GB1565799A

GB1565799A - Internal combustion engine body construction

Info

Publication number: GB1565799A
Application number: GB3191075A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1976-11-01
Filing date: 1976-11-01
Publication date: 1980-04-23

Description

(54) INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE BODY CONSTRUCTION (71) I, JOHN SWAIN WOOD, a British Subject of Flat 2, Midland Bank, Kineton, Warwickshire, CV35 OHN, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the followmg statement: The object of this invention is to provide an improved construction of engine body for an internal combustion engine of the reciprocating piston type whereby assembly and dis-assembly of the engine is facilitated.

This and other practical advantages, especially from the standpoint of engine production, will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to this invention internal combustion engine body construction including at least a cylinder block and crank case is characterised by the engine body consisting of at least two complementary body parts which are adapted to be secured together at a joint facing lying in one or more planes and in which the plane of one of the planes contains the axis of the crankshaft bearings and the plane or other of the planes contains or contain the cylinder bore axis or axes, the complementary body parts being recessed in the joint facing whereby an assembly of one or more cylinder liners or at least one cylinder containing block member, pistons therein, connecting rods and crankshaft and bearings for the latter, can be positioned in the recessing of a said body part and the complementary body part secured thereto in order to contain a said assembly located in the required working relationship by the recessing within the complete engine body, means for securing the body parts together including headed tension bolts which, in the assembled condition of the complete engine body, extend transversely right through said body parts in at least the vicinity of the crankshaft bearings and externally receive nuts so as to firmly secure the body parts together at the joint facing.

The invention also includes a method of manufacture of piston type internal combustion engines or bodies therefor utilising the aforesaid construction of engine body.

In a practical embodiment of the invention, the construction and procedure is as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 are plan and underside plan views respectively of an engine body, Figure 3 is an exploded cross section of the body shown in Figures 1 and 2, together with engine working parts, Figure 4 is a rear end view, and Figures 5 and 6 are diagrammatic views similar to Figure 3 but each showing a modification.

In the example shown in the drawings, the invention is applied to the body of an in line four cylinder water-cooled engine and the engine body 1 includes a cylinder block 2, crank case 3 and also a flywheel/clutch or similar drive transmission coupling housing 4.

For the purpose of the invention the engine body 1 consists of two complementary body parts or halves 10, 11 which, in use, are secured together at fore and aft joint facing 100 lying in a vertical plane containing the crankshaft bearing axis B and the axes C of the cylinder bores. Thus each half 10, 11 of the engine body 1 provides corresponding halves 20, 30 and 40 of the cylinder block 2, crank case 3 and flywheel/ clutch housing 4 respectively.

In order to locate an assembly of cylinder liners 21, pistons 23, connecting rods 24 and crankshaft 25 and bearings 26 for the latter in the engine body 1, each body half 10, 11 is provided with normally vertical semicylindrical recesses 12 for locating wet cylinder liners 21 (Figure 3) and horizontal semi-cylindrical recesses 13 for locating crankshaft bearing shells 26. The body halves 10, 11 are also otherwise recessed or formed with cavities as at 14 to provide passages for water or other coolant about the cylinder liners 20 and for this purpose each engine body half 10, 11 can be readily produced as a casting in which complex coring in the casting process can be avoided or minimised and the simpler procedure of using pad cores for gravity moulding or pad face coring for pressure diecasting can be employed in the interests of economic production.

In assembling the engine, the procedure is as follows: The two body halves 10, 11 are initially secured together by dowel bolts at 16 for the purpose of line boring the crankshaft bearing locations 13 and also the locations 12 for the wet cylinder liners 21.

The engine body halves 10, 11 are then taken apart and an appropriate assembly of cylinder liners 21, pistons 23, connecting rods 24, crankshaft 25 and bearing shells 26 for the latter are located in one body half, e.g. the half 10, in working relationship i.e.

with the pistons 23 in their respective cylinder liners 21 and connected by connecting rods 24 to corresponding crankpins 250 of the crankshaft 25. Where, as shown, each engine body half includes half 40 of the flywheel/clutch housing/4, the flywheel and clutch can be secured to the crankshaft 25 prior to location of the assembly unless access is afforded for subsequent fitting of the flywheel and/or clutch as hereinafter referred to.

After such location the other engine body half 11 is secured to the first half 10 in order to contain or encapsulate the said assembly located within the body 1 for operation in the normal manner.

During location, each wet cylinder liner 21 is provided with a base seal 22 in the usual manner whilst each crankshaft bearing may either consist of two halves or shells 26 as shown which are split about a vertical or other suitable axis, or annular or tunnel bearings may be employed.

The engine block halves 10, 11 are secured together by the dowel bolts 16 and by similar further bolting (not shown) at the flanges 31 of the crankcase halves 30 and also by the cylinder head 6 which latter is secured to the top or deck of the cylinder block 2 in the usual manner i.e. with gasket or like sealing.

However, in accordance with a particular feature of this invention, the two engine body halves 10, 11 are secured together by transverse tension bolts 5 (Figure 3) passing right through the two body halves 10, 11 in the vicinity of the location recesses 13 for the crankshaft bearings i.e. immediately above and below these locations as shown in Figure 3 the bolts 5 externally receiving nuts 50. Securing of the body halves 10, 11 in this way prevents or very greatly minimises the tendency of the body halves 10,11 to "pant" or part at the joint facing 100 under stresses due to working loadings on the crankshaft 25 and which may otherwise give rise to oil leakage and loss of firm support for the crankshaft bearings 26.

Each tension bolt 5 is shown passing through an internal formation or boss 15 of each body half, the bosses 15 abutting at the joint facing 100 in order to further provide rigid support adjacent the crankshaft bear- ings 26. Tension bolts may be also provided in a similar manner right through the cylinder block halves 20 e.g. extending between the cylinder liners 21.

The inclusion of corresponding halves 40 of the flywheel/clutch housing 4 integral with each engine body half 10, 11 results in a particularly rigid mounting of the complete bell housng 4 whilst the latter is shown provided with a large access opening 41 for the purpose of clutch removal for servicing or replacement purposes, the opening receiving a cover plate (not shown).

Also as shown in Figure 2, the crankcase halves 30 together provide an opening 32 for receiving an oil sump pan 33 whilst other ancillary equipment can be fitted in the normal manner and according to requirements.

For simplicity in the manufacture of the engine body halves 10, 11 the cylinder head 6 preferably includes all the valve gear in any known or suitable overhead arrangement.

Each engine body half 10, 11 may also include half of a gearbox or other transmission housing in which the running gear is located in one half and contained in the complete box or housing as the engine body halves 10, 11 are secured together, provision being preferably also included for securing the gearbox halves together such as by transverse tension bolts against any tendency for the halves to "pant" at their joint facing under working stresses.

Any joint facing herein rreferred to may include sealing means against leakage of coolant - or lubricant as appropriate.

In a development indicated Figure 3 the cavities 14 for the passage of water or other coolant may accommodate sound absorbing material 18 such as carbon fibre or suitable plastics material capable of withstanding the temperatures involved during the operation of the engine. Thus the material 18 may be in the form of pieces of part cylindrical cross-section about the axis of each cylinder liner 21 or of annular form about the latter.

The material 18 is perforated or of suitable interstitial form to permit the passage of water or other coolant therethrough.

The purpose of the material 18 is to deaden the sound due to fuel combustion emanating from the cylinder liners 21 and thus result in a quieter running engine especially in the case of a diesel or compression ignition engine.

A further purpose of the material is to counteract high velocity molecular movement in the water or liquid coolant due to vibration which tends to bombard and break down the molecular structure of the metal of the cylinder liners 21 causing wall failure of the latter.

As will be appreciated the engine body construction provided by the present invention enables the matenal 18 to be readily placed in the required position of use in the cavities 14 and in relation to the cylinder liners 21 as assembly of the engine proceeds in the manner herein described.

In a further development shown in Figure 5 the cylinder bores, e.g. of cylinder liners 121 are provided in a sub-block or insert 122 received by locating recesses 112 in the cylinder block halves 120 so as to be contained by the latter on assembly of the engine. Such a sub-block or insert 122 is shown having an integral cylinder head 66 containing overhead valve gear thus avoiding or minimising the need for gasket or like sealing of the cylinder head.

In a modification of such an arrangement shown in Figure 6 wet cylinder liners 221 are shown depending from a cylinder head 666 and are received by semi-cylindrical locating recesses 12 of each cylinder block half 20 in the manner already described. Each cylinder liner 221 may have a screw threaded or other suitable engagement in the cylinder head 666 i.e. in relation to a corresponding combustion chamber in the latter.

Whereas the invention has been herein described as applied to an otherwise conventional in line cylinder engine, it may also be applied to an engine of the opposed piston type in which case the joint face normally lies in a substantially horizontal plane passing through the crankshaft bearmg axis and also along the axes of the opposed cylinders. Thus upper and lower complementary body parts or halves of the engine body are provided, the working assembly of cylinder liners, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft and bearings for the latter being located in a lower body part of half and contained in the complete body on securing the upper body part or half to the lower one.The two body halves or blocks may be secured together in the manner already described especially by the use of tension bolts passing right through the two body halves in the vicinity of the crankshaft bearing locations and also in the vicinity of the cylinders as necessary.

The invention may be further applied to each cylinder bank of engines of the V-type and is also applicable to various types of air cooled engines.

Particularly in the case of air cooled engines the cylinder block or blocks may be externally surrounded by sound absorbing material of low heat insulation for the purpose of reducing noise emanation and also to reduce deterioration of cooling fins to the cylinder block or blocks especially where the latter are surrounded by a housing and where molecular breakdown of the metal of the fins also tends to occur as a result of vibration.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, engine body construction and the resulting method of manufacture according to this invention enables engine production to be carried out in an economic manner mainly by unskilled labour whilst it also lends itself to operation under favourable environmental conditions. The same applies to engine servicing or replacement of working parts where economy can also be effected by the reduced need to carry stocks of high cost components such as cylinder blocks.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. Internal combustion engine body construction including at least a cylinder block and crankcase characterised by the engine body consisting of at least two complementary body parts which are adapted to be secured together at a joint facing lying in one or more planes and in which the plane or one of the planes contains the axis of the crankshaft bearings and the plane or other of the planes contains or contain the cylinder bore axis or axes, the complementary body parts being recessed in the joint facing whereby an assembly of one or more cylinder liners or at least one cylinder containing block member, pistons therein, connecting rods and crankshaft and bearings for the latter, can be positioned in the recessing of a said body part and the complementary body part secured thereto in order to contain a said assembly located in the required working relationship by the recessing within the complete engine body, means for securing the body parts together including headed tension bolts which, in the assembled condition of the complete engine body, extend transversely right through said body parts in at least the vicinity of the crankshaft bearings and externally receive nuts so as to firmly secure the body parts together at the joint facing.

2. Internal combustion engine body construction according to claim 1 wherein each complementary body part is provided with internal formations through which the transverse tension bolts pass, which internal formations are arranged to abut at the joint facing for providing internal support in at

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. The purpose of the material 18 is to deaden the sound due to fuel combustion emanating from the cylinder liners 21 and thus result in a quieter running engine especially in the case of a diesel or compression ignition engine. A further purpose of the material is to counteract high velocity molecular movement in the water or liquid coolant due to vibration which tends to bombard and break down the molecular structure of the metal of the cylinder liners 21 causing wall failure of the latter. As will be appreciated the engine body construction provided by the present invention enables the matenal 18 to be readily placed in the required position of use in the cavities 14 and in relation to the cylinder liners 21 as assembly of the engine proceeds in the manner herein described. In a further development shown in Figure 5 the cylinder bores, e.g. of cylinder liners 121 are provided in a sub-block or insert 122 received by locating recesses 112 in the cylinder block halves 120 so as to be contained by the latter on assembly of the engine. Such a sub-block or insert 122 is shown having an integral cylinder head 66 containing overhead valve gear thus avoiding or minimising the need for gasket or like sealing of the cylinder head. In a modification of such an arrangement shown in Figure 6 wet cylinder liners 221 are shown depending from a cylinder head 666 and are received by semi-cylindrical locating recesses 12 of each cylinder block half 20 in the manner already described. Each cylinder liner 221 may have a screw threaded or other suitable engagement in the cylinder head 666 i.e. in relation to a corresponding combustion chamber in the latter. Whereas the invention has been herein described as applied to an otherwise conventional in line cylinder engine, it may also be applied to an engine of the opposed piston type in which case the joint face normally lies in a substantially horizontal plane passing through the crankshaft bearmg axis and also along the axes of the opposed cylinders. Thus upper and lower complementary body parts or halves of the engine body are provided, the working assembly of cylinder liners, pistons, connecting rods, crankshaft and bearings for the latter being located in a lower body part of half and contained in the complete body on securing the upper body part or half to the lower one.The two body halves or blocks may be secured together in the manner already described especially by the use of tension bolts passing right through the two body halves in the vicinity of the crankshaft bearing locations and also in the vicinity of the cylinders as necessary. The invention may be further applied to each cylinder bank of engines of the V-type and is also applicable to various types of air cooled engines. Particularly in the case of air cooled engines the cylinder block or blocks may be externally surrounded by sound absorbing material of low heat insulation for the purpose of reducing noise emanation and also to reduce deterioration of cooling fins to the cylinder block or blocks especially where the latter are surrounded by a housing and where molecular breakdown of the metal of the fins also tends to occur as a result of vibration. As will be appreciated from the foregoing, engine body construction and the resulting method of manufacture according to this invention enables engine production to be carried out in an economic manner mainly by unskilled labour whilst it also lends itself to operation under favourable environmental conditions. The same applies to engine servicing or replacement of working parts where economy can also be effected by the reduced need to carry stocks of high cost components such as cylinder blocks. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. Internal combustion engine body construction including at least a cylinder block and crankcase characterised by the engine body consisting of at least two complementary body parts which are adapted to be secured together at a joint facing lying in one or more planes and in which the plane or one of the planes contains the axis of the crankshaft bearings and the plane or other of the planes contains or contain the cylinder bore axis or axes, the complementary body parts being recessed in the joint facing whereby an assembly of one or more cylinder liners or at least one cylinder containing block member, pistons therein, connecting rods and crankshaft and bearings for the latter, can be positioned in the recessing of a said body part and the complementary body part secured thereto in order to contain a said assembly located in the required working relationship by the recessing within the complete engine body, means for securing the body parts together including headed tension bolts which, in the assembled condition of the complete engine body, extend transversely right through said body parts in at least the vicinity of the crankshaft bearings and externally receive nuts so as to firmly secure the body parts together at the joint facing.

least the vicinity of the crankshaft bearings when the complementary body parts are secured together by the transverse tension bolts and nuts.

3. Internal combustion engine body construction according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the complementary body parts are secured together by tension bolts extending transversely right through the body parts and passing between cylinder liners located in the engine body, the tension bolts externally receiving nuts.

4. Internal combustion engine body construction according to any of the preceding claims wherein each complementary body part of the engine body includes fast therewith a complementary part of a housing for a flywheel/clutch or similar drive transmission coupling, which housing parts are adapted to be secured together at a plane or planes of the joint facing.

5. Internal combustion engine body construction according to any of the preceding claims wherein each complementary body part of the engine body includes, or further includes, fast therewith a complementary part of a gear box or similar drive transmission housing in which the running gear thereof is located in and by the two complementary parts of the gear box or similar housing on said parts being secured together at a plane or planes of the joint facing.

6. Internal combustion engine body construction according to any of the preceding claims wherein a said cylinder containing block member is provided with an integral cylinder head.

7. Internal combustion engine body construction according to any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the complementary body parts of the engine body on securing together receive located therein one or more cylinder liners extending from a cylinder head.

8. Internal combustion engine body construction according to any of the preceding claims wherein sound absorbing material is provided and which is positioned in coolant cavities in the complementary body parts of the engine body and in relation to the or each cylinder liner during assembly of the engine.

9. Internal combustion engine body construction according to claim 8 wherein the sound absorbing material is perforated or of interstitial form for the passage of water or other coolant therethrough.

10. Internal combustion engine body construction according to claim 8 or 9 wherein the sound absorbing material is formed to counteract high velocity molecular movement in water or other coolant under operating conditions of the engine.

11. Internal combustion engine body construction according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the sound absorbing material is of cylindrical form or in two or more pieces of part cylindrical form for location about the or each cylinder liner.

12. Internal combustion engine body construction according to sny of the preceding claims wherein the cylinder block or blocks of the assembled engine is or are surrounded by sound absorbing material.

13. Internal combustion engine body construction substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Method of manufacture of internal combustion engines when employing engine body construction according to any of the preceding claims.