Patent ID: 8746701
Filing Date: 2014-06-10
Classification: F16J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A piston assembly for an engine of a vehicle, the piston assembly comprising: an annular body having an outer side surface defining a groove disposed circumferentially about the annular body, the groove including an outer edge defining an outer groove diameter, and a root defining an inner groove diameter; a ring disposed within the groove and having an inner face defining an inner ring diameter, and an outer face defining an outer ring diameter; and a centering device disposed within the groove between the inner face of the ring and the root of the groove, wherein the centering device is configured for radially spacing the ring from the root of the groove to prevent the inner face of the ring from moving radially outward beyond the outer edge of the groove when the ring is in an uncompressed condition; wherein the centering device includes a radial thickness between the inner device diameter and the outer device diameter that is less than one half (½) the difference between the inner groove diameter and the inner ring diameter when the ring is in the uncompressed condition; and wherein the centering device includes a plurality of beads stacked radially within the groove relative to each other.