Apparatus, systems, and methods for engine dowel installation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12337397-B2
Application number	US-202318365579-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 4, 2023
Priority date	Mar 16, 2021
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A drill jig apparatus configured to be coupled to a locomotive bedplate is presented. The apparatus can include a first member and a second member. The first member can be configured to attach a drill to provide stability while drilling, and the second member can be operably coupled to a locomotive, such as to an engine and bedplate of a locomotive. An engine dowel drilling system is also presented, which can include a drill jig member and a bushing member, and the members can be operably coupled with one another. A method of drilling holes in a locomotive bedplate can include using a drill jig and a bushing to facilitate drilling, and the drill jig can be a conductor-side jig or an engineer-side jig. A kit is also presented for engine dowel installation that can standardize dowels and dowel holes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method of fabricating holes in a locomotive engine, the method including the steps of:
selecting either a conductor-side jig configured to accommodate locomotive components on a conductor-side of a locomotive engine or an engineer-side jig to accommodate locomotive components on an engineer-side of a locomotive engine;
coupling the selected drill jig having a first member and a second member with at least one opening, to a base of the corresponding side of the locomotive engine, wherein the first member is located a pre-determined distance above the second member and the second member is configured to engage the engine base, wherein the second member includes a jig bolt hole configured to overlay an engine mounting bolt hole;
coupling a bushing having a cavity configured to receive a drill bit with a first opening in the second member; and
drilling a hole in the engine base via a drill positioned on the second member.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of adjusting a jacking bolt operably coupled to the selected drill jig to stabilize the drill jig against a surface.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of identifying a drilling area within at least one opening.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of coupling the selected drill jig to the engine base with a jig bolt.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second member includes one or more dowel holes configured to receive and engage the bushing.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second member includes a pin configured to abut the bushing such that when torque is applied to or within the bushing, the bushing can be secured in place by the pin.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the pin is configured to engage a notch in a bushing, such that rotation of the bushing is restricted.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the selected drill jig standardizes the dowel placement.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first member includes a lifting eye hole.

10. A method of fabricating holes in a locomotive engine, the method including the steps of:
selecting either a conductor-side jig configured to accommodate locomotive components on a conductor-side of a locomotive engine or an engineer-side jig to accommodate locomotive components on an engineer-side of a locomotive engine;
coupling the selected drill jig having a first member and a second member with a plurality of openings, to a base of the corresponding side of the locomotive engine, wherein the first member is located a pre-determined distance above the second member and the second member is configured to engage the engine base, wherein the second member includes a jig bolt hole configured to overlay an engine mounting bolt hole;
providing multiple locations via the plurality of openings in which a dowel hole can be drilled into the engine base;
coupling a bushing having a cavity configured to receive a drill bit with a first opening in the second member; and
drilling at least one dowel hole in the engine base via a drill positioned on the second member.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of adjusting a jacking bolt operably coupled to the selected drill jig to stabilize the drill jig against a surface.

12. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of identifying a drilling area within at least one opening.

13. The method of claim 10 , further comprising the step of coupling the selected drill jig to the engine base with a jig bolt.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second member includes one or more dowel holes configured to receive and engage the bushing.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the second member includes a pin configured to abut the bushing such that when torque is applied to or within the bushing, the bushing can be secured in place by the pin.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the pin is configured to engage a notch in a bushing, such that rotation of the bushing is restricted.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the selected drill jig standardizes the dowel placement.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first member includes a lifting eye hole.

Assignees

• Bnsf Railway Co

Inventors

• Valentine Larry C
• Kimberlin Ryan L
• Teaford Mike E

Classifications

• B23B35/00

  Methods for boring or drilling, or for working essentially requiring the use of boring or drilling machines; Use of auxiliary equipment in connection with such methods · CPC title

• B23B2247/00

  Details of drilling jigs · CPC title

• B23B41/12

  for forming working surfaces of cylinders, of bearings, e.g. in heads of driving rods, or of other engine parts · CPC title

• B23B2215/24

  Components of internal combustion engines (B23B2215/16 and B23B2215/20 take precedence) · CPC title

• B23B2247/12

  Drilling jigs with means to affix the jig to the workpiece · CPC title