Method and device for breaking separation of bearing caps

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for breaking separation of at least one bearing cap of a corresponding thrust block in the bearing assembly of engine cases provided with bearing bores which are arranged in-line, in particular crankshaft cases for alternative piston engines. The inventive method consists in introducing an extension mandrel comprising two half-mandrels into at least one bearing hole, said half-mandrels being distant from each other in order to produce breaking separation force between the thrust block and the bearing cap. Said invention is characterized in that the bearing cap is clamped in such a way that it is non-rotatable except in a limited manner in the direction of breaking separation between a corresponding half-mandrel and a fixing device.

1 . A method for breaking separation of at least one bearing cap from a corresponding thrust block in a bearing assembly of an engine case provided with bearing bores arranged in-line, the method comprising the steps of, 
 inserting an extension mandrel comprising two half-mandrels into at least one bearing bore,    clamping said bearing cap between a corresponding half-mandrel and a fixing means to secure said bearing cap against rotation, while allowing said bearing cap to be freely movable to a limited degree in the direction of breaking separation, and    moving said half-mandrels apart to produce a breaking separation force between said thrust block and said bearing cap.    
   
   
       2 . A device configured to perform breaking separation of at least one bearing cap from a corresponding thrust block in a bearing assembly of an engine case provided with bearing bores arranged in-line, comprising 
 an extension mandrel insertable into at least one of said bearing bores and said extension mandrel has two half-mandrels,    an expander for moving said half-mandrels apart, said expander taking effect between said half-mandrels,    at least two gripping means, said gripping means being couplable to said half-mandrel corresponding to said at least one bearing cap, and    a fixing means connected to said at least two gripping means,    wherein said at least one bearing cap being clampable between said corresponding half-mandrel and said fixing means and a unit comprising said corresponding half-mandrel, said gripping means, said fixing means and said clamped bearing cap is supported in a freely movable manner to a limited degree, though secured against rotation, in the direction of breaking separation.    
   
   
       3 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said half-mandrel corresponding to said bearing cap, comprises at least one recess or at least one projection engageable with said gripping means.  
   
   
       4 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said half-mandrel corresponding to said bearing cap comprises, at its periphery on mutually facing sides, tangentially extending insertion slots for said gripping means, said slots being in communication with said at least one recess.  
   
   
       5 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said at least one recess, when viewed in an axial direction of said extension mandrel, is positioned axially adjacent to said insertion slots in each case and merges into said slots.  
   
   
       6 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said gripping means are formed by a first and a second pincer, each of the first and the second pincers comprise fixed jaws, said jaws having, at their ends, engagement members facing towards one another.  
   
   
       7 . A device in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein said engagement members engage with said at least one recess within said half-mandrel corresponding to said bearing cap or engage behind said at least one projection.  
   
   
       8 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said fixing means connected to said gripping means comprises at least one force-actuated detent.  
   
   
       9 . A device in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein at least two detents are spaced apart from one another, said detents acting upon said bearing cap at that side which is opposite said corresponding half-mandrel.  
   
   
       10 . A device in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein the engine case comprises a crankshaft case for a reciprocating piston engine.  
   
   
       11 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the engine case comprises a crankshaft case for a reciprocating piston engine.  
   
   
       12 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein a peripheral portion of the said half mandrel corresponding to said bearing cap comprises tangentially extending insertion slots at mutually facing sides.  
   
   
       13 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein said half mandrel corresponding to said bearing cap further comprises at least one recess.  
   
   
       14 . A method in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein the step of clamping includes the step of placing the insertion slots in communication with the at least one recess.  
   
   
       15 . A method in accordance with  claim 13 , further comprising the step of traversing in a sliding manner over the corresponding half mandrel a gripping means.  
   
   
       16 . An engine formed in part by breaking separation of at least one bearing cap from a corresponding thrust block in a bearing assembly of an engine case provided with bearing bores arranged in-line, the breaking separation comprising steps of, 
 inserting an extension mandrel comprising two half-mandrels into at least one bearing bore,    clamping said bearing cap between a corresponding half-mandrel and a fixing means to secure said bearing cap against rotation, while allowing said bearing cap to be freely movable to a limited degree in the direction of breaking separation, and    moving said half-mandrels apart to produce a breaking separation force between said thrust block and said bearing cap.