Connecting rod bolt having locating features

A connecting rod bolt, comprising:

• a body portion having a first end, a threaded second end opposite the first end, and an outer surface extending in a length direction from the first end to the second end;
• a plurality of locating features disposed in an axial alignment zone of the body portion, wherein a length of the axial alignment zone is less than a length of the body portion, and wherein the plurality of locating features are concentric arcs having a radius substantially equal to a radius of the outer surface;
• a plurality of clearance features positioned between adjacent locating features;
• and
• a head portion connected to the first end of the body portion,
• wherein each of the plurality of locating features and the plurality of clearance features extends at least along an entire length of the axial alignment zone, and
• wherein:
• each of the plurality of locating features extends for a first angle in between a second angle from a first plane passing through a center of the body portion and a third angle from a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to the first plane;
• and
• the first, second, and third angles are substantially equal.

A connecting rod assembly, comprising:

• a connecting rod having a first shoulder and first bore disposed within the first shoulder;
• a cap having a second shoulder and a second bore disposed within the second shoulder in alignment with the first bore;
• a connecting rod bolt disposed in the first and second bores, the connecting rod bolt including:
• a body portion having a first end, a threaded second end opposite the first end, and an outer surface extending in a length direction from the first end to the second end;
• a plurality of locating features each being a concentric arc having a radius disposed in an axial alignment zone of the outer surface and configured to contact the first and second bores, wherein a length of the axial alignment zone is less than a length of the body portion;
• a plurality of clearance features positioned between adjacent features of the plurality of locating features, wherein a distance from a center of the body portion to each of the plurality of clearance features is less than the radius of each of the plurality of locating features;
• and
• a head portion connected to the first end of the body portion, the head portion configured to contact the first shoulder of the connecting rod,
• wherein each of the plurality of locating features and the plurality of clearance features extends at least along an entire length of the axial alignment zone, and
• wherein each of the plurality of clearance features includes a plurality of substantially flat transition portions between adjacent locating features;
• and
• a nut configured to engage the second shoulder of the cap and the threaded second end of the connecting rod bolt.