System and method for a captive sprocket in an engine

A sprocket assembly, comprising:

• a sprocket having a sprocket body with an inner surface that defines a sprocket bore through which a driveshaft of an engine component is receivable into secured engagement with the sprocket such that the sprocket is permitted to transmit rotation to the driveshaft for powered operation of the engine component by rotation of sprocket, each of the sprocket and the engine component is designed for installation on an engine;
• and
• a retaining disc that is configured to retain the sprocket at the engine when the sprocket assembly is installed on the engine such that the engine component is removable from the engine without removing the retaining disc;
• and
• one or more captivation screws that are designed to be installed on the engine component within a threaded boss such that a threaded distal end is received by the threaded boss and a proximal head of the captivation screw overlies a portion of the sprocket, retaining the sprocket in the engine bore.

An engine comprising:

• an engine component that includes a driveshaft that drives operation of the engine component through rotation of the driveshaft;
• a camshaft that includes a camshaft gear;
• a first chain that engages the camshaft gear for rotation of the camshaft;
• a sprocket that includes one or more sprocket gears with at least one of the one or more sprocket gears engaging the first chain such that the sprocket rotates together with the camshaft gear, wherein the sprocket receives the driveshaft of the engine component to be rotatably secured with the driveshaft, and wherein the sprocket is retainable at the engine with removal of the engine component;
• and
• a cylinder block that has a cylinder block body that defines a cylinder block bore, wherein the sprocket is installed at the cylinder block to be positioned in the cylinder block bore, and wherein the sprocket is retained in the cylinder block bore via one or more captivation screws that are installed around the cylinder block bore so as to overlie a portion of the sprocket.