Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Scott A Hucker

Dale Edward Murrish

Joseph Gerard Lovasz

Amit Kumar

Balakrishna Chinta

James Dwight Cremonesi

Maurice G Meyer

John B Fisher

Jeremy T Demarest

Shane E Bremer

Ronald B Beals

Eduardo Pinoncely

David A Hann

Luke Luehr

Chris D Hosler

Varoon Shankar

Philip E Burgess

David Hresko

Systems and methods are provided for detecting contact between a manufacturing apparatus and an article being worked upon by the manufacturing apparatus. Vehicles that include the article are also provided. The system includes the manufacturing apparatus configured to perform a process on the article, a signal transmitter configured to apply an input signal to the article with during the process such that the input signal is conducted through the article, a signal receiver configured to monitor a first component of the manufacturing apparatus to detect conduction of the input signal through the first component with during the process, and a signal processor configured to determine whether contact has occurred between the first component of the manufacturing apparatus and the article based on the detection of the input signal by the signal receiver.

Systems and methods for detecting contact during a process

Apparatus are provided for automatic repositioning of fluid nozzles when operating on a workpiece with a tool. The apparatus includes a nozzle assembly configured to convey a fluid to a target zone defined on the workpiece and/or on the tool. The target zone has a location that varies over time. A spring applies a spring force to bias the nozzle assembly toward the target zone, and moves the nozzle assembly as the location of the target zone varies. The nozzle assembly moves to a position relative to the target zone by a combination of action of the spring force and of any hydrodynamic force of the fluid, when moving through the nozzle assembly.

Automatic adjusting hydro-mechanical fluid nozzle apparatus

Presented are crankshaft assemblies with internal stiffening structures, methods for making/using such crankshaft assemblies, and internal combustion engines equipped with such crankshaft assemblies. A crankshaft body, which is formed with a first material, includes multiple bearing journals that are mutually coaxial to rotate on a crankshaft axis and spaced from each other along the length of the crankshaft. Each bearing journal has an internal journal cavity. Multiple crankpins are longitudinally spaced from each and axially offset from the crankshaft's rotational axis. Each crankpin has an internal crankpin cavity. Multiple crank webs project radially from the crankshaft axis and interconnect the bearing journals with the crankpins. Each crank web has an internal web cavity. Disposed within the journal cavities, crankpin cavities, and/or web cavities is a stiffening bar formed with a second material having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than the modulus of elasticity of the first material.

Engine crankshaft assemblies with internal stiffening structures

A crankshaft assembly for a vehicle, a method of operating a crankshaft assembly, and a method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly. The crankshaft assembly includes a crankshaft, a first pin bearing journal and a main journal, an oil passage having a main passage wall, the oil passage extending from the first pin bearing journal to or through the main bearing journal, a crankpin exit hole located in the main passage wall, and a blocking element positioned in the oil passage, wherein the blocking element is located in a radially outward position with respect to the crankpin exit hole.

Crankshaft assembly with oiling scheme

A method of manufacturing a crankshaft includes the steps of: (1) forming a crankshaft blank via a first half and a second half; (2) measuring a plurality of surface variations between a predetermined surface in a first region and a corresponding predetermined surface in a second region of the crankshaft blank; (3) calculating centering offset data based on the plurality of surface variations; (4) machining a pair center holes based on the centering offset data; (5) machining a counterweight and a journal relative to the pair of center holes to produce a partially machined crankshaft; (5) milling and grinding the partially machined crankshaft to produce a finished machined crankshaft; and (6) rotating the finished machined crankshaft typically on the outermost main journals in a final balancing machine and then modifying the counterweights to eliminate undesirable vibration generated during the rotation and engine operation.

Method of manufacturing a crankshaft

A forged crankshaft assembly for an engine, and a method of manufacturing the same, has a forged crankshaft and a removable counterweight to provide access for core drilling or milling a cavity. The forged crankshaft has a pin bearing journal, a main bearing journal, a first crank arm supporting the pin bearing journal, a second crank arm supporting the pin bearing journal and connecting the pin bearing journal and the main bearing journal, and at least one milled crank arm cavity formed within at least a portion of the second crank arm. The removable counterweight extends radially outward from the first crank arm, wherein the crank arm cavity is configured to be accessible to a core drill or mill cutter only when the removable counterweight is removed from the first crank arm and inaccessible to the core drill or mill cutter when the removable counterweight is coupled to the first crank arm.

Machining oval cores in crankshafts

A method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly includes configuring a crankshaft with a crankpin journal having a cavity extending at least partially from a first axial side to a second axial side of the crankpin journal, and opening at at least one of the first axial side and the second axial side. The method includes disposing a core plug in the cavity. The crankshaft has a first density and the core plug may have a second density which may be less than the first density. A crankshaft assembly includes the crankshaft and the core plug.

Crankshaft assembly with core plug and method of manufacturing a crankshaft assembly

A rotatable assembly, such as a crankshaft or camshaft assembly, includes a first rotatable component and a second rotatable component coupled to the first rotatable component. The first rotatable component includes a first body and defines a plurality of recesses extending into the first body. The second rotatable component includes a second body and defines a plurality of protrusions extending from the second body. The protrusions are disposed inside the respective recesses to allow the second rotatable component to rotate in unison with the first rotatable component.

Rotatable assembly including a coupling interface

A method of determining the condition of a grinding wheel is provided to avoid over use or premature changing of the grinding wheel in a grinding machine, such as for crankshaft or camshaft grinding. The grinding machine has a motor which drives a grinding spindle carrying an abrasive coated hub acting as a grinding wheel. Sensors detect the level of grinding force and motor torque required to grind a workpiece into a desired shape. The information is relayed to a controller, which averages and compares the grinding force and torque information to force and torque limits to determine the condition of the wheel. In addition, the controller compares grinding force and motor torque over a series of grinds to determine the level of increase between grinds to further determine the condition of the grinding wheel. If the level of increase exceeds an increase limit, the controller actuates a fault signal to stop the grinding machine indicating that the wheel is near the end of its life cycle.

Growing community of inventors

Ortonville, MI, United States of America

Scott A Hucker