The present invention relates to a mechanical system (1), comprising a bearing (4) and a shaft (10) coupled to the bearing (4), especially for an internal combustion engine, being subjected to average contact pressures of less than 200 MPa. The shaft (10) has at least one area (12) provided with an anti-seizing surface coating (20), having a surface hardness at least twice that of the bearing (4), and a microtexturation (30) comprised of a set of individual microcavities (31), distributed in said area (12). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such a mechanical system (1).

A method of manufacturing a bearing pin with an external lubrication channel and the bearing pin formed thereby are disclosed. The method includes fixing a rotational orientation of the bearing pin along a pin axis, cutting an outer surface of the bearing pin in a first straight line across a first convex portion thereof to create a first open external groove of the lubrication channel; and cutting an outer surface of the bearing pin in a second straight line across a second convex portion thereof to create a second open external groove of the lubrication channel. The grooves have a concave sectional profile and circumferential open ends disposed intermediate and not intersecting the ends of the bearing pin.

An improved crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a self-pumping feature for oil to lubricate the rod bearing journals. Leading faces of the lobes carrying the rod bearing journals contain funnel ports to gather oil as the crankshaft rotates about its axis of rotation. The funnel ports are fluidly connected to an internal passageway within the crankpin. Outlet ports oriented radially inwards and outwards from the internal passageway allow the oil to flow into the space between the crankpin and the rod bearing. In this way, as the crankshaft rotates within the crank housing, oil captured by the funnel ports flows through the internal passageway and through the outlet ports so as to lubricate the rod bearing around the crankpin.

Improved engine crankshaft thrust bearing includes an arrangement in which the thrust bearing can be employed with a first type of crankshaft for a replacement engine block and also with a different, second type of crankshaft that can also be employed in the replacement engine block. The second type of crankshaft was previously used in the engine block being replaced.

An improved crankshaft for an internal combustion engine with a self-pumping feature for oil to lubricate the rod bearing journals. Leading faces of the lobes carrying the rod bearing journals contain funnel ports to gather oil as the crankshaft rotates about its axis of rotation. The funnel ports are fluidly connected to an internal passageway within the crankpin. Outlet ports oriented radially inwards and outwards from the internal passageway allow the oil to flow into the space between the crankpin and the rod bearing. In this way, as the crankshaft rotates within the crank housing, oil captured by the funnel ports flows through the internal passageway and through the outlet ports so as to lubricate the rod bearing around the crankpin.

A sealed rolling bearing is provided which includes slingers, and seal members disposed between the inner ring and the outer ring, and sealing the rolling element installation area. The radially inner and outer portions of each slinger are bent inwardly such that a labyrinth portion is defined between the radially outer bent portion of the slinger and the radially inner surface of the outer ring, the labyrinth portion having a path length, in the axial direction of the bearing, longer than the material thickness of the slinger.

A variable length connecting rod includes a connecting rod body, an eccentric member, a first piston mechanism, a second piston mechanism and a flow-direction switching mechanism. The eccentric member, the first piston member, the second piston member and the flow-direction switching mechanism are provided in the connecting rod body. The first piston mechanism and the second piston mechanism are configured to pivot the eccentric member. The connecting rod body has a control oil passage that communicates with a first opening of the connecting rod and the flow-direction switching mechanism. The flow-direction switching mechanism is switched between the first state and the second state by switching pins. The switching pins are disposed in the connecting rod body such that directions in which the switching pins are operated are angled with respect to a plane perpendicular to an axis of the first opening.

A sliding member of the present invention includes a coating on a base material. The coating contains hard metal particles and corrosion-resistant metal particles that have hardness lower than that of the hard metal particles. The hard metal particles contain particles that have at least Vickers hardness of 600 Hv or higher. The corrosion-resistant metal particles are made of at least one kind of metal selected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), or are made of an alloy containing said metal. The coating has a cross section in which the hard metal particles are dispersed in an island manner in a particle aggregate of the corrosion-resistant metal particles and in which an area ratio of the corrosion-resistant metal particles is 30% or larger. Thus, corrosion of the hard metal particles in the coating is prevented, whereby the sliding member maintains wear resistance for a long time.

transmission device, particularly for an engine with variable compression rate and/or variable displacement, includes, in a cylinder housing: a combustion piston, capable of moving in a combustion cylinder of the engine and secured to a transmission member; a gear engaging with a first rack of the transmission member and providing transmission of the movement between the combustion piston and a crankshaft of the engine; a connecting rod engaging, at a first end, with the gear and, at a second end, with the crankshaft; and a control member engaging with the gear and secured to a control piston. The combustion piston and the transmission member are slidably linked with the cylinder housing in a main direction.

An overlay of a sliding component, such as a sliding component for an engine, may provide a bearing surface against a steel journal, for example. The overlay may include intermetallic particles disposed in a matrix including tin (Sn). The matrix may be formed by electroplating. Examples of intermetallic particles include, but are not limited to, aluminides and nickel aluminides. The matrix may include an electroplated matrix of tin and/or a tin alloy.