Dimpled surface features for radiated noise attenuation in engine front covers

• US 9,650,989 B2
• Filed: 02/08/2013
• Issued: 05/16/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Staley, Eric D., Hayman, Alan W., Spix, Thomas A.
• Primary Examiner(s): McMahon, Marguerite
• Assistant Examiner(s): KIM, JAMES JAY
• Application Number:
  US13/763,281
• Publication Number:
  US 20140224206A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 123195 C, 1231921, 1231922, 1231934, 123195 R
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 2007/0075 Front covers
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 7/0073 Adaptations for fitting the engine, e.g. front-plates or bell-housings
• CPC Class Codes: F02F 7/008 Sound insulation

Abstract

An engine assembly is provided including a block defining a plurality of cylinders. A plurality of pistons are disposed in the plurality of cylinders and a crankshaft is drivingly attached to the plurality of pistons. A cover is mounted to an end of the block and supports a crankshaft seal around the crankshaft. The cover includes a dimpled pattern in a surface adjacent to the crankshaft seal.

Claims

1. An engine assembly, comprising:

a cylinder block defining a plurality of cylinders;

a plurality of pistons disposed in said plurality of cylinders;

a crankshaft drivingly attached to said plurality of pistons;

a cover mounted to an end of said block and supporting a crankshaft seal around said crankshaft, said cover including a dimpled pattern in a surface adjacent the crankshaft seal.

2. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cover is made from a cast plate.

3. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced recessed dimples.

4. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced protruding dimples.

5. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are evenly sized.

6. The engine assembly according to claim 5, wherein said dimples are generally evenly spaced.

7. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples of differing sizes.

8. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are generally circular.

9. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern covers a majority of said cover.

10. The engine assembly according to claim 1, wherein said dimpled pattern completely surrounds the crankshaft seal.

11. An engine front cover, comprising:

a cast plate-like body having a plurality of mounting apertures and a hole supporting a crankshaft seal, said cast plate-like body including a dimpled pattern in a surface adjacent the crankshaft seal.

12. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced recessed dimples.

13. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced protruding dimples.

14. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are evenly sized.

15. The engine assembly according to claim 14, wherein said dimples are generally evenly spaced.

16. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples of differing sizes.

17. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are generally circular.

18. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern covers a majority of said cover.

19. The engine front cover according to claim 11, wherein said dimpled pattern completely surrounds the crankshaft seal.