Piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine has an internal bore, and the bore includes an inlet segment extending from an inlet end of the piston cooling nozzle. The bore further includes an outlet segment extending from an outlet end of the piston cooling nozzle. A transition area is positioned between the inlet segment and the outlet segment. The cross-sectional size of the outlet segment is smaller than the cross-sectional size of the inlet segment.

Description

PISTON COOLING NOZZLE FORAN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINECross-Reference to Related Application:

[0001] The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of the filing date of, U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63 / 492,383 filed on March 27, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a piston cooling nozzle for supplying cooling fluid to a piston of the internal combustion engine.BACKGROUND

[0003] There is a continuing need for improvement in the durability and efficient operation of internal combustion engines. An approach to such improvement is designing engine components that resist heat-related deterioration and malfunction. Improved structural designs, systems, and methods are aimed at the goal of having improved cooling of pistons during operation. Piston cooling apparatus such as nozzles are used to direct jets of cooling fluid toward parts of pistons during operation to effect cooling. Piston cooling nozzles are, in some examples, mounted on the saddle portions of an engine block, and direct jets of cooling fluid toward the head portions of the pistons of the engine. Improvements in targeting the jets of cooling fluid so that they reach the desired targeted portions of the head portions of pistons will improve cooling effects.DISCLOSURE OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0004] For the purposes of clearly, concisely and exactly describing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, the manner, and process of making and using the same, and to enable the practice, making and use of the same, reference will now be made to certain exemplary embodiments, including those illustrated in the figures, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It shall nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby created and that the invention includes and protects such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the exemplary embodiments as would occur to one skilled in the art.SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure includes a piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine. The piston cooling nozzle targets cooling fluid, such as oil, toward a piston. In an embodiment, the piston cooling nozzle provides improved targeting of the cooling fluid to an inlet / outlet of a cooling gallery formed in a head portion of a piston. In an embodiment, the piston cooling nozzle targets the stream of cooling fluid to the inlet of the cooling gallery throughout the length of the stroke of the piston.

[0006] In an embodiment, the piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine comprises an elongated body having an internal bore, the internal bore opening at an inlet end of the body, the internal bore extending to and opening at an opposite outlet end of the body, wherein the bore includes an inlet at the inlet end of the body, an inlet segment extending from the inlet end toward the outlet end of the body, an outlet at the outlet end of the body, an outlet segment extending from the outlet end toward the inlet end of the body, and a transition area positioned between the inlet segment and the outlet segment, wherein a cross-sectional size of the outlet segment at the transition area is smaller than a cross-sectional size of the inlet segment at the transition area.

[0007] In an embodiment, an internal combustion engine comprises an engine block including at least one combustion chamber, a piston in the at least one combustion chamber, a saddle on the engine block adjacent the combustion chamber, a piston cooling nozzle on the saddle, the piston cooling nozzle configured to direct cooling fluid toward the piston, the piston cooling nozzle extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end of the pistoncooling nozzle, the piston cooling nozzle including an internal bore extending between and opening at the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the internal bore includes a transition area extending along the longitudinal axis, the transition area including a first cross-sectional size at an inlet segment of the bore, the inlet segment extending from the transition area to the inlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, and a second cross-sectional size at an outlet segment of the bore, the outlet segment extending from the transition area to the outlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, wherein the transition area extends between the inlet segment and the outlet segment and the second cross-sectional size is less than the first cross-sectional size.

[0008] This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an internal combustion engine with a piston cooling nozzle.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the piston cooling nozzle of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevational view of an end of the piston cooling nozzle of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the piston cooling nozzle of FIG. 2, taken along the line A in FIG. 3.

[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the end view of FIG. 3.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an example of a piston cooling nozzle.

[0015] FIG. 7 is cross-sectional view of an example of a piston cooling nozzle.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] The present disclosure relates to a piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine, such as shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 1 includes a schematic view of an internal combustion engine 30 that includes a block 32. Block 32 includes one or more combustion chambers 34, each housing a piston 36 for reciprocating movement therein. Block 32 also includes at least one saddle 38 adjacent each combustion chamber 34 and crankcase 40. Saddle 38 includes a piston cooling nozzle 2 mounted thereto to receive cooling fluid 42, such as oil, and to direct the cooling fluid 42 toward piston 36 in the combustion chamber 34. In an embodiment, piston 36 includes an inlet 44 to a cooling gallery 46, and the cooling fluid 42 is targets to be received in inlet 44 through movement of piston 36 between top-dead-center (TDC) and bottom-dead-center (BDC) positions.

[0017] In an embodiment, the piston cooling nozzle 2 includes an elongated body 3 having an internal bore 8. The internal bore 8 opens at an inlet end 10 of the body 3. The internal bore 8 extends to and opens at an opposite outlet end 12 of the body 3. The bore 8 includes an inlet 4 at the inlet end 10 of the body 3, an inlet segment 8 A extending from the inlet end 10 toward the outlet end 12 of the body 3, an outlet 6 at the outlet end 12 of the body 3, and an outlet segment 8C extending from the outlet end 12 toward the inlet end 10 of the body 3. The bore 8 also includes a transition area 8B positioned between the inlet segment 8 A and the outlet segment 8B. A cross-sectional size of the outlet segment 8C at the transition area 8B is smaller than a cross- sectional size of the inlet segment 8A at the transition area 8B.

[0018] In another embodiment, the internal combustion engine 30 includes engine block 32 including at least one combustion chamber 34, piston 36 in the at least one combustion chamber 34, the saddle 38 on the engine block 32 adjacent the combustion chamber 34, and the piston cooling nozzle 2 on the saddle 38. The piston cooling nozzle 2 is configured to direct cooling fluid 42 toward the piston 36.

[0019] The piston cooling nozzle 2 extends along a longitudinal axis A between an inlet end 10 and an opposite outlet end 12 of the piston cooling nozzle 2. The piston cooling nozzle 2 includes an internal bore 8 extending between and opening at the inlet end 10 and the outlet end 12. The internal bore 8 includes a transition area 8B extending along the longitudinal axis A. The transition area 8B includes a first cross-sectional size at an inlet segment 8A of the bore 8, and the inlet segment 8 A extends from the transition area 8B to the inlet end 10 of the pistoncooling nozzle 2. The transition area 8B includes a second cross-sectional size at an outlet segment 8C of the bore 8, and the outlet segment 8C extends from the transition area 8B to the outlet end 12 of the piston cooling nozzle 2. The transition area 8B extends between the inlet segment 8A and the outlet segment 8C and the second cross-sectional size is less than the first cross-sectional size.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the piston cooling nozzle (a “PCN”) 2 according to the present disclosure. The PCN 2 is designed to be mounted on a main bearing saddle 38 of an engine block 32 of an internal combustion engine 30. The PCN 2 is provided to deliver a pressurized spray jet S of a cooling fluid 42, such as an oil, toward a piston 36 of the engine 30. The fluid spray jet S is ejected through the outlet end 12 of the PCN 2, shown in FIG. 3.

[0021] The cooling fluid 42, such as oil, that forms the spray jet S is conducted under pressure from an oil gallery in the block 32. The fluid 42 is conducted into the PCN 2 via an inlet 4 formed on an inlet end 10 of the PCN 2. As seen in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 (taken along line A in FIG. 3), the inlet 4 in the inlet end 10 of the PCN 2 is the intake opening of an internal bore 8 formed within the body 3 of the PCN 2. The bore 8 is formed along the direction of the longitudinal axis A of the PCN 2. The cooling oil flows under pressure from the inlet 4 through the bore 8. The cooling fluid 42 flows through the bore 8 to be sprayed out of the PCN 2 through the outlet 6 of the bore 8 that is formed in an outlet end 12 of the PCN 2.

[0022] As seen in FIG. 4, the internal bore 8 of the PCN 2 includes two main segments. The segments are an inlet segment 8 A of the bore 8 that is positioned on the inlet end 10 of the PCN 2, and an outlet segment 8C of the bore 8 positioned on the outlet end 12 of the PCN 2. A transition area 8B of the bore 8 is positioned between the two segments 8A and 8C.

[0023] As seen in the example of FIG. 4, the inlet segment 8A of the bore 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape has a constant diameter along the length of the inlet segment 8A.

[0024] As seen in the example of FIG. 4, the outlet segment 8C of the bore 8 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The cylindrical shape has a constant diameter along the length of the outlet segment 8C.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 4, the diameter of the cylindrical shape of the outlet segment 8C is smaller than the diameter of the cylindrical shape of the inlet segment 8A. The transition area 8B has a frustoconical shape. The diameter of the first end of the transition area 8B connected to theinlet segment 8A is sized to equal or approximately equal the diameter of the inlet segment 8A at that connection point. The diameter of the second end of the transition area 8B connected to the outlet segment 8C is sized to equal or approximately equal the diameter of the outlet segment 8C at that connection point.

[0026] In one example, the dimensions of the frustoconical transition area 8B are selected so that the interior wall of the transition area 8B is inclined toward the longitudinal axis A by an angle of about 11 to about 12 degrees along the direction toward the outlet 6.

[0027] In one implementation, the transition area 8B is positioned at a selected location between a midpoint M of the length of body 3 between inlet end 10 and outlet end 12 along longitudinal axis A of the PCN 2.

[0028] In another example, the transition area 8B is positioned at a selected location within one- third (33%) of the length of the longitudinal axis A of the PCN 2 measured from the outlet end 12 of the PCN 2.

[0029] In one implementation, the proportion of the respective lengths along the longitudinal axis A of the inlet segment 8A, the transition area 8B, and the outlet segment 8C is:Inlet segment 8A: 34, or about 34Transition area 8B: 1, or about 1Outlet segment 8C: 10, or about 10

[0030] In an example (not shown), the inlet segment 8A of the bore 8 has a varying diameter, instead of a constant diameter, along the length of the inlet segment 8A. In an example, the varying diameter is selected to gradually decrease, starting from the position of the inlet 4 to the end of the inlet segment 8A that abuts the transition area 8B. In this configuration, the diameter is reduced along the inlet segment from the inlet to the transition area.

[0031] In an example (not shown), the outlet segment 8C of the bore 8 has a varying diameter, instead of a constant diameter, along the length of the outlet segment 8C. In an example, the varying diameter is selected to gradually decrease, starting from the position of point of the outlet segment 8C that abuts the transition area 8B to the end of the outlet segment 8C at the outlet 6. In this configuration, the diameter is reduced along the outlet segment from the transition area to the outlet.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the PCN 2 includes features on its exterior surface. A press-fit portion 14 at the inlet end 10 of the PCN 2 is sized and adapted to be press-fit into a receivingaperture formed in the engine block 32. In this manner, the inlet 4 of the PCN 2 is fitted to receive the flow of cooling oil, or other cooling fluid 42, under pressure via a sealed connection to the oil gallery in the block 32.

[0033] To aid seating of the PCN 2 in the receiving aperture saddle 38 of the block 32, the PCN 2 includes on its exterior surface at least one projecting flange 16 in the nature of a fin or rib. FIG. 5 provides a view of the projecting flange 16 from the viewpoint of the outlet end 12 of the PCN 2.

[0034] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of an example of a piston cooling nozzle. An additional feature to aid seating of the PCN 2 in the receiving aperture of saddle 38 of the block 32 is provided. As shown in in FIG. 6, the PCN 2 includes a lead-in chamfer segment 18 positioned between the press-fit portion 14 and the main body 3 section of the PCN 2.

[0035] The lead-in chamfer segment 18 has a chamfered outer surface, in the nature of a decrease in an outer circumference of the walls of the segment 18 along its length from a starting point Pl of the segment 18 positioned closer to the inlet end 10, toward an ending point P2 of the segment 18 positioned farther from the inlet end 10. As seen in FIG. 6, the decrease in outer circumference yields an inward slope of the outer walls of the segment 18 along the distance from point Pl toward point P2. In an example, the inwardly sloping angle of the outer walls from point Pl toward point P2 is a slight angle. In an example, the angle is about 5.7° (degrees).

[0036] FIG. 7 is cross-sectional view of an example of a piston cooling nozzle having an outlet 6 that includes a feature that aids in keeping the spray jet S directed in a straight direction toward its target. The feature is an exit chamfer segment 20. The exit chamfer segment 20 is provided as an end portion of the outlet 12 having a sloping inner wall. In an example, the exit chamfer segment 20 has an increase in the cross-sectional size, such as an increase in circumference, of the inner wall of the bore 8 near the end point of the outlet 6. In an example, the exit chamfer segment 20 has an increase in the bore circumference such that an approximate 45° (degree) angle Al is formed between the point of the outlet segment 8C that adjoins the exit chamfer segment 20, and the exit point of the outlet 6.

[0037] The PCN 2 has an overall total length of about 40mm to about 70mm measured along the longitudinal axis A of the PCN 2 between inlet end 10 and outlet end 12. In examples, the overall total length is about 44mm, 55mm, or 65mm. In a particular example, the overall total length is about 44mm.

[0038] Testing was conducted using exemplary PCN 2 designs according to embodiments of the invention. Pressurized cooling oil was supplied to inlets 4 of the exemplary PCNs at a selected series of rifle pressures of 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 60 psi. Capture ratios were measured in testing the PCN designs. Capture ratio is a calculated proportion of fluid targeted toward a target that reaches the target. Increase in capture ratio is desirable for targeting as much cooling fluid 42 as possible to a desired target. The desired target is, in implementations, an inlet to a cooling gallery 46 formed in a head portion of a piston 36. It is desirable to maintain a high capture ratio throughout the stroke movement of the piston 36 during operation. Plume quality was measured to assess effectiveness of PCN designs in reaching targeting goals.

[0039] In testing, an exemplary PCN 2 having an overall total length between inlet 4 and outlet 6 of about 44mm provided an improved technical effect. The improved technical effect was in the nature of increased capture ratio throughout the range of movement of the piston during operation, from bottom dead center to top dead center and back.

[0040] In testing, an exemplary PCN 2 having the transition area 8B positioned at a selected location between a midpoint M of the length of body 3 of the PCN 2 between inlet 4 and outlet 6 provided an improved technical effect. The improvement was in the nature of increased capture ratio throughout the range of movement of the piston during operation, from bottom dead center to top dead center and back. Improvement also was provided by this design in plume quality, as contrasted with a design lacking a transition area.

[0041] In testing, an exemplary PCN 2 having the transition area 8B positioned at the selected location within the first one -third (33%) of the length of the body 3 PCN 2 measured from the outlet end 12 of the PCN 2 provided an improved technical effect. The improvement was in the nature of increased capture ratio throughout the range of movement of the piston during operation, from bottom dead center to top dead center and back. Improvement also was provided by this design in plume quality.

[0042] In testing, an improved technical effect was provided by a version of an exemplary PCN 2 having the proportion of the respective lengths along the longitudinal axis A of the inlet segment 8A, the transition area 8B, and the outlet segment 8C of about 34: about 1 : about 10. The improvement was in the nature of increased capture ratio throughout the range of movement of the piston during operation, from bottom dead center (BDC) to top dead center (TDC) and back. Improvement also was provided by this design in plume quality.

[0043] In an implementation, the piston cooling nozzle is mounted in an internal combustion engine.

[0044] In an implementation, the piston cooling nozzle is part of a saddle jet assembly for the internal combustion engine, and is adapted to be mounted in a saddle area of a block of the engine. In all implementations, the spray jet S from the piston cooling nozzle is targeted to provide a targeted and accurately aimed spray jet S that reaches an inlet of the cooling gallery of the head area of the piston, at all positions in which the piston is located during its stroke.

[0045] In an implementation of the invention, disclosed is a PCN 2 having one or more of the structural features described above, formed of a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is a nylon resin. In an implementation, the nylon resin is a 33% glass fiber reinforced nylon resin. In an implementation, the nylon resin is a 33% glass fiber reinforced polyamide 66 resin for injection molding. In an example, the nylon resin is formed by injection molding of a branded product sold under the trademark DUPONT® ZYTEL® 70G33L NC010.

[0046] As evident from the disclosure herein, a variety of aspects of the piston cooling nozzle, an engine incorporating a nozzle, and a saddle jet assembly are contemplated.

[0047] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine is provided, the piston cooling nozzle comprising an elongated body having an internal bore, the internal bore opening at an inlet end of the body, the internal bore extending to and opening at an opposite outlet end of the body, wherein the bore includes an inlet at the inlet end of the body, an inlet segment extending from the inlet end toward the outlet end of the body, an outlet at the outlet end of the body, an outlet segment extending from the outlet end toward the inlet end of the body, and a transition area positioned between the inlet segment and the outlet segment, wherein a cross-sectional size of the outlet segment at the transition area is smaller than a cross-sectional size of the inlet segment at the transition area.

[0048] In a further aspect of the piston cooling nozzle, the inlet segment of the bore has a cylindrical shape.

[0049] In a further aspect, the outlet segment of the bore has a cylindrical shape.

[0050] In a further aspect, the outlet segment of the bore has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the inlet segment of the bore.

[0051] In a further aspect, the transition area has a frustoconical shape from the inlet segment to the outlet segment.

[0052] In a further aspect, the transition area includes an interior wall along the bore, and the interior wall extends from the inlet segment to the outlet segment at an incline toward a longitudinal axis of the piston cooling nozzle by an angle of about 11 degrees to about 12 degrees.

[0053] In a further aspect, the body of the piston cooling nozzle includes a length between the inlet end and the outlet end of the body, and the transition area is positioned between a midpoint of the length and the outlet end of the body of the piston cooling nozzle.

[0054] In a further aspect, the body of the piston cooling nozzle includes a length between the inlet end and the outlet end of the body, and the transition area is positioned at a location within one-third of the length of the body from the outlet end of the body of the piston cooling nozzle.

[0055] In a further aspect, the inlet segment, the transition area, and the outlet segment each have a length along the body of the piston cooling nozzle, and the respective lengths of the inlet segment, the transition area, and the outlet segment have a proportion of about 34 to about 1 to about 10.

[0056] In a further aspect, the inlet segment of the bore has a varying diameter along a length of the inlet segment.

[0057] In a further aspect, the outlet segment of the bore has a varying diameter along a length of the outlet segment.

[0058] In a further aspect, the inlet segment has a diameter that decreases from the inlet to the transition area.

[0059] In a further aspect, the piston cooling nozzle of claim 1 , wherein the outlet segment has a diameter that decreases from the transition area to the outlet.

[0060] In a further aspect, the body of the piston cooling nozzle has a length from the inlet end to the outlet end of about 40mm to about 70mm.

[0061] In a further aspect, the piston cooling nozzle has a length from the inlet end to the outlet end of about 44mm.

[0062] In a further aspect, the outlet of the bore has an exit chamfer segment, the exit chamfer segment increasing in diameter toward the outlet.

[0063] In a further aspect, the body of the piston cooling nozzle is formed of a 33% glass fiber reinforced nylon resin.

[0064] In an aspect of the present disclosure, an internal combustion engine comprises an engine block including at least one combustion chamber, a piston in the at least one combustion chamber, a saddle on the engine block adjacent the combustion chamber, a piston cooling nozzle on the saddle, the piston cooling nozzle configured to direct cooling fluid toward the piston, the piston cooling nozzle extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, the piston cooling nozzle including an internal bore extending between and opening at the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the internal bore includes a transition area extending along the longitudinal axis, the transition area including a first cross-sectional size at an inlet segment of the bore, the inlet segment extending from the transition area to the inlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, and a second cross-sectional size at an outlet segment of the bore, the outlet segment extending from the transition area to the outlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, wherein the transition area extends between the inlet segment and the outlet segment and the second cross-sectional size is less than the first cross-sectional size.

[0065] In a further aspect, the transition area has a frustoconical shape.

[0066] In a further aspect, the body of the piston cooling nozzle includes a press-fit portion adjacent the inlet end of the body that is configured to be press fit into engagement with the saddle, a main body portion extending from the outlet end of the body toward the inlet end, and a lead-in chamfer portion extending between the press-fit portion and the main body portion.

[0067] While illustrative examples of the disclosure have been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the claimed inventions are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as preferable, preferably, preferred or more preferred utilized in the description above indicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary, and embodiments lacking the same are contemplated as within the scope of the invention, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” or “at least one” are used, there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language“at least a portion” and / or “a portion” is used, the item can include a portion and / or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

[0068] One of skill in the art may appreciate from the foregoing that unexpected benefits may be derived from the disclosed features of the subject piston cooling nozzle and saddle jet assembly, without the need for additional components or parts, or other changes in the configuration of a conventional nozzle or associated engine features. Changes to configuration as disclosed may add costs, weight, and complexity to manufacture, operation, and maintenance of a nozzle. A key benefit contemplated by the inventors is improvement of the disclosed device, while excluding any additional components or changes in structural features. In this exclusion, maximum cost containment may be effected. Accordingly, the substantial benefits of simplicity of manufacture, operation, and maintenance of may reside in an example of the invention consisting of, or consisting essentially of, features of the apparatus disclosed herein. Thus, embodiments of the invention contemplate the exclusion of features, parts, and components beyond those set forth herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A piston cooling nozzle for an internal combustion engine, the piston cooling nozzle comprising: an elongated body having an internal bore, the internal bore opening at an inlet end of the body, the internal bore extending to and opening at an opposite outlet end of the body, wherein the bore includes: an inlet at the inlet end of the body; an inlet segment extending from the inlet end toward the outlet end of the body; an outlet at the outlet end of the body; an outlet segment extending from the outlet end toward the inlet end of the body; and a transition area positioned between the inlet segment and the outlet segment, wherein a cross-sectional size of the outlet segment at the transition area is smaller than a cross-sectional size of the inlet segment at the transition area.

2. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the inlet segment of the bore has a cylindrical shape.

3. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the outlet segment of the bore has a cylindrical shape.

4. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the outlet segment of the bore has a diameter that is smaller than a diameter of the inlet segment of the bore.

5. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the transition area has a frustoconical shape from the inlet segment to the outlet segment.

6. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 5, wherein the transition area includes an interior wall along the bore, and the interior wall extends from the inlet segment to the outlet segment at an incline toward a longitudinal axis of the piston cooling nozzle by an angle of about 11 degrees to about 12 degrees.

7. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body of the piston cooling nozzle includes a length between the inlet end and the outlet end of the body, and the transition area is positioned between a midpoint of the length and the outlet end of the body of the piston cooling nozzle.

8. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body of the piston cooling nozzle includes a length between the inlet end and the outlet end of the body, and the transition area is positioned at a location within one-third of the length of the body from the outlet end of the body of the piston cooling nozzle.

9. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the inlet segment, the transition area, and the outlet segment each have a length along the body of the piston cooling nozzle, and the respective lengths of the inlet segment, the transition area, and the outlet segment have a proportion of about 34 to about 1 to about 10.

10. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the inlet segment of the bore has a varying diameter along a length of the inlet segment.

11. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the outlet segment of the bore has a varying diameter along a length of the outlet segment.

12. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the inlet segment has a diameter that decreases from the inlet to the transition area.

13. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the outlet segment has a diameter that decreases from the transition area to the outlet.

14. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body of the piston cooling nozzle has a length from the inlet end to the outlet end of about 40mm to about 70mm.

15. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the piston cooling nozzle has a length from the inlet end to the outlet end of about 44mm.

16. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the outlet of the bore has an exit chamfer segment, the exit chamfer segment increasing in diameter toward the outlet.

17. The piston cooling nozzle of claim 1, wherein the body of the piston cooling nozzle is formed of a 33% glass fiber reinforced nylon resin.

18. An internal combustion engine, comprising: an engine block including at least one combustion chamber; a piston in the at least one combustion chamber; a saddle on the engine block adjacent the combustion chamber; a piston cooling nozzle on the saddle, the piston cooling nozzle configured to direct cooling fluid toward the piston, the piston cooling nozzle extending along a longitudinal axis between an inlet end and an opposite outlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, the piston coolingnozzle including an internal bore extending between and opening at the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein the internal bore includes a transition area extending along the longitudinal axis, the transition area including: a first cross-sectional size at an inlet segment of the bore, the inlet segment extending from the transition area to the inlet end of the piston cooling nozzle; and a second cross-sectional size at an outlet segment of the bore, the outlet segment extending from the transition area to the outlet end of the piston cooling nozzle, wherein the transition area extends between the inlet segment and the outlet segment and the second cross-sectional size is less than the first cross-sectional size.

19. The internal combustion engine of claim 18, wherein the transition area has a frustoconical shape.

20. The internal combustion engine of claim 18, wherein the body of the piston cooling nozzle includes: a press-fit portion adjacent the inlet end of the body that is configured to be press fit into engagement with the saddle; a main body portion extending from the outlet end of the body toward the inlet end; and a lead-in chamfer portion extending between the press-fit portion and the main body portion.

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