Multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine

• US 8,127,738 B2
• Filed: 03/17/2009
• Issued: 03/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mahle International GmbH (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Mahle International GmbH (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Inventors: Scharp, Rainer
• Primary Examiner(s): MCMAHON, MARGUERITE J
• Application Number:
  US12/381,838
• Publication Number:
  US 20100108015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 922/16, 922/19, 922/22, 922/31, 922/55, 922/56, 922/58, 92/26, 123/193.6, 123/41, 298/880.42, 298/880.44
• US Class Current: 123/193.6
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 3/003 the parts being connected by casting, brazing, welding or clamping
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 3/22 the fluid being liquid

Abstract

A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine has an upper piston part with a piston crown, and a lower piston part, each of the piston parts having an inner and an outer support element that delimit an outer circumferential cooling channel and an inner cooling chamber. The cooling chamber bottom has an opening. A holding element is disposed in the inner cooling chamber and extends from the underside of the piston crown vertically toward the opening. The holding element carries a closure element that closes the opening and has at least one cooling oil opening.

Claims

1. A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an upper piston part that has a piston crown, an inner support element and an outer support element;

a lower piston part having an inner support element and an outer support element, said inner and outer support elements on the upper and lower piston parts delimiting an outer circumferential cooling channel and an inner cooling chamber having an opening in a bottom thereof;

a closure element that closes the opening, said closure element having at least one cooling oil opening; and

a holding element that configured as a separate element and being attached to an underside of the piston crown and extending vertically toward the opening, said holding element being disposed in the inner cooling chamber and said holding element abutting the closure element.

2. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the closure element has two or more cooling oil openings.

3. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the opening in the bottom of the cooling chamber and the closure element are configured to be essentially round.

4. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the opening in the bottom of the cooling chamber is configured to be oval or as an oblong hole, and the closure element is configured to correspond to a shape of the opening.

5. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the holding element has a conical depression and the underside of the piston crown has a conical elevation that corresponds to a shape of the depression, and wherein the holding element is held between the underside of the piston crown and the closure element, with force fit, so that the depression and the elevation engage one another.

6. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the holding element has a journal and the underside of the piston crown has a dead-end hole that corresponds to a shape of the journal, said journal being accommodated in the dead-end hole.

7. The piston according to claim 1, wherein an end of the holding element that faces the opening has a circumferential contact shoulder that surrounds a projection, wherein said shoulder lies on the closure element, and wherein the projection engages into a recess provided in the closure element.

8. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the holding element is configured as a screw or threaded pin, and the underside of the piston crown has a threaded dead-end hole that corresponds to a shape of said screw or threaded pin and which accommodates the holding element.

9. The piston according to claim 8, wherein an end of the holding element that faces the opening has a circumferential or interrupted flange that engages underneath the closure element.

10. The piston according to claim 8, wherein the opening has a circumferential holding collar that is directed radially inward, and wherein the closure element engages underneath the holding collar with its outer edge.

11. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is produced from a spring steel material.

12. The piston according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper piston part and the lower piston part are forged parts.

13. The piston according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper piston part and the lower piston part are produced from a steel material.

14. The piston according to claim 1, wherein the upper piston part and the lower piston part are connected with one another by means of friction welding.

15. A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an upper piston part that has a piston crown, an inner support element and an outer support element;

a lower piston part having an inner support element and an outer support element, said inner and outer support elements on the upper and lower piston parts delimiting an outer circumferential cooling channel and an inner cooling chamber having an opening in a bottom thereof;

a closure element that closes the opening, said closure element having at least one cooling oil opening, and

a holding element that extends from an underside of the piston crown vertically toward the opening, said holding element being disposed in the inner cooling chamber and said holding element abutting the closure element,

wherein an end of the holding element that faces the opening has a circumferential contact shoulder that surrounds a projection, wherein said shoulder lies on the closure element, and wherein the projection engages into a recess provided in the closure element.

16. A multi-part piston for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

an upper piston part that has a piston crown, an inner support element and an outer support element;

a lower piston part having an inner support element and an outer support element, said inner and outer support elements on the upper and lower piston parts delimiting an outer circumferential cooling channel and an inner cooling chamber having an opening in a bottom thereof;

a closure element made of spring seel material that closes the opening, said closure element having at least one cooling oil opening, and

a holding element that extends from an underside of the piston crown vertically toward the opening, said holding element being disposed in the inner cooling chamber and said holding element abutting the closure element.