Abstract: An engine accessory drive that has a primary drive driveable by a crankshaft of the engine is disclosed. The accessory drive includes a rotational member mounted on a drive shaft and driveable by the primary drive, the drive shaft having an axis of rotation offset from the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. The accessory drive further includes a secondary drive having a flexible continuous secondary drive member external of the engine and driveable by the rotational member, and at least one engine accessory driveable by the secondary drive. The at least one engine accessory includes at least a balance shaft.

Abstract: Balance shaft assemblies are used in internal combustion engines to dampen primary and second order inertia forces. Known balance shaft assemblies typically require precision manufacturing and a rigid frame or housing. A balance shaft assembly (1) in accordance with this invention provides a low cost and less complex solution to engine balancing. The balance shaft assembly (1) includes an elongate housing (2) having a front end and a rear end, a balance shaft (5) which is rotatably supported between a front end bearing (6), a rear end bearing (7) and an intermediate bearing (12) in the housing (2). The housing (2) is transversely flexible relative to the balance shaft (5) to accommodate misalignment of the intermediate bearing (12) relative to the front and rear end bearings (6, 7). Consequently, the balance shaft assembly (1) can be less complicated and manufactured at a lower cost than known balance shaft assemblies.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a cylinder block for an internal combustion engine and a cylinder block manufactured in accordance with the method are described in which a cylinder core (1) including one or more cylinder (6) is manufactured by casting, for example from steel or light alloy; the remainder of the cylinder block structure is manufactured as a wrought framework (2), for example in high strength low allow steel or light alloy; and the wrought framework (2) is joined to the core (1).

Abstract: Engine accessory drives are used with internal combustion engines to drive one or more accessories and are conventionally driven off a front end drive assembly. However, driving the accessories off the front end drive assembly has implications in respect of both increased engine noise and extended engine length. An engine accessory drive in accordance with this invention reduces engine noise and engine length. An engine accessory drive for transmitting a force between a first end (2) and a second end (3) of an engine (1) comprises a primary drive (18) locatable at the first end (2) of the engine.

Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for an engine comprises a cylinder block having a sidewall provided with apron attachment points and an apron mountable on the sidewall. The apron is adapted to receive engine components and comprises a tray-like cover which is dimensioned to substantially conform with the side of the cylinder block, thereby avoiding the need to machine the cylinder block to receive engine components. A cylinder block may be customized by the provision of an apron having appropriate components attached to the cylinder block, so that a single cylinder block can be used for a number of different engines.

Abstract: Engine accessory drives are used with internal combustion engines to drive one or more accessories and are conventionally driven off a front end drive assembly. However, driving the accessories off the front end drive assembly has implications in respect of both increased engine noise and extended engine length. An engine accessory drive in accordance with this invention reduces engine noise and engine length. An engine accessory drive for transmitting a force between a first end (2) and a second end (3) of an engine (1) comprises a primary drive (18) locatable at the first end (2) of the engine.

Abstract: Engines may be provided with one or more balance shafts to provide a balancing effect to the engine during operation. Normally, the balance shafts are located where they can be driven by the engine's front end drive assembly. However, driving balance shafts or any other engine accessory off the front end drive assembly has implications in respect of both increased engine noise and extended engine length. An engine accessory drive in accordance with the present invention reduces engine noise and engine length while providing a balancing effect. An engine accessory drive includes a primary drive (7) drivable by the crankshaft (9) of the engine and a rotary member (5) such as a drive pulley mounted on a drive shaft (27) which is drivable by the primary drive (8).

Abstract: Balance shaft assemblies are used in internal combustion engines to dampen primary and second order inertia forces. Known balance shaft assemblies typically require precision manufacturing and a rigid frame or housing. A balance shaft assembly (1) in accordance with this invention provides a low cost and less complex solution to engine balancing. The balance shaft assembly (1) includes an elongate housing (2) having a front end and a rear end, a balance shaft (5) which is rotatably supported between a front end bearing (6), a rear end bearing (7) and an intermediate bearing (12) in the housing (2). The housing (2) is transversely flexible relative to the balance shaft (5) to accommodate misalignment of the intermediate bearing (12) relative to the front and rear end bearings (6, 7). Consequently, the balance shaft assembly (1) can be less complicated and manufactured at a lower cost than known balance shaft assemblies.

Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a large volume of lubricant is desirable to increase service intervals and thus reduce maintenance costs. Large lubricant volumes typically require an undesirable increase in engine size. A cylinder block assembly for an internal combustion engine in accordance with this invention comprises a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir or sump below the cylinder block, and a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block. The secondary lubricant reservoir may be formed as a pannier oil tank by sealably attaching an apron to a side of the cylinder block. A fluid passage extending between the secondary lubricant reservoir and the primary lubricant reservoir is closeable by a valve and is adapted to permit lubricant flow from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open. The secondary lubricant reservoir increases the oil capacity of the cylinder block.

Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for an engine comprises a cylinder block having a sidewall provided with apron attachment points and an apron mountable on the sidewall. The apron is adapted to receive engine components and comprises a tray-like cover which is dimensioned to substantially conform with the side of the cylinder block, thereby avoiding the need to machine the cylinder block to receive engine components. A cylinder block may be customized by the provision of an apron having appropriate components attached to the cylinder block, so that a single cylinder block can be used for a number of different engines.

Abstract: An engine and transmission unit assembly has an extension frame fixedly connected to a cylinder block and cylinder head of the engine and the transmission unit, which is itself attached to the cylinder block. The extension frame, which may include an apron connected to a surface of the cylinder block, increases the natural frequency of vibration of the engine and transmission unit assembly, thereby reducing noise.

Abstract: A cylinder block assembly for an internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder block and a crankcase housing in the cylinder block. The cylinder block assembly includes an apron sealably mounted on a surface of the cylinder block and a fluid reservoir defined between the apron and the crankcase housing for receiving lubricating fluid. The fluid reservoir is communicable with the crankcase housing and serves as an engine lubricant capacitor to increase the lubricant capacity of the engine.