Helping to Preserve the Environment

Engine Issues

Automobiles and the internal combustion engines that power the majority of them have increased in number throughout their history. The environmental impact of so many cars has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Engine manufacturers are becoming more and more sensitive to global environmental issues and stay focused on the following areas when developing new engines.

Improvement of Fuel Economy and Reduction of Oil Consumption

This will lead to greater energy efficiency and less CO2 emissions.

Environmental Preservation and Pollution Prevention

Manufacturers are developing zero emission or partial zero emission vehicles and are continuing to look at ways to reduce the emitted amounts of PM, NOx, SOx, HC and CO2.

Innovative Engine Design and Alternative Fuels

The internal combustion engine, as we know it today is vastly improved over the typical engine of even ten years ago. The room for further development and improvement seems boundless. Alternative fuels such as natural gas, alcohol and hydrogen will test the ingenuity of engine designers as efforts are made to promote these new fuel resources.

The Promise of Recycling

Efforts will continue to be made to salvage as much material as possible out of scrapped cars and other products that have reached the end of their useful service. It is expected that regulation will eventually lead to more highly recyclable materials being specified for automobiles and other products.

Piston Ring Evolution

In order to assist our engine customers' efforts to realize the goals detailed above, Riken continues to develop new and improved rings, not only for today's engines, but also for the engines of the future. Recent developments in piston rings have focused on the following:

Smaller Axial Widths, Reduced Weight and Lower Ring Tension

We will continue to reduce these parameters down to their practical limits.

Maximum Reduction of Blow-By Gases

Leakage through ring gaps will be brought down to the lowest level possible.

Further Reduction of Friction in the Engine

Lower friction in the ring pack means increased engine efficiency. We are making continued progress in reducing ring friction while maintaining excellent ring function and performance.

Improved Fuel Consumption and Higher Specific Output

We are constantly striving to develop rings that enhance combustion efficiency and withstand higher mechanical and thermal loading.

Further Reduction of Lubricant Oil Consumption

The above issues are "timeless", inasmuch as they have posed challenges since the first engines were produced. While taking satisfaction in the vast progress we have made in the past, we will continue to concentrate our efforts in order to build upon this progress and create engine components that will serve the needs of our customers far into the future.

We thank you for visiting us at the Piston Ring Museum. Come again soon.