Abstract: A crankshaft for a V8 engine includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth crank pins defined on the crankshaft. The second crank pin is rotationally offset from the first crank pin, the third crank pin is rotationally offset from the first and second crank pins, the fourth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second and third crank pins, the fifth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third and fourth crank pins, and the sixth pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth crank pins. The seventh crank pin is rotationally aligned with the first crank pin and the eighth crank pin is rotationally aligned with the second crank pin.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for active fuel management in an engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided, the method including stopping a fuel flow into a first set of the plurality of cylinders, the stopping causing a deactivation of the first set of cylinders and continuing injection of fuel into a second set of the plurality of cylinders to provide power while the first set of cylinders are deactivated. The method also includes injecting gas into the first set of the plurality of cylinders when each of the first set of cylinders are at bottom dead center, the injected gas increasing a cylinder pressure in each of the first set of cylinders that reduces an amplitude of first order torque variations during operation of the engine while the first set of cylinders are deactivated.

Abstract: A modular engine family comprises an engine block assembly having an upper end extending at an angle a from a rear of the engine block assembly to a front thereof. An engine block closes the upper end and defines a crankcase comprising a crankshaft having three journals supported by journal bearings for rotation therein. First and second piston pins and associated first and second piston/rod assemblies are disposed in piston cylinders of a first cylinder housing assembly wherein the first and second piston pins are located in the same radial position on the crankshaft and are spaced longitudinally to define a firing interval of 360 degrees. A cylinder head is configured to close open ends of the piston cylinders to thereby define combustion chambers with the first and second pistons; the cylinder housing assembly reclined from vertical towards the rear of the engine block by an angle ?.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a first set of cylinders in a first bank of the internal combustion engine and a second set of cylinders in a second bank of the internal combustion engine. The engine also includes a flat-plane crankshaft coupled to the first set of cylinders and the second set of cylinders. The pressure in the deactivated cylinders is controlled by gas injections and the bank angle between the first bank and second bank that is adjusted from a 90 degree bank angle by a selected angle to reduce an amplitude of second order torque variations when the internal combustion engine is operating in a fuel saving mode.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, an internal combustion engine includes a first set of cylinders in a first bank of the internal combustion engine and a second set of cylinders in a second bank of the internal combustion engine. The engine also includes a flat-plane crankshaft coupled to the first set of cylinders and the second set of cylinders. The pressure in the deactivated cylinders is controlled by gas injections and the bank angle between the first bank and second bank that is adjusted from a 90 degree bank angle by a selected angle to reduce an amplitude of second order torque variations when the internal combustion engine is operating in a fuel saving mode.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a method for active fuel management in an engine having a plurality of cylinders is provided, the method including stopping a fuel flow into a first set of the plurality of cylinders, the stopping causing a deactivation of the first set of cylinders and continuing injection of fuel into a second set of the plurality of cylinders to provide power while the first set of cylinders are deactivated. The method also includes injecting gas into the first set of the plurality of cylinders when each of the first set of cylinders are at bottom dead center, the injected gas increasing a cylinder pressure in each of the first set of cylinders that reduces an amplitude of first order torque variations during operation of the engine while the first set of cylinders are deactivated.

Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.

Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure and a crankshaft. The engine structure may include an engine block defining a first bank of cylinders defining two cylinders and a second bank of cylinders defining two cylinders forming a V4 arrangement. The crankshaft may include a first crank pin, a second crank pin, a third crank pin and a fourth crank. The fourth crank pin may be rotationally offset from the first crank pin by a first angle of less than two hundred and seventy degrees in the rotational direction of the crankshaft. The second and third crank pins may be located rotationally between the first crank pin and the fourth crank pin in the rotational direction.

Abstract: A crankshaft for a V8 engine includes first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth crank pins defined on the crankshaft. The second crank pin is rotationally offset from the first crank pin, the third crank pin is rotationally offset from the first and second crank pins, the fourth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second and third crank pins, the fifth crank pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third and fourth crank pins, and the sixth pin is rotationally offset from the first, second, third, fourth and fifth crank pins. The seventh crank pin is rotationally aligned with the first crank pin and the eighth crank pin is rotationally aligned with the second crank pin.

Abstract: A modular engine family comprises an engine block assembly having an upper end extending at an angle ? from a rear of the engine block assembly to a front thereof. An engine block closes the upper end and defines a crankcase comprising a crankshaft having three journals supported by journal bearings for rotation therein. First and second piston pins and associated first and second piston/rod assemblies are disposed in piston cylinders of a first cylinder housing assembly wherein the first and second piston pins are located in the same radial position on the crankshaft and are spaced longitudinally to define a firing interval of 360 degrees. A cylinder head is configured to close open ends of the piston cylinders to thereby define combustion chambers with the first and second pistons; the cylinder housing assembly reclined from vertical towards the rear of the engine block by an angle ?.

Abstract: A rocker arm may include a valve engagement region, a lift mechanism engagement region, a pivot region, and a body portion. The valve engagement region may be located at a first longitudinal end of the rocker arm and on a first side of the rocker arm. The lift mechanism engagement region may be located at a second longitudinal end of the rocker arm. The pivot region may be located between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region and may define a rotational axis for the rocker arm. The body portion may extend longitudinally between and couple the valve engagement region, the pivot region and the lift mechanism engagement region to one another. The body portion may define first and second ribs on a second side of the rocker arm that extend longitudinally between the valve engagement region and the lift mechanism engagement region.