Engine block clamp assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10274109-B2
Application number	US-201615064749-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 9, 2016
Priority date	Mar 9, 2016
Publication date	Apr 30, 2019
Grant date	Apr 30, 2019

Abstract

An engine block clamp assembly is provided. The engine block clamp assembly may comprise an engine block clamp frame configured to clamp around the axially outward edge of a silicone insert. The silicone insert may comprise a series of apertures configured to removably receive external engine tubes and electrical harnesses. The engine block clamp frame may comprise a tabbed clamp half and a slot clamp half. The tabbed clamp half may have a tabbed end and a mounting end. The tabbed end may comprise a tabbed hinge. The slot clamp half may comprise a slot end and a mounting end. The slot end may comprise a slot. The tabbed hinge may be configured to operatively fit within the slot to couple the tabbed clamp half to the slot clamp half.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An engine block clamp assembly, comprising:
a silicone insert having an aperture, a first fastener recess, and a second fastener recess; and
an engine block clamp frame configured to clamp around a circumferential edge of the silicone insert, the engine block clamp frame comprising:
a tabbed clamp half;
a slot clamp half coupled to the tabbed clamp half;
a first retaining clip coupled to an outer surface of the tabbed clamp half by a first fastener, the first retaining clip comprising a first clip main body and a first clip end bent inward towards the slot clamp half from a longitudinal distal end of the first clip main body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the tabbed clamp half is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first clip main body, and wherein the first clip end is configured to retain the silicone insert between the tabbed clamp half and the slot clamp half; and
a second retaining clip coupled to an outer surface of the slot clamp half by a second fastener, the second retaining clip comprising a second clip main body and a second clip end bent inward towards the tabbed clamp half from a longitudinal distal end of the second clip main body, wherein a longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the slot clamp half is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second clip main body, wherein the second clip end is configured to retain the silicone insert between the tabbed clamp half and the slot clamp half, and wherein the first fastener recess is configured to provide a first clearance for the first fastener, and the second fastener recess is configured to provide a second clearance for the second fastener;
wherein either the first fastener comprises a first rivet configured to be bucked to couple the first retaining clip to the tabbed clamp half or the second fastener comprises a second rivet configured to be bucked to couple the second retaining clip to the slot clamp half.

2. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tabbed clamp half comprises a tabbed end opposite of a tabbed clamp half mounting end, and wherein the tabbed end comprises a tabbed hinge.

3. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 2 , wherein the slot clamp half comprises a slot end opposite of a slot clamp mounting end, wherein the slot end comprises a slot, and wherein the slot clamp half couples to the tabbed clamp half by inserting the tabbed hinge into the slot.

4. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the silicone insert is formed using a waterjet cutting process.

5. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 4 , wherein the waterjet cutting process uses a pure water to cut the silicone insert, without the use of any abrasive media in water.

6. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the circumferential edge of the silicone insert defines a relief cut configured to enable the silicon insert to securely fit within the engine block clamp frame.

7. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the silicone insert defines an expansion slit extending from the aperture to the circumferential edge, wherein the expansion slit is configured to expand in response to an engine harness or a tube being inserted within the aperture.

8. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first clip end of the first retaining clip comprises a first shape, wherein the second clip end of the second retaining clip comprises a second shape, and wherein each of the first shape and the second shape comprises a triangle, a square, or a rounded edge.

9. An engine block clamp assembly, comprising:
a tabbed clamp half having a tabbed end opposite of a tabbed clamp half mounting end, wherein the tabbed end comprises a tabbed hinge and the tabbed clamp half mounting end comprises a tabbed clamp half mounting hole;
a slot clamp half having a slot end opposite of a slot clamp half mounting end, wherein the slot end comprises a slot and the slot clamp half mounting end comprises a slot clamp half mounting hole, and wherein the slot clamp half is configured to couple to the tabbed clamp half by inserting the tabbed hinge into the slot;
a tabbed clamp half retaining clip coupled by a first fastener to an outer surface of the tabbed clamp half, wherein the tabbed clamp half retaining clip is coupled to the outer surface of the tabbed clamp half at a first coupling point located between the tabbed end and the tabbed clamp half mounting end, wherein the tabbed clamp half retaining clip comprises a first retaining clip main body and a first retaining clip end bent inward towards the slot clamp half from a longitudinal distal end of the first retaining clip main body, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the tabbed clamp half is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the first retaining clip main body; and
a slot clamp half retaining clip coupled by a second fastener to an outer surface of the slot clamp half, wherein the slot clamp half retaining clip is coupled to the outer surface of the slot clamp half at a second coupling point located between the slot end and the slot clamp half mounting end, wherein the slot clamp half retaining clip comprises a second retaining clip main body and a second retaining clip end bent inward towards the tabbed clamp half from a longitudinal distal end of the second retaining clip main body, and wherein a longitudinal axis of the outer surface of the slot clamp half is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the second retaining clip main body;
wherein either the first fastener comprises a first rivet configured to be bucked to couple the tabbed clamp half retaining clip to the tabbed clamp half or the second fastener comprises a second rivet configured to be bucked to couple the slot clamp half retaining clip to the slot clamp half.

10. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 9 , further comprising a silicone insert, wherein the tabbed clamp half and the slot clamp half are configured to clamp around a circumferential edge of the silicone insert.

11. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 10 , wherein the silicone insert is formed using a waterjet cutting process.

12. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 11 , wherein the waterjet cutting process uses a pure water to cut the silicone insert, without the use of any abrasive media in water.

13. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 11 , wherein the silicone insert comprises a width of 0.75 inch.

14. The engine block clamp assembly of claim 9 , wherein the slot end of the slot clamp half defines a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion comprises the slot and the second portion comprises a slot end mounting hole.

15. An engine block clamp assembly, comprising:
a silicone insert having at least one aperture; and
an engine block clamp frame configured to clamp around a circumferential edge of the silicone insert, the engine block clamp frame comprising:
a tabbed clamp half having a tabbed end opposite of a tabbed clamp half mounting end, wherein the tabbed end comprises a tabbed hinge;
a slot clamp half having a slot end opposite of a slot clamp half mounting end, wherein the slot end comprises a slot, and wherein the slot clamp half is configured to couple to the tabbed clamp half by inserting the tabbed hinge into the slot;
a tabbed clamp half retaining clip coupled via a first fastener to an outer surface of the tabbed clamp half, wherein the tabbed clamp half retaining clip is coupled to the outer surface of the tabbed clamp half at a first coupling point located between the tabbed end and the tabbed clamp half mounting end, wherein t

Assignees

• United Technologies Corp

Inventors

• Kozan Stuart C
• Cote Conrad W

Classifications

• F16L55/035

  in the form of specially adapted hangers or supports · CPC title

• F16L3/2235

  each pipe being supported by a common element fastened to the base · CPC title

• F16L3/1083 Primary

  with two members, the two members being hooked in on one side and fastened together on the other side · CPC title

• B60R16/0215

  Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor · CPC title

• F16L3/223

  each support having one transverse base for supporting the pipes (F16L3/23, F16L3/237 take precedence) · CPC title