Abstract: A cylinder liner with improved cooling and strength is disclosed. The cylinder liner includes a liner wall extending annularly about a piston bore. The liner wall has an inner face adjacent the piston bore and an outer face oppositely arranged relative to the inner face. The outer face includes a water jacket surface that is co-extensive with at least part of the outer face. A plurality of indentations are disposed along the water jacket surface of the liner wall. The plurality of indentations extend radially inwardly from the water jacket surface to define corresponding areas in the liner wall of compacted material. Accordingly, the plurality of indentations increase surface area of the water jacket surface to improve heat transfer away from the liner wall while also increasing hoop strength of the liner wall.

Abstract: An engine assembly including a cylinder wall extending about a cylinder bore is disclosed. A piston slidingly received within the cylinder bore includes a ring groove extending about the piston in a ring plane that is transverse to a longitudinal axis of the cylinder bore. A piston ring is received in the ring groove of the piston. A port extends through the cylinder wall to communicate fluid to or from the cylinder bore. The port has an oblique geometry relative to the ring plane and a plurality of windows that extend at least partially about the cylinder bore in a path that is transverse to the ring plane. The oblique geometry of the port staggers entry and exit of the piston ring relative to the plurality of windows as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder bore. This helps prevent the piston ring from clipping the port.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided having a first and second bank of cylinder bores arranged in a generally V-shaped configuration. The internal combustion engine includes a first and second intake manifold each having a plenum and at least one intake runner. The first and second intake manifolds are mounted to the internal combustion engine in an outboard position. An inlet air duct communicates inlet air to each of the first and second intake manifolds. A first and second inlet air heater is disposed substantially adjacent to the respective plenums of the first and second intake manifold. The first and second inlet air heaters operate to selectively heat the inlet air prior to entering the respective plenums of the first and second intake manifold. The first and second inlet air heaters may include at least one of driver circuitry and diagnostic circuitry.