# US 9,518,532 B2 · Internal combustion engine having structural frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,518,532 B2 - Document ID: US9518532B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/485,004 - Filed: 2014-09-12 - Published: 2015-01-01 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2010-12-29 - Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Applicants: Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Inventors: Christopher K. Palazzolo; Darren Sipila; Steven Poe; Phil Damian Cierpial; Changsheng Gan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9518532B2 ## CPC - F02F 7/0021: {Construction} - F01M 1/02: using lubricating pumps (pumps in general F04; lubricating pumps per se F16N) - F01M 1/10: Lubricating systems characterised by the provision therein of lubricant venting or purifying means, e.g. of filters - F01M 11/0004: {Oilsumps} - F01M 11/02: Arrangements of lubricant conduits - F01M 11/03: Mounting or connecting of lubricant purifying means relative to the machine or engine; Details of lubricant purifying means (filters B01D) - F02B 75/22: with cylinders in V, fan, or star arrangement - F02F 7/0012: {Crankcases of V-engines} - F02F 7/0053: {Crankshaft bearings fitted in the crankcase} - F02F 7/0068: {Adaptations for other accessories} - F02F 7/0073: {Adaptations for fitting the engine, e.g. front-plates or bell-housings} - F02F 7/0085: {Materials for constructing engines or their parts} - B22D 19/0009: {Cylinders, pistons} - F01M 2011/0079: {with the oil pump integrated or fixed to sump} - F01M 2011/033: {comprising coolers or heat exchangers} - F02B 2075/025: {two} - F02B 2075/1816: {four} - F02F 1/108: {Siamese-type cylinders, i.e. cylinders cast together} - F02F 1/20: characterised by constructional features providing for lubrication - F02F 7/0007: {Crankcases of engines with cylinders in line} - F05C 2201/021: Aluminium - F16C 9/02: Crankshaft bearings - F02F: CYLINDERS, PISTONS OR CASINGS, FOR COMBUSTION ENGINES; ARRANGEMENTS OF SEALINGS IN COMBUSTION ENGINES - F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING - F02B: INTERNAL-COMBUSTION PISTON ENGINES; COMBUSTION ENGINES IN GENERAL (gas-turbine plants F02C; hot-gas or combustion-product positive-displacement engine plants F02G) - B22D: CASTING OF METALS; CASTING OF OTHER SUBSTANCES BY THE SAME PROCESSES OR DEVICES (shaping of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29C; metallurgical processing, selection of substances to be added to metal C21, C22) - F05C: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO MATERIALS, MATERIAL PROPERTIES OR MATERIAL CHARACTERISTICS FOR MACHINES, ENGINES OR PUMPS OTHER THAN NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS ## Abstract A structural frame is provided. The structural frame includes a bottom surface, first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces, the first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces positioned above the bottom surface at a height that is above a centerline of a crankshaft support included in a cylinder block when the structural frame is coupled to the cylinder block. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An engine, comprising: a structural frame including a bottom surface, and first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces; and a cylinder block including a cylinder, at least two crankshaft supports at a bottom of the cylinder block, a cylinder head engaging surface at a top of the cylinder block, and first and second exterior sidewalls, the first exterior sidewall extending from the cylinder head engaging surface to the first cylinder block sidewall engaging surface positioned above a centerline of a crankshaft supported by the at least two crankshaft supports, the first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces positioned above the bottom surface and above the centerline. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1 further comprising an oil filter port. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The engine of claim 2, further comprising an oil pump, the oil pump coupled to the structural frame, and wherein the oil filter port is positioned on either of the first or second exterior sidewalls. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The cylinder block of claim 1, where the second exterior sidewall extends from a second cylinder head engaging surface to a second structural frame engaging surface positioned above the centerline of the crankshaft relative to the bottom of the cylinder block. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where an oil pan engaging surface is the bottom surface of the structural frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fastener openings along a length of the first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the structural frame is constructed of a material having a strength to volume ratio less than a strength to volume ratio of the cylinder block, when the structural frame is coupled to the cylinder block. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the structural frame. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces are part of first and second structural frame sidewalls, the first and second structural frame sidewalls including stiffening webbing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, wherein the structural frame further comprises a transmission bell housing engaging surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the first exterior sidewall extends from the cylinder head engaging surface to the first cylinder block sidewall engaging surface positioned above the centerline of the crankshaft relative to the bottom of the cylinder block. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the cylinder block is a one piece engine cylinder block. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, wherein the cylinder block further comprises an exterior front wall and an exterior rear wall, where the exterior front wall includes one of the two crankshaft supports, where the exterior rear wall includes one of the two crankshaft supports, and where the two crankshaft supports surround the crankshaft. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The engine of claim 13, wherein the structural frame is coupled to the exterior rear wall, where the structural frame and the exterior rear wall provide engine rear cover engaging surfaces, and where the structural frame is coupled to a transmission bell housing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the cylinder block includes a plurality of cylinders arranged in a V, and further comprising a second cylinder head engaging surface at the top of the cylinder block. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the cylinder block is formed as a one piece engine cylinder block, and where two bearing caps are subsequently divided from the cylinder block. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The engine of claim 1, where the cylinder block is formed as a one piece engine cylinder block, and two bearing caps are subsequently divided from the cylinder block, the two bearing caps each including two structural frame attachment recesses. ### Claim 18 An engine, comprising: a cylinder block having two or more cylinders arranged in a non-straight angle, two crankshaft supports at a bottom of the cylinder block, first and second cylinder head engaging surfaces at a top of the cylinder block, first and second exterior sidewalls, the first exterior sidewall extending from the first cylinder head engaging surface to a first structural frame engaging surface positioned above a centerline of a crankshaft supported by the two crankshaft supports, the second exterior sidewall extending from the second cylinder head engaging surface to a second structural frame engaging surface positioned above the centerline of the crankshaft, a transmission bell housing engaging surface at a rear of the cylinder block, the first and second structural frame engaging surfaces each including a plurality of fastener openings; and a structural frame including first and second structural frame exterior sidewalls, the first structural frame exterior sidewall coupled to the first cylinder block exterior sidewall, the second structural frame exterior sidewall coupled to the second cylinder block exterior sidewall, the first structural frame exterior sidewall and the second structural frame exterior sidewall coupled via a transmission bell housing engaging surface at a rear of the structural frame. ### Claim 19 A cylinder block assembly comprising: a cylinder block having a crankshaft opening with a centerline; a structural frame coupled to the cylinder block; the frame including: an oil pan engaging surface, first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces, the first and second cylinder block sidewall engaging surfaces positioned above the oil pan engaging surface at a height that is above the centerline, and an oil pan coupled to the frame. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The assembly of claim 19 wherein the structural frame further comprises a transmission bell housing engaging surface.