Abstract: Embodiments of the invention use a gas flow to prevent adherence of a coating to portions of an engine block adjacent to a cylinder bore being coated with the coating. Embodiments may be particularly useful for applying a coating on the inner surface of the cylinder bores in one cylinder bank while protecting cylinder bores in an opposing cylinder bank, e.g., in a V-type engine. One method of applying a coating to an engine block comprises spraying the coating on an inner surface of a first cylinder bore of the engine block. The method further comprises shielding a second cylinder bore of the engine block from the sprayed a coating with a gas flow while spraying the coating on the inner surface of the first cylinder bore.

Abstract: A cylinder block has at least two cylinder banks each having cylinder bores arranged in at least two directions relative to an axis for a crankshaft. A rotator on which the cylinder block is securely disposed has a convex rounded surface. When the rotator rotates, the convex rounded surface moves along a concave rounded surface of a rotator-holding base. As a result of the rotation, the cylinder bores of the first bank or the cylinder bores of the second bank face upward in the vertical direction. Accordingly, with a single spray gun, sprayed coatings can be formed on inner surfaces of the cylinder bores of the first and second banks without having to change a mounting position of the cylinder block.

Abstract: Before a thermally sprayed coating is deposited onto a cylindrical internal surface of a cylinder bore 3a rough surface 13 is formed to increase the adhesion of the thermally sprayed coating. After forming the rough surface is completed, an internal diameter measurement surface that is smoother than the rough surface is formed on an axial end section of the internal cylindrical surface. The internal diameter of the cylinder bore is measured at the internal diameter measurement surface with an internal diameter measuring instrument. An appropriate thickness for the thermally sprayed coating is determined based on the measurement result.

Abstract: A thermally sprayed coating is deposited onto a cylindrical internal surface of a base member after a rough surface has been formed on the cylindrical internal surface. The tapered surface is configured such that the internal diameter of the axial end portion is larger than the internal diameter of the remaining portions of the cylinder bore internal surface. After the tapered surface is formed, the thermally sprayed coating is honed. This method prevents exfoliation of a thermally sprayed coating at an end portion of a cylindrical internal surface in a situation where honing or another mechanical finishing process is applied to the thermally sprayed coating after the coating is formed on the cylindrical internal surface.

Abstract: A cylinder block has at least two cylinder banks each having cylinder bores arranged in at least two directions relative to an axis for a crankshaft. A rotator on which the cylinder block is securely disposed has a convex rounded surface. When the rotator rotates, the convex rounded surface moves along a concave rounded surface of a rotator-holding base. As a result of the rotation, the cylinder bores of the first bank or the cylinder bores of the second bank face upward in the vertical direction. Accordingly, with a single spray gun, sprayed coatings can be formed on inner surfaces of the cylinder bores of the first and second banks without having to change a mounting position of the cylinder block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention use a gas flow to prevent adherence of a coating to portions of an engine block adjacent to a cylinder bore being coated with the coating. Embodiments may be particularly useful for applying a coating on the inner surface of the cylinder bores in one cylinder bank while protecting cylinder bores in an opposing cylinder bank, e.g., in a V-type engine. One method of applying a coating to an engine block comprises spraying the coating on an inner surface of a first cylinder bore of the engine block. The method further comprises shielding a second cylinder bore of the engine block from the sprayed a coating with a gas flow while spraying the coating on the inner surface of the first cylinder bore.