Patent ID: 6739238
Filing Date: 2004-05-25
Classification: F02F,F16C,F16J

Abstract:
A sliding structure for a reciprocating internal combustion engine, comprising: sliding elements relatively slidable via lubricating oil therebetween, the sliding elements including sliding surfaces opposed to each other and lubricated with a laminar flow of the lubricating oil, the sliding surfaces defining a first clearance therebetween from which the laminar flow of the lubricating oil leaks, wherein, assuming that the sliding surfaces are completely smooth surfaces defining a second clearance therebetween from which the laminar flow of the lubricating oil leaks, a first surface integral T of an inverse number of the first clearance is smaller than a second surface integral Tsmooth of an inverse number of the second clearance under condition that flow resistances to the laminar flows of the lubricating oil which leak from the first and second clearances are equal to each other with respect to pressure gradient in a direction of leakage of the laminar flows of the lubricating oil and wherein each of the sliding surfaces comprises a base surface with microscopic irregularities having a maximum height, and a plurality of dimples separated from each other by the base surface, the dimples having an average value of maximum depths which is larger than the maximum height, an average value of maximum diameters of the dimples of one of the sliding surfaces being smaller than an average value of minimum distances between the dimples of the other of the sliding surfaces.