PISTON RING ASSEMBLY

摘要

Disclosed is a piston ring including a spacer-expander spring member. In a preferred embodiment the ring is of cast iron and includes two axially spaced cylinder wall contacting lands. At least one generally rectangular inwardly facing spring receiving recess is formed in the interior wall of the ring to receive the spring member which is formed from a flat strip of metal in a "U" configuration with the legs thereof facing outwardly, preferably aligned with the lands on the ring. A plurality of slots are provided in the spring member dividing the periphery into a plurality of feet. In a preferred embodiment the feet are radiused as seen in plan view to a radius less than the radius of the pocket in which they fit. This has been found to reduce wear in the spring receiving groove and to reduce the tendency of the ring and spring to become united which is detrimental to performance and is a common problem in rings of this general type.