GB2589562A

GB2589562A - Lubrication fluid drainage system

Info

Publication number: GB2589562A
Application number: GB1916704.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A Dods James; Andrew Leggott Paul
Original assignee: Cummins Inc
Current assignee: Cummins Inc
Priority date: 2019-11-15
Filing date: 2019-11-15
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Anticipated expiration: 2039-11-15
Also published as: CN114729584B; GB201916704D0; WO2021096826A1; CN114729584A; GB2589562B

Abstract

A method and system (100 Fig. 1) for servicing an internal combustion engine 102, includes a first storage volume 122, a second storage volume 124, and an interconnecting fluid flow path 132, 138, 164, 172, (182 Fig. 3) that includes means 136 to block/unblock the flow path during a service event so that fluid can flow from the second storage volume to the first storage volume. The arrangement can include an overflow path 146 for supplying the second storage volume fluid to the first storage volume. The servicing task can include removing a filter device 134 that includes the blocking/unblocking means, i.e. a valve, and the removal of the filter permits drainage of the lubricating fluid from the second storage volume to the first storage volume by opening the valve. When the filter is replaced, the flow path between storage volumes can be blocked once more. Additional lubricant stored in the second storage volume increases the overall lubricant volume and therefore the time between lubricant/oil changes, without adding additional size to the engine block and oil sump, while at the same time avoiding an increase of oil in the first storage volume (oil sump), which could lead to crankshaft dipping at engine start-up.

Description

LUBRICATION FLUID DRAINAGE SYSTEM

Field of the Invention:

100011 This invention relates to an internal combustion engine including a lubrication system, and more particularly to a drainage system for an engine lubrication fluid storage system that is separated from the crankcase.

BACKGROUND

100021 In an internal combustion engine, a supply of lubrication fluid, such as engine oil, is provided in an oil pan at the bottom of the engine. During engine operation, a pump is used to carry the oil from the oil pan into the working portions of the engine in order to lubricate the engines moving parts and to provide other functions. The lubrication fluid is continuously supplied to these moving components, and the lubrication is fluid is retuned to oil pan through various paths by gravity flow. The cylinders and other components in an internal combustion engine require lubrication by oil or other suitable fluid to be able to operate properly.

[0003] In order to maintain the engine in proper working order, it is necessary to change the lubrication fluid periodically. Capacitors have been developed to increase the amount of lubrication fluid stored by the engine, thus increasing the time interval between service events to change the lubrication fluid. Some examples of oil capacitors are provided in U.S. Patent No. 5,479,886, which is incorporated herein by reference. However, the duration of the service event to change the lubrication fluid is increased due to having to wait for the lubrication fluid to leak or drain from the capacitors. There is also a chance the oil capacitors may not even be drained during the service event. Therefore, further improvements in lubrication fluid drainage and service are needed.

SUMMARY

[0004] Embodiments include an internal combustion engine including an engine lubrication fluid storage system with a primary storage volume and a secondary storage volume that is separated from the primary storage volume. The secondary storage volume is linked to the primary storage volume with a fluid flow path that is normally blocked by a valve that is associated with a filtering device. Removal of the filtering device during the service event unblocks the fluid flow path, allowing fluid to flow from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume for drainage from the engine during the service event [0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the illustrative embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key 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

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Fig 1 is a schematic depiction of an internal combustion engine includes lubrication fluid storage systems [0007] Fig. 2 is a schematic depiction of internal combustion engine and lubrication fluid storage system of Fig. 1 with the fluid flow path between the fluid storage systems blocked.

[0008] Fig. 3 is a schematic depiction of a perspective view of the lubrication fluid storage system of Fig. I with the fluid flow path between the fluid storage systems open.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 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, any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates are contemplated herein.

100101 Referring to Fig. 1 an internal combustion engine system 100 includes an internal combustion engine 102 with a block 104 housing and/or supporting a plurality of components 106, such as crankshaft(s), a plurality of cylinders, pistons, gears, pumps, housings, turbines, etc. that would normally be found on an internal combustion engine. The system 100 further includes a lubrication fluid storage system 120 that is mounted on-engine to receive lubrication fluid, such as oil, from at least one of the components 106 and to return the lubrication fluid to the plurality of components 106 for lubrication and/or cooling.

100111 The internal combustion engine 102 may be any type of internal combustion engine that requires lubrication, including at least a diesel, gasoline, or natural gas engine, and/or combinations thereof The internal combustion engine 102 can include a single cylinder bank, a dual cylinder bank, or other cylinder bank arrangements. Any numbers of cylinders and cylinder arrangements are contemplated for internal combustion engine 102 100121 Referring further to Figs. 2-3, the lubrication fluid storage system 120 includes a primary storage volume 122 and a secondary storage volume 124 that each store lubrication fluid that is returned by gravity through various passages from components 106, as indicated by arrows 126. The primary storage volume 122 can include, for example, the crankcase and/or oil pan of engine 102. The secondary storage volume 124, for example, a fluid capacitor that provides an additional volume for lubrication fluid storage to allow an extended time interval between lubrication fluid changes than would be possible with only the primary storage volume 122 available for lubrication fluid storage.

10013] Secondary storage volume 124 can include one or more secondary storage volumes 124a, 124b, 124c linked together with drain paths 128a, 128b connecting the 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 connect with a first fluid flow path 132 that is associated with a filter device 134, such as a cartridge oil filter. The filter device includes a valve 136 that normally blocks first fluid flow path 132 from a second fluid flow path that is in fluid communication with primary storage volume 122.

100141 As shown in Figs. 2-3, secondary storage volume 124 is located in the oi drain cavity 140 of block 104 above the primary storage volume 122. Secondary storage volume 124 includes a main wall 142 that is connected at a bottom end 144 to block 104. Main wall 142 is angled outwardly from block 104 in an "L" or "I" shape and extends to an upper end 146 of main wall 142. Upper end 146 forms a weir providing an overflow path for lubrication fluid to flow from secondary storage volume 124 to primary storage volume 122. Main wall 142 is spaced inwardly from the block wall 170 so that a blowby gas passage 172 is provided for blowby gas, as indicated by arrows 174.

100151 Secondary storage volume 124 also includes a divider wall 150 between block 104 and main wall 142 that separates the storage volume 124 into a first part 156 and a second part 158. Lubrication fluid 160 draining from components 106 flows into first part 156. The upper end of divider wall 150 can include a cap 156 that prevents the lubrication fluid from flowing into second part 158. Divider wall 150 includes a lower end 152 that is spaced from main wall 142 to form an opening so lubrication fluid can flow from first part 156 to second part 158 of the secondary storage volume 124, as indicated by arrow 162. When sufficient lubrication fluid has accumulated in secondary storage volume 124, the lubrication fluid flows from second part 158 and over the weir at upper end 146, as indicated by arrow 164. During normal operation of engine 102, the secondary storage volume 124 retains a sufficient amount of lubrication fluid to avoid dipping of the crankshaft at startup.

100161 As can be observed from Fig. 2, removal of drain plug 180 will only drain lubrication fluid from primary storage volume 122. In order to drain the secondary storage volume 124, the valve 136 associated with filter device 134 is removed from blocking first flow path 132. This allows lubrication from primary storage volume 124 to drain through the second flow path 138 that opens into the primary storage volume 122, as shown in Fig, 3 and indicated by arrows 182. As a result, substantially all the lubrication fluid from secondary storage volume 124 and primary storage volume 122 can be drained through opening 184 created by removal of plug 180 upon removed of the filter device 134 and the associate valve that blocks the fluid flow paths 132, 138. If multiple secondary storage volumes 124a, 124b, 124c are provided, all the secondary storage volumes 124a, 124b, 124c are drained since they are linked by drain paths 128a, 128b, which are located at the level or plane of first fluid flow path 132.

10017] Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated as indicated in the claims appended hereto. According one aspect, a system includes an internal combustion engine including a block, a plurality of components supported by the block, and a lubrication fluid for lubricating the plurality of components. The system also includes a lubrication fluid storage system for storing a supply of the lubrication fluid to lubricate the plurality of components. The lubrication fluid storage system includes a primary storage volume for storing the lubrication fluid to circulate to the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine and a secondary storage volume for storing additional lubrication fluid to supply to the primary storage volume during operation of the internal combustion engine via an overflow path. A fluid flow path connects the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume. The fluid flow path is normally blocked, and is unblocked during a service event for lubrication fluid to flow from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume.

100181 In an embodiment, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a filter device having a valve that normally blocks the fluid flow path. In an embodiment, removal of the filter device during the service event opens the fluid flow path.

10019] In an embodiment, the fluid flow path is connected to a bottom of the secondary storage volume. In an embodiment, the secondary storage volume includes a weir defining the overflow path.

10020] In an embodiment, the secondary storage volume includes a plurality of secondary storage volumes that are linked to one another with a drain path. In an embodiment, the drain path and the fluid flow path lie on a common plane so that lubrication from all the plurality of secondary storage volumes is drained when the fluid flow path is unblocked.

[0021] In an embodiment, the secondary storage volume includes a first part for receiving lubrication fluid draining from the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine, and a second part divided from the first part to receive lubrication fluid from the first part, the second part including a weir that provides the overflow path for the lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume. In an embodiment, the first part and second part are separated with a divider wall that provides an opening between the first and second parts at a bottom of the divider wall. In an embodiment, the divider wall includes a cap that extends over the second part to direct the lubrication fluid draining from the internal combustion engine into the first part of the secondary storage volume.

[0022] In another aspect, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine includes a primary storage volume for providing lubrication fluid to an internal combustion engine and aa secondary storage volume for receiving the lubrication fluid from the internal combustion engine. The secondary storage volume provides lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume via an overflow path The secondary storage volume is connected to the primary storage volume via a fluid flow path that is normally blocked, and the fluid flow path is unblocked during a service event in which the lubrication fluid is drained from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume via the fluid flow path.

[0023] In an embodiment, the lubrication system includes a filter device that includes a valve that normally blocks the fluid flow path, and the valve is displaced from the fluid flow path to unblock the fluid flow path during the service event as the filter device is removed. In an embodiment, the primary storage volume includes an oil pan and the secondary storage volume includes an oil capacitor.

[0024] In an embodiment, the fluid flow path includes an inlet at a bottom of the secondary storage volume and an outlet above the primary storage volume. In an embodiment, the secondary storage volume includes a plurality of secondary storage volumes linked via a drain path configured so that lubrication fluid from each of the storage volumes flows to the fluid flow path during the service event.

[0025] In an embodiment, the secondary storage volume includes a first part for receiving lubrication fluid draining from the internal combustion engine, and a second part divided from the first part to receive lubrication fluid from the first part, the second part including a

S

weir that provides the overflow path for the lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume. In an embodiment, the first part and second part are separated with a divider wall that provides an opening between the first and second parts at a bottom of the divider wall [0026] In an embodiment, the divider wall includes a cap that extends over the second part to direct the lubrication fluid draining from the internal combustion engine into the first part of the secondary storage volume [0027] In another aspect, a method for servicing an internal combustion engine including a lubrication fluid includes: removing a filter device having a valve that blocks a fluid flow path; draining lubrication fluid from an upper storage volume to a lower storage volume through the fluid flow path that is unblocked by removal of the filtering device; and draining the lubrication fluid from the lower storage volume.

[0028] In an embodiment, the method includes installing the filter device to block the fluid flow path with the valve. In an embodiment, draining the lubrication fluid includes draining the lubrication fluid from a plurality of upper storage volumes.

[0029] Any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with one or more other embodiments unless otherwise excluded.

[0030] 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 appreciate that many modifications are possible in the example 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 [0031] In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as "a," "an, "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. 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

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A system, comprising: an internal combustion engine including a block, a plurality of components supported by the block, and a lubrication fluid for lubricating the plurality of components; a lubrication fluid storage system for storing a supply of the lubrication fluid to lubricate the plurality of components, the lubrication fluid storage system including: a primary storage volume for storing the lubrication fluid to circulate to the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine; a secondary storage volume for storing lubrication fluid to supply to the primary storage volume during operation of the internal combustion engine via an overflow path; and a fluid flow path connecting the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume, wherein the fluid flow path is normally blocked and is unblocked during a service event for lubrication fluid to flow from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume.
2. The system of claim I, wherein the internal combustion engine includes a filter device having a valve that normally blocks the fluid flow path.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein removal of the filter device during the service event opens the fluid flow path.
4. The system of any preceding claim, 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 includes a weir defining the overflow path.
6. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary storage volume includes a plurality of secondary storage volumes that are linked to one another with one or more drain paths.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the drain paths and the fluid flow path lie on a common plane so that lubrication from an the plurality of secondary storage volumes is drained when the fluid flow path is unblocked
8. The system of any preceding claim, wherein the secondary storage volume includes a first part for receiving lubrication fluid draining from the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine, and a second part divided from the first part to receive lubrication fluid from the first part, the second part including a weir that provides the overflow path for the lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first part and second part are separated with a divider wall that provides an opening between the first and second parts at a bottom of the divider wall.
The system of claim 9, wherein the divider wall includes a cap that extends over the second part to direct the lubrication fluid draining from the internal combustion engine into the first part of the secondary storage volume.
11. A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, comprising: a primary storage volume for providing lubrication fluid to an internal combustion engine a secondary storage volume for receiving the lubrication fluid from the internal combustion engine and providing lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume via an overflow path, wherein the secondary storage volume is connected to the primary storage volume via a fluid flow path that is normally blocked and is unblocked during a service event in which the lubrication fluid is drained from the secondary storage volume to the primary storage volume via the fluid flow path.
12. The system of claim 11, further comprising a filter device that includes a valve that normally blocks the fluid flow path, wherein the valve is displaced from the fluid flow path to unblock the fluid flow path during the service event.
13. The system of claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the primary storage volume includes an oil pan and the secondary storage volume includes an oil capacitor.
14. The system of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the fluid flow path includes an inlet at a bottom of the secondary storage volume and an outlet above the primary storage volume.
15. The system of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the secondary storage volume includes a plurality of secondary storage volumes linked via one or more drain paths configured so that lubrication fluid from each of the secondary storage volumes flows to the fluid flow path during the service event.
16. The system of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the secondary storage volume includes a first part for receiving lubrication fluid draining from the internal combustion engine, and a second part divided from the first part to receive lubrication fluid from the first part, the second part including a weir that provides the overflow path for the lubrication fluid to the primary storage volume
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the first part and second part are separated with a divider wall that provides an opening between the first and second parts at a bottom of the divider wall.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the divider wall includes a cap that extends over the second part to direct the lubrication fluid draining from the internal combustion engine into the first part of the secondary storage volume
19. A method for servicing an internal combustion engine including a lubrication fluid, comprising: removing a filter device having a valve that blocks a fluid flow path; draining lubrication fluid from an upper storage volume to a lower storage volume through the fluid flow path that is unblocked from removal of the filtering device; and draining the lubrication fluid from the lower storage volume.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising installing the filter device to block the fluid flow path with the valve.
21. The method of claim 19 or claim 20, wherein draining the lubrication fluid includes draining the lubrication fluid from a plurality of upper storage volumes.