CN114729584A

CN114729584A - Lubrication fluid discharge system

Info

Publication number: CN114729584A
Application number: CN202080078904.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: J·A·多兹; P·A·莱戈特
Original assignee: Cummins Inc
Current assignee: Cummins Inc
Priority date: 2019-11-15
Filing date: 2020-11-10
Publication date: 2022-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-10
Also published as: GB2589562A; CN114729584B; GB201916704D0; WO2021096826A1; GB2589562B

Abstract

An internal combustion engine includes an engine lubrication fluid storage system having a primary storage volume and a secondary storage volume separate from the primary storage volume. The secondary storage volume is connected to the primary storage volume by a fluid flow path that is normally closed by a valve associated with a filtration device. Removing the filtering device during a service event unseals the fluid flow path, allowing fluid to flow from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume for discharge from the engine during the service event.

Description

Lubrication fluid discharge system

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to uk patent application No. 1916704.8, filed on 2019, 11, 15, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine including a lubrication system, and more particularly, to a drain system for an engine lubrication fluid storage system separate from a crankcase.

Background

In an internal combustion engine, a supply of lubricating fluid, such as engine oil, is provided in an oil pan at the bottom of the engine. During engine operation, the pump is used to deliver oil from the oil sump to the working portions of the engine in order to lubricate the engine's moving parts and provide other functions. Lubrication fluid is constantly supplied to these moving parts, and the lubrication fluid returns to the oil pan through various paths by gravity flow. Cylinders and other components in internal combustion engines need to be lubricated by oil or other suitable fluid to be able to function properly.

In order to maintain the engine in a normal operating condition, the lubricating fluid must be replaced periodically. Capacitors have been developed to increase the amount of lubricating fluid stored by the engine, thereby increasing the time interval between maintenance events in which the lubricating fluid is replaced. Some examples of oil based capacitors are provided in U.S. patent No. 5,479,886, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, the duration of a maintenance event to replace the lubrication fluid is increased by having to wait for the lubrication fluid to leak or drain from the capacitor. The oil capacitor may not even be discharged during a servicing event. Accordingly, further improvements in lubrication fluid drainage and maintenance are needed.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments include an internal combustion engine including an engine lubricating fluid storage system having a primary storage volume and a secondary storage volume separate from the primary storage volume. The secondary storage volume is connected to the primary storage volume by a fluid flow path that is normally closed by a valve associated with a filtration device. Removing the filtering device during a service event unseals the fluid flow path, allowing fluid to flow from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume for discharge from the engine during the service event.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the exemplary embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features, advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the following description and drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an internal combustion engine including a lubrication fluid storage system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the internal combustion engine and lubricating fluid storage system of FIG. 1, wherein the fluid flow path between the fluid storage systems is closed.

Fig. 3 is a perspective schematic view of the lubricating fluid storage system of fig. 1 with the fluid flow path between the fluid storage systems open.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring to fig. 1, an internal combustion engine system 100 includes an internal combustion engine 102, the internal combustion engine 102 having a cylinder block 104, the cylinder block 104 housing and/or supporting a plurality of components 106 commonly found on internal combustion engines, such as one or more crankshafts, a plurality of cylinders, pistons, gears, pumps, housings, turbines, and the like. The system 100 also includes a lubrication fluid storage system 120 mounted on the engine to receive lubrication fluid (such as oil) from at least one of the components 106 and return the lubrication fluid to the plurality of components 106 for lubrication and/or cooling.

The internal combustion engine 102 may be any type of internal combustion engine that requires lubrication, including at least a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, or a natural gas engine, and/or combinations thereof. The internal combustion engine 102 may include a single cylinder bank, a dual cylinder bank, or other cylinder bank arrangement. For the internal combustion engine 102, any number of cylinders and cylinder arrangements are contemplated.

With further reference to fig. 2-3, the lubricating fluid storage system 120 includes a primary storage volume 122 and a secondary storage volume 124 that each store lubricating fluid that returns by gravity (as indicated by arrows 126) from the component 106 through various passages. The main storage volume 122 may include, for example, a crankcase and/or an oil pan of the engine 102. The secondary storage volume 124 may comprise, for example, a fluid capacitor that provides additional volume for lubrication fluid storage to achieve an extended interval between lubrication fluid changes than could be achieved if only the primary storage volume 122 were available for lubrication fluid storage.

The secondary storage volume 124 may include one or more

secondary storage volumes

124a, 124b, 124c joined together by a discharge path 128a, 128b connecting

bottom ends

130a, 130b, 130c of the secondary storage volumes 120a, 120b, 120c, as shown in fig. 1. At least one of the secondary storage volumes 120a is fluidly connected to a first fluid flow path 132, the fluid flow path 132 being associated with a filtration device 134, such as a cartridge filter. The filter apparatus includes a valve 136 that generally separates the first fluid flow path 132 from a second fluid flow path in fluid communication with the main storage volume 122.

As shown in fig. 2-3, the secondary storage volume 124 is located in an oil drainage chamber 140 of the cylinder 104 above the primary storage volume 122. The secondary storage volume 124 includes a main wall 142 connected to the cylinder 104 at a bottom end 144. The main wall 142 angles outwardly from the cylinder 104 in an "L" or "J" shape and extends to an upper end 146 of the main wall 142. The upper end 146 forms a weir that provides an overflow path for the lubricating fluid to flow from the secondary storage volume 124 to the primary storage volume 122. The main wall 142 is spaced inwardly from the cylinder wall 170 so as to provide a blow-by gas passage 172 for blow-by gas, as indicated by arrow 174.

The secondary storage volume 124 also includes a dividing wall 150 between the cylinder 104 and the main wall 142 that divides the storage volume 124 into a first portion 156 and a second portion 158. The lubrication fluid 160 discharged from the component 106 flows into the first portion 156. The upper end of the divider wall 150 may include a cap 156 that prevents the flow of lubrication fluid into the second portion 158. The partition wall 150 includes a lower end 152 that is spaced apart from the main wall 142 to form an opening so that the lubrication fluid may flow from the first portion 156 to the second portion 158 of the second storage volume 124, as indicated by arrow 162. When sufficient lubrication fluid has accumulated in the secondary storage volume 124, the lubrication fluid flows from the second portion 158 and over the weir at the upper end 146, as indicated by arrow 164. During normal operation of the engine 102, the secondary reservoir volume 124 holds a sufficient amount of lubricating fluid to avoid crankshaft sag at start-up.

As can be observed from fig. 2, removal of the drain plug 180 will drain only the lubrication fluid from the main reservoir volume 122. To discharge the secondary storage volume 124, the valve 136 associated with the filter device 134 is removed to unseal the first flow path 132. This allows lubrication from the main reservoir volume 124 to be discharged through the second flow path 138 to the main reservoir volume 122, as shown in fig. 3 and indicated by arrow 182. Thus, when the filter device 134 and associated valves closing the

fluid flow paths

132, 138 are removed, substantially all of the lubricating fluid from the secondary and

primary storage volumes

124, 122 may be drained through the opening 184 created by removal of the plug 180. If multiple

secondary storage volumes

124a, 124b, 124c are provided, all of the

secondary storage volumes

124a, 124b, 124c are discharged as they are joined by discharge paths 128a, 128b at the level or plane of the first fluid flow path 132.

Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated as indicated in the claims appended hereto. According to one aspect, a system includes an internal combustion engine including a cylinder block, a plurality of components supported by the cylinder block, and a lubrication fluid for lubricating the plurality of components. The system also includes a lubricating fluid storage system for storing a supply of the lubricating fluid to lubricate the plurality of components. The lubricating fluid storage system comprising: a main storage volume for storing the lubricating fluid for circulation to the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine; and a secondary storage volume for storing additional lubricating fluid to be supplied to the primary storage volume through an overflow path during operation of the internal combustion engine. A fluid flow path connects the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume. The fluid flow path is normally closed and unsealed during a service event for flow of lubrication fluid from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume.

In one embodiment, wherein the internal combustion engine comprises a filter device having a valve that normally closes the fluid flow path. In one embodiment, removing the filtration device during the service event opens the fluid flow path.

In one embodiment, the fluid flow path is connected to the bottom of the secondary storage volume. In one embodiment, the secondary storage volume comprises a weir defining the overflow path.

In one embodiment, the secondary storage volume comprises a plurality of secondary storage volumes linked to each other by a discharge path. In one embodiment, the discharge path and the fluid flow path lie on a common plane such that lubrication from all of the plurality of secondary storage volumes is discharged when the fluid flow path is unsealed.

In one embodiment, the secondary storage volume includes a first portion for receiving lubricating fluid discharged from the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine, and a second portion spaced from the first portion to receive lubricating fluid from the first portion, the second portion including a weir providing the overflow path for the lubricating fluid to flow to the main storage volume. In one embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are separated by a partition wall, the partition wall providing an opening between the first portion and the second portion at the bottom of the partition wall. In one embodiment, the partition wall comprises a cap extending over the second portion to direct the lubricating fluid discharged from the internal combustion engine into the first portion of the secondary storage volume.

In another aspect, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine includes: a main storage volume for providing lubricating fluid to an internal combustion engine; and a secondary storage volume for receiving the lubricating fluid from the internal combustion engine. The secondary storage volume provides lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume through an overflow path. The secondary storage volume is connected to the primary storage volume by a normally closed fluid flow path, and the fluid flow path is unsealed during a service time when the lubricating fluid is drained from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume through the fluid flow path.

In one embodiment, the lubrication system includes a filter device including a valve that normally closes the fluid flow path and moves away from the fluid flow path to unseal the fluid flow path upon removal of the filter device during the service event. In one embodiment, the primary storage volume comprises an oil sump and the secondary storage volume comprises an oil capacitor.

In one embodiment, the fluid flow path comprises an inlet at the bottom of the secondary storage volume and an outlet above the primary storage volume. In one embodiment, the secondary storage volume comprises a plurality of secondary storage volumes joined by a discharge path configured such that lubrication fluid from each of the storage volumes flows to the fluid flow path during the service event.

In one embodiment, the secondary storage volume comprises a first portion for receiving lubricating fluid discharged from the internal combustion engine, and a second portion spaced from the first portion to receive lubricating fluid from the first portion, the second portion comprising a weir providing the overflow path for the lubricating fluid to flow to the primary storage volume. In one embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are separated by a partition wall, the partition wall providing an opening between the first portion and the second portion at the bottom of the partition wall.

In one embodiment, the partition wall comprises a cover extending over the second portion to direct the lubricating fluid discharged from the internal combustion engine into the first portion of the secondary storage volume.

In another aspect, a method for servicing an internal combustion engine including a lubricating fluid includes: removing the filter device having the valve closing the fluid flow path; draining lubricating fluid from the upper storage volume to the lower storage volume through the fluid flow path unsealed by removal of the filtering device; and discharging the lubricating fluid from the lower storage volume.

In one embodiment, the method comprises: the filter device is mounted to close the fluid flow path through the valve. In one embodiment, discharging the lubricating fluid comprises: discharging the lubricating fluid from a plurality of upper storage volumes.

Any embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with one or more other embodiments, unless otherwise excluded.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described. Those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications may be made in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the following claims.

In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a/an", "at least one", or "at least one portion" are used, the claims are not limited to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claims. When the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used, the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an internal combustion engine including a cylinder block, a plurality of components supported by the cylinder block, and a lubricating fluid for lubricating the plurality of components;

a lubricating fluid storage system for storing a supply of the lubricating fluid to lubricate the plurality of components, the lubricating fluid storage system comprising:

a main storage volume for storing the lubricating fluid for circulation to the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine;

a secondary storage volume for storing lubricating fluid for supply to the primary storage volume through an overflow path during operation of the internal combustion engine; and

a fluid flow path connecting the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume, wherein the fluid flow path is normally closed and unsealed during a service event for flow of lubrication fluid from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a filter device having a valve that normally closes the fluid flow path.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein removing the filtering device opens the fluid flow path during the service event.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the fluid flow path is connected to a bottom of the secondary storage volume.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the secondary storage volume comprises a weir defining the overflow path.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary storage volume comprises a plurality of secondary storage volumes coupled to one another by one or more discharge paths.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the discharge path and the fluid flow path lie on a common plane such that lubrication from all of the plurality of secondary storage volumes is discharged when the fluid flow path is unsealed.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary storage volume includes a first portion for receiving lubricating fluid discharged from the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine, and a second portion spaced from the first portion to receive lubricating fluid from the first portion, the second portion including a weir providing the overflow path for the lubricating fluid to flow to the primary storage volume.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a dividing wall provided at a bottom of the dividing wall providing an opening between the first portion and the second portion.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the dividing wall comprises a cover extending over the second portion to direct the lubricating fluid discharged from the internal combustion engine into the first portion of the secondary storage volume.

11. A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a main storage volume for providing lubricating fluid to an internal combustion engine;

a secondary storage volume for receiving the lubricating fluid from the internal combustion engine and providing lubricating fluid to the primary storage volume through an overflow path, wherein the secondary storage volume is connected to the primary storage volume through a fluid flow path that is normally closed and unsealed during a maintenance event in which lubricating fluid is discharged from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume through the fluid flow path.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a filtering device comprising a valve that normally closes the fluid flow path, wherein the valve is removed from the fluid flow path during the service event to unseal the fluid flow path.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein the primary storage volume comprises an oil pan and the secondary storage volume comprises an oil capacitor.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein the fluid flow path comprises an inlet at the bottom of the secondary storage volume and an outlet above the primary storage volume.

15. The system of claim 11, wherein the secondary storage volume comprises a plurality of secondary storage volumes linked by one or more drain paths configured such that the lubrication fluid from each of the storage volumes flows to the fluid flow path during the service event.

16. The system of claim 11, wherein the secondary storage volume includes a first portion for receiving lubricating fluid discharged from the internal combustion engine, and a second portion spaced from the first portion for receiving lubricating fluid from the first portion, the second portion including a weir providing the overflow path for the lubricating fluid to flow to the primary storage volume.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first portion and the second portion are separated by a dividing wall provided at a bottom of the dividing wall providing an opening between the first portion and the second portion.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the dividing wall includes a cover extending over the second portion to direct the lubricating fluid discharged from the internal combustion engine into the first portion of the secondary storage volume.

19. A method for servicing an internal combustion engine including a lubricating fluid, comprising:

removing a filter device having a valve closing a fluid flow path;

draining lubricating fluid from the upper storage volume to the lower storage volume through the fluid flow path unsealed by removal of the filtering device; and

discharging the lubricating fluid from the lower storage volume.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising: the filter device is mounted to close the fluid flow path through the valve.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein discharging the lubricating fluid comprises: discharging the lubricating fluid from a plurality of upper storage volumes.