Oil Pan Casting With Optional Oil Cooler Provisions

• US 20150096841A1
• Filed: 10/09/2013
• Published: 04/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: BRYDE, Steven G., HERRALA, Kevin, FLECK, Michael B., FERRAND, Michael S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,303,538 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.22
• CPC Class Codes: B22D 17/00 Pressure die casting or injection die casting, i.e. casting in which the metal is forced into a mould under high pressure
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 11/0004 Oilsumps
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/0025 with heat exchangers
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2011/0029 with oil filters

Abstract

A universal oil pan die tooling is provided for forming alternative oil pans for alternative internal combustion engines with and without an oil cooler circuit. The die tooling includes a first die member defining a cavity and a second die member having a protruding portion designed to be inserted in the cavity of the first die member to define a mold cavity therebetween that defines a shape of the oil pan. A first die insert is used along with the first die member and the second die member to form oil pans for use with an engine having an oil cooler. An alternative second die insert is used in place of the first die insert along with the first die member and the second die member to form oil pans for use with an engine without an oil cooler.

Claims

1. Universal oil pan die tooling for forming alternative oil pans for alternative internal combustion engines with and without an oil cooler circuit, the die tooling comprising:

a first die member defining a cavity;

a second die member having a protruding portion, said protruding portion designed to be inserted in the cavity of the first die member to define a mold cavity therebetween defining a shape of the oil pan;

a first die insert used along with the first die member and the second die member to form oil pans adapted for use with an engine having an oil cooler; and

a second die insert, different than the first die insert, and used along with the first die member and the second die member for forming an oil pans adapted for use with an engine without an oil cooler.

2. The universal oil pan die tooling according to claim 1, further comprising a slide insert inserted into the mold cavity through the first die member.

3. The universal oil pan die tooling according to claim 1, wherein said first die insert includes a first protruding portion surrounding an area forming a filter inlet passage and a cooler return port for defining a first recessed gasket groove on an interior surface of the oil pans adapted for use with an engine having an oil cooler.

4. The universal oil pan die tooling according to claim 3, wherein said first die insert includes a second protruding portion surrounding an area for forming a cooler supply passage for defining a second recessed gasket groove on the interior surface of the oil pans adapted for use with an engine having an oil cooler.

5. The universal oil pan die tooling according to claim 4, wherein said second die insert includes a third protruding portion surrounding an area for forming a filter inlet passage for defining a third gasket groove on the interior surface of the oil pans adapted for use with an engine without an oil cooler.

6. A universal oil pan design for use with an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a bottom wall;

a sidewall extending from a periphery of the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the sidewall each including an interior surface to define an internal cavity, a top edge of the sidewall defining a mounting flange and an exterior surface of the bottom wall and sidewall defining an outer surface of the oil pan;

a plurality of mounting apertures extending through the mounting flange; and

first and second bosses disposed in the outer surface of the oil pan, wherein the first and second bosses are optionally provided with oil cooler supply and return passages therethrough, respectively for connection to an oil cooler for use with an engine having an oil cooler and the first and second bosses can remain closed for use with an engine having no oil cooler, said oil cooler return passage being in communication with a first recessed region in the interior of the oil pan and having an opening extending through the oil pan adjacent to an oil filter fitting, the oil cooler supply passage in communication with a second recessed region in the interior of the oil pan.