GB232309A - Improvements in or applicable to lubricating systems for internal combustion engines and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

232,309. Brown, C. A. Jan. 10, 1924. Radiators, aircraft and like; cooling oil, tubular apparatus for. - The cooling effect of air, water or exhaust gases on the oil in a lubricating system for internal-combustion engines and the like is regulated in a continuous manner by utilizing the pressure and temperature of the oil. A number of parallel, corrugated tubes 1, Fig. 1, connected at their respective ends to headers 7, 8 for the supply and delivery of oil, and exposed to the a.tmosphere or other cooling medium, are arranged radially around and in metallic contact with a by-pass pipe 2. An adjustable spring-pressed valve 3 controls the inlet to the pipe 2, so that, when the resistance to flow through the tubes 1 increases due to overcooling, the valve 3 opens and oil flows through the pipe 2. As the temperature in the pipe 2 rises, heat is communicated to the oil in the tubes 1, and the flow through the latter is gradually restored, the, valve 3 then closing. Alternatively, the valve 3 may be arranged at the outlet end of the pipe 2. Inclined shutters or shields 30, Figs. 10, 11, and 15<x>, arranged on both sides of the regulator, may be used to control the flow of air around the cooler tubes. Each shutter is mounted on a spindle 32 pivoted at its ends in a frame 31, 33. A bar 35, slidable in a groove in the member 33, is connected by links 37, 40 to crank pins 38, 39 on, the shutters, so that, as the bar slides, the shutters are turned about their axes. The bar 35 is operated automatically from the stem 13 of the valve 3 by a link 26, the shutters being closed when the valve 3 is open; or the bar may be operated by hand or by means controlled by the pressure in any part of the system. Alternatively. the radiator may be mounted so as to be withdrawn bodily from contact with the cooling medium, as by being hinged on an aircraft and swung more or less into the relative air stream automatically by means controlled by the oil pressure in any part of the system. The tubes 1 may be cooled by being immersed in water connected with the cooling service of the engine. In a modification, the cooler comprises an outer tapered member 42, Fig. 21, and an inner tapered member 43 mounted in guides 44 in the outer member and normally held against a stop 45 by a spring 46, oil entering at 17 passing along the space x between the members to the outlet 18. When the resistance to flow increases. the member 43 moves axially against the action of the spring so as to increase the space x and lessen the cooling effect. The warmer oil flowing nearest to the inner member heats the cooler oil nearest to the outer member until normal conditions again prevail. According to the Provisional Specification, the position of the inner member 43 may be controlled by hand or by the temperature of the oil. To control the cooling effect by utilizing the temperature, a thermostat arranged in the system or regulator is coupled to means for controlling the flow of oil through the cooler and the flow of the cooling medium.