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US 10,578,051 B2Granted
Cast dual wall bulkhead with integral oil drain
AssigneeCummins IP, Inc.
InventorsAaron S. Quinton, John Jerl Purcell, III, Nathaniel Hassall, Derek Ferguson
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Abstract
Systems and methods are provided for a cylinder block having one or more bulkheads. The bulkheads provide a dual-wall structure that may enhance the stiffness of the cylinder block in bending and torsion. The bulkheads may also provide an oil drain to allow oil to directly drain through a hollow core of the bulkhead. An overflow outlet may be formed in an inner wall of a bulkhead. In some implementations, a cylinder block with bulkheads may increase an oil capacity of an engine.
Claims11
A method for forming a cylinder block comprising:
- creating a mold for the cylinder block, the mold including an upper mold portion defining an upper portion of the cylinder block and a lower mold portion defining a lower portion of the cylinder block, the mold further including:
- a bulkhead mold portion defining a hollow core of a bulkhead extending between the upper portion and the lower portion, and
- a partial bulkhead mold portion defining a hollow core of a partial bulkhead extending between a top end of the lower portion and a bottom end of the lower portion, the partial bulkhead being closed at the top end, the partial bulkhead in fluid communication with a bottom bulkhead opening;
- casting the cylinder block using the mold, the cylinder block including the upper portion, the lower portion, and the bulkhead extending between the upper portion and the lower portion;
- and
- machining a top bulkhead opening and a first overflow outlet of the bulkhead in the cylinder block, the first overflow outlet connecting the hollow core of the bulkhead to a recessed portion of the lower portion defining at least a portion of a crankcase.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.