Abstract: An engine cover assembly including a fastener concealing plug is disclosed. The plug includes a conical wall having upper and lower ends. A lower circumferential ring is spaced apart from the upper ring. The lower end of the concealing plug includes a fastener-receiving recessed area. The fastener pocket of the engine cover includes upper and lower grooves having a ring area formed therebetween. The upper circumferential ring of the plug nests with the upper groove of the pocket, the recessed area of the plug nests with the ring area, and the lower circumferential ring of the plug nests with the lower groove of the pocket. The engine cover is positioned on the engine such that a cover attaching stud passes through a stud-passing aperture of the cover. A fastening nut is threaded onto the cover-attaching stud until it comes into contact with a compression-limiting spacer. The plug conceals the fastener.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine routes blowby gases into the intake of the engine. Because the blowby gases have about 12% water vapor, during cold-weather operation, the water vapor may freeze in the PCV valve or in the port that couples the PCV duct with the intake manifold. In situations in which the PCV duct is pointing toward the direction of flow of the intake gases, a hood or cap is placed over the end of the tube according to the present disclosure. It can be as simple as a 90-degree elbow or multiple openings in the cap. A centerline of the openings is perpendicular or at an obtuse angle with respect to the direction of flow in the duct so that the intake gases do not directly access the openings and cause freezing in the openings (or ports).

Abstract: A vehicle incorporates a turbocharged internal combustion engine and a crankcase ventilation system. That crankcase ventilation system includes a first vent line connecting a cam cover at a first spigot to an air inlet duct at a second spigot. In addition the system includes a second vent line connected between the crankcase and the intake manifold of the engine. A one-way valve is provided in the second vent line. A restriction is integrated into either the first spigot, the second spigot or a quick connect that connects the first vent line to the first or second spigot.

Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore.

Abstract: A positioning bracket or a retention bracket to position an actuating arm connected to and at least partially external of an intake manifold, where the positioning bracket includes a body portion to receive there-through a fastener, and an ear portion extending from the body portion and defining an ear aperture to receive there-though a pin of the actuating arm.

Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that comprises a plurality of intake manifold runners 12, and each intake manifold runner comprises at least one elongated rib 15 and at least one elongated blister 14. The elongated rib 15 and the at least one elongated blister 14 operate together to control structural failure of the intake manifold in an impact event. Specifically, the elongated rib acts to receive and concentrate load while the at least one elongated blister provides an area of intentional failure, thus restricting the failure to a focused area on the intake manifold.

Abstract: In an intake manifold that has charge-motion-control valves (CMCVs), a gap exists between the flapper valves and the wall of the intake runners. Although the gap is maintained as small as practical, it cannot be eliminated because manufacturing tolerances and temperature variations to which the intake manifold is subjected must be accommodated to prevent binding of the flapper valves. Some flow makes an end run through the gap leading to undesirable fluid mechanics. Disclosed herein is a seal that is positioned to rest gently upon the flapper valve near the gap such that the gap is substantially sealed off while applying a modest force on the CMCV so that the actuation torque is minimally impacted. The seal has a press-in-place portion inserted into a pocket formed in the manifold to hold it in place and a lip portion that extends out from the press-in-place portion to obstruct the gap.

Abstract: A drive belt compensating tensioning device, comprising: a base frame portion comprising a square or rectangular planar bottom surface and a top surface; a vertical frame portion affixed to the base frame portion forming about a 90 degree angle with the base frame portion thereof; a pivot assembly affixed to a top end of the vertical frame portion; a tensioner arm horizontally pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly; a belt tensioning wheel rotatably affixed to the tensioner arm; a lower pivot arm rotatably affixed to the base frame portion; a cam adjustment portion rotatably affixed to a first aperture of the lower pivot arm; a first horizontal frame portion comprising an lower pivot arm engagement portion; and a spring comprising a spring first end and a spring second end.

Abstract: A radial quarter-round shaped multi-signal connector according to some examples may allow for a trace length that is much easier to maintain the minimal routing due to a near constant radius of the connector. The radial quarter-round shaped connector may also allow the layout artist much more freedom on placement, while maintaining solid signal integrity, signal symmetry, and a short reach, with no or minimal serpentine traces.

Abstract: An engine cover assembly including a fastener concealing plug is disclosed. The plug includes a conical wall having upper and lower ends. A lower circumferential ring is spaced apart from the upper ring. The lower end of the concealing plug includes a fastener-receiving recessed area. The fastener pocket of the engine cover includes upper and lower grooves having a ring area formed therebetween. The upper circumferential ring of the plug nests with the upper groove of the pocket, the recessed area of the plug nests with the ring area, and the lower circumferential ring of the plug nests with the lower groove of the pocket. The engine cover is positioned on the engine such that a cover attaching stud passes through a stud-passing aperture of the cover. A fastening nut is threaded onto the cover-attaching stud until it comes into contact with a compression-limiting spacer. The plug conceals the fastener.

Abstract: An engine cover assembly including a stud-engaging engine cover pocket plug is disclosed. The plug conceals the cover fastener assembly. The plug includes a concealing cover and a stud attachment assembly extending from the cover. The assembly comprises a bridge, a pair of spaced apart legs attached to the bridge, and a base having a stud-retaining aperture. The bridge, the pair of spaced apart legs, and the base define a parallelogram such as a rectangle. The base of the stud attachment assembly has a long axis. According to one embodiment, the base includes a pair of opposed slots extending from the stud-retaining aperture in opposite directions along the long axis of the base. According to another embodiment, the base also includes a pair of opposed slots extending from the stud-retaining aperture. However, each slot extends in a direction that is perpendicular to the long axis of the base.

Abstract: A high pressure charge air feed arrangement for an internal combustion engine is provided. The arrangement includes an intake having a high pressure output, a rocker cover having an intake runner defining a high pressure charge flow path, and a gas and oil separator having a flow accelerator with input and output sides. The high pressure output of the intake is attached to one end of the path and the accelerator is attached to the other end. The path is connected between the input and output sides of the accelerator. The separator includes upper and lower plenums divided by a wall having an oil and gas diffuser. The input side is connected to the lower plenum and the output side is connected to a crankcase oil return line. The flow accelerator may be any type of fluid accelerator, including, but not limited to, a venturi pump and a jet pump.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation system for an internal combustion engine routes blowby gases into the intake of the engine. Because the blowby gases have about 12% water vapor, during cold-weather operation, the water vapor may freeze in the PCV valve or in the port that couples the PCV duct with the intake manifold. In situations in which the PCV duct is pointing toward the direction of flow of the intake gases, a hood or cap is placed over the end of the tube according to the present disclosure. It can be as simple as a 90-degree elbow or multiple openings in the cap. A centerline of the openings is perpendicular or at an obtuse angle with respect to the direction of flow in the duct so that the intake gases do not directly access the openings and cause freezing in the openings (or ports).

Abstract: A drive belt compensating tensioning device, comprising: a base frame portion comprising a square or rectangular planar bottom surface and a top surface; a vertical frame portion affixed to the base frame portion forming about a 90 degree angle with the base frame portion thereof; a pivot assembly affixed to a top end of the vertical frame portion; a tensioner arm horizontally pivotally affixed to the pivot assembly; a belt tensioning wheel rotatably affixed to the tensioner arm; a lower pivot arm rotatably affixed to the base frame portion; a cam adjustment portion rotatably affixed to a first aperture of the lower pivot arm; a first horizontal frame portion comprising an lower pivot arm engagement portion; and a spring comprising a spring first end and a spring second end.

Abstract: Provided is a flexible hose assembly having an inner nipple coupled to an inner flexible hose and an outer nipple at least partially surrounding the inner nipple and being coupled to an outer flexible hose, wherein a first fluid flowing through the inner nipple is directed outward in-between the inner and outer flexible hoses and a second fluid flowing in-between the inner and outer nipples is directed inward to the inner flexible hose. By directing the second fluid inward and the first flow outward, the outer flexible hose is prevented from collapsing on the inner flexible hose when pressure of the second fluid flowing through the inner flexible hose is greater than a pressure of the first fluid flowing through the outer flexible hose.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing constant fresh air ventilation to the engine crankcase are disclosed. The apparatus is adapted for use with an internal combustion engine having a crankcase, an intake manifold and an air input attached to the manifold. The system includes an integrated vacuum actuator connected to the intake manifold, an actuator duct positioned between the vacuum actuator and the air input, an air-from-oil separator associated with the crankcase, a separator duct and separator control valve positioned between the separator and the intake manifold, and a bypass duct and bypass control valve between the separator duct and the actuator duct. The air input comprises an initial intake pipe and an intermediate intake pipe with the intermediate intake pipe being positioned between the initial intake pipe and the intake manifold. A fresh air control pipe and regulator assembly are attached to the intermediate intake pipe.

Abstract: A sealing arrangement for a post for an intake manifold having a first portion and a second portion held together is set forth. Each of the portions extends from a shell half that, when the two shells are attached to one another, form the intake manifold. Each of the portions includes a face. A groove is formed on at least one of the portions. A seal is fitted in the groove. A fastener hole is formed in the portions. In one portion, the fastener hole passes through the portion and in the other a thread is formed by a thread forming fastener. The seal may be positioned in a groove formed on a post face, in a groove formed adjacent the opening of the fastener-receiving hole in the post, or in a groove formed on an interior wall of the post adjacent a cap fitted over the head of the thread forming fastener.

Abstract: An intake manifold is provided that comprises a plurality of intake manifold runners 12, and each intake manifold runner comprises at least one elongated rib 15 and at least one elongated blister 14. The elongated rib 15 and the at least one elongated blister 14 operate together to control structural failure of the intake manifold in an impact event. Specifically, the elongated rib acts to receive and concentrate load while the at least one elongated blister provides an area of intentional failure, thus restricting the failure to a focused area on the intake manifold.

Abstract: In an intake manifold that has charge-motion-control valves (CMCVs), a gap exists between the flapper valves and the wall of the intake runners. Although the gap is maintained as small as practical, it cannot be eliminated because manufacturing tolerances and temperature variations to which the intake manifold is subjected must be accommodated to prevent binding of the flapper valves. Some flow makes an end run through the gap leading to undesirable fluid mechanics. Disclosed herein is a seal that is positioned to rest gently upon the flapper valve near the gap such that the gap is substantially sealed off while applying a modest force on the CMCV so that the actuation torque is minimally impacted. The seal has a press-in-place portion inserted into a pocket formed in the manifold to hold it in place and a lip portion that extends out from the press-in-place portion to obstruct the gap.

Abstract: A coupling system for attaching a first part to a second part using a locator and expansion shear pin is disclosed. The first part has a first flange and may be a formed part, such as an intake manifold. The second part has a second flange and may be a component, such as a throttle body, for attachment to the first part. The component includes a fastener-passing bore having an inner diameter. The locator and expansion shear pin extends perpendicularly from the first flange. The pin includes an expansion wall extending beyond the surface of the flange. A fastener-receiving bore is formed concentrically in the pin relative to the wall. The wall is expandable from a first diameter to a second diameter. The first diameter is less than the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore. The second diameter is at least equal to the inner diameter of the fastener-passing bore.