Springs for piston ring biasing
AssigneeMainspring Energy, Inc.
InventorsMatthew Svrcek, Carlos Prieto, Rucha Bedarkar, Kevin Ting
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for a cantilever beam arrangement that preloads ring segments in a multi0segment piston ring arrangement. A piston assembly comprises a piston that comprises a land. A ring segment is arranged against the land. The ring segment comprises a radially inner surface, a radially outer surface for sealing against a bore, and a boss located on the radially inner surface. The piston assembly also includes a beam spring having a proximal end attached to the piston and a distal end in contact with the boss. The beam spring forces at least a portion of the ring segment radially outward by applying a force on the boss.
Claims20
A piston assembly comprising:
- a piston comprising a land;
- a wedge-shaped ring segment arranged against the land, wherein the ring segment comprises:
- a radially inner surface,
- a radially outer surface for sealing against a bore, and
- a boss located on the radially inner surface;
- and
- a beam spring having a proximal end attached to the piston and a distal end in direct contact with the boss, wherein the beam spring forces at least a portion of the ring segment radially outward by applying a force on the boss.
A sealing ring assembly comprising:
- at least one ring segment configured to seal against a bore of a cylinder and a piston;
- and
- a plurality of spring elements that overlap azimuthally and arranged radially inward of the at least one segment and configured to apply a force radially outward on the at the least one ring segment, wherein the plurality of spring elements are to extend 180 degrees or less azimuthally around the piston.
A method of operating a linear generator, the method comprising:
- controlling a trajectory of a translator comprising a piston;
- forming a seal between a bore of a cylinder and the piston using a sealing ring assembly for operating without oil or liquid lubricant;
- and
- applying a force radially outward on at the least one ring segment of the sealing ring assembly using at least one spring element arranged radially inward of the at least one ring segment, wherein:
- the at least one spring element is configured to extend 180 degrees or less azimuthally around the piston,
- the at least one spring element comprises a plurality of spring elements, and
- the plurality of spring elements overlap azimuthally.
A sealing ring assembly comprising:
- at least one wedge-shaped ring segment to seal against a bore of a cylinder and a piston;
- a boss on a radially inner surface of the ring segment;
- and
- at least one spring element arranged radially inward of the at least one ring segment to apply a force radially outward on the boss, wherein the at least one spring element is configured to extend 180 degrees or less azimuthally around the piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.