The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 03, 1998
Filed:
Jul. 31, 1997
James Joseph Mazzola, Dryden, MI (US);
Terry Wayne Black, Clarkston, MI (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An engine assembly is disclosed which includes a cylinder block having cylinders, pistons disposed in the cylinders, and connecting rods connecting the pistons to a crankshaft. The crankshaft rotates to move the pistons reciprocally in the cylinders thereby inducing volumetric changes within the engine and, particularly between axially adjacent pistons. A crankcase disposed below the cylinder block has axial sidewalls extending therefrom to define a crankcase volume in which the crankshaft is disposed for rotation. Crankcase bulkheads extend laterally to connect the axial walls and define cylinder bays therebetween. Each of the crankcase bulkheads includes a crankshaft journal support and a surface configured to rotatably receive a complementary bearing cap for support of the crankshaft therebetween. The sidewalls include outwardly relieved portions at the intersection of the bulkheads with the crankcase sidewalls to define openings around the bearing caps to allow airflow, induced by the volumetric changes, between the cylinder bays.