Abstract: A cooling system for an internal combustion engine comprises a tubular conduit configured to conduct coolant to and from various components of the internal combustion engine and to remove excess heat therefrom. A shield portion is fluidly coupled inline of the tubular conduit and is disposed between a heat source and a cooler operating component. The expanded portion further comprises a cooling body, an inlet in fluid communication with the tubular conduit and configured to conduct coolant into the cooling body and an outlet in fluid communication with the tubular conduit and is configured to conduct coolant out of the cooling body.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure and an intake manifold assembly coupled to the engine structure. The engine structure defines first and second banks of cylinders. The intake manifold assembly includes first and second plenums and first and second sets of runners. The first and second plenums are located laterally between the first and second banks of cylinders. The second plenum is located laterally between the first plenum and the second bank of cylinders at first and second longitudinal ends of the intake manifold assembly and laterally between the first plenum and the first bank of cylinders at a medial region of the intake manifold assembly.

Abstract: A rocker arm may include a first arm defining a first longitudinal bore and a second arm defining a second longitudinal bore. The rocker arm may house a locking assembly including a first actuation pin extending through a first radial passage in the rocker arm, a second actuation pin extending through a second radial passage in the rocker arm, and a first lock pin located in the first longitudinal bore between the first and second actuation pins. An actuation assembly may be engaged with the first and second actuation pins and may be linearly displaceable between first and second actuation positions. The first and second arms may be rotatable relative to one another when the actuation assembly is in the first actuation position and may be fixed for rotation with one another when the actuation assembly is in the second actuation position.

Abstract: A rocker arm may include a first arm defining a first longitudinal bore and a second arm defining a second longitudinal bore. The rocker arm may house a locking assembly including a first lock pin located within the first longitudinal bore, an actuation pin extending through a radial passage in the rocker arm and engaged with the first lock pin, and a first biasing member engaged with the first lock pin and urging the first lock pin toward the actuation pin and biasing the actuation pin radially inward. An actuation assembly may be engaged with the actuation pin and linearly displaceable between first and second actuation positions. The first and second arms may be rotatable relative to one another when the actuation member is in the first actuation position and may be fixed for rotation with one another when the actuation member is in the second actuation position.

Abstract: A method and system of determining a maximum oil change limit for an engine considering the engine operating environment and location is provided. An engine location indicator is generated in response to a trigger, using a locating device in communication with a controller. The locating device may include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. The engine may be an internal combustion engine on a vehicle configured as one of a hybrid vehicle and an extended range electric vehicle. The trigger may be one of a calendar time, a key-on event, an oil change event, and a signal provided by the controller. The controller may generate the maximum oil change limit of the engine using one or more oil change indices, each defined by the engine location and/or time in location. The maximum oil change limit and/or an oil change limit alert may be provided as an output of the controller.

Abstract: A mechanical vacuum pump for an engine includes a flange configured for attachment to a cylinder head of the engine. The flange defines a bore, which is configured for interconnecting an injection air inlet in the cylinder head with an injection air outlet of a secondary air injection valve. The secondary air injection valve is directly mounted to the mechanical vacuum pump, thereby indirectly mounting the secondary air injection valve to the cylinder head of the engine, with the bore communicating fresh air from the secondary air injection valve to the cylinder head.

Abstract: A balancer assembly for an engine includes a first balance shaft and a second balance shaft parallel with and laterally spaced from the first balance shaft. The first balance shaft includes a first counterweight portion and a second counterweight portion axially spaced from each other, with each defining a first radius. The second balance shaft includes a central counterweight defining a second radius. The central counterweight is axially disposed between the first counterweight portion and the second counterweight portion to allow a radial overlap with the first counterweight portion and the second counterweight portion, with the first radius being greater than the second radius.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a shaft and a mechanical vacuum pump. The shaft may define first and second ends and include first and second lobes and first and second bearing support structures distributed between the first and second end. The shaft may define a first vane opening. The mechanical pump may be coupled to the shaft between the first and second ends. The mechanical vacuum pump may include a cover, a housing coupled to the cover to define a cavity therebetween and a vane. The cover may define a cover opening that rotatably receives the shaft. The housing may define a housing opening that rotatably receives the shaft. The vane may be arranged within the cavity and slidably received within the first vane opening such that the vane rotates with the shaft.

Abstract: A rocker arm may include a first arm defining a first longitudinal bore and a second arm defining a second longitudinal bore. The rocker arm may house a locking assembly including a first actuation pin extending through a first radial passage in the rocker arm, a second actuation pin extending through a second radial passage in the rocker arm, and a first lock pin located in the first longitudinal bore between the first and second actuation pins. An actuation assembly may be engaged with the first and second actuation pins and may be linearly displaceable between first and second actuation positions. The first and second arms may be rotatable relative to one another when the actuation assembly is in the first actuation position and may be fixed for rotation with one another when the actuation assembly is in the second actuation position.

Abstract: A rocker arm may include a first arm defining a first longitudinal bore and a second arm defining a second longitudinal bore. The rocker arm may house a locking assembly including a first lock pin located within the first longitudinal bore, an actuation pin extending through a radial passage in the rocker arm and engaged with the first lock pin, and a first biasing member engaged with the first lock pin and urging the first lock pin toward the actuation pin and biasing the actuation pin radially inward. An actuation assembly may be engaged with the actuation pin and linearly displaceable between first and second actuation positions. The first and second arms may be rotatable relative to one another when the actuation member is in the first actuation position and may be fixed for rotation with one another when the actuation member is in the second actuation position.

Abstract: A control system for a hybrid engine system includes a torque management module and an engine control module. The torque management module operates an electric machine of the hybrid engine system for a period prior to starting an engine of the hybrid engine system for a first time during a current run cycle of the hybrid engine system. The engine control module selectively activates a heater for an oxygen sensor of an exhaust system of the engine during the period. The engine control module may selectively activate the heater prior to the period when an ignition switch for the hybrid engine system moves from an off state into an on state. The engine control module may increase the temperature of the oxygen sensor to a predetermined temperature based on one of a thermal shock temperature and a sensitivity temperature of the oxygen sensor. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A camshaft assembly may include a shaft and a lobe member fixed for rotation with the shaft. The lobe member may include a lobe extending radially outward from a base circle. The lobe may include a valve closing profile defined between a peak of the lobe and an ending point of the lobe on the base circle. The valve closing profile may define a closing flank and a closing ramp extending from an end of the closing flank to the ending point. The closing ramp may have a radial extent from the base circle at the end of the closing flank that is less than ten percent of the radial extent of the peak from the base circle and may have a first angular extent of at least ten degrees. A second angular extent defined between the peak and the ending point may be at least eighty degrees.

Abstract: A cam phaser assembly may include a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, and a lock assembly. The stator assembly may be rotationally driven by an engine crankshaft. The rotor assembly may be engaged with the stator assembly and fixed for rotation with an engine camshaft. The rotor assembly may include a radially extending vane located within a recess of the stator assembly to define advance and retard chambers receiving pressurized fluid to rotationally displace the rotor assembly. The lock assembly may be engaged with the stator assembly and the rotor assembly during first and second operating conditions. The lock assembly may include a lock pin mechanically securing the rotor assembly in a rotationally advanced position relative to the stator assembly during the first operating condition and mechanically securing the rotor assembly in a rotationally retarded position relative to the stator assembly during the second operating condition.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft, a timing wheel and a camshaft position sensor. The camshaft may be rotationally supported within the engine structure and may have a non-magnetic journal rotationally fixed thereto. The timing wheel may be rotationally fixed to the camshaft proximate the non-magnetic journal. The camshaft position sensor may be coupled to the engine structure and configured to determine the rotational position of the camshaft based on a magnetic impulse from the timing wheel.

Abstract: An exhaust system for an engine comprises a cylinder head having an integral exhaust manifold to collect exhaust gas exiting the engine combustion chambers. An exhaust gas conduit in fluid communication with the exhaust manifold comprises an inlet end connected to the cylinder head, a portion that extends towards an upper end of the internal combustion engine and an outlet end configured to define an inlet end of a multistage catalytic converter. The catalytic converter comprises a canister having an inlet end located adjacent the top of the engine and includes first and second catalyst substrates and a collector closing an outlet end of the canister. The outlet end of the canister is located adjacent to the bottom of the engine, and the first and the second catalyst substrates receive and convert constituents of exhaust gas passing from the inlet end of the canister to the outlet end.

Abstract: A cam drive assembly for an automotive engine comprises a crankshaft sprocket mounted for rotation with a crankshaft, a camshaft sprocket mounted for rotation with a camshaft, and a chain rotatably operable between the crankshaft sprocket and the camshaft sprocket. A chain tensioner provides tension to the chain and is supported only by an engine block side wall. The chain tensioner is comprised of a stationary portion and a flexible spring portion supported thereto, and a nylon shoe fixed to the flexible spring portion to provide a contact surface for the chain. The stationary portion has a geometrical interlocking feature to mate with a complementary geometric feature in the engine block side wall to restrict upper and lower movement of the chain tensioner. The geometrical interlocking feature of the chain tensioner may be a concave retention portion, which fits over a complementary convex nub in the engine block side wall to restrict movement of the chain tensioner by part interference.