Fluid passage of engine

Abstract

 An engine (100) has a body that includes engine cylinder block (102) or cylinder head (104). The body is formed with a fluid passage (110) which defines an inner surface (112) configured to receive flow of fluid. The engine (100) further has a lining member (122) that is inserted and secured within the fluid passage (110). The lining member (122) defines an outer surface (124), which abuts the inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an engine, and particularly to a fluid passage of the engine.

Background

[0002] A typical engine system includes an engine body having one or more casted components, such as a cylinder block, a cylinder head etc. One or more fluid passages are formed in the engine body for receiving and transporting lubricating oil and/or a coolant to relevant portions of the engine. Typically, the fluid passages are formed during the casting process of the engine body. However, the casted fluid passages may have uneven and undefined surface quality. For example, the fluid passages may include foundry sand, casting surface cracks, pores, etc. Further, occurrence of such surface defects may also increase since a length of the fluid passages may extend up to a few meters in length. During fluid flow, there may be a tendency that these discontinuities in the casting surfaces may get loosened and mix with the fluid. These discontinuities may enter and damage various components of the engine, for example, the bearings.

[0003] Machining of the surfaces of the fluid passages may not remove all the surface defects. Another solution in the art includes providing a steel pipe in the mold itself and casting the engine body around the steel pipe for defining the fluid passages. However, positioning the steel pipe in the mold and securing the steel pipe during the subsequent casting process may not be convenient and accurate.

[0004] German patent 102006055304 A1 discloses a cast iron cylinder head or engine block that contains feed channels for fuel, coolant and oil. These consist of steel pipes which are enclosed by cast material without a gap and bonded to it by a mixed phase of steel and cast iron. A method for producing the cylinder head or engine block includes forming of a core packet consisting of sand cores and pipes in the desired shape of the channel. The casting iron is poured around the steel pipe in a mold and cooled the casting.

Summary

[0005] In an aspect of the present disclosure, an engine has a body that includes engine cylinder block or cylinder head. The body is formed with a fluid passage that defines an inner surface configured to receive flow of fluid. The engine further comprises a lining member that is inserted and secured within the fluid passage. The lining member defines an outer surface that abuts the inner surface of the fluid passage.

[0006] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the lining member is a single integral component and is made of plastic, and/or comprises a knitted component. The knitted component is elastic, hence may be deformed and conveniently inserted into the fluid passage. The knitted component includes a sealing material on an outer surface thereof and is elastically secured within the fluid passage. The sealing material is configured to seal an interface between the knitted component and the inner surface of the fluid passage.

[0007] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the lining member includes a plurality of segments located adjacent to one another. Each of the plurality of segments includes a coupling portion. The coupling portion of one of the plurality of segments engages with the coupling portion of the adjacent segment to prevent relative rotation therebetween. The coupling portion comprises a toothed profile at ends of each of the plurality of segments. The toothed profile may prevent rotational movement between adjacent segments.

[0008] In another aspect of the present disclosure, the lining member is a cylindrical body, which defines the outer surface, configured to be inserted and secured within the fluid passage formed in the body of the engine and abuts the inner surface of the fluid passage.

[0009] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of lining the fluid passage formed in the body of the engine includes inserting the lining member into the fluid passage and securing the lining member within the fluid passage such that the lining member abuts the inner surface of the fluid passage.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of inserting and securing the lining member within the fluid passage includes deforming the lining member along an axial direction thereof, inserting the lining member within the fluid passage, and allowing the lining member to expand and abut the inner surface of the fluid passage. The method further includes providing a sealing material in an inactivated state on an outer surface of the lining member and activating the sealing material to seal the interface between the outer surface of the lining member and the inner surface of the fluid passage. One or more of heat, Ultraviolet (UV) light, chemical activator, and moisture is used to activate the sealing material.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, inserting and securing the lining member within the fluid passage includes inserting plurality of segments within the fluid passage and coupling adjacent segments to one another. Coupling the adjacent segments includes restricting relative rotation between the adjacent segments. The method further includes securing at least one of the plurality of segments to an end of the fluid passage by one or more of crimping, potting, gluing, and mechanical couplings.

[0012] Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013] 

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary internal combustion engine;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial sectional view of top elevation of an exemplary cylinder block having a fluid passage;

FIG. 3 illustrates a fluid passage of the cylinder block receiving a lining member, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates placing of the lining member of FIG. 3 in the fluid passage;

FIG. 5 illustrates an assembled view of the fluid passage, according to the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 illustrates the fluid passage receiving the lining member, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 illustrates an assembled view of the fluid passage, according to the embodiment of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart showing a method of lining the fluid passage, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an engine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The engine 100 may be any type of engine, such as internal combustion engine run by gasoline, diesel, gaseous fuel, or a combination thereof. The engine 100 may be used as a source of power for any machine or other devices, such as, on-highway trucks or vehicles, off-highway trucks or machines, earth moving equipment, pumps, stationary equipment, generators, and the like. The engine 100 may also be used to power machines or devices used in construction, transportation, power generation, aerospace applications, locomotive applications, marine applications, and other engine powered applications.

[0015] The engine 100 is illustrated as a V-Type internal combustion engine, having 6 cylinders. However, the present disclosure may applicable to any type of engine having a single cylinder or multiple cylinders in other alternate configurations, such as in-line, radial, etc. The engine 100 includes a body having a cylinder block 102 and a cylinder head 104. In some embodiments, the body of the engine 100 may also include a front cover, a crank case, an oil pan, and like components (not shown). The cylinder block 102 may be coupled with a crank case (not shown) for rotatably supporting a crankshaft (not shown). The cylinder block 102 includes a plurality of cylinders, one of which is labeled via reference numeral 108. It may be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that certain components of the engine 100, such as pistons, camshafts, fuel injectors, valves, etc., are omitted from FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a partial sectional view of the cylinder block 102 of the engine 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at least one fluid passage 110 formed in the body of the engine 100. The fluid passage 110 defines an inner surface 112 along a length thereof. In an embodiment, the fluid passage 110 may be an oil passage casted in the body of the engine 100 for receiving a lubricating oil therethough and allow it to reach bearing components or other moving components, such as pistons, camshaft, crankshaft, etc. In an alternative embodiment, the fluid passage 110 may be a coolant passage casted in the body of the engine 100 for receiving a coolant therethrough for absorbing heat generated in the cylinders 108 during operation of the engine 100.

[0017] The fluid passage 110 is formed substantially parallel to a central axis of the cylinder block 102. The fluid passage 110 extends from a first end 114 to a second end 116, such that the first end 114 is defined at one end 118 of the cylinder block 102, and the second end 116 is defined at another end 120 of the cylinder block 102. It should be understood that there may be multiple fluid passages 110 disposed in the cylinder block 102 in various orientations, and one of such orientations of the fluid passage 110 is described above for exemplary purposes. Though the fluid passage 110 is shown to be substantially cylindrical, the fluid passage 110 may have any alternate shapes within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the fluid passage 110 may be curvilinear. Moreover, the fluid passage 110 may have a non-circular cross-section, such as polygonal, elliptical, etc. It may also be apparent that the fluid passage 110 may be at least partly formed in other portions of the body of the engine 100, for example, the cylinder head 104.

[0018] In various embodiments, the fluid passage 110 may be formed during casting of the cylinder block 102. For example, a cylindrical sleeve (not shown) may be positioned in the mold (not shown) that is developed for casting the cylinder block 102. Casting material, such as cast iron, may be poured into the mold and allowed to settle down and cool. Once the cast iron is cooled, the cylindrical sleeve may be removed from the mold. The fluid passage 110 communicates with the bearing components and other engine moving components in such a manner to communicate the fluid, for example, lubrication oil from the oil pan. The oil pan collects the lubrication oil necessary for lubricating engine moving components. The oil in the oil pan is pumped and allowed to pass through the fluid passage 110.

[0019] As illustrated in FIG. 2, a lining member 122 is inserted and secured within the fluid passage 110 after the fluid passage 110 is formed in the body of the engine 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the body of the engine 100 is the cylinder block 102. The lining member 122 is a substantially cylindrical body defining an outer surface 124 throughout a length defined between a first end 126 and a second end 128 thereof. Further, the outer surface 124 of the lining member 122 is adapted to abut the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. The lining member 122 is adapted to receive flow of a fluid therethrough, and hence to allow the fluid to flow without contacting the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110

[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates the lining member 122, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lining member 122 includes a single integral component 132 that may extend between the first end 126 and the second end 128. A length of the single integral component 132 may be substantially equal to a length of the fluid passage 110. In an embodiment, the single integral component 132 may include a knitted component. The knitted component may be elastic in nature. In an alternative embodiment, the single integral component 132 may be made of plastic. In various other embodiments, the material for the single integral component 132 may be selected from material possessing elastic properties, such as elastomers, and the like. A sealing material 134 is provided on an outer surface 136 of the single integral component 132. The sealing material 134 is configured to seal an interface 138 (shown in FIG. 5) formed between the outer surface 136 of the single integral component 132 and the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. In an embodiment, the sealing material 134 may be provided in an inactive state on the outer surface 136 of the single integral component 132.

[0021] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate inserting and securing of the lining, member 122 within the fluid passage 110, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The lining member 122 has a first outer diameter D1 (shown in FIG. 3). The first outer diameter D1 is greater than an inner diameter D2 defined by the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. The lining member 122 is axially displaced by a force F exerted at the first end 126 and/or the second end 128 to define a deformed length of the single integral component 132 from its original length. The deformation of the lining member 122 along an axial direction A reduces the first outer diameter D1 to a second outer diameter D3. The second outer diameter D3 may be lesser than the inner diameter D2 of the fluid passage 110. The second outer diameter D3 of the lining member 122 facilitates the insertion of the lining member 122 within the fluid passage 110. Once the elastically deformed lining member 122 is inserted and positioned within the fluid passage 110, the lining member 122 is relieved from the force F so that the lining member 122 expands to regain its original length that extends between the first end 126 and the second end 128. Further, the lining member 122 also regains the first outer diameter D1 so that the lining member 122 abuts the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. Since the first outer diameter D1 is greater than the inner diameter D2, the lining member 122 is elastically secured within the fluid passage 110. The sealing material 134 that is provided in an inactivated state on the outer surface 124 of the lining member 122 is activated to seal the interface 138 between the outer surface 124 of the lining member 122 and the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. In various embodiments, the sealing material 134 may be activated by heat, Ultraviolet light, chemical activator, moisture, or a combination thereof.

[0022] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the lining member 122 includes a plurality of segments 140, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Each of the plurality of segments 140 is adapted to couple to adjacent segments 140. The plurality of segments 140 is arranged to together define a length which is substantially equal to the length of the fluid passage 110. Each segment may have a shape conforming to shape of the corresponding section of the fluid passage 110 as desired. For example, in case a portion of the fluid passage 110 has a curvilinear shape, the segment 140 abutting the portion may also have a substantially similar curvilinear shape. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the segments 140 may be inserted sequentially into the fluid passage 110 such that the segments 140 are placed adjacent to one another. Each of the segments 140 has a length defined between a first end 144 and a second end 146. Further, each of the ends 144, 146 is provided with a coupling portion 148. In an embodiment, the coupling portion 148 includes a toothed profile. The coupling portions 148 of adjacent segments 140 engage with each other so as to prevent relative rotation between the adjacent segments 140. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of segments 140 is made from steel or any suitable metal/metal alloy.

[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the segments 140 extend from the first end 114 to the second end 116 of the fluid passage 110. Though four such segments 140 are shown, the number of segments 140 may vary based on the dimensions and shape of the fluid passage 110 as well as the individual segments 140. In an embodiment, the segments 140 adjacent to the first and/or second ends 114, 116 of the fluid passage 110 may be axially secured by various methods, such as crimping of the first and/or second ends 144, 146, potting, gluing, threaded connection or mechanical fasteners/couplings (E.g., screws). Thus, all the segments 140 are axially secured within the fluid passage 110. Further, the coupling portions 148 may substantially prevent any relative rotation between the segments 140.

[0024] In an example, as shown in FIG. 7, a plate member 202 is attached to the segment 140 adjacent to the second end 116 of the fluid passage 110. In various other embodiments (not shown), the plate member 202 may also be attached to the segment 140 adjacent to the first end 114 of the fluid passage 110. The plate member 202 may be made of a metal or metal alloy, for example, steel. The plate member 202 includes key portions 204 facing the second end 146 of the segment 140. The segment 140 also includes corresponding attachment portions 206 which engage with the key portions 204. In an embodiment, the key portions 204 may be of the same angular alignment as the segments 140 within the fluid passage 110. The key portions 204 and the attachment portions 206 may also form a toothed profile similar to the coupling portions 148 of the segments 140. Further, the plate member 202 is attached to the cylinder block 102 via fasteners 208. In various embodiments, the fasteners 208 may be screws, bolt and nut assemblies, and the like. Therefore, the plate member 202 may rotationally retain the lining assembly formed by all the segments 140 within the fluid passage 110 with respect to the cylinder block 102. This may prevent the segments 140 from rotating within the fluid passage 110, and thus avoid blockage of one or more additional oil passages branching from the fluid passage 110.

Industrial Applicability

[0025] The industrial applicability of inserting and securing the lining member 122 in the fluid passage 110 formed in the body of the engine 100 will be readily understood from the foregoing discussion. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the lining member 122 is configured to be inserted and secured within the fluid passage 110 formed in the body of the engine 100. The lining member 122 of the present disclosure is selected from one of the single integral component 132 or the plurality of segments 140. The material for the single integral component 132 is selected from one of knitted component, plastic, and elastomers. The material for the plurality of segments 140 may be steel. Moreover, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the method of lining the fluid passage, according to the aspect of the present disclosure, may be applicable not only to engines but also to any casted components through which a fluid is received.

[0026] FIG. 8 illustrates a flow chart showing a method 800 of lining the fluid passage 110 with the lining member 122, according an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method 800 includes a step 802 wherein the lining member 122 is inserted within the fluid passage 110 formed in the body of the engine 100. The lining member 122 may be inserted either as the single integral component 132 or the plurality of segments 140. The lining member 122 is then placed within the fluid passage 110. The method 800 includes another step 804 wherein the lining member 122 is secured with the fluid passage 110 such that the outer surface 124 of the lining member 122 abuts the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110.

[0027] FIG. 3 to FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of the method 800 of inserting and securing the lining member 122 within the fluid passage 110, wherein the lining member 122 is formed from the single integral component 132. The method 800 includes deforming the lining member 122 along the axial direction A by applying the force F at the first end 126 and/or the second end 128 of the single integral component 132. This application of the force F reduces the first outer diameter D1 of the lining member 122 to the second outer diameter D3. The second outer diameter D3 of the lining member 122 facilitates the lining member 122 to be inserted within the fluid passage 110. Then, the lining member 122 is inserted and positioned within the fluid passage 110 and relieved from the force F, which may facilitate the lining member 122 to expand and abut the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. Thus, the lining member 122 may be elastically retained within the fluid passage 110. The method 800 further includes providing the sealing material 134 in an inactivated state on the outer surface 124 of the lining member 122. The sealing material 134 is activated once the lining member 122 is secured within the fluid passage 110. The sealing material 134 seals the interface 138 between the outer surface 124 of the lining member 122 and the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. In various embodiments, the sealing material 134 may be activated by applying heat, Ultraviolet light, chemical activator, moisture and a combination thereof.

[0028] FIG. 6 to FIG. 7 illustrate an embodiment of the method 800 which includes inserting and securing the lining member 122 within the fluid passage 110, wherein the lining member 122 includes the plurality of segments 140. The segments 140 may be inserted sequentially in the fluid passage 110 in which each of the segments 140 is engaged with adjacent segments 140 with the coupling portion 148. Once the plurality of segments 140 are engaged with each other, it is rotatably inserted further in the fluid passage 110 till the plurality of segments 140 cover the inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. In an embodiment, the segments 140 adjacent to the first and/or second ends 114, 116 of the fluid passage 110 may be axially secured within the fluid passage 110 by various methods, such as crimping, potting, gluing, or mechanical couplings (E.g., screws). Thus, all the segments 140 are axially secured within the fluid passage 110. Further, the coupling portions 148 may substantially prevent any relative rotation between the segments 140. The lining member 122 may prevent fluid from contacting the casted inner surface 112 of the fluid passage 110. In one example, in case the fluid passage 110 is a lubrication oil passage, lubrication oil may not be contaminated by surface defects, such as molding sand particles. Thus, damage to bearing components, and other moving components, such as pistons-, camshaft, rocker arm, crankshaft, and the like may be substantially prevented. The method 800, as described above, of lining the fluid passage 110 may also ensure easy and accurate insertion, placement and reliable fixation of the lining member 122 within the fluid passage 110. As the lining is performed post casting of the body of the engine 100, the casting process may be simplified. Further, the lining member 122 may be positioned accurately within the fluid passage 110. Further, the lining member 122 may also be designed to conform to the dimensions and shape of the fluid passage 110. Choice of multiple materials and designs (E.g., segmented or single piece) may also be possible so that various types of fluid passages may be lined.

[0029] While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. An engine (100) comprising:

a body, for example a cylinder block (102) or a cylinder head (104);

a fluid passage (110) formed in the body during casting, the fluid passage (110) defining an inner surface (112); and

a lining member (122) inserted and secured within the fluid passage (110) after casting, the lining member (122) defining an outer surface (124), and wherein the outer surface (124) of the lining member (122) abuts the inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

2. The engine (100) of claim 1, wherein the lining member (122) is a single integral component (132).

3. The engine (100) of claim 2, wherein the single integral component (132) is made of plastic and/or comprises a knitted component.

4. The engine (100) of claim 3, wherein the knitted component (132) is elastically secured within the fluid passage (110) and/or a sealing material (134) is provided on an outer surface of the knitted component (132), wherein the sealing material (134) is configured to seal an interface (138) between the knitted component (132) and the inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

5. The engine (100) of claim 1, wherein the lining member (122) comprises a plurality of segments (140) located adjacent to one another.

6. The engine (100) of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of segments (140) comprises a coupling portion (148), and wherein the coupling portion (148) of one of the plurality of segments (140) engages with the coupling portion (148) of the adjacent segment to prevent relative rotation therebetween.

7. The engine (100) of claim 6, wherein the coupling portion (148) comprises a toothed profile at ends of each of the plurality of segments (140).

8. A method (800) comprising:

inserting (802) a lining member (122) into a fluid passage (110) formed in a body of an engine (100); and

securing (804) the lining member (122) within the fluid passage (110) such that the lining member (122) abuts an inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

9. The method (800) of claim 8, wherein inserting (802) and securing (804) the lining member (122) within the fluid passage (110) comprises:

deforming the lining member (122) along an axial direction (A) thereof;

inserting the lining member (122) within the fluid passage (110); and

allowing the lining member (122) to expand and abut the inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

10. The method (800) of claim 8 further comprises:

providing a sealing material (134) in an inactivated state on an outer surface ('124) of the lining member (122); and

activating the sealing material (134) to seal an interface (138) between the outer surface (124) of the lining member (122) and the inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

11. The method (800) of claim 10, wherein activating the sealing material (134) comprises applying one or more of heat, Ultraviolet (UV) light, chemical activator, and moisture on the inactivated sealing material (134).

12. The method (800) of claim 8, wherein the lining member (122) comprises a plurality of segments (140), and wherein inserting (802) the plurality of segments (140) within the fluid passage (110) comprises:

inserting each of the plurality of segments (140) within the fluid passage (110); and

coupling adjacent segments to one another.

13. The method (800) of claim 12, wherein coupling adjacent segments comprises restricting rotational movement of adjacent segments relative to one another.

14. The method (800) of claim 12 further comprises securing (804) at least one of the plurality of segments (140) to an end of the fluid passage (110) by one or more of crimping, potting, gluing, and mechanical couplings.

15. A lining member (122) comprises:

a cylindrical body configured to be inserted and secured within a fluid passage (110) formed in a body of an engine (100); and wherein the lining member (122) abuts an inner surface (112) of the fluid passage (110).

Drawing