Seal alignment systems

A seal alignment system comprising:

• an engine block;
• a cover component spaced apart from the engine block and defining a first bore therethrough;
• a crankshaft protruding from the engine block and extending through the first bore, wherein the crankshaft is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and has an outer surface;
• an annular seal spaced apart from the engine block and defining a second bore therethrough;
• wherein the engine block includes an annular bearing defining a third bore therethrough, and further wherein the crankshaft extends through the third bore and the annular bearing is spaced apart from the annular seal along the central longitudinal axis;
• and
• an alignment device configured for coaxially aligning the annular seal with the central longitudinal axis so that the crankshaft extends through the second bore and the annular seal abuts the outer surface, wherein the cover component is spaced apart from the engine block by the alignment device;
• wherein the alignment device includes a plurality of pins attached to and extending from the engine block so that each of the plurality of pins is substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the central longitudinal axis;
• wherein the cover component further defines a plurality of holes therein each configured for receiving a respective one of the plurality of pins;
• and
• wherein each of the plurality of pins is disposed within a respective one of the plurality of holes so that the annular seal is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis.

A seal alignment system comprising:

• an engine block;
• a cover component spaced apart from the engine block and defining a first bore therethrough and an annular channel therein;
• a crankshaft protruding from the engine block and extending through the first bore, wherein the crankshaft is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and has an outer surface;
• an annular seal spaced apart from the engine block and defining a second bore therethrough;
• and
• an alignment device configured for coaxially aligning the annular seal with the central longitudinal axis so that the crankshaft extends through the second bore and the annular seal abuts the outer surface, wherein the cover component is spaced apart from the engine block by the alignment device;
• wherein the alignment device includes a tube defining an interior cavity and having:
• an interior surface;
• a first portion having a first end;
• and
• a second portion matable with the first portion and having a second end spaced apart from the first end;
• wherein the annular seal is disposed within the interior cavity and abuts the interior surface;
• wherein the second portion is fixedly attached to the engine block so that the second portion is not rotatable about the central longitudinal axis;
• and
• wherein the first end is disposed within the annular channel so that the second end is spaced apart from the cover component and the annular seal is coaxial with the central longitudinal axis.