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US 2015/0315996 A1Published application
Cast dual wall bulkhead with integral oil drain
AssigneeCummins IP, Inc.
InventorsAaron S. Quinton, John Jerl Purcell, 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.
Claims25
A cylinder block, comprising:
- an upper portion having a top deck, the top deck including a first top bulkhead opening formed therethrough;
- a lower portion having a recessed portion defining at least a portion of a crankcase, the lower portion including a first bottom bulkhead opening;
- and
- a first bulkhead having a hollow core and in fluid communication with the first top bulkhead opening and the first bottom bulkhead opening to define a first oil drain, the first bulkhead including a first overflow outlet formed in an inner wall of the first bulkhead, the first overflow outlet connecting the hollow core to the recessed portion of the lower portion defining the at least a portion of the crankcase.
1 more element
An engine comprising:
- a cylinder block including:
- an upper portion having a top deck, the top deck including a first top bulkhead opening formed therethrough,
- a lower portion having a recessed portion defining at least a portion of a crankcase, the lower portion including a first bottom bulkhead opening,
- a first bulkhead having a hollow core and in fluid communication with the first top bulkhead opening and the first bottom bulkhead opening to define a first oil drain, the first bulkhead including a first overflow outlet formed in an inner wall of the first bulkhead, the first overflow outlet connecting the hollow core of the first bulkhead to the recessed portion of the lower portion defining the at least a portion of the crankcase, and
- a partial bulkhead having a hollow core and extending between a top end of the lower portion and a bottom end of the lower portion, the partial bulkhead in fluid communication with a second bottom bulkhead opening to define an overflow oil drain, the partial bulkhead including a second overflow outlet formed in an inner wall of the partial bulkhead, the second overflow outlet connecting the hollow core of the partial bulkhead to the recessed portion of the lower portion defining the at least a portion of the crankcase.
2 more elements
A cylinder block comprising:
- an upper portion having a top deck, the top deck including a plurality of top bulkhead openings formed therethrough;
- a lower portion having a recessed portion defining at least a portion of a crankcase, the lower portion including a plurality of bottom bulkhead openings;
- a first set of bulkheads positioned relative to a first side of the cylinder block;
- and
- a second set of bulkheads positioned relative to a second side of the cylinder block;
- each bulkhead of the first set of bulkheads and the second set of bulkheads having a hollow core and in fluid communication with a respective top bulkhead opening of the plurality of top bulkhead openings and a respective bottom bulkhead opening of the plurality of bottom bulkhead openings to define an oil drain for each bulkhead, each bulkhead of the first set of bulkheads and the second set of bulkheads including an overflow outlet formed in an inner wall of the each bulkhead, each overflow outlet connecting a respective hollow core of a respective bulkhead to the recessed portion of the lower portion defining the at least a portion of the crankcase.
3 more elements
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;
- casting the cylinder block using the mold, the casted 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 an overflow outlet of the bulkhead in the casted cylinder block, the 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.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.