Pipe joints or couplings – Packed – Carried on cylindrical shank
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-27
2002-04-09
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Pipe joints or couplings
Packed
Carried on cylindrical shank
C123S041830, C123S193200, C277S591000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06367848
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a counterbored joint and more particularly to a counterbored joint having a flexible shim and a step surface.
BACKGROUND ART
It has been found difficult to manufacture a cast cylinder block where the working surfaces of the cylinders are free from fretting and wear. As typical in the art, the cylinder block is counterbored and a cylinder liner is inserted. Over time the cylinder block becomes damaged due to the high loading and component relative motion which is encountered during operation of the internal combustion engine. As a result the joint that holds the cylinder liner in place requires remanufacture. One method of remanufacturing the joint includes re-machining an undercut in the joint of the cylinder block to a predetermined depth and inserting a ring or shim generally equal to the depth of the undercut. It is critically important that the joint allows the cylinder liner shim to be centrally located and parallel with the cylinder liner bore. One potential source of damage is due to the undercut being rounded at its outer surface and not allowing the ring to sit flat on the joint of the cylinder block. The rounded undercut weakens the cylinder block with a non uniform stress concentration. Another potential problem, the rounded surface of the counterbore or undercut generally causes problems with sealing between the cylinder block and cylinder liner.
Various rings have been developed in an attempt to improve the stress distribution of the joint in a counterbored cylinder block. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,389,693 to Herschmann discloses a ring that has a cross section whose width to length ratio is at least a 1:1 which supposedly provides a more rigid joint. However, the ring disclosed requires a large undercut to be machined into the cylinder block. In many applications this may not be feasible.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, a remanufactured joint includes a casing having a body receiving bore. The body receiving bore is defined by a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions. The intermediate portion has a first step surface and a lobe engaging surface. The first portion has a first predetermined diameter. The second portion has a second predetermined diameter. The second predetermined diameter is smaller in magnitude than the first predetermined diameter. A first flexible shim has a main body and a plurality of spaced lobes which are connected to the main body. The first flexible shim is disposed in the body receiving bore. The main body is engaged with the first step surface and the plurality of spaced lobes are engaged with the lobe engaging surface. A body has a first body portion, a second body portion, and a second step surface which is located between the first and second body portions. The first body portion is engaged with the first portion. The second body portion is engaged with the second portion and the second step surface is forcibly engaged with the main body.
In another aspect of the present invention, a counterbored joint includes a cylinder block which has a cylinder liner receiving bore. The cylinder liner receiving bore is defined by a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions. The intermediate portion has a first step surface and a lobe engaging surface. The first portion has a predetermined diameter and the second portion has a second predetermined diameter. The second predetermined diameter is smaller in magnitude than the first predetermined diameter. A first flexible shim has a main body and a plurality of spaced lobes which are connected to the main body. The first flexible shim is disposed in the cylinder liner receiving bore. The main body is engaged with the first step surface and the plurality of spaced lobes are engaged with the lobe engaging surface. The cylinder liner has a first liner portion, a second liner portion, and a second step surface which is located between the first and second liner portions. The first liner portion is engaged with the first portion and the second liner portion is engaged with the second portion. The second step surface is forcibly engaged with the main body.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of assembling a body, having a second step surface in a counterbored joint of a casing having a body receiving bore is provided. The body receiving bore has a longitudinal axis and is defined by a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion located between the first and second portions. The intermediate portion is undercutted about the longitudinal axis to a predetermined depth and has a first step surface and a lobe engaging surface. The method comprises of: deforming a first flexible shim having a main body, a plurality of lobes, and a predetermined thickness substantially equal to said predetermined depth of the undercut; positioning the first flexible shim in the undercut and engaging the main body of the flexible shim with the first step surface and the plurality of lobes engaging the lobe engaging surface; positioning the body in the body receiving bore; engaging the second step surface of the body with the first flexible shim, and urging the first flexible shim between the body and the casing to cause bending of the plurality of lobes.
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Bruce Judson R.
Marquis Randy L.
Browne Lynne H.
Cain Larry G.
Caterpillar Inc.
Golden James B.
Malcolm Tomlyne
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