Method and apparatus for testing piston rings
OwnerOtto M. Rodriguezinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Piston rings are tested for their effectiveness by removing the cylinder heads of an engine, and sealing one cylinder with a pressure cap. Fluid under pressure is admitted into the cylinder, and time required to dissipate the pressure is monitored. A long time to dissipate the pressure indicates good rings, and a short time indicates bad rings. The several cylinders are sealed an tested one at a time. The pressure cap has a tire valve therein so the conventional air hose can be used to pressurize the cylinder. Preferably, engine oil is placed into the cylinder before the pressure cap is put into place so it is the oil that must move past the piston rings. A hold-down for the pressure cap may be fixed to the engine block using a screw into one of the holes for the cylinder head screws.
Claims8
A method for determining whether or not piston rings in an engine are sealing adequately, said engine including at least one cylinder having a piston reciprocable therein, and a plurality of rings extending circumferentially of said piston for sealing said piston with respect to the wall of said cylinder, and a cylinder head for normally closing the upper end of said cylinder, said method comprising the steps of removing said cylinder head, sealing the upper end of said cylinder with a pressure cap having a valve therein, admitting fluid under pressure through said valve until a predetermined high pressure is reached, and monitoring the reduction in said high pressure for determining the seal between said piston and said wall of said cylinder.
Apparatus for testing piston rings, in an engine including a block defining at least one cylinder, a piston reciprocable within said cylinder, and a cylinder head selectively fixable to said block for closing the upper end of said at least one cylinder, said apparatus comprising a pressure cap sized to cover said upper end of one cylinder, sealing means disposed between said pressure cap and said block, means for urging said pressure cap against said block, and valve means in said pressure cap for admitting fluid under pressure through said pressure cap and into said one cylinder above said piston.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.