Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Karl R Gilgenbach

David R Staley

Bryan K Pryor

Richard B Jess

Eric W Schneider

Liyun Zheng

Sean M McGowan

Michael B Fleck

Steven G Bryde

Bruce Alan Tucker

Bryant G Hammond

Joseph J Noonchester

Michael D Pepperman

Genci I Gurabardhi

Neil G Klueber

An automotive engine structural component includes an oil sump formed within the engine structural component, a bore extending from an exterior surface of the engine structural component to the oil sump, an oil level indicator tube supported within the bore, the oil level indicator tube including an upper bead, a lower bead, an o-ring positioned on the oil level indicator tube between the upper and lower beads, the o-ring forming a radial seal between the oil level indicator tube and an interior surface of the bore, and a spacer clip positioned between the upper bead and the o-ring.

Oil level indicator tube

A vehicle and a method of reducing sound produced by a liquid fluid pump are disclosed. A pump is activated when a predetermined event is detected. A control valve of the pump is operated in one of an initial and a standard mode when the pump is activated. The control valve is operable to allow a gaseous fluid to vent out of the pump when in the initial mode corresponding to the pump being in a first phase. The control valve is operable to allow a liquid fluid to move through the pump when in the standard mode corresponding to the pump being in a second phase. A solenoid of the control valve is energized and de-energized, at a calibrated frequency, in a sequence when in the initial mode to reduce the sound in the pump during the initial mode.

Vehicle and a method of reducing sound produced by a liquid fluid pump

A control methodology for a wireless oil level sensor includes mounting a wireless oil pressure sensor to the oil plug of an engine. The oil pressure sensor detects a pressure which is used to determine a volume or level of oil in the oil pan. The oil level sensor can include an accelerometer sensor that can be excited by the vibration caused by the starting of the engine to 'wake up' the sensor. The sensor can take an initial pressure reading at start up and associate the pressure reading with an oil level that can then be transmitted to a vehicle control unit. The sensor can remain idle until the accelerometer sensor no longer detects engine vibrations. The sensor is activated to take pressure readings at predetermined time intervals and to transmit an associated oil level to the vehicle central processor unit until a predetermined time period has expired.

Control methodology for wireless fluid level sensor

A vertically disposed oil pan baffle includes a body having first and second opposing side walls joined by a third wall, and an opposing fourth wall. Each of the first and second side walls is configured to conform with first and second internal surfaces of an oil pan. A metering opening is formed in one of the third and fourth walls. The metering opening is configured and disposed to control a rate of flow of oil through the vertically disposed oil pan baffle.

Vertically disposed oil pan baffle

An oil squirter for an engine includes a piston-type valve having a damping vent configured to damp oscillations of the valve piston during opening and closing. The valve piston may be spring biased and the valve may opened by oil pressure exerted on the piston at or above a cracking pressure. The damping vent controls displacement of the valve piston by creating delta pressure in oil contained in a piston chamber in opposition to axial piston movement during opening and closing of the valve, to stabilize the axial movement of the piston thereby damping valve oscillation during valve opening and closing. The damping vent operates to increase cracking stability and eliminate cyclic contact of the valve piston and valve seat to prevent noise, wear, binding, and oil system pressure fluctuations due to squirter valve instability.

Oil squirter with damping vent

A valve assembly for a fluid system is provided. The valve assembly includes a damping component to reduce undesired pressure fluctuations within the system. The valve assembly includes a valve guide member and a valve member at least partially situated around the valve guide member. The valve member may be slidable relative to the valve guide member. The valve member is configured to move between a first valve member position that substantially permits fluid flow from the fluid system through the valve assembly, and a second valve member position that substantially prevents fluid flow from the fluid system through the valve assembly. A metering hole is formed on the valve member and adapted to dampen the motion of the valve member from the first valve member position to the second valve member position.

Internally dampened pressure relief valve

In an exemplary embodiment, the momentum of oil-containing air rotating with a crankshaft counterweight in an engine crankcase is converted to static pressure by blocking the flow and directing the resulting static pressure through an orifice to a vent chamber wherein the pressure acts against a cam ring of a variable displacement oil pump. The arrangement modifies the action of an oil pressure control by increasing the effective pump outlet pressure as a function of engine speed using relatively low cost modifications of the engine and oil pump. This pressure may also be used in various ways to modify the control functions of other devices.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester Hills, MI, United States of America

Karl R Gilgenbach