Granted Patent B2

US 7,753,592 · App. 11/520,322 · Granted Jul 13, 2010

Abstract

Claims (23)

1. A bearing cap comprising:

a body comprising:

an abutment surface for coupling said bearing cap to an engine;

a bearing surface capable of at least partially capturing a balance shaft when said bearing cap abuts said engine;

a first exterior surface;

a top surface;

a first aperture and second aperture positioned on a first side of said bearing surface, said first and second apertures extending from said top surface through said abutment surface; and

a first recess extending into said first exterior surface between said first and second apertures to provide weight reduction to said bearing cap;

wherein a portion said abutment surface forms a ledge between said first and second apertures.

2. The bearing cap of claim 1 wherein said top surface is arranged generally opposite to said abutment surface.

3. The bearing cap of claim 1 wherein said first exterior surface is arranged generally perpendicular to and adjacent to said abutment surface.

4. The bearing cap of claim 3 wherein said first recess is an elongated channel.

5. The bearing cap of claim 4 wherein

said elongated channel comprises:

a first end located proximate to and spaced apart from said abutment surface; and

a second end terminating at said top surface.

6. The bearing cap of claim 1 wherein said first recess is centrally located between said first and second apertures.

7. The bearing cap of claim 1 wherein the body further comprises:

a second exterior surface arranged opposite and generally parallel to said first exterior surface; and

a second recess extending into said second exterior surface to further provide weight reduction to said bearing cap.

8. The bearing cap of claim 7 wherein said second recess is an elongated channel that is located between said first and second apertures.

9. The bearing cap of claim 8 wherein said second recess is arranged opposite to said first recess.

10. The bearing cap of claim 8 wherein the bearing cap maintains structural integrity to secure said balance shaft to said engine.

Assignments (35)