CYLINDERS, PISTONS, OR CASINGS FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES

Description

This subclass covers the structural components and sealing systems of internal and external combustion engines, including cylinder design, piston construction, engine casings, and their manufacturing methods. It encompasses cylinder liners, piston rings, piston skirts, engine blocks, cylinder heads, and integrated sealing arrangements such as gaskets and dynamic seals. The classification includes innovations in material selection, surface treatments, geometric optimization, and assembly techniques for these components, as well as combined designs integrating multiple structural and sealing functions.

Filing statistics

IPC subclass F02F recorded 33,431 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings declined from 3,053 in 2013 to 1,758 in 2023 (-42%), peaking at 3,606 applications in 2018. The most active applicants in class F02 are TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (8,687 applications), ROBERT BOSCH (8,328 applications) and FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES (7,423 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Specially adapted for rotary-piston or oscillating-piston internal-combustion engines Specially adapted for gas-turbine plants Specially adapted for jet-propulsion plants