Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Spix
Thomas A. Spix has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20140224206Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Eric D. STALEY, Alan W. HAYMAN, Thomas A. SPIX
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Patent number: 8739768Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of PCV ports formed internally within the engine block and the cylinder head. The PCV ports directly connect a crankcase chamber with each of a plurality of intake ports defined by the cylinder head. The blow-by gases that accumulate within the crankcase chamber are directly vented through the internal PCV ports into the intake ports.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2011Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Michael B. Fleck, Thomas A. Spix, Kevin M. Luchansky
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Publication number: 20140137833Abstract: An engine front cover assembly includes a plastic engine cover. A metal insert is secured within the plastic engine cover and defines a bore configured to receive a rotating engine component. A seal is located in a seal seat defined within the bore of the metal insert and configured to sealingly engage the rotating engine component. The metal insert is overmolded within the plastic engine cover and serves as a datum point to properly locate the seal relative to the rotating engine component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: May 22, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Charles K. BUEHLER, David R. STALEY, Thomas A. SPIX
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Publication number: 20140130493Abstract: A turbocharged motor vehicle engine system includes an engine having an intake manifold, an exhaust manifold, and a crankcase ventilation outlet. A turbocharger includes a turbine having an inlet fluidly connected to the exhaust manifold through an exhaust conduit and a turbo compressor having an outlet fluidly connected to the intake manifold through an inlet conduit. The turbo compressor also includes an inlet. A crankcase gas conditioning member includes an inlet section fluidly connected to the crankcase ventilation outlet and an outlet section fluidly connected to the turbo compressor inlet. An idle bypass conduit includes an inlet portion fluidly connected to the outlet section of the crankcase gas conditioning member and an outlet portion fluidly connected to the inlet conduit. The idle bypass conduit is configured and disposed to selectively bypass the turbo charger while the engine is operating at an idle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: May 15, 2014Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Neil G. Klueber
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Publication number: 20140107908Abstract: An engine efficiency system for a vehicle includes an electromechanically operated oil distribution device disposed proximate an oil environment of the vehicle. Also included is a current detection system for detecting a current change rate of the electromechanically operated oil distribution device, wherein the current change rate corresponds to a viscosity of an oil disposed in the oil environment of the vehicle. Further included is at least one efficiency device activated over a range of the viscosity of the oil.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: April 17, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Thomas M. Bishop
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Patent number: 8695339Abstract: A flow control system is provided having an engine, a turbocharger, and positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) line, and a flow regulating device. The engine has an air-oil separator and an intake manifold. The air-oil separator separates oil droplets and oil mist from a blowby gas. The turbocharger has an air inlet and an air outlet, where the air outlet is connected to the intake manifold of the engine. The positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) vent line has a first end connected to the air-oil separator and a second end connected to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The PCV vent line delivers the blowby gas from the air-oil separator to the air inlet of the turbocharger. The flow regulating device is located in the PCV vent line. The flow regulating device selectively limits the flow of blowby gas from the air-oil separator to the air inlet of the turbocharger.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Thomas A. Spix
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Publication number: 20140096737Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine assembly and an oil containment system attachable to the assembly. The oil containment system includes a cover component including an oil fill apparatus configured for conducting an oil to the internal combustion engine. The apparatus has a first end sealable with a cap, a second end spaced apart from the first end along a central longitudinal axis, and an annular wall concentric with and extending along the central longitudinal axis. The annular wall defines a first passage therethrough and a channel extending through the cover component along the central longitudinal axis. The oil containment system also includes a baffle component abutting the second end and defining a second passage therethrough such that the second passage is spaced apart from the channel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 5, 2012Publication date: April 10, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Christopher Paul Nelander
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Publication number: 20130340733Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, intake and exhaust valves, hydraulically actuated valve lift mechanisms, and a valvetrain ventilation line. The engine structure may define a combustion chamber, intake and exhaust ports in communication with the combustion chamber, a crankcase, and a valvetrain chamber isolated from the crankcase. The intake valve may be located in the intake port and the exhaust valve may be located in the exhaust port. The hydraulically actuated valve lift mechanisms may be supported on the engine structure within the valvetrain chamber and engaged with the intake and exhaust valves. The valvetrain ventilation line may be in communication with the valvetrain chamber and may provide communication between the valvetrain chamber and the intake port.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventor: Thomas A. Spix
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Patent number: 8602008Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase volume, and an intake assembly having an air cleaner assembly, a throttle, and an intake manifold in a series arrangement and fluidly coupled with the combustion chamber. A first and second air-oil separator may define respective first and second separator volumes, each respectively configured to extract oil from air flowing through the volume. A first conduit may fluidly couple the crankcase with the first separator volume, a second conduit may fluidly couple the intake manifold with the first separator volume; a third conduit may fluidly couple the crankcase with the second separator volume; a fourth conduit may fluidly couple the air cleaner assembly with the second separator volume; and a fifth conduit may fluidly couple the air cleaner assembly with the first separator volume.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Thomas M. Bishop
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Publication number: 20130306043Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase volume, together with an intake assembly. The intake assembly includes an air cleaner assembly, a throttle, and an intake manifold in a series arrangement and fluidly coupled with the combustion chamber. An air-oil separator is fluidly coupled between the crankcase volume and the intake manifold and defines a separator volume configured to extract oil from air flowing through the volume. The air-oil separator includes a first inlet port configured to direct a first air flow into the separator volume substantially along a first direction, and a second inlet port configured to direct a second air flow into the volume substantially along a second direction that generally opposes the first direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: November 21, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Alan E. Rice
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Patent number: 8585547Abstract: A control system for an engine includes an icing condition detection module and an icing prevention module. The icing condition detection module detects an icing condition of a positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of the engine when an ambient temperature is less than a predetermined temperature for a first predetermined period. The icing prevention module increases engine speed for a second predetermined period when the icing condition is detected.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Inventors: Thomas A. Spix, Grant K. Tappen
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Patent number: 8561590Abstract: An oil pan for an internal combustion engine includes a flange configured for attaching to the internal combustion engine, and a floor spaced apart from the flange by a first distance and configured for collecting an oil thereon. The oil pan further includes a wall interconnecting the flange and the floor and defining at least one passage therein, wherein the at least one passage extends from the flange towards the floor to a second distance that is less than the first distance. In addition, the oil pan includes at least one insert insertable into the at least one passage to a third distance that is less than the second distance to thereby define an oil drainback channel that is configured for draining the oil from the internal combustion engine to the floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2012Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventor: Thomas A. Spix
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Publication number: 20130269636Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine block at least partially defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase volume. The engine block defines an opening in fluid communication with the crankcase volume. An air-oil separator is mounted to the engine block at the opening and is configured to separate oil from blowby gasses flowing from the crankcase volume through the air-oil separator. A method of venting an engine crankcase volume is also included.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Michael B. Fleck, Kenneth James Patton
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Patent number: 8505520Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an intake air assembly and a crankcase ventilation line assembly. The engine structure defines a cylinder bore, an intake port in communication with the cylinder bore, and a crankcase. The air intake assembly is in communication with the intake port. The crankcase ventilation line assembly includes a fresh air line and an oil surge protection device. The fresh air line is in communication with the crankcase and the air intake assembly and provides fresh air to the crankcase. The oil surge protection device is in communication with the fresh air line and defines an oil obstruction inhibiting oil flow to the air intake assembly while allowing air flow between the crankcase and the air intake assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Steven G. Bryde
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Patent number: 8495993Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an air intake assembly and a positive crankcase ventilation system. The engine structure defines an intake port and a crankcase. Furthermore, the air intake assembly is in communication with the intake port. The positive crankcase ventilation system includes a fresh air line, a housing and a foul air line. The fresh air line is in communication with the air intake assembly and the crankcase. The housing defines an air inlet and an air outlet with the air inlet being in communication with the crankcase and partially defined by a wall extending into an inner volume of the housing. An oil separation mechanism may be located in the housing between the air inlet and the air outlet. The foul air line is in communication with the air intake assembly and the air outlet.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Inventors: Alan E. Rice, Thomas A. Spix
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Publication number: 20130129489Abstract: A feed line for connecting an oil pump to a turbocharger supplies oil to the turbocharger when the oil pump is active. The feed line includes a turbo end and a pump end, which is lower than the turbo end relative to gravity. Oil drains from at least the pump end of the feed line when the oil pump is not active. The feed line has a center axis running therethrough, and a pool zone is disposed between the pump end and the turbo end of the feed line. The center axis of the feed line drops from a main line level on either side of the pool zone to a trap level in the pool zone. The pool zone therefore retains oil when the oil pump is not active.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2011Publication date: May 23, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas A. SPIX, Grant BRADY
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Publication number: 20130112179Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine defining a combustion chamber and a crankcase volume, and an intake assembly having an air cleaner assembly, a throttle, and an intake manifold in a series arrangement and fluidly coupled with the combustion chamber. A first and second air-oil separator may define respective first and second separator volumes, each respectively configured to extract oil from air flowing through the volume. A first conduit may fluidly couple the crankcase with the first separator volume, a second conduit may fluidly couple the intake manifold with the first separator volume; a third conduit may fluidly couple the crankcase with the second separator volume; a fourth conduit may fluidly couple the air cleaner assembly with the second separator volume; and a fifth conduit may fluidly couple the air cleaner assembly with the first separator volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2011Publication date: May 9, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Thomas M. Bishop
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Publication number: 20130098342Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a plurality of PCV ports formed internally within the engine block and the cylinder head. The PCV ports directly connect a crankcase chamber with each of a plurality of intake ports defined by the cylinder head. The blow-by gases that accumulate within the crankcase chamber are directly vented through the internal PCV ports into the intake ports.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 19, 2011Publication date: April 25, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Michael B. Fleck, Thomas A. Spix, Kevin M. Luchansky
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Patent number: 8408190Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine and an intake assembly. The engine defines a combustion chamber and a crankcase, and the intake assembly includes an intake manifold in fluid communication with the combustion chamber. An air-oil separator is provided with the engine and defines a separator volume, an inlet and an outlet, where each of the inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the separator volume. The inlet of the air-oil separator is provided in fluid communication with the crankcase, and the outlet of the air-oil separator is provided in fluid communication with the intake manifold. The air-oil separator further includes an interior surface that abuts and surrounds the separator volume, and the interior surface has a surface roughness (RA) of greater than about 75 microns.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2011Date of Patent: April 2, 2013Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Thomas A. Spix, Alan E. Rice
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Publication number: 20130042844Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an intake air assembly and a crankcase ventilation line assembly. The engine structure defines a cylinder bore, an intake port in communication with the cylinder bore, and a crankcase. The air intake assembly is in communication with the intake port. The crankcase ventilation line assembly includes a fresh air line and an oil surge protection device. The fresh air line is in communication with the crankcase and the air intake assembly and provides fresh air to the crankcase. The oil surge protection device is in communication with the fresh air line and defines an oil obstruction inhibiting oil flow to the air intake assembly while allowing air flow between the crankcase and the air intake assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2011Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: THOMAS A. SPIX, STEVEN G. BRYDE