Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a piston ring removal tool and methods of using the same. One method includes disposing a tool between a first piston ring and a piston associated with the piston ring and rotating the piston, wherein the tool engages the first piston ring and separates at least a portion of the first piston ring from the piston.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure relates generally to a tool configured for use with piston rings and, more particularly, to a tool configured for use in removing piston rings from a piston associated with an internal combustion engine. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The fields of machine component salvaging and remanufacturing have grown significantly in recent years. Systems and components that only recently would have been scrapped are now repaired and/or refurbished and returned to service. Internal combustion engines have many different parts that may be remanufactured. When such an engine is taken out of service and dismantled for remanufacturing, various parts, such as pistons, may be reused, while others are scrapped. 
         [0003]    In the case of pistons, it is desirable, in many instances, to efficiently process pistons so that they can be remanufactured to a condition as good or better than new. A step in the process of remanufacturing pistons is to remove piston rings, while causing minimal to no additional damage to the piston. Several techniques and tools have been used to try to efficiently remove piston rings. Most techniques remove piston rings one at a time using a tool that expands the piston ring over the crown of the piston. There are few tools that provide for multiple piston ring removal. The multiple piston ring removal tools usually are designed for a piston of a specific and very limited dimension and are not designed for efficiently removing piston rings with high volume processing, which may be done at a piston remanufacturing facility. In addition, current multiple piston ring removal tools often have a high risk of damaging the piston. 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 1,412,953 to Charles is directed to a tool for facilitating the removal and replacement of piston rings. Charles proposed a tool with a plurality of slender arms that may be inserted between the ring and the piston at multiple sides of the piston. When the arms are inserted beneath the piston rings they may be separated outwardly to occupy positions substantially equidistant from each other. In this separating operation the one or more piston rings are expanded sufficiently to permit of its removal from the piston. While Charles may provide a strategy for removing multiple rings, there remains a need for a less time consuming method for removing multiple piston rings. Furthermore, there remains a need for a universal tool for removing piston rings of varying size. Accordingly, the presently disclosed piston ring removal tool is directed at overcoming one or more of these disadvantages in currently available methods, systems, and apparatuses for piston ring removal. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    It is to be understood that both the following summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive. Provided are methods and systems for, in one aspect, removal of an item such as a piston ring from a piston. 
         [0006]    In one method, a tool may be disposed between a first piston ring and a piston associated with the piston ring. The piston may be caused to rotate such that the tool engages the first piston ring and separates at least a portion of the first piston ring from the piston. 
         [0007]    In another method, a tool may be disposed between a plurality of piston rings and a piston. The tool may be positioned to cause at least a portion of one or more of the plurality of piston rings to be disposed adjacent a top land of the piston. The piston may be rotated to at least partially separate the plurality of piston rings from the piston. 
         [0008]    In an aspect, a removal system may include a rotatable surface configured to rotate about an axis and a removal tool including a tapered portion. As an example, the tapered portion of the removal tool may be configured to engage an item disposed on the rotatable surface. As a further example, a rotation of the rotatable surface may cause the removal tool to separate a first portion of the item from a second portion of the item. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary ring removal system according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an exemplary removal tool according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2B  is an enlarged side view of an end portion of the removal tool of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0012]      FIG. 2C  is an enlarged top view of an end portion of the removal tool of  FIG. 2A . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an exemplary tool holder and a removal tool shown in a removal position according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is an enlarged perspective view of the exemplary tool holder of  FIG. 3A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an exemplary ring removal system showing a clamp according to an aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of an exemplary ring removal system showing a clamp according to another aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the exemplary ring removal system of  FIG. 5A  rotated 180 degrees from the view of  FIG. 5A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an exemplary ring removal system showing a clamp according to yet another aspect of the disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of the exemplary ring removal system of  FIG. 6  showing a piston crown-bore assembly. 
           [0020]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of the exemplary ring removal system of  FIG. 6  rotated 180 degrees from the view of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the exemplary ring removal system of  FIG. 6  showing the removal tool in an insert position. 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the exemplary ring removal system of  FIG. 6  showing the removal tool in a removal position. 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the exemplary ring removal system of  FIG. 6  showing a plurality of piston rings at least partially separated from a piston. 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method. 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatuses that may remove one or more piston rings from a piston. A tool with a tapered edge may be placed in a space between one or more rings and an associated piston. After the tool is placed, the piston may be rotated to remove the one or more rings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a ring removal system  100 . The ring removal system  100  may include a removal tool  110 , a tool holder  102 , and a rotatable surface  120 . The ring removal system  100  may include other components in various configurations. The ring removal system  100  may be used to separate a first portion of an item from a second portion of an item. For example, the ring removal system  100  may be used to separate one or more piston rings from a piston  115 . 
         [0029]    In an aspect, the rotatable surface  120  and the tool holder  102  may rest upon a surface  124 . The surface  124  may be table, a floor, or like surface. The rotatable surface  120  and the tool holder  102  may be on the same surface  124 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , or on different surfaces. For example, the rotatable surface  120  may be disposed on a table (not shown) and the tool holder  102  may be disposed on a wall or other vertical surface. Other configurations may be used. 
         [0030]    The rotatable surface  120  may include one or more notches  173 ,  174 . The one or more notches  173 ,  174  have a shape that accommodates one or more portions of an item such as the piston  115 . For example, the one or more notches  173 ,  174  may be configured to receive a lip  123  of a skirt  126  (e.g., a slipper skirt) of the piston  115 . The placement of portions of the piston  115  in the notch  173  and the notch  174  may contribute in keeping the piston  115  stable and therefore stationary relative to the rotatable surface  120 . Other mechanisms may be used to stabilize the piston  115 . For example, a pin or insert may be configured to engage a portion of the piston  115  such as a bore  127  formed in the piston. 
         [0031]    The rotatable surface  120  may be used to rotate the piston  115  around an axis A. As discussed herein, the piston  115  may be fastened to the rotatable surface  120 , in order to keep the piston  115  from substantially moving during the removal process of the one or more piston rings. The arm  122  may be connected with the rotatable surface  120  via the extension  121 . The rotatable surface  120  may be rotated around axis A by moving the arm  122  via a human user (not shown) or an electromechanical machine (not shown), for example. In an alternative aspect, the tool holder  102  may be rotated around axis A and the rotatable surface  120  may be held stationary. 
         [0032]    In an aspect, the removal tool  110  may include a grip  111 , an elongated shaft  112 , and an end portion  113 . As an example, the removal tool  110  may be configured to have a particular longitudinal length such as about 400 mm. However, other lengths may be used. The grip  111  may facilitate an interface between a user and the removal tool  110 . As an example, the grip  111  may assist a user in maintaining an engagement (e.g., hand grip) with the removal tool  110 . 
         [0033]    As more clearly shown in  FIGS. 2A ,  2 B, and  2 C, the grip  111  may have one or more first indentations  114  and/or one or more second indentations  118 , among other indentations of varying shapes (for example oval or rectangular shapes), which facilitate gripping of the removal tool  110 . The grip  111  of removal tool  110  may be connected with an elongated shaft  112 . In an aspect, the end portion  113  is disposed opposite the grip  111  along the elongated shaft  112 . Other configurations may be used. 
         [0034]    In an aspect, the end portion  113  is constructed in a manner that allows insertion between one or more piston rings and a piston. The end portion  113  may be tapered so that the removal tool  110  may fit into an opening between one or more piston rings and a piston  115 . The end portion  113  may have a flared tip. The end portion  113  may be tapered from a first thickness (e.g., 5 mm) to a second thickness (e.g., 1 mm) Other thickness and configurations may be used. As an example, the elongated shaft  112  of the removal tool  110  may have one or more tapered face  113   a ,  113   b ,  113   c  formed thereon to define an aspect of the end portion  113 . As another example, the elongated shaft  112  may be cylindrical and taper faces  113   a ,  113   b ,  113   c  may be or comprise a planar surface. The tapered faces  113   a ,  113   b ,  113   c  may have varying angles of taper, size, shape, texture, and other characteristics as compared to each other. As a further example, one tapered face  113   a  may have a greater (e.g., steeper) angle of taper relative to a longitudinal axis of the elongated shaft  112  than the angle of taper of another tapered face  113   b ,  113   c . As yet a further example, one tapered face  113   b  may be disposed on the same edge of the elongated shaft  112  as another tapered face  113   a  and/or on a different edge of the elongated shaft  112 , such as tapered face  113   c . Any number of tapered faces  113   a ,  113   b ,  113   c  having any shape, angle, size, and texture may be used. As discussed in more detail herein, the removal tool  110  may be angled such that one or more piston rings slide onto the end portion  113  during the removal process of the piston rings. The grip  111 , the elongated shaft  112 , and end portion  113  may be a single molded piece or modular in nature to form the removal tool  110 . 
         [0035]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  illustrate a perspective view of the tool holder  102 . The tool holder  102  may be or include an L-shaped member including a vertical member  103  that is connected with a horizontal member  104 . The horizontal member  104  may be partially hollow. The horizontal member  104  may have a top surface  108  that includes a top slot  106  formed therein. The horizontal member  104  may have a bottom surface  109  that includes a bottom slot  107  formed therein. In an aspect, the end portion  113  of the removal tool  110  and the elongated shaft  112  of the removal tool  110  may be of sufficient width to extend through the top slot  106  and the bottom slot  107 . As an example, the top slot  106  may be J-shaped, L-shaped, or U-shaped. As another example, the bottom slot  107  may be oval shaped. As a further example, the bottom slot  107  and the top slot  106  may both be sized to receive the removal tool  110  and to allow for maneuvering of the removal tool  110  into the appropriate positions for removal of piston rings (e.g., from piston  115 ) as discussed in more detail herein. In certain aspects, the top slot  106  may have a “J” shape with the longer channel of the “J” having a length of about 30 mm (e.g., 29 mm, 29.5 mm, 30 mm, 30.5 mm, 31 mm etc.), a shorter channel of the “J” having a length of about 16 mm (e.g., 15 mm, 15.5 mm, 16 mm, 16.5 mm, 17 mm, etc.). Other sizes and configurations fo the top slot can be used. The piston  115  may be of different sizes and configurations, therefore the removal tool  110  may be placed in different positions to account for the configuration of the piston  115 . 
         [0036]    With further reference to  FIG. 3 , the removal tool  110  may include a brace  81 , which may stabilize and keep elevated the removal tool  110  while disposed in the top slot  106  and the bottom slot  107 . The brace  81  may be a washer, nut, or other formation that may be brazed, welded, fastened, glued, screwed, or otherwise attached to the removal tool  110 . In another example, the brace  81  may be molded into or coupled to the elongated shaft  112  as part of the removal tool  110 . The brace  81  may be configured to maintain the removal tool  110  in a locked position (e.g., fixed in one or more degrees of movement) during the removal process. As an example, the brace  81  may be configured to provide set angle orientation and depth locating of the removal tool  110  relative to the tool holder  102  and/or the piston  115 . The brace  81  may be placed in a position on the elongated shaft  112  that allows for the end portion  113  of the removal tool  110  to reach one or more piston rings of the piston  115 . The brace  81  may be configured to limit the movement of the removal tool  110  in one or more degrees of freedom for repeatability. For example, the brace  81  may be configured to minimize a movement of the removal tool  110  in a vertical direction such that the removal tool  110  extends through the top slot  106  and bottom slot  107  in a repeatable manner and having a pre-defined depth of extension. 
         [0037]    The tool holder  102  may have varying shapes and configurations. In an aspect, the tool holder  102  may be configured to have the horizontal member  104  and the vertical member  103  be adjustable. For example, the horizontal member  104  may include a telescoping partition  138  that may be incrementally shortened to or extended from partition  137  at line  131 . The partition  137  may be connected with the vertical member  103 . In this regard, the telescoping partition  138  may extend horizontally from partition  137  to change a horizontal position of the top slot  106  with respect to the piston  115 . The telescoping structure may be contained inside the partition  137  and/or the partition  138 . The telescoping structure may further allow for locking of the partition  138  in a desired horizontal position. 
         [0038]    In another example, the vertical member  103  may include a telescoping partition  136  that may be incrementally shortened to or extended from the partition  135  at the line  132 . The partition  136  may be connected with the horizontal member  104 . The horizontal member  104  or the vertical member  103 , for example, may help accommodate the use of the removal tool  110  on the piston  115 , which may be different sizes. In this regard, the telescoping partition  136  may extend vertically from partition  135  to change a vertical position of the top slot  106  with respect to the piston  115 . The telescoping structure may be contained inside the partition  136  and/or the partition and  35 . The telescoping structure may further allow for locking of the partition  136  in a desired horizontal position. 
         [0039]    In an aspect, the top slot  106  may be J-shaped and the bottom slot  107  may be oval shaped. The top slot  106  and the bottom slot  107  may be of any shape that allow for maneuvering the removal tool  110  into position for the removal process. The removal tool may be disposed in various positions of the top slot  106  such as a first position (e.g., insert position) and a second position (e.g., removal position), based on the steps of the removal process, which is discussed in more detail with regard to method  190  of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example of a ring removal system  100 . The ring removal system  100  may include the removal tool  110 , the tool holder  102 , and a rotatable surface  120 . The tool holder  102  may be coupled with a surface such as a table. The rotatable surface  120  may protrude through table and may be coupled with a base  151  that may mechanically or electromechanically turn the rotatable surface  120 . The base  151  may be connected with a switch  153  that activates the rotation of the rotatable surface  120  coupled with the base  151 . The rotatable surface  120  may rotate around axis A during the appropriate steps of the removal process as discussed herein. The switch  153  may be a mechanical button, mechanical lever, mechanical pedal, a virtualized switch on a graphical user interface, or the like. In one aspect, the switch  153  may operate a motor arranged in the base  151 . The motor may be appropriately geared to rotate the rotatable surface  120  at an appropriate speed with sufficient power. In another aspect, the switch  153  may be a mechanical lever that may be mechanically connected to the rotatable surface  122  to rotate the same. 
         [0041]    With further reference to  FIG. 4 , the rotatable surface  120  may be connected with stabilizing element or system such as a clamp  154 . The clamp  154  may comprise railing  158 , a sidewall  155 , a sidewall  156 , and a shaft screw  157 . The sidewall  155  and the sidewall  156  may be adjusted along the shaft screw  157  in order to clamp or unclamp an object, such as piston  115 . Clamp  154  may be operated mechanically or electromechanically, such as by hand or a motor  159  controlled by a computing device (not shown) or switch (not shown), in order to adjust the position of the sidewall  155  or the sidewall  156  along the railing  158 . The sidewall  155  and the sidewall  156  may be coupled with a bore insert, such as a pin bore insert  171  that may be inserted within the bore  127  of the piston  115 . As discussed in more detail below, the pin bore insert  171  may assist in keeping the piston  115  stationary. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate an example of a clamp  154 ′, according to another aspect, that may be used to hold the piston  115  stationary relative to a surface such as rotatable surface  120 . The clamp  154 ′ may include one or more sidewalls  155 ′,  156 ′ and a pin bore insert  163 . In an aspect, the sidewall  155 ′ may define an aperture  165  and the sidewall  156 ′ may define an aperture  166 . The aperture  165  and the aperture  166  may be centered along an axis B and may be configured to receive the pin bore insert  163 . The sidewall  155 ′ may be a distance away from the sidewall  156 ′ in order to accommodate the piston  115  resting therebetween. One or both sidewalls  155 ′,  156 ′, may be welded, glued, brazed, fastened, or otherwise attached with the rotatable surface  120 . One or both sidewalls  155 ′,  156 ′, may be coupled to the rotatable surface  120 , but readily adjustable in a way that may increase or reduce a distance between the sidewalls  155 ′,  156 ′, for example to accommodate piston  115 . 
         [0043]    In an aspect, the bore  127  formed in the piston  115  may be aligned with the aperture  165  and the aperture  166 . As such, the pin bore insert  163  may be disposed through the bore  127  and the apertures  165 ,  166  to secure the piston  115  to the rotatable surface  120 . In an aspect, the pin bore insert  163  may be cylindrical in shape. The pin bore insert  163  may be made substantially of or covered with a minimally abrasive material, such as plastic, foam (for example closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam), or the like, in order to minimize damage to piston  115  during the removal process as discussed herein. 
         [0044]      FIG. 6  illustrates another aspect of the disclosure comprising a clamp  154 ″ that may be used to hold the piston  115  stationary. The clamp  154 ″ may include one or more sidewalls  155 ″,  156 ″. The sidewall  155 ′ may have a pin bore insert  171  and the sidewall  156 ″ may have a pin bore insert  172 . The pin bore insert  171  and the pin bore insert  172  are shown to be a conical shape, but may have a cylindrical shape, rectangular shape, or other shape. The conical shape of pin bore insert  171  and the pin bore insert  172  may help to accommodate pistons with pin bores of different dimensions. The pin bore insert  171  or the pin bore insert  172  may be readily adjustable along their respective sidewalls, the sidewall  155 ″ and the sidewall  156 ″. For example, the sidewall  155 ″ or the sidewall  156 ″ may have a telescoping nature as similarly discussed with other apparatuses herein. Adjustment of the height or horizontal direction of the pin bore insert  171  or the pin bore insert  172  may accommodate pistons of different dimensions. The pin bore insert  171  and the pin bore insert  172  may be centered along an axis C. 
         [0045]    With further reference to  FIG. 6 , the sidewall  155 ″ may be a distance X away from sidewall  156 ″ in order to accommodate piston  115  resting therebetween. One or both sidewalls, sidewall  155 ″ or sidewall  156 ″, may be welded, glued, brazed, fastened, or otherwise attached with the rotatable surface  120 . One or both sidewalls, sidewall  155 ″ or sidewall  156 ″, may be attached to the rotatable surface  120 , but readily adjustable in a way that may increase or reduce distance X to accommodate the piston  115 . The rotatable surface  120 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , may include the notches  173 ,  174 , which may be configured to receive a portion of an item such as the piston  115 . As an example, the placement of portions of the piston  115  in the notch  173  and the notch  174  may contribute in keeping the piston  115  stable and therefore stationary. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an example of the clamp  154 ″ with an item such as a piston bore-crown assembly  180 . As shown, the piston bore-crown assembly  180  does not have a conventional piston skirt. The piston bore-crown assembly  180  may be a part of multiple piece system (e.g., two-piece pistons). As an example, a stabilizing insert  181  may be located between a wall  183  that defines a bore  182  and a wall  185  that defines a bore  184 . The wall  183  and the wall  185  may be rounded; therefore the piston bore-crown assembly  180  may have a tendency to tip or otherwise move when placed to stand upright on the wall  183  and the wall  185 , even when clamped. The stabilizing insert  181  may be used to stabilize the piston bore-crown assembly  180  on rotatable surface  120 , which may be beneficial during the removal process. 
         [0047]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the stabilizing insert  181  may be in the shape of a rectangular cuboid (in other words box shaped) and have dimensions such that the piston bore-crown assembly  180  may be level when the stabilizing insert is placed in a space between the wall  185  and the wall  186 . Other shapes such as polygons are contemplated as well. The stabilizing insert  181 , when inserted in the space between the wall  185  and the wall  186 , may make the pin bore-crown assembly as stable on the rotatable surface  120  as a piston with a conventional piston skirt, such as the piston  115 . The stabilizing insert  181  may be constructed of or covered with a minimally abrasive material, such as plastic, foam (for example closed-cell extruded polystyrene foam), or the like in order to minimize damage to piston bore-crown assembly  180 . The stabilizing insert  181  may be rigidly fixed to the rotatable surface  120  or removable. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0048]    In general, the technology described in the disclosure has industrial applicability in a variety of settings such as, but not limited to, reducing the time to remove piston rings, while protecting a piston from damage. Its industrial applicability extends to virtually all pistons, including pistons from automobiles, buses, trucks, tractors, off road machines, generator sets, marine vessels, aircraft, and industrial work machines, or the like. In addition, the disclosed methods, systems, and apparatuses allow ways to clamp pistons, rotate pistons, hold tools, as well as efficiently remove piston rings from a piston. 
         [0049]      FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary method  190  for removing one or more piston rings from a piston. Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , at step  191 , the piston  115  may be disposed on a surface such as the rotatable surface  120 . The piston  115  may be clamped or otherwise held stationary (for example by hand), as discussed herein. The piston  115  may have a plurality of ring grooves, such as a top ring groove  91 , second ring groove  92 , and an oil ring groove  93  that may include a plurality of rings, such as, respectively, a top compression piston ring  97 , a second compression piston ring  98 , and an oil control piston ring  99 , as shown in  FIG. 9 . The piston ring  97 , the piston ring  98 , and the piston ring  99  may include, respectively, a ring gap  82 , a ring gap  83 , and a ring gap  84 . At step  192 , the removal tool  110  may be disposed (e.g., inserted) between the piston  115  and one or more of the piston rings (the top compression piston ring  97 , the second compression piston ring  98 , and the oil control piston ring  99 ), as shown in  FIG. 9 . Pressure may be applied to the plurality of piston rings in order to assist in creating enough space to insert the removal tool  110  with regard to step  192 . For example, on the side (not shown) of the piston  115  that is opposite the anticipated position of the removal tool  110 , the plurality of piston rings may be pressed in a direction towards the anticipated position of the removal tool  110 . The pressure may be towards the center of the piston  115 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , during the insertion of the removal tool  110  at step  192 , the removal tool  110  may be parallel to axis A of the piston  115 . At step  192 , the removal tool  110  may be positioned in a first position (e.g., insert position) of the top slot  106 . Other configurations and placements may be used. 
         [0050]    With further reference to the step  192  of  FIG. 8 , the removal tool  110  may be inserted at a position near the ring gaps of the plurality of piston rings that are anticipated to be removed. The ring gaps of the plurality of piston rings, as shown in  FIG. 9 , may be repositioned to be aligned near the anticipated position of the removal tool  110 , before the removal tool  110  is inserted. 
         [0051]    At step  193  of  FIG. 8 , the removal tool  110  may be positioned (for example angled) in a manner that may cause the plurality of piston rings to be elevated above operating ring groove positions to a position near or above a top land  94 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . As discussed above, the removal tool  110  may be near the ring gaps of the plurality of piston rings, therefore ring ends as highlighted by oval may be elevated near or above the top land  94  of piston  115 , as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0052]    At step  194  of  FIG. 8 , the removal tool  110  may be locked into position so that the ends of the plurality of piston rings are near the top land  94  of the piston  115 . The removal tool  110  may be locked into its position based on the positioning of the elongated shaft of the removal tool in bottom slot  107  and top slot  106 . The positioning of the removal tool  110  may vary based on the dimensions of the piston  115 , among other factors as discussed herein. During the locking process of step  194 , the removal tool  110  may be positioned in a second position (e.g., removal position) of the top slot  106 . If the tool is manually operated, the user may let go after locking of the removal tool  110 . The positioning of the removal tool at step  194  may allow for the plurality of piston rings to slide up the removal tool and out of their respective grooves when the piston  115  is rotated. 
         [0053]    At step  195 , the piston  115  may be caused to rotate in order to separate the one or more piston rings from their previously situated ring grooves. The piston  115  may be rotated around axis A in any manner, such as by rotating the rotatable surface  120  via arm  122  ( FIG. 1 ). The arm  122  may be moved to rotate rotatable surface  120 .  FIG. 11  is an exemplary illustration of the piston  115  rotated 180 degrees. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the plurality of piston rings  97 ,  98 ,  99  are at least partially separated from the piston  115  and substantially removed from their respective ring grooves. 
         [0054]    The use of the method  190  may allow for the removal of one or more piston rings with minimal to no damage to the piston  115 . In addition, method  190  may allow for the removal of one or more piston rings in a relatively short amount of time when compared to conventional methods of removing piston rings. 
         [0055]    It is contemplated herein, that the tool holder  102  may not be in the form as shown. A user, with no other mechanical apparatus, may hold the removal tool  110 . In this scenario, the piston  115  may be rotated, while the user holds the removal tool  110  at an appropriate angle to remove one or more piston rings, as similarly discussed in method  190 . The tool holder  102  and the removal tool  110  may also be integrated, as in an automated manufacturing environment, such that the removal tool  110  may be controlled by or be part of a robotic arm or the like. 
         [0056]      FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary method  200  for clamping an item such as a piston element (e.g., piston  115 , piston bore-crown assembly  180 , etc.). In an aspect, at step  201 , the piston bore-crown assembly  180  ( FIGS. 7A-7B ) may be disposed on a surface such as the rotatable surface  120 . At step  202 , an insert such as the stabilizing insert  181  may be disposed between the crown  189  of the piston bore-crown assembly  180  and the surface. At step  203 , one or more bore inserts (e.g., the pin bore inserts  171 ,  172 ) may be inserted, respectively, through bore  184  and bore  182 . As an example, the pin bore insert  171  and/or the pin bore insert  172  may contact the stabilizing insert  181 . At step  204 , one or more of the pin bore inserts  171 ,  172  may be secured in a temporary fixed position. In an aspect, one or more of the sidewall  155 ″ and the sidewall  156 ″ associated with the pin bore inserts  171 ,  172  are held stationary by a fastening or locking mechanism. As an example, the sidewalls  155 ″,  156 ″ may be held stationary by locating pins that are removeably secured to the rotatable surface  120 . As a further example, the sidewalls  155 ″,  156 ″ may include brackets having apertures configured to receive a pin such that the pin extends through the bracket and engage the rotatable surface  120 . Other configurations may be used. The method  190  may be implemented after the implementation of this method  200 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary method  300  for clamping an item such as piston  115 . At step  301 , the piston  115  may be disposed on a surface such as the rotatable surface  120  ( FIG. 6 ). At step  302 , the pin bore insert  163  may be inserted through the bore  127  of the piston  115 . At step  303 , the piston  115  may be stabilized. As an example, the sidewall  155 ″ and the sidewall  156 ″ may be held stationary by a fastening or locking mechanism. In another example, the sidewall  155 ″ or the sidewall  156 ″ may be rigidly fixed to rotatable surface  120  via a weld or braze. The method  190  may be implemented after the implementation of this method  300 . As such, when the rotatable surface  120  rotates, the piston  115  is stabilized relative to the rotatable surface  120 . 
         [0058]    It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system, structure, and methods. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated. 
         [0059]    Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value within such range should be construed as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.