The discussion in another thread regarding piston seals got me thinking... Why not use a single piece "ring" attached to the top of the piston that acts somewhat like a Belleville disk spring? Like a Dykes ring (my baseline), it would be pressure backed such that combustion pressure increases seal pressure. Unlike a Dykes ring, however, I would have no gap and I think it would be easier to control in terms of flutter and twisting.
The picture below shows the Dykes and Belleville top ring approaches side by side. I will obviously have to tune the critical thickness, curves, support, and attachment method, but the picture should convey the general idea. What does everyone think? Am I nuts?
The picture below shows the Dykes and Belleville top ring approaches side by side. I will obviously have to tune the critical thickness, curves, support, and attachment method, but the picture should convey the general idea. What does everyone think? Am I nuts?
