CERAMIC HEAD FOR INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE

摘要

A head assembly is disclosed for an internal combustion engine. The assembly is comprised of a cast ceramic body with a coefficient of thermal expansion less than 1.0 x 10-6 in/in/.degree.F (lithium aluminum silicate) fitting over the cylinder block of the engine to define a combustion chamber. The ceramic body has passages for hot gases extending between the combustion chamber and a side wall of the body, but the body contains no passages for conventional water cooling. A metallic shell sealingly envelops and is spaced from the body via compliant members and is effective to trap heat within the combustion chamber and passage means. The shell sealingly clamps the ceramic body to the cylinder block of the engine. The shell supportably carries mechanical subassemblies which extend into the ceramic body for controlling the flow of gases therethrough. The shell carries at least part of the compressive loading imposed by the clamping.