Importance

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Abstract

Method and apparatus for precisely positioning a gear plate (10) on the block (12) of an internal combustion engine equipped with an accessory drive gear train (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36) are disclosed whereby the precise positioning of the gear plate (10) results in the precise alignment of the gears mounted thereon. The present invention achieves this result by utilizing the shafts (56 and 58) of two of the gears (34 and 36) in the gear train as primary and secondary positioning means. Primary and secondary positioning bores (66) are formed in the engine block (12) and in the gear plate (10) and the primary and secondary gear shafts (60) inserted therein to position the gear plate (10) first at a point along a first axis relative to the engine block (12) and secondly at a point along a second axis relative to the engine block (12). The gears (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36) mounted on the gear train are thus maintained in correct alignment relative to the engine crankshaft and camshaft gears (14, 18) and to adjacent mating gears (32, 34, 36, 26). Insertion of the positioning gear shafts (60) into the corresponding positioning bores (66) in the engine block facilitates connection of these gears with the engine lubrication system and results in these gear shafts (66) being self-lubricating. Also disclosed are a mounting arm (88) integral with the gear plate (10) for variably positioning a radial gear (26) which drives the fan clutch assembly (86) and a lubrication pump assembly (95) having a mounting frame (104) which is received by aperture (104a) in the gear plate (10) and is driven by one of the radial gears (22) in the accessory gear train (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34 and 36).

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First Claim