Abstract: An engine control system includes a determination module and a detection module. The determination module, based on an engine vibration signal generated by an engine vibration sensor, determines a frequency of engine vibration and determines a crankshaft position corresponding to the engine vibration. The detection module detects engine oil aeration and starvation when the frequency and crankshaft position are greater than predetermined thresholds, respectively.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, an air intake assembly and a crankcase ventilation assembly. The engine structure defines a cylinder bore, an intake port and a crankcase. The air intake assembly is in communication with the intake port. The crankcase ventilation assembly includes a housing and a baffle located within the housing. The housing defines an inlet in communication with the crankcase and an outlet in communication with the air intake assembly. Apertures in the baffle define a first characteristic flow rate and spacing between the baffles and housing defines a second characteristic flow rate. In one arrangement, the first and second characteristic flow rates are offset from one another. In another arrangement, the first and second characteristic flow rates are equal to or offset from one another and are each greater than a maximum blowby flow rate of the engine assembly.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a determination module and a detection module. The determination module, based on an engine vibration signal generated by an engine vibration sensor, determines a frequency of engine vibration and determines a crankshaft position corresponding to the engine vibration. The detection module detects engine oil aeration and starvation when the frequency and crankshaft position are greater than predetermined thresholds, respectively.

Abstract: A gasket for an internal combustion engine comprises a sheet portion and a PCV impaction surface formed in the sheet portion. The PCV impaction surface is configured to extend across, and partially close, a crankcase ventilation system passage. A plurality of apertures extend through the PCV impaction surface and are configured to allow crankcase gas to flow freely in the crankcase ventilation system passage while the PCV impaction surface is configured to separate oil droplets from the crankcase gas by impaction of the droplets with the surface.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided, such as a camshaft cover or valve cover, for an internal combustion engine. The cover assembly includes a cover member with a contoured surface. An acoustic barrier member is generally coextensive with the cover member and at least partially approximates the contoured surface. An elastic member is mounted with respect to the acoustic barrier member and spans at least a portion of the acoustic barrier member. A plate member is mounted with respect to the elastic member and is operable to retain the elastic member and the acoustic barrier member with respect to the cover member. The plate member spans substantially the entirety of the elastic member.

Abstract: A cover assembly is provided, such as a camshaft cover or valve cover, for an internal combustion engine. The cover assembly includes a cover member with a contoured surface. An acoustic barrier member is generally coextensive with the cover member and at least partially approximates the contoured surface. An elastic member is mounted with respect to the acoustic barrier member and spans at least a portion of the acoustic barrier member. A plate member is mounted with respect to the elastic member and is operable to retain the elastic member and the acoustic barrier member with respect to the cover member. The plate member spans substantially the entirety of the elastic member.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an engine includes at least one relatively large mounting wall portion potentially subject to induced vibrations that transmit undesirable noise or sound to the exterior of the engine. To reduce the vibration and resulting noise, a pair of vibration damping plates is attached to the interior of the mounting wall portion and urged against the wall portion. The damping plates may be made from untreated steel when mounted in a lubricating oil atmosphere which serves to protect the plates against oxidation. The plates have different thicknesses selected to provide differing vibration frequency responses that act to create damping between the plates and the associated cover wall portion.

Abstract: A cover assembly for an engine includes at least one relatively large mounting wall portion potentially subject to induced vibrations that transmit undesirable noise or sound to the exterior of the engine. To reduce the vibration and resulting noise, a pair of vibration damping plates is attached to the interior of the mounting wall portion and urged against the wall portion. The damping plates may be made from untreated steel when mounted in a lubricating oil atmosphere which serves to protect the plates against oxidation. The plates have different thicknesses selected to provide differing vibration frequency responses that act to create damping between the plates and the associated cover wall portion.

Abstract: An orifice muffler is designed to minimize the sound pressure level of noise emanating from control orifices in the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system of an automotive vehicle engine. The muffler is formed as an elongated tube having imperforate sidewalls and inlet and outlet end walls. The outlet end wall has a single orifice sized to provide a control exhaust gas flow thorough the muffler while the inlet end wall has at least two orifices of differing sizes. The inlet orifices are operative to pass the controlled gas flow and to create destructive wave interference between the flow streams thorough the muffler to minimize noise caused by turbulent flow. Various optional features of the muffler construction are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new type of side bet or wager which can be made during the game of blackjack or twenty-one is disclosed. The side bet is a secondary bet, which may be placed in addition to the initial (or traditional) bet or ante, and which is preferably made prior to any cards being dealt during the hand. The initial bet is played in the usual manner prior to the dealing of the cards, and at the same time the player decides whether or not to place an additional, or secondary side bet. The player then proceeds to play a conventional game of blackjack, attempting to beat the dealer's hand without busting. The secondary bet only becomes active when the player does not bust, the dealer's hand has a combined point value of less than 21, and the player's hand has a combined point value which is less than that of the dealer's hand.

Abstract: A rotary vane gas compressor e.g. for use in refrigeration is driven by an electric motor which is cooled by a refrigerant liquid passed through a heat exchanger which is attached to the external surface of the stator of the motor. The refrigerant is then passed back into the compression chamber of the gas compressor via a port intermediate between the inlet and outlet ports.