US 12,215,652 B1
Method for making a lightweight internal combustion engine piston with micro chambers
Michael Ira Keller, Alexandria, VA (US); Andrew E. Meyer, Harpers Ferry, WV (US); William R. Bandy, Gambrills, MD (US); and Sidney Lynn Reed, Lynchburg, VA (US)
Assigned to Lean-Burn Combustion, Inc., Alexandria, VA (US)
Filed by Michael I. Keller, Alexandria, VA (US)
Filed on Feb. 15, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/445,812.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/576,531, filed on Feb. 16, 2023.
Int. Cl. B23P 15/10 (2006.01); F02F 3/26 (2006.01); F02F 3/28 (2006.01); F02F 3/00 (2006.01)
CPC F02F 3/26 (2013.01) [B23P 15/10 (2013.01); F02F 3/28 (2013.01); F02F 2003/0061 (2013.01); Y10T 29/49249 (2015.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of forming a piston for an internal combustion engine having a piston crown and piston body in which is formed at least one micro chamber for creating and supplying auto-ignition radicals from a hydrocarbon fuel to a combustion zone defined by the piston crown containing a bowl formed by a depression in the piston crown and a top side area surrounding the bowl, the method comprising the steps of:
forming the at least one micro chamber in a side surface of the piston body at a position lower than a floor of the bowl, such that the at least one micro chamber extends into the piston body and is independent of the piston crown;
forming, at another position lower than the floor of the bowl, at least one orifice in the piston body and fluidly communicating between the floor of the bowl and the at least one micro chamber; and
plugging and sealing access to a defined volume of the at least one micro chamber from the side surface of the piston body.