An apparatus includes a crankshaft gear operatively coupled to an engine. An auxiliary gear is operatively coupled to the engine. An idler gear is operatively coupled to the engine, and is in meshed engagement with each of the crankshaft gear and the auxiliary gear. A ring dowel is fixedly coupled to an engine block. An idler hub has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is fixedly coupled to the ring dowel and the idler gear is rotatably coupled to the outer surface. The idler hub is eccentrically-shaped so that an idler gear centerline is offset from a ring dowel centerline so as to reduce a crankshaft backlash between the crankshaft gear and the idler gear relative to a nominal crankshaft backlash, and so as to substantially maintain an auxiliary backlash between the auxiliary gear and the idler gear relative to a nominal auxiliary backlash.

An apparatus includes a crankshaft gear operatively coupled to an engine. An auxiliary gear is operatively coupled to the engine. An idler gear is operatively coupled to the engine, and is in meshed engagement with each of the crankshaft gear and the auxiliary gear. A ring dowel is fixedly coupled to an engine block. An idler hub has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface is fixedly coupled to the ring dowel and the idler gear is rotatably coupled to the outer surface. The idler hub is eccentrically-shaped so that an idler gear centerline is offset from a ring dowel centerline so as to reduce a crankshaft backlash between the crankshaft gear and the idler gear relative to a nominal crankshaft backlash, and so as to substantially maintain an auxiliary backlash between the auxiliary gear and the idler gear relative to a nominal auxiliary backlash.

An idler shaft (100) used in an engine (10) having a gear cover (16) and a cylinder block (18). The idler shaft (100) includes an integral body (114) having a cylindrical shape. The idler shaft (100) is compressed between the gear cover (16) and the cylinder block (18) when assembled together such that the integral body (114) of the idler shaft (100) provides a clamp load and axial sealing between the gear cover (16) and the cylinder block (18). The idler shaft (100) further includes a passage way (116) fluidly connected to at least one of: the cylinder block (18) and the gear cover (16) for accommodating transmission of a fluid for the engine (10).

An idler shaft (100) used in an engine (10) having a gear cover (16) and a cylinder block (18). The idler shaft (100) includes an integral body (114) having a cylindrical shape. The idler shaft (100) is compressed between the gear cover (16) and the cylinder block (18) when assembled together such that the integral body (114) of the idler shaft (100) provides a clamp load and axial sealing between the gear cover (16) and the cylinder block (18). The idler shaft (100) further includes a passage way (116) fluidly connected to at least one of: the cylinder block (18) and the gear cover (16) for accommodating transmission of a fluid for the engine (10).

A drive mechanism that connects to a rotary drive component for transferring rotary motion to another component. The drive mechanism may be a conversion assembly to facilitate a connection to an existing rotary drive component and transfer the rotary motion to another component. The drive mechanism may include a drive shaft, a housing with a rotary bearing and seal, an enclosure and a drive pulley or other transfer component.

An internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes an output shaft and a spring element which can rotate with the output shaft which is to be tensioned as a result of a deactivation of the internal combustion engine by a rotation of the output shaft, where a spring force can be provided by the spring element and where by the spring force the output shaft can be set into rotation in the event of a start following the deactivation. Via a locking device the output shaft is to be secured against a rotation after tensioning the spring element and while the spring element is tensioned. A blocking device can be shifted between a blocking state securing a first part of the spring element, which has a second part non-rotationally connected to the output shaft, against a rotation and a release state releasing the first part for a rotation.

A system including an engine block and a crankshaft able to rotate around axis A, and a pump with an impeller, the impeller mounted coaxially to the crankshaft such that the crankshaft drives the impeller. The system can be part of an engine for a vehicle, and the pump can drive water or other coolant through the engine.

An accessory drive, including a planetary gear set with a plurality of components arranged to be concentrically disposed around a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The plurality of components includes: a sun gear; a planet carrier; a ring gear; and a planet gear meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear. A first component of the planetary gear set: is arranged to non-rotatably connect to a rotor of an electric motor/generator; and is arranged to connect to a power transfer component for least one accessory. A second component of the planetary gear set is arranged to non-rotatably connect to the crankshaft. For a starting mode of the accessory drive, the electric motor/generator is arranged to: rotate the first component of the planetary gear set; and rotate the second component of the planetary gear set with respect to the first component of the planetary gear set.

An engine assembly is provided that includes an engine having a crankshaft that is caused to rotate response to a firing of the engine, a backplate affixed to the engine and comprising one or more air flow passages formed therethrough, and an engine cooling fan operatively coupled to the crankshaft so as to be rotated by the crankshaft, the engine cooling fan coupled to the crankshaft on a side of the backplate opposite the engine. The engine assembly also includes a fan cover mounted over the engine cooling fan and secured to the backplate, the fan cover including an opening through which an air flow is provided to the engine cooling. The backplate and the fan cover collectively form an air guide that directs a flow of cooling air generated by the engine cooling fan through the one or more air flow passages of the backplate and to the engine.

An engine assembly is provided that includes an engine having a crankshaft that is caused to rotate response to a firing of the engine, a backplate affixed to the engine and comprising one or more air flow passages formed therethrough, and an engine cooling fan operatively coupled to the crankshaft so as to be rotated by the crankshaft, the engine cooling fan coupled to the crankshaft on a side of the backplate opposite the engine. The engine assembly also includes a fan cover mounted over the engine cooling fan and secured to the backplate, the fan cover including an opening through which an air flow is provided to the engine cooling. The backplate and the fan cover collectively form an air guide that directs a flow of cooling air generated by the engine cooling fan through the one or more air flow passages of the backplate and to the engine.