Cummins Engine Company, Inc.

Steven G Barnes

Dean H Reichenbach

George L Banta, Iii

Andrew P Harman

Bill L Stamper

A spring-energized cylinder head combustion seal for positioning in an inwardly opening annular groove in a cylinder liner for sealing the interface between the cylinder liner and cylinder head so as to prevent leakage of combustion gases includes a C-shaped annular sheath which is disposed in contact with the bottom surface of the annular groove and the lower surface of the cylinder head. The second component of the seal assembly is a helically wound spring which is of an annular ring shape and disposed within the C-shaped sheath. The sheath and spring are positioned such that the opening in the C-shaped sheath opens directly into the cylinder and the seal assembly is exposed directly to the combustion gases and the higher or elevated temperatures which are present. The spring and C-shaped sheath are constructed of superalloy materials and the exterior of the sheath may be plated with soft metal so as to provide an enhanced metal to metal seal between the liner and cylinder head.

Spring-energized cylinder head combustion seal assembly

A liner assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a liner bore in an engine block which receives a cylinder liner having an end extension which is received in an annular cylinder head groove. The end extension of the cylinder liner includes a outer circumferential surface thereon which is formed to define a very small gap with the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder head groove; the inner circumferential surface of the upper end is radially spaced from the inner circumferential surface of the cylinder head groove to form an annular seal space for a radial seal that is captured between the upper end and the cylinder head to form an active combustion gas seal between the cylinder liner and the cylinder head. The end surfaces of the upper end of the cylinder liner are spaced axially from the cylinder head when the cylinder head is clamped to seal a head gasket between the cylinder head and the cylinder block of the engine and the cylinder head reacts the seal forces to prevent moments on the cylinder liner whereby the cylinder liner remains undistorted so as to reduce oil consumption and to improve ring and liner wear.

Growing community of inventors

Columbus, IN, United States of America

Steven G Barnes