Pivoting Piston Removal Tool Without Bowl Groove Damage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current piston removal tools often damage the piston due to the application of large forces and require a groove in the piston bowl, which increases space for unburned fuel, reducing engine efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A piston removal tool with a first member, a second member that moves between positions to limit arm movement, and arm members that pivot to lock with the piston's inner surface, eliminating the need for a groove and reducing force application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a groove is provided in the piston for receiving the extraction tool, then the tool can be securely positioned, but the space for unburned fuel increases reducing engine efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetool positioning securityVSAvoidunburned fuel space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the groove feature from the piston by extracting the tool positioning function to a separate component - the extraction tool itself carries positioning features (protrusions engaging with recesses in the piston bowl) rather than requiring the piston to have a groove, thus eliminating the harmful space while maintaining secure positioning

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction tool acts as an intermediary between the operator and the piston, providing its own positioning mechanism (protrusions and recesses) that mediates the positioning function without requiring modification to the piston structure, thereby avoiding the creation of fuel space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If large forces are applied by extraction tools to remove the piston, then the piston can be extracted from the cylinder, but the piston may be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiston removal capabilityVSAvoidpiston integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The extraction force is segmented and distributed through multiple contact points - the tool engages the piston at multiple locations around the piston bowl perimeter rather than concentrating force at a single point, distributing the load to prevent localized damage while maintaining extraction capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The extraction tool employs a dynamic gripping mechanism that adapts to the piston geometry, using pivoting arms or flexible elements that maintain optimal contact and distribute forces dynamically during the extraction process, preventing excessive localized stress on the piston

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3593947B1Piston removal tool
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 CATERPILLAR ENERGY SOLUTIONS
  • EP3593947B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3593947B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3593947B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A tool (200) for removing a piston (104) from a cylinder (102) of an engine (100) is provided. The tool (200) includes a first member (202) having a slot (210) defined on an outer surface (212) thereof. The tool (200) also includes a first handle (228) connected to the first member (202). The tool (200) further includes at least one arm member (206) pivotally coupled with the first member (202). The at least one arm member (206) includes a first portion (232) that contacts an inner surface (122) of the piston (104) when the piston (104) is being removed from the cylinder (102). The tool (200) includes a second member (204) disposed around the first member (202) and movable between a first position and a second position. The second member (204) is adapted to limit an axial movement of the at least one arm member (206). The tool (200) also includes a second handle (246) connected to the second member (204) to move the second member (204) between the first position and the second position.