Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Prime mover or fluid pump making
Patent
1991-12-02
1994-04-19
Cuda, Irene
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Prime mover or fluid pump making
29428, B23D 1500
Patent
active
053034686
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a crankshaft and more particularly to a method of manufacturing the crankshaft. The invention is specifically directed to a lightweight crankshaft comprising a plurality of initially discrete web sections and tubular journal sections which are finish machined and heat treated prior to assembly and have complimentary engageable surfaces joined to each other by electron-beam welding.
BACKGROUND ART
Prior attempts to manufacture individual crankshaft segments and subsequently join the segments by means of conventional or friction welding techniques have proven to be too costly and time consuming. One of the problems involved in such prior attempts is that the individual components where not finish machined and heat treated before assembly therefore the assembled crankshaft needed to be machined and heat treated as a unit and the components selection could not be optimized for useage.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In an aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacturing a crankshaft is provided by manufacturing a plurality of main bearing journal sections. Manufacturing a plurality of connecting rod journal sections. Manufacturing a plurality of counterweight web sections. Manufacturing a pair of crankshaft end. Aligning the journal sections with the counterweight webs and the crankshaft ends. Welding together the separate components.
The present invention provides a lightweight crankshaft which uses finish machined and heat treated separate components assembled and electron-beam welded together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view of a crankshaft constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of a portion of a crankshaft;
FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of a crankshaft journal;
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a counterweight web; and
FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view of a crankshaft end.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a crankshaft 10 which includes a plurality of main bearing journals 12, a plurality of connecting rod journals 14, a plurality of counterweight webs 16, and a pair of crankshaft ends 18 joined together by electron-beam welding, as shown by reference numeral 19. The main bearing journals 12 and the pair of crankshaft ends 18 are on a central axis of rotation 20 of the crankshaft 10. The connecting rod journals are on a second axis 21, parallel and spaced a predetermined distance from the central axis of rotation 20.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the main bearing journals 12 and the connecting rod journals 14 are similar in construction; therefore, only one will be described in detail. Each of the journals 12,14 is tubular in shape and has a first end portion 22 and a second end portion 24 and a central bore 26 extending therebetween. The end portions 22,24 each have an engageable surface 27. The engageable surface 27 includes an end surface 28 and an outwardly inclined surface 30 angling a predetermined degree with respect to the central axis 20 toward the other end portion. A reduced diameter bearing surface 32 extends between the end portions 22,24. An annular radial transition 33 smoothly blends the bearing surface 32 with the end portions 22,24. Each journal has an oil hole 34 extending from the central bore 26 to the bearing surface 32.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, all of the counterweight webs 16 are produced from plate stock and are identical; therefore, only one will be described in detail. An annular groove 34 is formed in one side of the counterweight web 16 on the central axis of rotation 20 for receiving the engageable surface 27 of the main bearing journal 12. The annular groove 35 defines a central boss 36 sized to be inserted in the central bore 26 of the main bearing journal 12. The annular groove 34 has an outwardly inclined outer surface 38 angling a predetermined degree with respect to the central axis of rotation 20. An annular groove 40 is formed on the other side of
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Cieszkiewicz Anthony F.
Clements Thomas E.
Caterpillar Inc.
Cuda Irene
Glastetter Calvin E.
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