact energy during the seating process, reducing noise and structural damage while still allowing effective compression force transmission when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the piston seat height is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the compression ratio cannot be optimized under varying combustion pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston seat structureVSAvoidcompression ratio optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The piston seat height is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the system to adapt to varying combustion pressures. The height adjustment mechanism enables optimization of the compression ratio during different phases of the combustion cycle while maintaining structural simplicity through a straightforward adjustment and locking system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The piston seat height parameter is made variable to optimize compression ratio under different combustion conditions. A locking mechanism is provided to maintain the adjusted height during operation, allowing parameter change without compromising structural simplicity or operational stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If the inner piston part moves independently during exhaust and intake, then the four-stroke cycle is completed in one revolution, but the seating impact between piston parts increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecycle completion speedVSAvoidseating impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cushioning mechanism is positioned to absorb impact forces during the independent movement phase of the inner piston part. This allows the differential-stroke cycle to operate at high speed with reduced seating impact, as the cushioning element compresses to absorb the dynamic contact forces generated during independent piston movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution effectively reduces noise and impact forces, enhances engine efficiency by optimizing the compression ratio, and prevents fuel mixture knocking, while maintaining the adjusted seat height during the combustion cycle.

Implementation Method 1

the piston seat cover is biased toward an extended position for receiving the abutting engagement. More preferably, the piston seat cover is biased by a compression spring.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the piston seat cavity is fillable with engine oil during operation of the combustion engine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2396524B8Accommodating piston seat for differential-stroke cycle engines
Publication Date: 2015.12.30 YAN ENGINES INC

AI summary

A piston seat method and apparatus for a differential-stroke cycle combustion engine, the combustion engine including one or more two-part pistons, each two-part piston having a first piston part and a second piston part. The apparatus comprising: a piston seat cover operatively associated with the first piston part, the piston seat cover being adapted for abutting engagement with the second piston part; wherein, upon abutting engagement, the seat cover is adapted to move relative to the first piston part, thereby at least partially absorbing impact forces applied between the first piston part and the second piston part.