EP0779413B1 - Device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid and method for controlling said device - Google Patents

Device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid and method for controlling said device Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0779413B1
EP0779413B1 EP96119797A EP96119797A EP0779413B1 EP 0779413 B1 EP0779413 B1 EP 0779413B1 EP 96119797 A EP96119797 A EP 96119797A EP 96119797 A EP96119797 A EP 96119797A EP 0779413 B1 EP0779413 B1 EP 0779413B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
topping
energising
cycle
liquid
piston
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP96119797A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0779413A1 (en
Inventor
Mauro Chicarella
Antonio Lucco
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Irisbus Italia SpA
Original Assignee
Irisbus Italia SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Irisbus Italia SpA filed Critical Irisbus Italia SpA
Publication of EP0779413A1 publication Critical patent/EP0779413A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0779413B1 publication Critical patent/EP0779413B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
    • F01M11/06—Means for keeping lubricant level constant or for accommodating movement or position of machines or engines
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F01—MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; ENGINE PLANTS IN GENERAL; STEAM ENGINES
    • F01M—LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING
    • F01M11/00—Component parts, details or accessories, not provided for in, or of interest apart from, groups F01M1/00 - F01M9/00
    • F01M11/04—Filling or draining lubricant of or from machines or engines
    • F01M11/0458—Lubricant filling and draining

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid, in particular for topping-up with lubricating oil the sump of a heat engine of a commercial vehicle, to which the following description will refer explicitly without resorting to unnecessary generalities. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for controlling said device.
  • the known devices essentially comprise a pump provided with a pneumatically operated piston moving in a chamber having an inlet orifice connected via an intake duct to an oil collecting reservoir and an outlet orifice connected via a delivery duct to the sump; the piston can move from a retracted position into an advanced position, and vice versa, so as to carry out a cycle for topping-up the sump with oil.
  • Devices of this type also comprise a level sensor adapted to enable the topping-up cycle to be carried out if the oil level in the sump is below a desired level and they are operative while the vehicle is in operation. Similar devices are known for example from EP-A-538 660.
  • a timed topping-up cycle involves feeding a variable quantity of oil from the pump to the sump; in the particular case of low ambient temperature and, therefore, high oil viscosity, the completion of injection could be precluded within the preset time.
  • the object of the present invention is to devise a a device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid, which does not have the drawbacks associated with the known devices described above.
  • the reference numeral 1 generally designates a device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid, in particular for topping-up with lubricating oil a sump 2 of a heat engine (not shown) of a commercial vehicle (not shown).
  • the device 1 comprises a pneumatically operated injector 3 adapted to feed a predetermined quantity lubricating oil to the sump 2, and a pneumatically operated pump 4 connected to an oil reservoir 5 and to the injector 3 respectively by means of an intake duct 6 and a delivery duct 7.
  • the device 1 also comprises a compressed air supply 8 connected via a pipe 9 to the injector 3 and to the pump 4, and a two-way, two-position solenoid valve 10 which is normally closed and arranged in series with the pipe 9.
  • the injector 3 comprises a casing 13 fixed externally to and projecting through a side wall 14 of the sump 2 and having an axis A substantially parallel to the free surface of the oil in the sump 2 itself, and an internally hollow blind cylinder 15 which has an axis A and is arranged inside the sump 2 between the minimum and maximum oil levels, respectively L1 and L2 in Figure 1, and which is securely connected with the casing 13.
  • the casing 13 comprises a first sleeve 16 partly inserted inside the sump 2 through a hole 17 coaxial to the axis A provided in the wall 14, a second sleeve 18 disposed outside the sump 2 and securely connected with the sleeve 16, a cylindrical body 20 which is securely connected with the sleeve 18 on the other side of the sleeve 16 and which has a passage 21 on the axis A.
  • the casing 13 also comprises a flange 22 which is fitted on to the sleeve 16 and is securely connected therewith, and which is adapted to be fixed to the wall 14 of the sump 2 with the interposition of sealing means 24.
  • the sleeves 16 and 18 define internally a cylindrical chamber 23 on the axis A and communicating at one end with the internal volume of the cylinder 15 and at the opposite end with the passage 21.
  • the cylindrical body 20 also comprises a blind radial threaded hole 26 adapted to be engaged by an end connector of the pipe 9, and an opening 27 parallel to the axis A and connecting the hole 26 with the chamber 23.
  • the cylinder 15 has a blind end 28 disposed in a substantially central position inside the sump 2 and an opposite end 29 accommodated in the sleeve 16.
  • the cylinder 15 is provided with a plurality of radial through-holes 30 which are provided in its side wall and are disposed in the vicinity of its blind end 28, and which are adapted to communicate the interior of the sump 2 with the cylinder 15 itself.
  • the cylinder 15 in alignment with its end 29 the cylinder 15 has an annular projection 31 arranged to abut against an associated inner annular shoulder 32 provided in the sleeve 16.
  • the injector 3 also comprises a piston 33 mounted to slide axially and in a sealed manner inside the cylinder 15 and defining with the walls of the blind end 28 of the cylinder 15 itself a substantially cylindrical chamber 34, a pneumatic actuator member 35 adapted to actuate the piston 33, and a tubular shaft 36, which is coaxial to the A, securely connected to the piston 33 and to the actuator member 35 and defining an axial duct 37 communicating with the oil-delivery duct 7 through an end connector 43; moreover, the shaft 36 extends through the cylinder 15 and the casing 13 and engages in a sliding manner the passage 21 of the cylindrical body 20.
  • the piston 33 acts as a level sensor for the oil in the sump 2 and is adapted to slide inside the cylinder 15 only when the oil level in the sump 2 is below a level L3 at which the cylinder 15 is completely submerged and, therefore, a given amount of compressible air is present in the chamber 34.
  • the piston 33 also comprises an intermediate section 38 of reduced diameter defining with the wall of the cylinder 15 itself an annular duct 39 and a substantially T-shaped duct 40 which is provided in the body of the piston 33 itself and has an axial hole 41 on the axis A communicating with the duct 37 and a diametral hole 42 which communicates with the annular duct 39.
  • the actuator member 35 is adapted to displace the piston 33 between a retracted fluidtight separating position between the duct 40 and the holes 30 in the cylinder 15 and an advanced opening position, in which the duct 40 communicates with the holes 30.
  • the actuator member 35 is formed by a further annular piston which is coaxial to the axis A and is mounted to slide in a sealed manner inside the sleeve 18, and which is securely connected outwardly to the side wall of the shaft 36 by means of a resilient abutment ring 46 secured to the shaft 36 and compressed between the piston 33 and a bush 44 screwed therein.
  • the piston 35 is held adjacent the body 20 by a helical spring 47 accommodated in the chamber 23 around the shaft 36 and compressed axially between the piston 35 and the annular projection 31 of the cylinder 15.
  • the piston 35 is actuated pneumatically by the compressed air supplied by the supply 8 to the opening 27 and acting on the piston 35 itself in the opposite direction to the force of the spring 47.
  • the pump 4 comprises a substantially parallelipedal body 48 defining internally a substantially cylindrical chamber 49, and a piston 50 mounted to slide in a sealed manner inside the chamber 49 itself.
  • the pump 4 also has an inlet orifice 51 provided in a head 52 of the body 48 and connected with the oil-intake duct 6 and with the chamber 49, an outlet orifice 53 also provided in the head 52 and connected with the delivery duct 7 and with the chamber 49 on the same side as the orifice 51, and a compressed-air supply orifice 54 provided in a head 55 opposite the body 48 and connected with the pipe 9 and with the chamber 49 on the opposite side to the orifices 51 and 53.
  • Respective non-return valves 56 are also provided in the orifices 51 and 53 and they are adapted to allow flow only to and from the chamber 49, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 4.
  • the piston 50 is held pressed against the head 55 by a helical torsion spring 57 accommodated in the chamber 49 and compressed between the piston 50 and the head 55 itself.
  • the device 1 also comprises an electronic control unit 58 connected to the solenoid valve 10, to the injector 3 and to the pump 4, and a proximity sensor 60 which is accommodated in a radial seat 61 provided in the sleeve 16 and is connected to the control unit 58, and which is adapted to detect any displacement of the piston 35 relative to the casing 13 and to generate an enabling signal S for carrying out a topping-up cycle of oil in the sump 2, if the piston 35 is displaced with respect to its inoperative position.
  • an electronic control unit 58 connected to the solenoid valve 10, to the injector 3 and to the pump 4, and a proximity sensor 60 which is accommodated in a radial seat 61 provided in the sleeve 16 and is connected to the control unit 58, and which is adapted to detect any displacement of the piston 35 relative to the casing 13 and to generate an enabling signal S for carrying out a topping-up cycle of oil in the sump 2, if the piston 35 is displaced with respect to its inoperative position.
  • the control unit 58 is adapted to manage automatically the operation of topping up the oil in the sump 2 in accordance with the method described below.
  • a block 63 is reached for verifying the removal of the ignition key of the vehicle from the respective control panel. If this is not so, a return to the start of the cycle takes place; in the affirmative, a delay block 64 of predetermined duration T 1 is reached, for example five minutes, so as to allow all the oil in circulation to return to the sump 2.
  • the operation passes to a delay block 66 for a period of time T 2 of predetermined duration, for example equal to ten seconds, calculated so as to allow the flow of all the oil to the sump 2 at any value of oil viscosity within a range which is defined as a function of the possible ambient operating temperatures of the vehicle.
  • T 2 time
  • the operation passes to a block 67 for reading the proximity sensor 60 and to a block 68, in which it is verified whether the sensor 60 has generated the enabling signal S. If this is not so, the operation passes to a block 77 for de-energising the solenoid valve 10 and to a block 69.
  • the operation passes to a block 70 for calculating and verifying whether the number of times the solenoid valve 10 is energised is equal to or higher than a preset number N, in the case in question sixty energising operations.
  • the operation passes to an alarm block 71 and to the end-of-cycle block 69; if this is not so, the operation passes to a block 72 for de-energising the solenoid valve 10 which is switched to a position closing the connection between the supply 8 and the pipe 9.
  • the operation passes to a delay block 73 for a period of time T 3 of predetermined duration, for example equal to ten seconds, which is sufficient to ensure that the device returns to the inoperative condition and to ensure the filling of the chamber 49 of the pump 4.
  • the operation then passes to a block 74 for reading the proximity sensor 60 and to a block 75, in which it is verified whether the enabling signal S of the sensor 60 is de-energised. In the affirmative, a return to the start of the cycle takes place; if this is not so, the operation passes to the alarm block 71 and to the end-of-cycle block 69.
  • control unit 58 comprises a push-button 76 for the manual actuation of the operation of topping up the sump 2 with oil.
  • the operations carried out by the control unit 58 are those described above starting from block 65.
  • the operation of the device 1 has been described starting from an initial condition, in which the vehicle engine is inoperative, the solenoid valve 10 is closed and the ignition key for the engine is removed from the control panel (not shown) of the vehicle itself. Moreover, in this initial condition, the piston 50 of the pump 4 is held by the spring 57 in abutment against the head 55, the piston 35 of the injector 3 is held by the spring 47 in abutment against the body 20 and the duct 37 is filled with oil.
  • the signal sent by the control unit 58 induces the opening of the solenoid valve 10, thus allowing compressed air to flow towards the orifice 54 and the opening 27.
  • the pressure applied by the air originating from the orifice 54 induces the piston 50 to be displaced towards the head 52 of the body 48, whereby the oil present in the chamber 49 is fed to the injector 3.
  • the oil in the sump 2 is equal to or higher than the level L3
  • the oil in the sump 2 completely fills the chamber 34 and, owing to its inability to be compressed, prevents the full travel of the piston 33 towards the advanced opening position and, therefore, also of the piston 35 secured thereto. No topping up takes place since the duct 40 remains isolated from the injector holes 30.
  • the piston 35 which is prevented from completing its travel, does not induce the tripping of the proximity sensor 60 and, therefore, the control unit 58 operates the stopping of the operation.
  • the control unit 58 verifies that the number of already completed energising operations of the solenoid valve 10 is not higher than the number N, in which case it actuates the alarm.
  • control unit 58 de-energises the solenoid valve 10 by switching it to the closed position and thus preventing the flow of compressed air towards the orifice 54 and the opening 27. Therefore, the control unit 58 verifies that the enabling signal S of the sensor 60 is disabled and thus that the piston 35 has returned into its inoperative position.
  • the control unit 58 energises the solenoid valve 10 again and this cycle is repeated until the oil level L3 in the sump 2 is fully restored, with consequent omission of the signal from the proximity sensor 60 and the stopping of the operation.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lubrication Of Internal Combustion Engines (AREA)
  • Nozzles (AREA)
  • Filling Of Jars Or Cans And Processes For Cleaning And Sealing Jars (AREA)
  • Application Of Or Painting With Fluid Materials (AREA)
EP96119797A 1995-12-12 1996-12-10 Device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid and method for controlling said device Expired - Lifetime EP0779413B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO950994 1995-12-12
IT95TO000994A IT1281065B1 (it) 1995-12-12 1995-12-12 Dispositivo per il rabbocco automatico di liquido in un contenitore e metodo di controllo di tale dispositivo.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0779413A1 EP0779413A1 (en) 1997-06-18
EP0779413B1 true EP0779413B1 (en) 2003-03-12

Family

ID=11414020

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP96119797A Expired - Lifetime EP0779413B1 (en) 1995-12-12 1996-12-10 Device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid and method for controlling said device

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0779413B1 (it)
DE (1) DE69626614T2 (it)
ES (1) ES2191735T3 (it)
IT (1) IT1281065B1 (it)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104121067B (zh) * 2014-07-02 2016-04-27 武汉理工大学 机械与电控组合式气缸润滑系统

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4491103A (en) * 1983-06-01 1985-01-01 Ray Deadman Automatic engine oil level maintenance system
US4883148A (en) * 1988-10-11 1989-11-28 Sundstrand Corporation Fill valve for liquid containing device
IT1245815B (it) * 1991-05-23 1994-10-18 Iveco Fiat Dispositivo di rabbocco automatico di olio lubrificante per veicoli industriali
IT1250322B (it) * 1991-10-24 1995-04-07 Iveco Fiat Dispositivo automatico di rabbocco olio motore.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
IT1281065B1 (it) 1998-02-11
ITTO950994A0 (it) 1995-12-12
EP0779413A1 (en) 1997-06-18
ITTO950994A1 (it) 1997-06-12
DE69626614T2 (de) 2003-11-13
DE69626614D1 (de) 2003-04-17
ES2191735T3 (es) 2003-09-16

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4784101A (en) Fuel injection control device
US5813429A (en) Compressed natural gas charging system
CN102200059B (zh) 内燃机的高压燃料泵控制装置
US4499876A (en) Fuel injection control for internal combustion engines
EP0681100B1 (en) System and methods for electronic control of an accumulator fuel system
JPH01151768A (ja) 電子ユニットインジェクタ
EP0889230B1 (en) Fuel injector
CA2185529A1 (en) Pump control system
US20120031378A1 (en) Method and device for operating an injection valve
EP1197649A1 (en) High-pressure fuel supply system and method
JPH08191012A (ja) 駆動回路
US4173208A (en) Fuel systems for an internal combustion engine
EP0709569A1 (en) Control valve
US4394856A (en) Compression operated injector with fuel injection control
EP0779413B1 (en) Device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid and method for controlling said device
US20020145054A1 (en) End of valve motion detection for a spool control valve
US5746413A (en) Fluid metering valve
US4971012A (en) Distributor fuel injection radial piston pump
JP2000505859A (ja) 燃焼エンジンのオイル再生用の噴射器システム
US6237572B1 (en) Apparatus and method for determining start of injection of a fuel injector
JP3791942B2 (ja) 寸法制御特色の選択適合を使用して燃料噴射器のような装置を組立てる方法
EP0779414B1 (en) Device for automatically topping-up a container with liquid
KR20190089050A (ko) 디젤을 내연 기관으로 펌핑하기 위한 펌핑 그룹의 필터의 막힘해제를 위한 그룹 및 방법
JP3212408B2 (ja) 燃料・水噴射装置
US6908042B2 (en) Fuel injector

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19971104

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: IVECO BUS S.P.A.

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: IRISBUS ITALIA S.P.A.

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20000817

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAG Despatch of communication of intention to grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): CH DE ES FR GB IT LI SE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: NV

Representative=s name: ISLER & PEDRAZZINI AG

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69626614

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20030417

Kind code of ref document: P

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: SE

Ref legal event code: TRGR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FG2A

Ref document number: 2191735

Country of ref document: ES

Kind code of ref document: T3

ET Fr: translation filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20031127

Year of fee payment: 8

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20031205

Year of fee payment: 8

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20031215

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20041207

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041211

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20041228

Year of fee payment: 9

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041231

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20041231

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Payment date: 20050126

Year of fee payment: 9

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20050224

Year of fee payment: 9

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20051210

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051212

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060701

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20051210

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20060831

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20060831

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: ES

Ref legal event code: FD2A

Effective date: 20051212

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Payment date: 20071116

Year of fee payment: 12

PGRI Patent reinstated in contracting state [announced from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Effective date: 20110616

PGRI Patent reinstated in contracting state [announced from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Effective date: 20110616