Dimpled surface features for radiated noise attenuation in engine front covers
View Patent ↗An engine assembly is provided including a block defining a plurality of cylinders. A plurality of pistons are disposed in the plurality of cylinders and a crankshaft is drivingly attached to the plurality of pistons. A cover is mounted to an end of the block and supports a crankshaft seal around the crankshaft. The cover includes a dimpled pattern in a surface adjacent to the crankshaft seal.
1. An engine assembly, comprising:
a cylinder block defining a plurality of cylinders;
a plurality of pistons disposed in said plurality of cylinders;
a crankshaft drivingly attached to said plurality of pistons;
a cover mounted to an end of said block and supporting a crankshaft seal around said crankshaft, said cover including a dimpled pattern in a surface adjacent the crankshaft seal.
2. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said cover is made from a cast plate.
3. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced recessed dimples.
4. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced protruding dimples.
5. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are evenly sized.
6. The engine assembly according to claim 5 , wherein said dimples are generally evenly spaced.
7. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples of differing sizes.
8. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are generally circular.
9. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern covers a majority of said cover.
10. The engine assembly according to claim 1 , wherein said dimpled pattern completely surrounds the crankshaft seal.
11. An engine front cover, comprising:
a cast plate-like body having a plurality of mounting apertures and a hole supporting a crankshaft seal, said cast plate-like body including a dimpled pattern in a surface adjacent the crankshaft seal.
12. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced recessed dimples.
13. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes a plurality of spaced protruding dimples.
14. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are evenly sized.
15. The engine assembly according to claim 14 , wherein said dimples are generally evenly spaced.
16. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples of differing sizes.
17. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern includes dimples that are generally circular.
18. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern covers a majority of said cover.
19. The engine front cover according to claim 11 , wherein said dimpled pattern completely surrounds the crankshaft seal.