FR2588609A1 - Level regulator especially for the oil sump of an internal combustion engine - Google Patents

Abstract

Level regulator intended to equip a receptacle 1, of the type comprising a float 3 controlling a valve 4. According to the invention, it comprises an auxiliary airtight volume 8 connected to this receptacle by a feedpipe 6, a gravity-return duct 9 and a pressure-balancing tube 10. Application especially to the lubrication of internal combustion engines.

Description

LEVEL REGULATOR, IN PARTICULAR FOR OIL PAN
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

The present invention relates to a device for keeping the level of a liquid in a container constant. This device is particularly applicable to an oil bowl of an internal combustion engine.

The object of the invention is to propose a particularly simple level regulator which can be integrated into a sump of engine oil in particular, against conventional systems for adding lubricating oil.

According to an essential feature of the invention, such a level regulator of the type comprising a float controlling a valve, comprises an auxiliary capacity, airtight, and connected to this container by a supply pipe, a return pipe by gravity and a pressure balancing tube.

According to another particular feature of the invention, a plug valve is arranged on the pipe connecting a distribution ramp to this auxiliary capacity, and also controlled by this float which closes it when the liquid in this container drops to a minimum level of predetermined alert; the return line is capable of being closed by this valve when the liquid in this container exceeds a predetermined intermediate level, below a predetermined regulation level; the pressure balancing tube is capable of being submerged at the level of regulation of the liquid in this container.

Because of these features, this regulator has a very simple, compact and economical structure, while being integrated into an oil pan for example.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of two preferred embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which - Figures 1 to 4 represent four successive phases of
operation of a level regulator in accordance with a first mode
embodiment - FIG. 5 schematically represents a second embodiment
of this level regulator - and figures 6 to 9 each represent four views associated with 90 "
of the level regulator illustrated in figure 5, corresponding to four
respective operating phases.

* In accordance with FIGS. 1 to 4, this regulator is used to keep the oil level constant in a bowl 1 of a casing 2 of an internal combustion engine. This bowl contains a float 3 which controls a valve 4, and a plug valve 5. This plug valve is disposed on a pipe 6 which connects an oil distribution manifold 7 to an auxiliary oil capacity 8, tight to 1 'air.

A gravity return line 9 capable of being closed off by the ball valve 4 connects this auxiliary capacity 8 to the bowl 1.

A pressure equalization tube 10 also connects this auxiliary capacity to this bowl, and has a lower end positioned at a predetermined regulation level N3.

The valve 4 which allows or not the return of the oil from the auxiliary capacity to the bowl, has a large section, and closes when the oil exceeds a predetermined intermediate level N2 lower than the regulation level N3.

The ball valve 5 closes in turn, when the oil drops exceptionally below a predetermined minimum alert level
NO.

Given their cross-sections, it turns out to be advantageous to house the supply pipe 6 of the auxiliary capacity 8 and the pressure equalization tube 10 inside the gravity return pipe 9, in order to limit the space and reduce the risk of leaks.

* The level regulator previously described operates as follows, with reference to figures l to 4.

Engine stopped (Ql = Q2 = q = 0)
The float 3 is in the high position with the valve 4 closed.

If this valve 4 leaks, the oil level will rise in the bowl 1 and plug the pressure equalization tube 10 at its lower end at the regulation level ils3.

The auxiliary capacity 8, which is airtight, cannot thus be emptied into this bowl.

Engine running (Ql + Q2 f O; q Ql or Q2)
In normal operation, the oil is sent to the members to be lubricated by an oil pump; it then falls back into the bowl 1 without a part q which has been consumed and burned in the engine cylinders.

At the same time, a small quantity of oil Q1 is permanently withdrawn from the distribution manifold 7 to be directed to the auxiliary capacity 8. The oil level will drop, for example from level N3 to level N2, the valve 4 remaining closed and the pressure equalization tube 10 no longer being submerged (Figures I and 2).

From level N2, the float 3 will descend by opening the valve 4, to a lower level NI greater than the minimum level 0, the plug valve 5 still remaining open] (Figure 3).

The quantity of oil Q2 coming from the auxiliary capacity 8 then restores the oil level which can rise to levels N2 and N3, by simultaneously compensating for the quantity withdrawn Q1 and the quantity consumed q. Overall, Q2 = Ql + q.

Thus, all the oil in the bowl 1 and in the auxiliary capacity 8 participates in the lubrication of the engine; in addition, the level of oil in the bowl remains constant because the oil consumed is compensated by the auxiliary cavity which thus also plays the role of an additional tank.

If the auxiliary capacity s or if the level of the bowl 1 drops below the minimum NO warning level, - the ball valve 5 closes the oil supply at this capacity (Figure 4).

This level regulator thus makes it possible to efficiently control the oil flows between the bowl 1 and the auxiliary capacity 8.

 * A second embodiment in accordance with the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9. This is constituted by a block grouping together a body 0, a piston with a 4 'bore, a float 3' and a plug valve 5 'which is mounted inside the motor housing 2'. A single tube grouping the oil return (9 '), pressure balancing (10') and pressurized oil inlet (6 ') connects the system to an annex 8' capacity.

The operation of this variant is as follows, with reference to FIGS. 5 to 9.

Engine stopped (Q1 = Q2 = 0; Figure 6)
The float 3 'is in the high position, and closes the oil return from the capacity at the piston 4'.

If a leak occurs between the piston 4 'and the body 0, the oil level will rise in the crankcase 2' and plug the pressure balancing hole 10 'at regulation level N3. The 8 'capacity, which is airtight, cannot therefore be emptied into the casing.

Engine running
A small amount of QI oil is taken from the engine circuit (Figure 7) to be directed to capacity 8 'via the piston 4'. The oil level will drop from level N2 to level NI (Figure 8).

The piston descends with the float by its own weight and by the oil pressure which is exerted on the valve 5 '(this pressure is limited so as not to thwart the rise of the float). The Q2 compensation is carried out.

If Ql> Q2, the float goes down] to the NO level (alert level) (figure 9), the oil flow Ql is stopped by the piston 4 ', the Q2 compensation is done until the level is restored OR.

If Ol <Q2, the float rises to level N2 (Figure 7), the oil compensation 02 is stopped by piston 4 'until the level NI is restored.

Claims (4)

 l. Level regulator intended to equip a container (l), of the type comprising a float (3) controlling a valve (4), characterized in that it comprises an auxiliary capacity (8) airtight, and connected to it. container by supply line (6), gravity return line (9) and pressure balancing tube (10). 2. Level regulator according to claim l, characterized in that - a plug valve (5) is arranged on the pipe (6) connecting a  distribution ramp (7) to this auxiliary capacity (8), and also  controlled by the float (3) which closes it when the liquid in it  container descends to a predetermined minimum alert level (NO); - the return line (9) is likely to be closed by the valve  (4) when the liquid in this container exceeds an intermediate level  (N2) predetermined, lower than a regulation level (N3)  predetermined - and the pressure equalization tube (10) can be submerged  at the regulation level (N3) of the liquid in this container. 3. Level regulator according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a block grouping a body (0), a fueled piston (4 '), a float (3') and a ball valve (5 '), which is mounted inside the container (l) so as to be able to control a minimum alert level (NO), an intermediate level (N2) and a regulation level (N3). 4. Level regulator according to any one of claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized in that the supply line (6, 6 '), the return pipe (9, 9') and the balancing tube pressure (10, 10 ') are combined into a single tube.