Internal combustion engine having a cylinder block with a cast-in oil pump inlet channel and a cast-in oil pump outlet channel

Abstract

An internal combustion engine (10) includes a one-piece cylinder block casting (12), a flywheel (24) supported for rotation at a forward block end (20), and a rear gear train (30) supported for rotation at a rear block end (22). A cast-in pump inlet passage (58) and a cast-in pump outlet passage (60) are formed in the cylinder block casting (12) and open in a pump mounting face (50) at the rear block end (22). An oil pump (52) is clamped to the pump mounting face (50) and includes a pump inlet (54) and a pump outlet (56) fluidly connected to the cast-in pump inlet passage (58) and the cast-in pump outlet passage (60), respectively.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to an internal combustion engine, and more specifically to a cylinder block casting having an inlet passage for a cast oil pump and an outlet passage for a cast oil pump extending to a rear pump mounting surface. Background Technology

[0002] Modern internal combustion engines typically incorporate a variety of features integrated into the design of the engine housing for transporting fluids between various engine subsystems. For example, coolant channels are often formed using a combination of cast-in conduits and drilled conduits to allow engine coolant to circulate around the combustion cylinders within the cylinder block, dissipating combustion heat. Various additional channels and passages are typically formed to allow engine oil, used for lubrication and cooling purposes, to be delivered to components in direct contact with the engine's moving parts. Other integral channels may also be provided, for example, in the engine head to transport fuel for combustion. Cylinder blocks are typically cast from iron, steel, aluminum, or other materials. The casting apparatus and processes used to produce cylinder blocks can be quite complex. Once the cylinder block casting is formed, various post-casting machining processes are typically employed to provide a finished product that can be assembled with other components, including externally mounted pumps for delivering various fluids to and from target locations within the engine.

[0003] An oil pan is typically attached to the underside of the cylinder block to hold a volume of engine oil to be circulated to and between the components of an internal combustion engine. In some known designs, the oil pump resides in the engine's oil pan. Other strategies mount the oil pump in or near the engine gear train, or to the underside of the cylinder block. Known systems may suffer from inefficiency or require an excessive number of components to deliver oil to and from the oil pump. Other difficulties and challenges associated with engine oil system design arise from differences in the inlet and outlet planes of the oil pump, which can make it difficult to assemble the pump into the engine according to geometric tolerances. A known example of an internal combustion engine with an engine block configured to attach rotating components is described in U.S. Patent No. 8,677,973 to Petry-Johnson et al. Petry-Johnson et al. proposed an internal combustion engine having a front housing attached to a first end of an engine block and a freewheeling gear assembly rotatably mounted on a short shaft. The freewheeling gear assembly has a first attachment to the engine block and a second attachment to the front housing. A thrust plate is positioned between the front housing and the freewheeling gear assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In one aspect, the internal combustion engine includes a cylinder block casting in which a plurality of cylinders are formed. The plurality of cylinders extend between a top surface and a bottom surface of the cylinder block and are arranged between a front cylinder block end and a rear cylinder block end having a pump mounting surface. The internal combustion engine also includes a flywheel supported for rotation at the front cylinder block end and a rear gear train supported for rotation at the rear cylinder block end and including a pump gear. The internal combustion engine also includes a cast-in-place pump inlet passage formed in the cylinder block casting and opening in the pump mounting surface, and a cast-in-place pump outlet passage formed in the cylinder block casting and opening in the pump mounting surface. The internal combustion engine further includes an oil pump clamped to the pump mounting surface and including a pump inlet and a pump outlet respectively fluidly connected to the cast-in-place pump inlet passage and the cast-in-place pump outlet passage.

[0005] On the other hand, the cylinder block for an internal combustion engine includes a one-piece cylinder block casting in which a plurality of cylinders are formed. The plurality of cylinders extend between a top surface and a bottom surface of the cylinder block and are arranged between a front cylinder block end and a rear cylinder block end having a pump mounting surface. A cast-in-place pump inlet passage is formed in the one-piece cylinder block casting and extends forward and downward from the pump mounting surface to the bottom surface of the cylinder block, and a cast-in-place pump outlet passage is formed in the one-piece cylinder block casting and extends forward from the pump mounting surface.

[0006] In another aspect, the cylinder block for an internal combustion engine includes a one-piece cylinder block casting having a top surface, a bottom cylinder block surface, a front cylinder block end, and a rear cylinder block end. The one-piece cylinder block casting also includes a plurality of cylinders formed therein, each extending between the top surface and the bottom cylinder block surface. The one-piece cylinder block casting also includes a pump mounting surface formed on the rear cylinder block end and each of an inlet and an outlet formed in the pump mounting surface. The one-piece cylinder block casting also includes an oil module side located between the front and rear cylinder block ends. A cast-in-place pump inlet passage extends from the inlet through the one-piece cylinder block casting to the bottom cylinder block surface, and a cast-in-place pump outlet passage extends from the outlet through the one-piece cylinder block casting to the oil module side. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a simplified side view of an internal combustion engine according to one embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a cylinder block casting according to one embodiment;

[0009] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another perspective view of the cylinder block casting shown;

[0010] Figure 4 Is it like this? Figure 2 and Figure 3 Bottom perspective view of the cylinder block casting shown:

[0011] Figure 5 Is it like this? Figures 2 to 4 A simplified diagram of a portion of the cylinder block casting and the oil pump installed thereon;

[0012] Figure 6 Is it like this? Figures 2 to 4 The end view of the cylinder block casting shown; and

[0013] Figure 7 It is applicable Figure 1 A simplified diagram of the oil pump in an internal combustion engine. Detailed Implementation

[0014] refer to Figures 1 to 4 The diagram shows several views of an internal combustion engine 10 and an integral cylinder block casting 12 adapted for the internal combustion engine 10. The cylinder block casting 12 has a plurality of combustion cylinders 14 formed therein. The cylinders 14 are shown in an inline configuration, but in other embodiments they may be arranged in a V-shaped pattern or any other suitable arrangement. In the example inline arrangement described above, the cylinders 14 extend between a top surface 16 and a bottom cylinder block surface 18 and are arranged between a front cylinder block end 20 and a rear cylinder block end 22. The internal combustion engine 10 may include a compression-ignition diesel engine configured to operate with a liquid fuel such as diesel fraction fuel; however, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the internal combustion engine 10 may be a spark-ignition engine operating with another liquid fuel such as gasoline, a gaseous fuel such as natural gas, or even a dual-fuel engine operating with one or both of a liquid fuel and a gaseous fuel. The internal combustion engine 10 may be directly injected by a plurality of fuel injectors (not shown) configured to inject liquid fuel directly into the cylinders 14. The internal combustion engine 10 also includes a crankshaft 28 configured to rotate in a conventional manner based on the reciprocating motion of a piston (not shown) in cylinder 14. A flywheel 24 is also conventionally supported for rotation at the front cylinder block end 20 and is coupled to the crankshaft 28. In some embodiments, the flywheel 24 may be at least partially located within a flywheel housing 26 mounted to the cylinder block casting 12.

[0015] The internal combustion engine 10 also includes a rear gear train 30, which is supported for rotation at the rear cylinder block end 22 in response to rotation of the crankshaft 28, and includes a main drive gear 34, a pump gear 32 that can be directly or indirectly driven by the main drive gear 34, and at least one auxiliary gear 36. The gear 36 can be rotated directly or indirectly by the main drive gear 34 and is operable to drive any device in a water pump, air conditioning compressor, or other various equipment. The rear cylinder block end 22 includes a pump mounting surface 50, which may include a composite pump mounting surface as discussed further herein. The internal combustion engine 10 also includes an oil pump 52 clamped to the pump mounting surface 50. As will become further apparent from the following description, the internal combustion engine 10, particularly the cylinder block casting 12, is uniquely configured by integral casting features to supply engine oil to and from the oil pump 52 in a manner that provides an efficient and compact installation relative to certain known engine systems and eliminates external oil lines.

[0016] The internal combustion engine 10 also includes an oil pan 38 mounted to the bottom cylinder block surface 18, typically with inserted gaskets, etc. An oil line 40 is located within the oil pan 38 and extends from an inlet filter end 42 immersed in oil in the oil pan 38 to the cylinder block casting 12 to supply engine oil to an oil pump 52. In some embodiments, the oil pump 52 may include a rotary vane pump, etc.; however, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Figure 4 As shown, the cylinder block casting 12 forms a crankcase 44 and includes bearings or journals 46 and bearing caps 48, which are configured to support the crankshaft 28 to rotate in the same conventional manner.

[0017] The internal combustion engine 10 also includes a cast-in-place pump inlet passage 58 formed in the cylinder block casting 12 and opening in the pump mounting surface 50, and a cast-in-place pump outlet passage 60 formed in the cylinder block casting 12 and opening in the pump mounting surface 50. (Brief Reference) Figure 7 The oil pump 52 includes a pump housing 53, and a pump inlet 58 and a pump outlet 56 that are fluidly connected to the inlet channel 58 and the outlet channel 60 of the casting pump, respectively.

[0018] like Figure 4As shown, the pump inlet passage 58 opens in the bottom cylinder block surface 18 and extends forward and downward from the pump mounting surface 50 through the cylinder block casting 12 to the bottom cylinder block surface 18. It can also be seen that the pump inlet passage 58 forms at least one bend 59 between the pump mounting surface 50 and the bottom cylinder block surface 18, which generally traverses at least a portion of the curved path between the pump mounting surface 50 and the bottom cylinder block surface 18, such that the pump inlet passage 58 can be fluidly connected to the oil line 40 in the oil pan 38. It can also be noted that the cylinder block casting 12 includes an oil module side 70 located between the front cylinder block end 20 and the rear cylinder block end 22. The pump outlet passage 60 extends forward from the pump mounting surface 50 through the cylinder block casting 12 to the oil module side 70. An oil outlet 72 is formed in the oil module side 70 and is configured to supply pumped oil contained in the pump outlet passage 60 to a side-mounted fluid module or oil module on the cylinder block casting 12. The oil module or other fluid module may include components such as filters, coolers, sensors and / or other devices for processing, monitoring or manipulating the properties of engine oil or other fluids and returning them to the cylinder block casting 12.

[0019] It can be recalled that pump mounting surface 50 may include a composite pump mounting surface. Now also refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6The pump mounting surface 50 may be formed by a machined inlet surface 74, a machined outlet surface 76, and a machined clamping surface 78. The internal combustion engine 10 may also include a plurality of bolts 92, 94, 96 and at least one additional bolt, typically not visible in these figures, which together clamp the oil pump 52 to the pump mounting surface 50. A cast surface 80 extends between the machined inlet surface 74, the machined outlet surface 76, and the machined clamping surface 78. In the illustrated embodiment, an oil inlet 62, fluidly connected to the inlet passage 58, is formed in the pump mounting surface 50, particularly in the machined inlet surface 74. An oil outlet 64 is formed in the pump mounting surface 50, particularly in the machined outlet surface 76. An oil transfer channel 82 may also be formed in the machined outlet surface 76, fluidly connecting the outlet passage 60 to the pump outlet 56. In at least some embodiments, the oil delivery channel 82 allows the pump outlet 56 to be offset from the oil outlet 64, thus providing advantages regarding packaging and rear gear train construction. A first bolt hole 84 can accommodate a first bolt among a plurality of bolts clamping the oil pump 52 to the cylinder block casting 12. A second bolt hole 86 can accommodate a second bolt, a third bolt hole 90 can accommodate another bolt, and a fourth bolt hole 88 can accommodate yet another bolt. The bolt holes 84, 86, 88, and 90, and the corresponding bolts, can have an irregular arrangement in the cylinder block casting 12, meaning that the corresponding bolt holes and bolts are not located at the corners of a regular polygon and may not be located on a common circle. Figure 6 It can also be seen that the opening 79 of the oil passage leading to the cross-hole for hydraulic feedback can be formed in the clamping surface 78, and the oil pressure can be transmitted to the oil pump 52 for feedback purposes, which is obvious to those skilled in the art. Figure 6 Also shown is a protruding wing 100 of the cylinder block casting 12 located at the rear cylinder block end 22. A pump mounting surface 50 may be at least partially formed on the protruding wing 100. A rear end flange 102 of the cylinder block casting 12 is located on the protruding wing 100 extending peripherally outward from the pump mounting surface 50 and protrudes rearwardly. Figure 6 Inside and outside the page in the illustration. In some embodiments, one or more housing-type additional components may be mounted to the rear flange 102 to accommodate the rear gear train 30.

[0020] The oil pump 52 can be provided with a single-plane, single-interface mounting together with the cylinder block casting 12. In other words, when the oil pump 52 is mounted for the cylinder block casting 12, the pump mounting surface 50 and the mating surfaces of the pump housing 53 are abutting each other in a common plane. The pump housing 53 and the pump mounting surface 50 can together form a metal-to-metal outlet seal 57. The metal-to-metal outlet seal 57 can be partially formed by the outlet protrusion 61 of the pump housing 53. The internal combustion engine 10 may also include a non-metallic inlet seal 55, such as a rubber or similar rubber O-ring seal, which is clamped between the pump housing 53 and the pump mounting surface 50. Therefore, only a single mating connection formed by surface contact is required for the installation of the pump, while fluid connections are established between the pump 52 and the inlet passage 58, between the pump 52 and the outlet passage 60, and between the pump 52 and the opening 79.

[0021] Industrial applicability

[0022] Referring generally to the accompanying drawings, during operation of the internal combustion engine 10, the piston reciprocates to compress and ignite the fuel-air mixture in the cylinder 14, thereby rotating the crankshaft 28, which in turn rotates the pump gear 32 in the rear gear train 30. The rotation of the pump gear 32 causes the oil pump 50 to operate, drawing in engine oil through the oil line 40, through the pump inlet passage 58, and delivering engine oil to the fluid module mounted to the cylinder block casting 12 through the pump outlet passage 60. As can be seen from the drawings, the cylinder block casting 12 includes an outer surface 13. The pump inlet passage 58 and the pump outlet passage 60 can be formed by a curved inlet conduit and a straight outlet conduit, also identified by reference numerals 58 and 60 respectively, and are exposed externally to form part of the outer surface 13 on the cylinder block casting 12.

[0023] It will also be recalled that the pump inlet passage 58 may form at least one bend 59 and take a curved path between inlets 66 and 62. The pump outlet passage 60 may have a straight path extending between outlets 64 and 72 in the oil module side 70. The configuration of the pump inlet passage 58 and pump outlet passage 60 according to this description provides a passage shape and travel distance that helps minimize oil pressure loss, thereby improving flow performance. The arrangement of the cast-in-place passages reduces or eliminates any need for external piping and also reduces the complexity of manufacturing and assembly.

[0024] This specification is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the embodiments currently disclosed without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of this disclosure. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent upon review of the accompanying drawings and claims. As used herein, the article “a / an” is intended to include one or more items and is interchangeable with “one or more.” The term “a” or similar language is used where only one item is intended. Furthermore, as used herein, the terms “has / have / having” and the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Additionally, unless expressly stated otherwise, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on.”

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine (10), comprising: A cylinder block casting (12) having a plurality of cylinders (14) formed therein, the plurality of cylinders (14) extending between a top surface (16) and a bottom cylinder block surface (18) and arranged between a front cylinder block end (20) and a rear cylinder block end (22) having a pump mounting surface (50); A flywheel (24) is supported and rotated at the front cylinder end (20); The rear gear train (30) is supported for rotation at the rear cylinder end (22) and includes a pump gear (32). A cast-in-place pump inlet channel (58) is formed in the cylinder block casting (12) and opens in the pump mounting surface (50); A cast-in-place pump outlet channel (60), the cast-in-place pump outlet channel (60) being formed in the cylinder block casting (12) and opening in the pump mounting surface (50); and An oil pump (52) is clamped to the pump mounting surface (50) and includes a pump inlet (54) and a pump outlet (56), the pump inlet (54) and the pump outlet (56) being fluidly connected to the inlet channel (58) and the outlet channel (60) of the inlaid casting pump, respectively. The pump inlet channel (58) opens in the bottom cylinder surface (18) and extends forward and downward from the pump mounting surface (50) through the cylinder casting (12) to the bottom cylinder surface (18). The pump housing (53) and the pump mounting surface (50) together form a metal-to-metal outlet seal (57). The pump mounting surface (50) includes a composite surface formed by a machined inlet surface (74), a machined outlet surface (76), and a machined clamping surface (78), and further includes bolts (92, 94, 96) arranged in an irregular pattern to clamp the oil pump (52) to each of the machined inlet surface (74), the machined outlet surface (76), and the machined clamping surface (78); and The cylinder block casting (12) includes an oil module side (70), and the pump outlet passage (60) opens in the oil module side (70) and extends forward from the pump mounting surface (50) through the cylinder block casting (12) to the oil module side (70).

2. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1 further includes a non-metallic inlet seal (55) clamped between the pump housing (53) and the pump mounting surface (50).

3. The internal combustion engine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The cylinder block casting (12) includes a cast surface (80) extending between the machined inlet surface (74), the machined outlet surface (76), and the machined clamping surface (78); and An oil transfer channel (82) is formed in the machined outlet surface (76) and fluidly connects the inlaid pump outlet channel (60) to the pump outlet (56).

4. The internal combustion engine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cylinder block casting (12) further comprises: A protruding wing (100) is located at the rear cylinder end (22), and the pump mounting surface (50) is at least partially formed on the protruding wing (100); and The rear flange (102) is located on the protruding side wing (100) extending outward from the pump mounting surface (50) along the periphery and protrudes in a rearward direction.

5. A cylinder block for an internal combustion engine (10): An integral cylinder block casting (12) having a plurality of cylinders (14) formed therein, the plurality of cylinders (14) extending between a top surface (16) and a bottom cylinder block surface (18) and arranged between a front cylinder block end (20) and a rear cylinder block end (22) having a pump mounting surface (50); A cast-in-place pump inlet channel (58) is formed in the integral cylinder block casting (12) and extends forward and downward from the pump mounting surface (50) to the bottom cylinder block surface (18); and A cast-in-place pump outlet channel (60) is formed in the integral cylinder block casting (12) and extends forward from the pump mounting surface (50). wherein The pump mounting surface (50) includes a composite pump mounting surface (50) having a machined inlet surface (74) and a machined outlet surface (76), and the pump inlet channel (58) and the pump outlet channel (60) open in the machined inlet surface (74) and the machined outlet surface (76), respectively. The pump inlet passage (58) and the pump outlet passage (60) are formed by an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit exposed outside the integral cylinder block casting (12), respectively; The integrated cylinder block casting (12) also includes an oil module sidewall (70) located between the front cylinder block end (20) and the rear cylinder block end (22), and the pump outlet channel (60) extends linearly from the pump mounting surface (50) to the oil module sidewall (70); and The pump inlet channel (58) forms at least one bend (59) between the pump mounting surface (50) and the bottom cylinder surface (18).

6. The cylinder block according to claim 5, wherein: The composite pump mounting surface (50) further includes a machined clamping surface (78), and a cast surface (80) extends between the machined inlet surface (74), the machined outlet surface (76), and the machined clamping surface (78); and The integral cylinder block casting (12) also includes bolt holes (84, 86, 88, 90) formed in the machined inlet surface (74), the machined outlet surface (76) and the machined clamping surface (78).

7. A cylinder block for an internal combustion engine (10), comprising: One-piece cylinder block casting (12) having a top surface (16), a bottom cylinder block surface (18), a front cylinder block end (20) and a rear cylinder block end (22). The one-piece cylinder block casting (12) also has a plurality of cylinders (14) formed therein, and each cylinder (14) extends between the top surface (16) and the bottom cylinder block surface (18); The integral cylinder block casting (12) also includes a pump mounting surface (50) formed on the rear cylinder end (22), and each of an oil inlet (62) and an oil outlet (64) formed in the pump mounting surface (50); The integrated cylinder block casting (12) also includes an oil module side (70) located between the front cylinder block end (20) and the rear cylinder block end (22). A cast-in-place pump inlet channel (58) extends from the oil inlet (62) through the integral cylinder block casting (12) to the bottom cylinder block surface (18); and The inlaid casting pump outlet channel (60) extends from the oil outlet (64) through the integral cylinder block casting (12) to the side of the oil module (70). The pump mounting surface (50) includes a composite pump mounting surface (50) having a machined inlet surface (74) and a machined outlet surface (76), and the pump inlet channel (58) and the pump outlet channel (60) are respectively opened in the machined inlet surface (74) and the machined outlet surface (76). The pump inlet passage (58) and the pump outlet passage (60) are formed by an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit exposed outside the integral cylinder block casting (12), respectively; The integrated cylinder block casting (12) also includes an oil module sidewall (70) located between the front cylinder block end (20) and the rear cylinder block end (22), and the pump outlet channel (60) extends linearly from the pump mounting surface (50) to the oil module sidewall (70); and The pump inlet channel (58) forms at least one bend (59) between the pump mounting surface (50) and the bottom cylinder surface (18).

8. The cylinder block according to claim 7, wherein the pump inlet passage (58) and the pump outlet passage (60) are formed by a curved inlet conduit and a straight outlet conduit exposed outside the integral cylinder block casting (12), respectively.

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