Method of manufacturing a crankshaft
US8533946B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 15, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 15, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/2173
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A crankshaft is cast in a mold to define a plurality of pin bearing journals and a plurality of main bearing journals, at least one of each has a hollow section extending therethrough. A single core is positioned within the mold to form all of the hollow sections. The single core may include a cross-section defining an elliptical shape to form hollow sections having an elliptical cross-sectional shape to further reduce the weight of the crankshaft. The hollow sections are each positioned along a path that minimizes stress within the crankshaft. The path may include a non-linear path relative to a longitudinal axis of the crankshaft or a linear path angled relative to the longitudinal axis to bend or direct the hollow sections away from high stress regions of the crankshaft. The non-circular cross section of the core may spiral about its own axis to maximize mass reduction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.