Intake manifold and valve cover module

Details Intake manifold and valve cover module Intake manifold and valve cover module

2000-10-12

2001-10-16

Lo, Weilun (Department: 3748)

Internal-combustion engines

Poppet valve operating mechanism

Lubrication

C123S1950HC, C123S184210

Reexamination Certificate

active

06302074

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an intake manifold and a valve cover preferably for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly, the invention relates to an intake manifold and valve cover module to be installed as a unit onto an engine.
An engine includes an intake manifold for delivering air from the atmosphere to the combustion chambers. Many intake manifold assemblies include fuel injectors and various valves and accessories as a module for ease of shipping and assembly of the intake manifold assembly onto the base engine assembly. The intake manifold assembly is typically installed onto an engine block and cylinder heads of the base engine assembly by threaded fasteners. Engines also include valve covers that are secured to the cylinder head by fasteners typically around the entire perimeter of the valve cover to enclose the rocker arms and intake and exhaust valves to prevent debris from entering the cylinder head and inhibiting its operation. The intake manifold assemblies and valve covers of the prior art are shipped separately and installed separately onto the base engine using many fasteners. It is desirable to provide engine assembly plants with preassembled modules to simplify the assembly of the engine. It is also desirable to use a minimal number of fasteners to speed assembly of the engine and reduce cost. Therefore, what is needed is an intake manifold assembly and valve cover module for installation onto a base engine assembly which may be shipped as a unit and installed onto the base engine assembly using a reduced number of fasteners.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention provides an intake manifold assembly and a valve cover pivotally supported by the intake manifold assembly for rotational movement relative thereto. Preferably, a hinge assembly pivotally supports and connects the valve cover to the intake manifold assembly. During assembly of the engine, the intake manifold assembly is secured to a portion of a base engine assembly such the cylinder head. Specifically, threaded fasteners may secure a flange of the intake manifold assembly which is adjacent to the hinge assembly to the cylinder head. The valve cover is rotated relative to the intake manifold assembly and into engagement with the cylinder head so that a valve cover gasket sealingly engages the cylinder head. Fasteners on a side of the valve cover opposite the hinge assembly secure the valve cover to the cylinder head. Fasteners are not needed on the side of the valve cover that is adjacent to the hinge assembly, as required by the prior art, since the fasteners along the intake manifold assembly flange retain the side of the valve cover assembly adjacent to the hinge assembly into engagement with the cylinder head.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an intake manifold assembly and valve cover module that may be shipped as a unit and which requires a reduced number of fasteners to install onto the base engine assembly.


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