Linamar has been granted a patent for an innovative engine balance shaft designed for internal combustion engines. The shaft features a hydroformed hollow tube that reduces mass and rotational inertia while maintaining necessary stiffness and balance, integrating multiple components for enhanced performance. GlobalData’s report on Linamar gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Linamar, Battery pack swapping was a key innovation area identified from patents. Linamar's grant share as of July 2024 was 63%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Engine balance shaft with reduced mass and rotational inertia
The patent US12071999B2 describes an innovative engine balance shaft designed for internal combustion engines. The balance shaft features a hollow tube with a longitudinal passageway, front and rear bearing journals, and an elongated counterweight. The assembly process involves passing a portion of the tube through the passageways of the bearing journals, followed by a hydroforming process that expands the tube to secure the journals in place. The design includes a tail piece and a nose piece that enclose the respective openings of the tube, enhancing structural integrity. The balance shaft is constructed from metal, with specific materials chosen for their yield strength properties to optimize performance.
Additionally, the claims detail various structural enhancements, such as contoured portions of the tube that increase bending stiffness and the inclusion of air voids within the tube passageway. The balance shaft may also incorporate a second counterweight positioned within the tube, which is fixed during the hydroforming process. The assembly is designed to ensure a secure fit through methods such as welding and elastic interference fitments. The patent outlines the specific configurations and materials used, emphasizing the balance shaft's ability to maintain stability and performance in engine applications.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
