Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6371073
-
Patent Number
6,371,073
-
Date Filed
Thursday, November 2, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 16, 200222 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Cain; Larry G.
- Schwartz & Weinrieb
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 123 195 C
- 123 1955
- 123 1953
- 123 198 E
- 277 591
- 181 204
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A vibration isolation or noise attenuation and fluid sealing system, for use in connection with internal combustion engine components. For example, for use in the mounting of a valve cover or rocker arm cover upon a cylinder block or cylinder head, or for the mounting of an oil pan cover upon an oil pan housing. The system has an isolation medium or member mechanically and/or chemically bonded to a peripheral flange portion of the cover member. A sealing flange member is chemically and/or mechanically bonded to the isolation member or medium. The three components being a one-piece unitary cover assembly. The fluid leakage along the interfaces defined between the three components is effectively eliminated. The one-piece assembly is secured to the cylinder block or head, or the oil pan housing, by shoulder bolt fasteners. The fasteners exert compressive forces upon the isolation member so as to vary the stiffness and frequency characteristics thereof. Thus, fine tuning of the stiffness can effectively absorb, dampen, and dissipate noise and vibration.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a vibration isolation or a noise attenuation and a fluid sealing systems, and more particularly to the use with an internal combustion engines or compressor.
BACKGROUND ART
A primary problem or difficulty encountered in the development of an operationally desirable and adequate internal combustion engine noise or vibration isolation system is the achievement of the isolation or attenuation of the noise or vibrations while preventing fluid leakage. As is well known in the art, such noise or vibration isolation systems conventionally employ some type of isolation medium which serves to absorb vibrations and thereby dampen or minimize any resulting noise or vibration transmissions. However, such isolation medium must also preserve the requisite sealing properties for the cylinder block or oil pan assembly.
Accordingly, a predetermined amount of pressure must be exerted or impressed upon the various components of the isolation system in order to achieve noise and/or vibration dampening or attenuation in combination with the sealing properties. It is well known in the art, however, that such pressure forces must be properly controlled or applied to the various components of the system in order to achieve the vibration and/or noise dampening or attenuation while preserving the integrity of the system sealing. If for example, an excessive amount of force is exerted upon the isolation medium, its stiffness characteristics are enhanced and it effectively becomes a solid member. The stiffness characteristics will more readily transmit noise and vibration, thus, reducing the effectiveness as a vibration isolator or a noise attenuation. On the other hand, if an inadequate amount of force is not exerted upon the isolation medium, fluid leakage may occur at the interface. For example, leakage could occur between the isolation medium and a cover component, or between the isolation medium and a cylinder block or an oil pan of the engine or compressor.
A need therefore exists in the art for the development of a vibration isolation or noise attenuation and fluid sealing system which can readily provide easy and desirably accurate or proper control of the pressure forces exerted or impressed upon the isolation medium of the system while preserving the sealing integrity of the system. Thus, substantially eliminating any leakage paths that would otherwise be defined or created between the isolation medium and the valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover, as well as between the isolation medium and the cylinder block or oil pan.
The present invention is directed to overcome one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment of the invention a vibration isolation, noise attenuation, fluid sealing system has a first member having a peripheral flange portion; a second member having a peripheral flange portion being adapted to be fixedly attached to the peripheral flange portion of the first member; a sealing flange member disposed in abutting engagement along an interface with the peripheral flange portion of the first member, and having a sealing member incorporated therein; a variably-tunable isolation member interposed the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second member and respectively defining first and second interfaces with the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second member; a bonding element adapted to bond the variably-tunable isolation member to the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second member along the first and second interfaces respectively defined with the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second flange member such that the peripheral flange portion of the second flange member, the isolation member, and the sealing flange member being a one-piece assembly, and so as to render the first and second interfaces fluid-tight; and a plurality of fasteners inserted through the peripheral flange portion of the second flange member, the isolation member, and the sealing flange member, and into the peripheral flange portion of the first flange member so as to secure the three-piece assembly to the peripheral flange portion of the first member while exerting predetermined compressive forces upon the isolation medium so as to variably alter the stiffness characteristics of the isolation member and thereby tune the isolation member to frequencies which enable dampening of noise and vibrations having predetermined frequencies.
And in another embodiment, a vibration isolation, noise attenuation, and fluid sealing system for use in connection with internal combustion engine components, has a first member having a peripheral flange portion. A second member has a peripheral flange portion adapted to be fixedly attached to the peripheral flange portion of the first member. A sealing flange member is disposed in abutting engagement along an interface with the peripheral flange portion of the first member, and has a sealing member incorporated therein for sealing the interface defined between the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the first member. A variably-tunable isolation member is interposed the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second member and respectively defines a first and second interfaces with the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second member. A bond element is adapted to bond the variably-tunable isolation member to the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second member along the first and second interfaces respectively defined with the sealing flange member and the peripheral flange portion of the second flange member. The peripheral flange portion of the second flange member, the isolation member, and the sealing flange member is an one-piece assembly. And renders the first and second interfaces fluid-tight. And, a plurality of fasteners are inserted through the peripheral flange portion of the second flange member, the isolation member, and the sealing flange member, and into the peripheral flange portion of the first flange member. The plurality of fasteners secure the one-piece assembly to the peripheral flange portion of the first member while exerting predetermined a compressive forces upon the isolation medium. The predetermined compressive forces variably alter the stiffness characteristics of the isolation member and tune the isolation member to frequencies which enable dampening of noise and vibrations having predetermined frequencies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The
FIG. 1
is a cross-sectional view of a vibration isolation or noise attenuation and fluid sealing system of the embodiment of the present invention being used with an internal combustion engine or compressor.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to
FIG. 1
, a vibration isolation or noise attenuation and fluid sealing system
10
is shown. And, is used in connection with a cover member
12
, such as, a valve cover base, a valve covers, and/or an oil pan covers of an internal combustion engine or compressor
14
cylinder blocks
16
or an flywheel housing
18
. The cover member
12
has a peripheral flange portion
20
fixedly secured to a mating peripheral flange or upstanding wall portion
22
of an engine cylinder block
16
or flywheel housing
18
. The cover member
12
, and of course its peripheral flange portion
20
, may be fabricated, for example, from a suitable metal, thermoplastic material or the like, although die-cast aluminum is preferable. In order to vibrationally isolate the cover member
12
from the vibrational frequencies and noise emanating from the moving parts of the engine, a sealing flange member
24
is interposed between the mating flange or upstanding wall portion
22
of an engine cylinder head
26
or the block
16
and the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
. The sealing flange member
24
is fabricated from a suitable material which is compatible with or the same as the material from which the cover member
12
, and its peripheral flange portion
20
, is fabricated. In addition to such aforenoted structure, an isolation medium or member
28
, which may be fabricated from a suitable elastomeric or rubber material, is interposed the sealing flange member
24
and the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
.
The peripheral flange portion
24
of the cover member
12
is affixed and fluidically sealed with respect to the isolation medium or member
28
. And, in a similar manner, the isolation medium or member
28
is affixed and fluidically sealed with respect to the sealing flange member
24
. A mechanical and/or chemical bonding element
30
is interposed between the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
and the isolation medium
28
. And, a similar mechanical and/or chemical bonding element
32
is interposed between the isolation medium
28
and the sealing flange
24
. The mechanical bonding may take the form of physically intercooperating structure, such as, a mechanical fasteners, a groove and dovetail structure defined upon the respective abutting members, female bores or apertures defined within one of the abutting members and rubber male members provided upon the other one of the abutting members and projecting into the female bores or apertures defined within the first abutting member, or the like. The chemical bonding may of course use a suitable adhesive.
As a result of the aforenoted structure, it is to be appreciated that the cylinder block
16
or valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover
12
, or more specifically, the peripheral region of the cylinder block
16
or valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover
12
, has an integral one-piece, fluid-tight cover assembly
34
. The integral one-piece assembly
34
includes the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cylinder block
16
or valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover
12
, the isolation medium
28
, and the sealing flange
24
. Fluid leakage from the interior of the cylinder block
16
or head
26
, or flywheel housing
18
, at the interfaces defined between the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
and the isolation medium or member
28
, as well as between the isolation medium or member
28
and the sealing flange
24
, is effectively prevented.
In order to fixedly attach or secure the aforenoted three-piece cover assembly
34
to the upstanding mating flange
22
of the cylinder block
16
or flywheel housing
18
, a plurality of bolts
36
, only one of which is shown, are provided at predetermined locations defined around the periphery of the cylinder block
16
or valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover
12
, as well as, of course, around the periphery of the cylinder block
16
or cylinder head
26
, or flywheel housing
18
. In this application, each bolt is a shoulder bolt
36
has a hexagonal head portion
38
, and a shank portion
40
which has an upper, relatively large diameter, non-threaded shank portion
42
and a lower, relatively small diameter shank portion
44
. The lowermost end or section of the lower, relatively small diameter shank portion
44
is threaded, as at
46
. The threads
46
engage with a threaded blind bore
48
defined within the upstanding mating flange portion
22
of the cylinder block
16
or flywheel housing
18
.
An annular shoulder portion
50
is defined upon the bolt shank at the axial position of the bolt
36
at which the relatively large diameter and relatively small diameter shank portions
42
and
44
interface. The purpose to be discussed and made apparent when the actual assembly of the entire isolation and fluid sealing system
10
is described. An annular flange portion
52
is similarly provided at the axial position of the bolt
36
at which the relatively large diameter, non-threaded shank portion
42
and hexagonal head portion
38
interface. The purpose to likewise be discussed and made apparent when the actual assembly of the entire isolation and fluid sealing system
10
is described.
The shoulder bolts
36
of this application can be formed by many alternatives. For example, a conventional bolt and washer could be used with channel shaped sleeve. Or, a conventional bolt and washer could be used with a cylindrical spacer or sleeve.
The sealing flange
24
is provided with an annular recess
54
within which is disposed a suitable sealing member
56
which may have, for example an O-ring, a gasket, or the like. The sealing member
56
normally projects outwardly from the annular recess
54
toward the upper surface of the upstanding wall portion or mating flange
22
of the cylinder block
16
or head
26
, or flywheel housing
18
prior to sealing engagement of the valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover member
12
upon the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing
18
. The sealing member
56
may be readily compressed to a predetermined degree back into the recess
54
and into sealing engagement with the upper surface of the upstanding wall portion or mating flange
22
of the cylinder block
16
head
26
or flywheel housing
18
upon sealing engagement of the valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover member
12
upon the cylinder block
16
head
26
or flywheel housing
18
. A grommet
58
is interposed the annular flanged portion
52
of each bolt fastener
36
and the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
.
Industrial Applicability
When the valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover member
12
is to be mounted upon the cylinder block
16
or head
26
, or flywheel housing
18
in the desired fluid-tight sealed manner, the plurality of shoulder bolts
36
are inserted through the aforenoted integral, three-piece cover assembly
34
of the valve cover base, valve cover, or oil pan cover member
12
. The lower threaded end portion
46
of each shoulder bolt
36
is respectively threadedly engaged within one of the threaded blind bores
48
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing
18
. As a result of the threaded engagement of the lower threaded end portions
46
of the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
within the threaded blind bores
48
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing
18
, the hexagonal head portions
38
, and the annular flanged portions
52
, of the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
exert downwardly directed forces upon the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
. The sealing flange member
24
is forced into abutting engagement with the upstanding mating flange portion
20
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing,
18
, and the sealing member
56
is compressed into sealing engagement with the upper surface of the upstanding mating flange portion
20
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing
18
.
A predetermined amount of such aforenoted threaded engagement of the lower threaded end portions
46
of the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
within the threaded blind bores
48
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing
18
, and the abutting engagement of the sealing flange member
24
with the upstanding mating flange portion
22
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing,
18
, the isolation medium or member
28
is compressed to a predetermined degree. The stiffness characteristics of the same are predeterminedly altered or varied so as to, in effect, specifically tune such medium or member
28
to particular frequencies relatively different from the frequencies of the noise and vibrations which emanate from the operative parts of the engine
14
. The noise and vibrations will be effectively absorbed, dampened, or dissipated so as not to be transmitted throughout the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or oil pan, structure. In addition to the aforenoted structure, the grommet
58
is interposed the annular flanged portion
52
of each bolt fastener
36
and the peripheral flange portion
20
of the cover member
12
. The grommet
58
provides additional variables in connection with the pressure forces exerted or impressed upon the three-piece cover assembly
34
ion tuning the same with respect to the aforenoted specific noise and vibration frequencies.
More particularly, when the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
are tightened to their desired degree of torque as a result of the lower threaded end portions
46
of the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
being properly seated or threadedly engaged within the blind bores
48
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing,
18
, the three-piece cover assembly
34
will be able to “float” upon the grommet
58
. The axial lengths of the upper, relatively large diameter, nonthreaded shank portions
42
of the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
are such that when the shoulder bolt fasteners
36
are in fact fully or properly torqued, and seated upon or threadedly engaged with the blind bores
48
of the upstanding mating flange portion
22
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing,
18
, the annular shoulder portion
50
of each shoulder bolt fastener
36
will engage the upper surface of the sealing flange member
24
. This retains the sealing flange member
24
in fluid-tight engagement or abutment with the upper surface of the upstanding mating flange portion
22
of the cylinder head
26
or block
16
, or flywheel housing,
18
as well as prevents excessive compression of the isolation medium or member
28
.
The vibration isolation or noise attenuation and fluid sealing system
10
has been developed to prevent fluid leakage paths between the isolation medium member
28
and its abutting flange members
16
,
18
,
26
. The mounting and assembly of the system
10
permits fine variable tuning of the isolation medium member
28
so as to effectively dampen, absorb, or dissipate noise and vibrations emanating from the operative or moving parts of the internal combustion engine or compressor
14
. Such noise and vibrations are eliminated from being transmitted throughout the particular structure or assembly in connection with which the system
10
of the present invention.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of this invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A vibration isolation, noise attenuation, fluid sealing system, comprising:a first member having a peripheral flange portion; a second member having a peripheral flange portion being adapted to be fixedly attached to said peripheral flange portion of said first member; a sealing flange member disposed in abutting engagement along an interface with said peripheral flange portion of said first member, and having a sealing member incorporated therein for sealing said interface defined between said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said first member; a variably-tunable isolation member interposed between said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second member and respectively defining first and second interfaces with said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second member; a bonding element adapted to bond said variably-tunable isolation member to said sealing, flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second member along said first and second interfaces respectively defined with said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second flange member such that said peripheral flange portion of said second flange member, said isolation member, and said sealing flange member being a one-piece assembly, and so as to render said first and second interfaces fluid-tight; and a plurality of fasteners inserted through said peripheral flange portion of said second flange member, said isolation member, and said sealing flange member, and into said peripheral flange portion of said first flange member so as to secure said one-piece assembly to said peripheral flange portion of said first member while exerting predetermined compressive forces upon said isolation medium so as to variably alter the stiffness characteristics of said isolation member and thereby tune said isolation member to frequencies which enable dampening of noise and vibrations having predetermined frequencies.
- 2. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first member being a cylinder head and said second member being a valve cover.
- 3. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first member being a cylinder block and said second member being a rocker arm cover.
- 4. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first member being an oil pan housing and said second member being an oil pan cover.
- 5. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said isolation member is fabricated from an elastomeric rubber material.
- 6. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing member of said sealing flange member being an O-ring member.
- 7. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing member of said sealing flange member being an annular gasket.
- 8. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein each one of said plurality of fasteners being a bolt fastener having a threaded portion at a first end thereof for threadedly engaging said peripheral flange portion of said first member, and a head portion at a second opposite end thereof for exerting compressive forces upon said peripheral flange portion of said second member as said first threaded end portion of said bolt fastener is threadedly engaged within said peripheral flange portion of said first member, wherein said compressive forces are transmitted to said isolation medium so as to predeterminedly alter said stiffness and frequency characteristics of said isolation medium.
- 9. The system as set forth in claim 8, including a grommet interposed said head portion of said bolt fastener and said peripheral flange portion of said second member for transmitting said compressive forces exerted by said head portion of said bolt fastener to said peripheral flange portion of said second member and to said isolation member.
- 10. The system as set forth in claim 8, wherein said bolt fastener having a shoulder bolt fastener which has a shoulder portion for engaging said sealing flange member so as to prevent excessive compression of said isolation member.
- 11. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bonding element being a chemical adhesive.
- 12. The system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said bonding element being a mechanical tongue and groove members.
- 13. A vibration isolation, noise attenuation, and fluid sealing system for use in connection with internal combustion engine components, comprising:a first member having a peripheral flange portion; a second member having a peripheral flange portion adapted to be fixedly attached to said peripheral flange portion of said first member; a sealing flange member disposed in abutting engagement along an interface with said peripheral flange portion of said first member, and having a sealing member incorporated therein for sealing said interface defined between said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said first member; a variably-tunable isolation member interposed said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second member and respectively defining first and second interfaces with said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second member; a bonding element being adapted to bond said variably-tunable isolation member to said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second member along said first and second interfaces respectively defined with said sealing flange member and said peripheral flange portion of said second flange member such that said peripheral flange portion of said second flange member, said isolation member, and said sealing flange member being a one-piece assembly, and so as to render said first and second interfaces fluid-tight; and a plurality of fasteners inserted through said peripheral flange portion of said second flange member, said isolation member, and said sealing flange member, and into said peripheral flange portion of said first flange member so as to secure said one-piece assembly to said peripheral flange portion of said first member while exerting predetermined compressive forces upon said isolation medium so as to variably alter the stiffness characteristics of said isolation member and thereby tune said isolation member to frequencies which enable dampening of noise and vibrations having predetermined frequencies.
- 14. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first member being an internal combustion engine cylinder head and said second member being an internal combustion engine valve cover.
- 15. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first member being an internal combustion engine cylinder block and said second member being an internal combustion engine rocker arm cover.
- 16. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said first member being an internal combustion engine oil pan housing and said second member being an internal combustion engine oil pan cover.
- 17. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said isolation member is fabricated from an elastomeric rubber material.
- 18. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said sealing member of said sealing flange member being an O-ring member.
- 19. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein said sealing member of said sealing flange member being an annular gasket.
- 20. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein each one of said plurality of fasteners being a bolt fastener having a threaded portion at a first end thereof for threadedly engaging said peripheral flange portion of said first member, and a head portion at a second opposite end thereof for exerting compressive forces upon said peripheral flange portion of said second member as said first threaded end portion of said bolt fastener is threadedly engaged within said peripheral flange portion of said first member, wherein said compressive forces are transmitted to said isolation medium so as to predeterminedly alter said stiffness and frequency characteristics of said isolation medium.
US Referenced Citations (14)