Abstract: An idler assembly includes a cam, an idler pulley, a baseplate, an idler pulley bracket, and a belt. The cam is pivotally mounted to an idler pulley bracket, the cam may pivot between a first position and a second position via a first pivot. The idler pulley is mounted to a baseplate. The baseplate is pivotally mounted to an idler pulley bracket. The baseplate may therefore pivot between a first position and a second position relative to the idler pulley bracket. The belt may be easily mounted on the idler pulley when the baseplate and cam are in the second position. The belt is in tension when the baseplate and cam are moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A chain drive system for an engine includes a plurality of sprockets. A chain is drivingly engaged with the plurality of sprockets. A guide assembly engages the chain and includes a metal support plate adapted to be secured to the engine and a plastic plate is supported by the metal plate and includes a chain guide surface in direct contact with the chain. An elastomeric insert is disposed between the metal plate and the plastic plate for reducing the transmission of noise and vibration between the plastic plate and the metal plate.

Abstract: A strut includes a first end, a second end, a cylinder and a piston, wherein the piston is mechanically coupled to the first end and the cylinder is mechanically coupled to the second end. A fluidic chamber is formed between the cylinder and the piston. A first fluidic passageway fluidly couples the fluidic chamber and a fluidic reservoir, and a second fluidic passageway fluidly couples between the fluidic chamber and the fluidic reservoir. A check valve includes an open-biased moveable valve element coupled to a balance spring, and the valve element interacts with a valve seat to control fluidic flow through the second fluidic passageway. The valve element is responsive to urging of the balance spring.

Abstract: An idler assembly includes a cam, an idler pulley, a baseplate, an idler pulley bracket, and a belt. The cam is pivotally mounted to an idler pulley bracket, the cam may pivot between a first position and a second position via a first pivot. The idler pulley is mounted to a baseplate. The baseplate is pivotally mounted to an idler pulley bracket. The baseplate may therefore pivot between a first position and a second position relative to the idler pulley bracket. The belt may be easily mounted on the idler pulley when the baseplate and cam are in the second position. The belt is in tension when the baseplate and cam are moved from the second position to the first position.

Abstract: A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cavity with a plunger disposed in the cavity. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction. An oil passage is in communication with the cavity for delivering pressurized oil to the cavity and an oil reservoir is disposed in the housing and in communication with the cavity. The oil reservoir includes a vent opening at a vertical level at least as high as the oil passage into the cavity so that oil is maintained with the cavity when the tensioner is installed in an inverted orientation.

Abstract: A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore. A plunger is disposed in the bore and has a non-cylindrical outer surface. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction and an oil passage is in communication with the cylindrical bore for delivering pressurized oil to the bore. The non-cylindrical outer surface provides hydraulic clearance areas between the plunger and the bore to provide improved damping without high damping force.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A multi-axis tool for pre-tensioning a camshaft-drive element tensioner in an engine includes a housing having first and second faces and a length. The housing defines a first passage arranged along a first axis and a second passage arranged along a second axis. The second axis is parallel to the first axis and each passage extends through the length of the housing. The tool also includes a first lug arranged on and extending beyond the first face. The first passage extends through the first lug. The tool also includes a second lug extending beyond the second face and arranged along a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. An indicator rod is arranged partially within the second passage and configured to selectively extend beyond the first face. An elastic element is arranged inside the second passage and configured to extend the indicator rod beyond the first face.

Abstract: A multi-axis tool for pre-tensioning a camshaft-drive element tensioner in an engine includes a housing having first and second faces and a length. The housing defines a first passage arranged along a first axis and a second passage arranged along a second axis. The second axis is parallel to the first axis and each passage extends through the length of the housing. The tool also includes a first lug arranged on and extending beyond the first face. The first passage extends through the first lug. The tool also includes a second lug extending beyond the second face and arranged along a third axis that is parallel to the first axis. An indicator rod is arranged partially within the second passage and configured to selectively extend beyond the first face. An elastic element is arranged inside the second passage and configured to extend the indicator rod beyond the first face.

Abstract: A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cylindrical bore. A plunger is disposed in the bore and has a non-cylindrical outer surface. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction and an oil passage is in communication with the cylindrical bore for delivering pressurized oil to the bore. The non-cylindrical outer surface provides hydraulic clearance areas between the plunger and the bore to provide improved damping without high damping force.

Abstract: A tensioner device, includes a housing defining a cavity with a plunger disposed in the cavity. A spring is engaged with the plunger for biasing the plunger in an outward direction. An oil passage is in communication with the cavity for delivering pressurized oil to the cavity and an oil reservoir is disposed in the housing and in communication with the cavity. The oil reservoir includes a vent opening at a vertical level at least as high as the oil passage into the cavity so that oil is maintained with the cavity when the tensioner is installed in an inverted orientation.

Abstract: A dynamic harmonic balancer for mounting on a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine includes an element defining a cavity. The dynamic harmonic balancer also includes a body of fluid disposed within the cavity. The dynamic harmonic balancer additionally includes a plurality of pellets disposed within the body of fluid and configured to shift within the cavity. The shifting of the pellets within the cavity counteracts an imbalance in the harmonic balancer and damps crankshaft torsional vibrations during operation of the engine. An engine having such a dynamic harmonic balancer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A strut includes a first end, a second end, a cylinder and a piston, wherein the piston is mechanically coupled to the first end and the cylinder is mechanically coupled to the second end. A fluidic chamber is formed between the cylinder and the piston. A first fluidic passageway fluidly couples the fluidic chamber and a fluidic reservoir, and a second fluidic passageway fluidly couples between the fluidic chamber and the fluidic reservoir. A check valve includes an open-biased moveable valve element coupled to a balance spring, and the valve element interacts with a valve seat to control fluidic flow through the second fluidic passageway. The valve element is responsive to urging of the balance spring.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a cylinder control module and a pump control module. The cylinder control module selectively deactivates cylinders of an engine. In response to a determination that at least one of the cylinders is deactivated, the pump control module: selectively increases a target displacement for an oil pump that is driven by a balance shaft of the engine; and selectively adjusts displacement of the oil pump based on the target displacement.

Abstract: A hydraulic cam phaser includes at least one of an advance chamber and a retard chamber for receiving hydraulic fluid for advancing or retarding a rotational position of the camshaft. The hydraulic actuation system includes a hydraulic accumulator in selective communication with the at least one of the advance and retard chambers of the hydraulic cam phaser. A first system oil pump provides lubrication oil to the valvetrain system, and the hydraulic actuation system includes a second oil pump for supplying oil to the hydraulic accumulator. The second oil pump is controlled with a clutch device connecting the second oil pump to the engine drive system. The internal combustion engine includes a controller which controls actuation of the clutch device to actuate the clutch device during deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine structure, a crankshaft rotationally supported on the engine structure, a crankshaft isolator assembly and a belt. The crankshaft isolator assembly includes a hub fixed for rotation with the crankshaft, a crankshaft isolator pulley coupled to the hub, and a mechanical clutch. The mechanical clutch is engaged with the hub and the crankshaft isolator pulley. The mechanical clutch fixes the hub for rotation with the crankshaft isolator pulley during a first operating condition and allows relative rotation between the hub and the crankshaft isolator pulley during a second operating condition. The belt is engaged with the crankshaft isolator pulley and an accessory drive system.

Abstract: A hydraulic cam phaser includes at least one of an advance chamber and a retard chamber for receiving hydraulic fluid for advancing or retarding a rotational position of the camshaft. The hydraulic actuation system includes a hydraulic accumulator in selective communication with the at least one of the advance and retard chambers of the hydraulic cam phaser. A first system oil pump provides lubrication oil to the valvetrain system, and the hydraulic actuation system includes a second oil pump for supplying oil to the hydraulic accumulator. The second oil pump is controlled with a clutch device connecting the second oil pump to the engine drive system. The internal combustion engine includes a controller which controls actuation of the clutch device to actuate the clutch device during deceleration of the vehicle.

Abstract: A screw assembly for operatively connecting a first component to a second component is provided such that the first and the second components are separated by a clearance when operatively connected by the assembly. The assembly includes a screw member defining a screw opening and a linking member defining a link opening. A fastener is configured to transfer a driving torque to the linking member when the fastener is rotatably driven into the link opening. A threaded portion of the fastener is configured to engage with the link opening. The linking member is configured to transfer the driving torque to the screw member, thereby moving the screw member until a second screw end of the screw member contacts a mounting face of the second component. The fastener may be configured to pass through the linking member and enter a second cavity in the second component.

Abstract: An engine control system includes a cylinder control module and a pump control module. The cylinder control module selectively deactivates cylinders of an engine. In response to a determination that at least one of the cylinders is deactivated, the pump control module: selectively increases a target displacement for an oil pump that is driven by a balance shaft of the engine; and selectively adjusts displacement of the oil pump based on the target displacement.

Abstract: 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.