Abstract: An engine oil change detection control system is provided. The system includes an armature position module that monitors a solenoid armature position based on a position signal. A solenoid control module selectively generates a solenoid control signal and estimates a delay time based on the solenoid control signal and the armature position. An engine oil change detection module detects an engine oil change event based on the delay time.

Abstract: A seal alignment system includes an engine block, a cover component spaced apart from the engine block and defining a first bore therethrough, and a crankshaft protruding from the engine block and extending through the first bore, wherein the crankshaft is rotatable about a central longitudinal axis and has an outer surface. The seal alignment system also includes an annular seal spaced apart from the engine block and defining a second bore therethrough, and an alignment device configured for coaxially aligning the annular seal with the central longitudinal axis so that the crankshaft extends through the second bore and the annular seal abuts the outer surface.

Abstract: A reversible gerotor pump for a machine having a drive shaft is provided, the pump including a housing, an offset ring, and an inner and outer gear. The offset ring is disposed in the housing and includes a tab extending radially from an outer periphery. The outer periphery of the offset ring defines a first axis in common with the axis of a drive shaft. The inner periphery of the offset ring defines a second axis that is slightly offset from the second axis. The axis of the outer gear moves relative to the axis of the inner gear to allow pumping action in both rotational directions using the same suction and line cavities for both directions.

Abstract: A control system includes an oil pump module and a diagnostic module. The oil pump module, based on engine operating conditions, selectively generates a first mode request signal to initiate a first transition from operating an oil pump of an engine in one of a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in another one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode. The second pressure mode is different from the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module, based on when a driver starts the engine, selectively generates a second mode request signal to initiate consecutive transitions from operating the oil pump in the second pressure mode to operating the oil pump in the first pressure mode. The diagnostic module diagnoses a pump fault when a first oil pressure change associated with the consecutive transitions is less than a first predetermined pressure change.

Abstract: A reinforced oil pan assembly includes a reinforcement component and an overmold component that are combined via an injection molding process utilizing a standard oil pan mold. The reinforcement component adds structural stiffness to the oil pan assembly in order to alleviate NVH characteristics, such as powertrain bending. The reinforcement component is placed within the oil pan mold, and is embedded within the overmold component after the injection molding process. The reinforcement component has at least one rear wall and at least two side walls, each of which may include apertures and/or ribs to enhance the bond between the reinforcement component and the overmold component. The reinforcement component may be made of a layered-sheet composite overmolded with a base polymer, a metallic material, and the like.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine cover having a pump cavity through which fluid is pumped. A liner is configured to line the pump cavity to protect the engine cover from erosion due to the pumped fluid. The engine cover can be a composite material. The liner may be a composite material as well, or, in some embodiments, can be steel or another suitable material. A method of assembling an engine includes securing a liner to an engine cover so that the liner lines a pump cavity of the engine cover to protect the engine cover from erosion at the pump cavity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure include a centrifugal pump assembly including a pump housing defining a cavity and an impeller disposed within the cavity, the impeller being affixed to a shaft. The pump housing includes an inner surface having a geometric pattern configured in increase a turbulence of a fluid flow over the inner surface. The impeller includes one or more blades and a shroud. The inner surface of the pump housing and the shroud of the impeller define a leakage path.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a housing is disclosed. The housing includes an asymmetric surface portion having a periphery, the asymmetric surface portion comprising a plurality of asymmetric surface sections disposed about the periphery, each asymmetric surface section having a surface contour differing from the surface contours of the other surface sections. In another embodiment, an engine front cover is disclosed. The engine front cover includes a substantially circular asymmetric surface portion disposed concentrically about a crankshaft bore, the asymmetric surface portion comprising a plurality of asymmetric surface sections disposed substantially concentrically about the crankshaft bore, each asymmetric surface section having a surface contour differing from the surface contours of the other surface sections.

Abstract: An oil circulating control system for an engine includes an engine speed module and a mode selection module. The engine speed module determines a speed of the engine. The mode selection module is configured to select a first pressure mode and a second pressure mode of an oil pump of the engine for the speed. The selection module selects one of the first pressure mode and the second pressure mode based on at least one mode request signal. The mode selection module signals a solenoid valve of a variable oil pressure circuit of the oil pump to transition to a first position when operating in the first pressure mode and to a second position when operating in the second pressure mode.

Abstract: A drainable container system for a vehicle includes a container having an exterior surface and defining an interior cavity configured for storing a fluid, and a drain hole configured for draining the fluid from the cavity. The hole has a central longitudinal axis that is substantially perpendicular to the surface. The system includes a drain plug, wherein the plug is insertable into the hole along the axis into a locked position so that the fluid does not drain, and removable from the hole along the axis when disposed in an unlocked position so that the fluid drains. The system includes a locking element configured for preventing rotation of the plug within the hole about the axis when the plug is disposed in the locked position, wherein the element is formed from a metal that is substantially elastic at a temperature of from about ?40° C. to about 10° C.

Abstract: A lubrication system includes a rotary pump, an eductor, and a solenoid valve and is configured to provide pressurized oil to an engine. The rotary pump is configured to generate oil flow. A supplemental supply line selectively provides pressurized oil into the eductor. The solenoid valve is movable between a first position and a second position. The solenoid valve supplies a fluid signal that allows pressurized oil to flow from the supplemental supply line and into the eductor when the solenoid valve is in the first position to increase the volume of oil flowing from a sump of the engine into the rotary pump. When the solenoid valve does not supply a fluid signal, pressurized oil is prevented from entering the eductor and the volume of oil flowing from the sump and through the eductor to the rotary pump is not increased.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining a factor representative of a volume of oil from the transferred body of oil that is exposed to a combustion event in the engine. Additionally, the method includes determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and the determined factor representative of a volume of oil that is exposed to a combustion event. Moreover, the method includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining a volume of oil consumed by the engine from the transferred body of oil and determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume of the body of oil and the determined volume of oil consumed. The method additionally includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using the size of viscosity hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles. In another exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using the sign of viscosity hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the state of engine oil degradation is monitored and determined using relative viscosity changes hysteresis during heating-cooling cycles.

Abstract: A cam bearing cap may include a first bearing cap region, a pump mounting region, an oil inlet, and an oil outlet. The first bearing cap region may extend over and secure a first camshaft to an engine assembly. The pump mounting region may extend from the first bearing cap region and may have a secondary oil pump mounted thereto. The oil inlet may extend through the pump mounting region and may provide communication between the secondary oil pump and an oil supply. The oil outlet may extend through the pump mounting region and may provide communication between the secondary oil pump and a hydraulically actuated engine component.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include a cylinder head defining a first bearing surface supporting a camshaft, a bearing cap fixed to the cylinder head and a lubrication rail. The first bearing surface may have a first oil inlet extending therethrough. The camshaft may define an axial bore, a first radial passage and a second radial passage. The first radial passage may extend from the axial bore through an outer circumference of the camshaft and may be in communication with the first oil inlet. The second radial passage may extend from the axial bore through an outer circumference of the camshaft. The bearing cap may be fixed to the cylinder head and include a first oil outlet in communication with the second radial passage. The lubrication rail may include a second oil inlet in communication with the first oil outlet and a first lubrication supply passage aligned with a camshaft lobe.

Abstract: A valve assembly configured to provide feed-back control of pressurized fluid in a gallery includes a housing and a pressure chamber. The valve assembly also includes a first passage for providing continuous flow of fluid through the gallery and a second passage for supplying the pressurized fluid to the gallery. The valve assembly additionally includes a piston moveable within the pressure chamber between a first position that opens the second passage and a second position that closes the second passage. The piston includes a third passage that provides fluid communication between the first passage and the pressure chamber. Furthermore, the valve assembly includes a spring configured to move the piston to the first position when gallery fluid pressure is less than a threshold pressure value and permit the piston to shift to the second position when gallery fluid pressure is equal to or greater than the threshold pressure value.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining remaining oil life prior to an oil change in an internal combustion engine that has a sump and uses a body of oil. The method includes transferring the body of oil to the engine and determining a volume of the transferred body of oil. The method also includes determining degradation of the determined volume of oil in response to oxidation and/or decomposition. The method additionally includes determining the remaining oil life based on the determined volume and degradation of the transferred body of oil. Furthermore, the method includes activating an oil change indicator when the remaining oil life reaches a predetermined level. A system for determining a number of engine revolutions permitted on a volume of oil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reversible gerotor pump for a machine having a drive shaft is provided, the pump including a housing, an offset ring, and an inner and outer gear. The offset ring is disposed in the housing and includes a tab extending radially from an outer periphery. The outer periphery of the offset ring defines a first axis in common with the axis of a drive shaft. The inner periphery of the offset ring defines a second axis that is slightly offset from the second axis. The axis of the outer gear moves relative to the axis of the inner gear to allow pumping action in both rotational directions using the same suction and line cavities for both directions.

Abstract: A dynamic engine oil pickup system is disclosed. The dynamic engine oil pickup system includes a scavenge pump and a pickup tube assembly in fluid communication with the scavenge pump. The pickup tube assembly includes at least two oil pickup portions operable to pickup engine oil from at least two different oil pickup locations and a flow control operable to control a flow of engine oil between the at least two different oil pickup locations and the scavenge pump. The flow control includes a suction valve, and movement of the suction valve is controlled by selectively applying a high pressure oil to a head of the suction valve.