Abstract: A single hydraulic circuit module is provided for controlling valve lift at multiple cylinders in an engine. The single module includes a housing that at least partially forms a supply passage and a control passage. The supply passage is in fluid communication with the fluid supply and the control passage is in fluid communication with the feed passage. At least one solenoid valve is provided and supported by the housing positioned between the supply passage and the control passage. The solenoid valve is controllable to vary fluid flow from the supply passage to the control passage to permit adjustment of hydraulic lift assemblies to vary lift of engine valves in response to control of the solenoid valve.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders containing pistons connected with a crankshaft for transmitting power. The cylinders have closed ends, intake and exhaust ports communicating with the cylinders through the closed ends, valves operable to open and close the ports to air and exhaust flow to and from the cylinders, and a lower end pressure oil lubrication system operative to lubricate at least the cylinders, pistons and crankshaft of the engine. The engine includes hydraulic actuators operable to actuate the valves and forming part of a separate upper end hydraulic oil actuation system operative to selectively supply high pressure hydraulic oil to the hydraulic actuators to actuate the valves in a predetermined manner. Optionally, the hydraulic system may have an oil reservoir within the engine block, such as in the valley between the cylinder banks of a V type engine.

Abstract: An engine assembly for a vehicle includes an engine crankshaft protruding from a front end of a cylinder block of the engine. A front cover is secured to the front end of the engine. A pump is positioned within the front cover and operatively connected with said engine crankshaft. A fluid passage is formed by the front cover for receiving pumped fluid from the pump and directing the fluid into the cylinder block. The fluid passage has an exit port with a curved portion of the passage positioned closely adjacent the exit port. A plastic insert is positioned within the curved portion and within the exit port. The plastic insert has a plurality of curved fluid flow vanes to direct flowing fluid through the curved portion in a manner to improve laminarity of flow in the curved portion and in the exit port to reduce fluid flow losses.

Abstract: An engine assembly for a vehicle includes an engine crankshaft protruding from a front end of a cylinder block of the engine. A front cover is secured to the front end of the engine. A pump is positioned within the front cover and operatively connected with said engine crankshaft. A fluid passage is formed by the front cover for receiving pumped fluid from the pump and directing the fluid into the cylinder block. The fluid passage has an exit port with a curved portion of the passage positioned closely adjacent the exit port. A plastic insert is positioned within the curved portion and within the exit port. The plastic insert has a plurality of curved fluid flow vanes to direct flowing fluid through the curved portion in a manner to improve laminarity of flow in the curved portion and in the exit port to reduce fluid flow losses.