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: An assembly includes a first component and a second component. A sealant is disposed between the first component and the second component. The second component has a recess on a second surface of the second component opposite the first surface of the second component. A composite fastener has a threaded portion and a head portion. The head portion has a retention clip on a side of the head portion that faces the second surface of the second component when the threaded portion is received in aligned openings of the first component and the second component so that the retention clip is received in the recess when the composite fastener is turned. A method of attaching a first component and a composite component is provided.

Abstract: A polymeric vessel includes a first shell formed from a thermoplastic polymer and including a weld stub, and a second shell formed from the thermoplastic polymer and including a weld anvil matable with the weld stub. The polymeric vessel also includes a friction weld joint joining the weld stub and the weld anvil, and a coupling element interconnecting the first shell and the second shell and spaced apart from the friction weld joint.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a compression limiting member having a dowel portion and a belleville washer portion. A first member defines a first hole, a second member defines a second hole, a third member defines a third hole, and the dowel portion defines a fourth hole. The second member is between the first and third members, and the dowel portion extends through the second hole. The dowel portion is substantially rigid to prevent excessive compression of the second member between the first and third members. The belleville washer portion is elastically compressed between the second and third members such that the washer portion biases the second member toward the first member.

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: An assembly includes a first component connectable to a second component by a fastener extending through respective openings in the first component and in the second component. The assembly includes a compression load limiter housed in the opening of the first component and having a passage adapted to allow the fastener to extend therethrough. The compression load limiter is adjustable due to an adjustment feature configured to cause the load limiter to translate within the opening of the first component to span a gap between the first component and the second component. The load limiter bears at least a portion of a compression load of the fastener when the fastener is inserted in the respective openings of the first and the second components to secure the first component to the second component.

Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a compression limiting member having a dowel portion and a belleville washer portion. A first member defines a first hole, a second member defines a second hole, a third member defines a third hole, and the dowel portion defines a fourth hole. The second member is between the first and third members, and the dowel portion extends through the second hole. The dowel portion is substantially rigid to prevent excessive compression of the second member between the first and third members. The belleville washer portion is elastically compressed between the second and third members such that the washer portion biases the second member toward the first member.

Abstract: A PCV device for recirculation of crankcase air has a structural member with a tubular, substantially linear internal flow passage characterized by a length and diameter with a ratio of length to diameter that attenuates noise and acts as a restrictive orifice to at least partially control flow volume therethrough. A PCV system for an engine includes a structural member as described above placed in fluid communication with a passage member to partially form a flow path between an interior portion of an engine crankcase and an air intake portion of the engine. The flow path has an absence of any flow restriction with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the structural member.