THRUST PLATE FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME

摘要

An internal combustion engine (10) includes an engine block (12) defining at least one row (14, 16) of cylinders (18) extending from a first end (20) toward a second end (22). The internal combustion engine (10) also includes a front housing (24) attached to the first end (20) of the engine block (12). An idler gear assembly (50) includes an idler gear (34) rotatably mounted on a stub shaft (52) and has a first attachment (60) to the engine block (12) and a second attachment (62) to the front housing (24). A thrust plate (54) is positioned between the front housing (24) and the idler gear assembly (50) and includes an annular thrust surface (92), a pair of sealed fastener device openings (72, 74), and an unsealed lubrication opening (82).