GB2507975A

GB2507975A - Bypass valve

Info

Publication number: GB2507975A
Application number: GB201220512A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Carlo Francis Bovenzi; Steven David Moore; Paul Andrew Davies; Adrian Daniel Joubert
Original assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
Current assignee: Perkins Engines Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-11-14
Filing date: 2012-11-14
Publication date: 2014-05-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-11-14
Also published as: GB201220512D0; GB2507975B

Abstract

A bypass valve 10 for controlling the flow of a fluid, such as oil, in a lubrication system including a filter provides a means of enabling the fluid to bypass the filter when the pressure difference across the valve drops below a predetermined value. The valve has a valve member 18 disposed in a bypass channel 11 which moves between open and closed positions due to pressure changes in the lubrication circuit.

Description

VALVE

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a valve and in

particular a valve suitable for controlling the flow of a fluid so as to bypass a component.

BACKGROUND

Internal combustion engines are supplied with a mixture of air and fuel for combustion within the engine to generate mechanical power. To maximize the power generated by this combustion process, the engine may be equipped with a turbocharged air induction system.

An internal combustion engine may therefore include one or more turbochargers for compressing air to be supplied to one or more combustion chambers within corresponding combustion cylinders. Each turbocharger may typically include a turbine, driven by exhaust gases from the engine, and a compressor driven by the turbine. The compressor receives the air to be compressed and supplies the compressed air to the combustion chambers.

Upon start-up of an internal combustion engine, a number of its internal mechanical components, such as the crankshaft and rod bearings, start moving immediately. Thus a lubricating fluid, such as oil, needs to be communicated to these parts as fast as possible to prevent undue wear or damage thereto. In addition, an associated turbocharger may have a common shaft attached between its turbine and compressor wheels which shaft is mounted for high speed rotation in bearing assemblies. These bearing assemblies also require immediate lubrication.

The time reguired to communicate the oil (or other lubricant) to such components primarily depends upon the resistance which the oil meets as it passes through various oil passages of the lubrication system and bearing clearances, whilst the oil pump is functioning to fill the system and build up the reguired working pressures.

Furthermore, as a result of design constraints, the oil flow path around the engine may be very long. During cold starts of the engine, such pressure build up may take as long as 15 to 30 seconds due to increased oil usually at low temperatures. In many cases, such a time delay may be sufficient to starve the bearings and other components of lubricant and thus to cause damage to these elements of the engine and the turbocharger.

The lubrication systems of such internal combustion engines oommoniy include an oil filter to remove dirt and debris from the lubricating cil as it circulates through the system. Long oil flow paths may result from the oil filter being located remotely and being rather resistive. The lubrication system may incorporate a bypass flow circuit, comprising a bypass valve across the inlet and outlet of the oil filter. The bypass valve is designed to open and allow oil to bypass the filter under certain conditions. Such a bypass flow circuit ensures that there is sufficient oil flow to the components of the engine and turbocharger when there is a significant pressure drop across the filter, for example due to ciogging of the filter or during cold start conditions.

One type of bypass valve currently used is a spring loaded pressure relief valve. However such valves are made of multiple moving parts, which may increase the likelihood of component failure. Furthermore these types of valves are difficult to retrofit in an engine.

SUMMARY

According to the present disclosure there is provided a valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component, the valve comprising: a first channel having a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, the first channel inlet being connectable to a fluid supply and the first channel outlet being connectable to a component; a second channel having a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, the second channel inlet being connectable to the component; a bypass channel connecting the first and second channels; a valve member disposed in the bypass channel arranged for translational movement along the bypass channel between open and closed positions; a bypass passage defined in the valve member which is open to provide a fluid connection between the first and second channels when the valve member is in the open position to enable fluid to flow from the first to the second channel, the bypass passage being closed when the valve member is in the closed position.

The present disclosure further provides lubrication system comprising: the aforementioned valve; a pump fluidly connected to supply lubricating fluid to the first channel inlet of the valve; and a component fluidly connected between the first channel outlet and the second channel inlet of the valve; wherein the valve provides a bypass for fluid across the component when the valve member is in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ORAWINCS

Figure 1 is a pictorial representation of a valve

member of the valve of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the valve member of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a pictorial representation of the vaive of

the present disclosure located in a valve adaptor;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the valve and valve adaptor of Figure 3 showing the valve member in a closed position; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional side elevation of the valve and valve adaptor of Figure 3 showing the valve member in an open position; Figure 6 is a pictorial representation of an oil cooler to which the valve adaptor of Figure 3 is attached; Figure 7 is a pictorial representation of the oii cooler of Figure 6 with parts removed showing the valve adaptor and valve member; and Figure 8 is a pictorial representation of one side of the oil oooler of Figures 6 and 7 showing channel inlets and outlets of the valve.

OETATLEO OESCRIPTTON

The valve of the present disclosure is used to control the flow of a lubricating fluid in a lubricating circuit.

The valve has a valve member which mcves between cpen and closed positions due to pressure changes in the fluid circuit. The valve maybe used in an internal combustion engine which uses oil as its lubricating fluid. In such an arrangement the oil may be directed through a filter before it passes to a turbocharger cr other critical parts of the engine. The valve may provide a means of enabling the oil to bypass the filter when the pressure difference across the valve is below a predetermined value. However the valve is suitable for use in controlling the flow of any pressurisable fluid in a fluid circuit where the fluid requires a temporary bypass across a component. The circuit may be in a wide variety of systems, other than internal combustion engines.

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the valve 10 may be configured in a number of ways. In one configuration, illustrated herein, the valve 10 comprises a valve member 18 disposed in a bypass channel 11. The bypass channel 11 is in fluid communication between a first channel 12, which provides a fluid feed path to the valve 10, and a second channel 13, which provides a fluid return path from the valve 10.

The valve member 18 may be located in a valve adaptor 28 which enables the valve 10 to be retrofitted in the lubrication circuit of an existing engine (see Figures 6 to 8) . Figures 6 to 8 illustrates how the valve adaptor 28 is attached to an oil cooler 29 which may form part of the lubrication circuit of an internal combustion engine. An oil filter may be connected to a filter connection point 30.

In other configurations, which do not require a valve adaptor 28, the channels 11,12,13 may he provided in the engine or oil cooler casing cr by suitable lubrication lines -Each channel 12, 13 has a respective inlet 14,16 and a respective outlet 15,17. The first channel inlet 14 is fluidly connectable to a fluid supply and the first channel outlet 15 may be fluidly connectable to the inlet of an oil filter (not shown) via a filter connection point 30. The second channel inlet 16 may be fluidly connectable to the outlet of the filter and the second channel outlet 17 may be fluidly connectable to the lubrication circuit of a turbocharger.

The valve member 18 is disposed in the bypass channel 11. The valve member 18 may comprise a first tubular section 19 and a second tubular section 20, each of which tubular sections 19, 20 has a respective internal bore 21,22. The internal diameters of the internal bores 21,22 may be the same or they may be different. The diameter of the external wall of the first tubular section 19 may be less than that of the second tubular section 20. The difference In the external diameters of the external walls of the tubular sections 19,20 provides an annular shoulder, which provides a first surface 23.

The free end of the first tubular section 19 may be closed by a cap 24. The external wall of the first tubular section 19 may be provided with at least one orifice 25. The at least one orifice 25 and the internal bores 21,22 of the tubular sections 19, 20 define a bypass passage.

The free end of the second tubular section 20 is open and has an annular transverse face which provides a seoond surface 26. A spigot or other projection, which acts a stop member 27, may project from this end of the valve member 18.

The internal and external diameters of the first and second tubular sections 19, 20 of the valve member 18 are selected to ensure that the surface area of the first surface 23 is less than the surface area of the second surface 26. The surface area of the first surface 23 (A-)is the difference between the areas defined by the radius of the external wall of the first tubular section 19(r1) and the radius of the external wall of the second tubular section 20 (R1) :-A1 = U (R12 -r12) The surface area of the second surface 26 (A2)is the difference between the areas defined by the radius of the external wall of the second tubular section 20 (R-) and the radius of the internal bore 22 of the second tubular section (r2) less the cross sectional area of the stop member 27 (A2) = U (R12 -r22) -A1 The internal diameter of the bypass channel 11 may be stepped in a complementary manner to the stepped profile of the valve member 18 which results from the difference in external diameters between the first and second tubular sections 19,20. The internal diameter(s) of the bypass channel 11 and the external diameters of the valve member 18 are further selected to enable the valve member 18 to slide along the bypass channel 11. The valve member 18 is thus arranged for translational movement within the bypass channel U between open and closed positions, as shown in Figures 4 and 5 respectively.

The first and second surfaces 23,26 are thus configured so that the valve member 18 slides into an open position when the pressure of the fluid in the first channel 12 acting on the first surface 23 is greater than the pressure of the fluid in the second channel 13 acting on the second surface 26. The valve member 18 slides into the closed position when the pressure of the fluid in the first channel 12 acting on the first surface 23 is less than the pressure of the fluid in the second channel 13 acting on the second surface 26. The pressure exerted on the valve member 18 results from the effect of the fluid pressure within the first and second channels 12,13 acting on the differently sized first and second surfaces 23,26, the second surface 26 having a greater surface area than that of the first surface 23.

The valve member 18 may be manufactured as a single component from a suitable material, such as aluminium, steel or Nylon. The valve member 18 may be machined from a cylindrical length of the material or alternatively cast or moulded.

In one embodiment, the valve 10 is located between an oil filter and an oil cooler in an internal oombustion engine.

INDUSTRIAL APPUCABILITY

When an internal combustion engine fitted with the valve 10 of the present disclosure is initially started, lubricating oil is pumped along the first channel 12 and into the first channel inlet 14, thus creating an initial high pressure in the first channel 12. At this stage there is very little pressure in the second channel 13. The resulting pressure exerted by the oil on the first surface 23 of the valve member 18 is greater than the pressure exerted on the second surface 26 of the valve member 18 by any oil in the second channel 23. This causes the valve member 18 to slide into the cpen position (see Figure 5) The limit of movement of the valve member 18 may be a point where the stop member 27 abuts a wall of the adaptor 28 which defines the second channel 13. In this position the at least one orifice 25 in the first tubular section 19 of the valve member 18 is aligned with the first channel 12 and fluid is able to flow into the valve member 18 along the bypass passage. A proportion of the oil flows along the first channel 12, which passes around the valve member 18, through the first channel outlet 15 to the filter. The oil passes through the filter and into the second channel 13 via the second channel inlet 16. From here the oil may flow to the turbocharger or other parts of the engine to lubricate the reguisite components thereof. However a proportion of oil also flows along the bypass passage, through the inner bores 21,22 of the tubular sections 19,20 into the second channel 13, thereby bypassing the filter.

As more oil is pumped through both the filter and the bypass passage, the oil pressure builds up in the second channel 13. When the pressure exerted on the second surface 26 has increased to the point at which it is greater than the pressure exerted by the cil on the first surface 23, the -10 -valve member 18 slides into the olosed position (Figure 4) The limit of movement of the valve member 18 may be a point where the cap 24 hits a wall of the adaptcr 28, which defines the bypass channel 11. In this position the at least one orifice 25 is no longer in fluid communication with the first channel 12, so all of the oil is forced to flow along the first channel and through the filter before entering the second channel 13.

Consequently, when the oil pressure is low, during a cold start up, or if the pressure drops due to a filter blockage, or for any other reason, the time taken for the oil to be pumped from the first channel inlet 14 to the second channel outlet 17, and out to the components which reguire lubrication is reduced. The valve 10 of the present disclosure further has the advantage that there is only one moving part, namely the valve member 18, which helps to reduce the possibility of failure of the valve 10. As mentioned above, the valve may also be designed to be integral with a lubrication system or it can be retrofitted to an existing system using an adaptor 28.

The size of the valve 10 and its component parts may be varied to suit a wide range of applications, with different application pressures, fluid flow rates and viscosities. The relative difference between the surface areas of the first and second surfaces 23, 26 is selected to suit the application in which the valve 10 is used. Once the value of the pressure differential at which the valve 10 opens is determined, the internal and external diameters of the tubular sections 19,20 may be determined.

-11 -The provision of a bypass passage within the va've member 18 further obviates the need for a seoondary bypass around the filter itself, which means that the lubrication system is easier to manufacture and maintain.

Claims

-12 -CLAIMS: 1. A valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component, the valve comprising: a first channel having a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, the first channel inlet being connectable to a fluid supply and the first channel outlet being connectable to a component; a second channel having a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, the second channel inlet being connectable to the component; a bypass channel connecting the first and second channels; a valve member disposed in the bypass channel arranged for translational movement along the bypass channel between open and closed positions; a bypass passage defined in the valve member which is open to provide a fluid connection between the first and second channels when the valve member is in the open position to enable fluid to flow from the first to the second channel, the bypass passage being closed when the valve member is in the closed position.
2. A valve as claimed in claim 1 further comprising first and second surfaces provided on the valve member at locations proximal to the first and second channels, respectively, the first and second surfaces being configured to cause the valve member to adopt its open position when the pressure difference between the fluid in the first and second channels is greater than a predefined value and to adopt the closed position when the pressure difference between the fluid in the first and second channels is less than a predefined value.

-13 -
3. A valve as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the valve member comprises first and second tubular sections, the external diameter of the second tubular section being greater than the external diameter of the first tubular section such that an annular shoulder is formed between the first and second tubular sections, the annular shoulder providing the first surface.
4. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one end of the second tubular section has an annular face which provides the second surface.
5. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the valve member has a stop member which limits the translational movement of the valve member as it moves from the closed to the open position.
6. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the bypass passage comprises internal bores of the first and second tubular sections of the valve member and at least one orifice in the first tubular section.
7. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one end of the first tubular section is closed.
8. A lubrication system comprising: a valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; a pump fluidly connected to supply lubricating fluid to the first channel inlet of the valve; and a component fluidly connected between the first channel outlet and the second channel inlet of the valve; -14 -wherein the valve provides a bypass for fluid across the oomponent when the valve member is in an open position.
9. A lubrication system as claimed in claim 8 in which the valve member is in an open position when the pressure difference across the valve is below a predetermined value.
10. A lubrication system as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 in which the component is a filter.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS: 1. A valve for controlling the flow of fluid through a component, the valve comprising: a first channel having a first channel inlet and a first channel outlet, the first channel inlet being connectable to a fluid supply and the first channel outlet being connectable to a component; a second channel having a second channel inlet and a second channel outlet, the second channel inlet being connectable to the component; a bypass channel connecting the first and second channels; a valve member disposed in the bypass channel arranged for translational movement along the bypass channel between C) open and closed positions; C a bypass passage defined in the valve member which is o open to provide a fluid connection between the first and second channels when the valve member is in the open position to enable fluid to flow from the first to the second channel, the bypass passage being closed when the valve member is in the closed position; first and second surfaces provided on the valve member at locations proximal to the first and second channels, respectively, the first and second surfaces being configured to cause the valve member to adopt its open position when the pressure difference between the fluid in the first and second channels is greater than a predefined value and to adopt the closed position when the pressure difference between the fluid in the first and second channels is less than a predefined value.2. A valve as claimed in claim 1 in which the valve member comprises first and second tubular sections, the external diameter of the second tubular section being greater than the external diameter of the first tubular section such that an annular shoulder is formed between the first and second tubular sections, the annular shoulder providing the first surface.3. A valve as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which one end of the second tubular section has an annular face which provides the second surface.4. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the valve member has a stop member which limits the translational movement of the valve member as it moves from the closed to the open position.o 5. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the bypass passage comprises internal bores of the first and second tubular sections of the valve member and at least one orifice in the first tubular section.6. A valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which one end of the first tubular section is closed.7. A lubrication system comprising: a valve as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; a pump fluidly connected to supply lubricating fluid to the first channel inlet of the valve; and a component fluidly connected between the first channel outlet and the second channel inlet of the valve; wherein the valve provides a bypass for fluid across the component when the valve member is in an open position.8. A lubrication system as claimed in claim 7 in which the valve member is in an open position when the pressure difference across the valve is below a predetermined value.9. A lubrication system as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the component is a filter. C') Co