JP2007187054A - Stationary engine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve startability of a stationary engine at low temperature starting. <P>SOLUTION: The stationary engine 1 comprises a separate lubrication oil tank 2 for storing lubrication oil to be supplied to the engine 1, a pair of pipes 3A, 3B connecting the engine 1 and the lubrication tank 2, a on-off valve 4 provided in the middle of one pipe 3A, a three-way valve 5 and a lubrication pump 6 provided in the middle of the other pipe 3B, and a lubrication oil heating means 7 disposed in the middle of a pipe 3C connecting a remaining port of the three-way valve 5 and the lubrication oil tank 2. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a stationary engine, and more particularly to a configuration for supplying lubricating oil to an engine from a lubricating oil tank provided separately from the engine.

Conventionally, in a stationary engine used for a gas engine heat pump or the like, for example, lubricating oil is stored in an oil pan provided near the bottom of the engine, but deteriorates and is consumed as the engine operation time elapses. In addition to the engine, a lubricating oil tank for storing lubricating oil is provided, and the engine is connected to the engine by piping so that the lubricating oil is appropriately supplied from the lubricating oil tank to the oil pan. In such an engine lubricating oil supply device, an on-off valve such as a floating valve or a solenoid valve is provided in a pipe communicating the engine oil pan and the lubricating oil tank. It has been possible to supply or stop supplying the lubricating oil to the oil pan (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-281199

  However, in conventional stationary engines, when the engine is started at a low temperature, the temperature of the lubricating oil for the engine and the temperature of the cooling water for cooling the engine also decrease. Also, a good startability could not be obtained. In addition, a stationary engine may be configured by providing a heater or the like as lubricating oil heating means for raising the temperature of the lubricating oil, but the heater is attached to one side of the engine body, Thermal efficiency cannot be obtained, and the lubricating oil temperature in the engine tends to be biased. To raise the lubricating oil to a predetermined temperature during cold start, it is necessary to take a long energization time for the heater. Life could be shortened. Further, the lubricating oil supplied from the lubricating oil tank to the engine is circulated without being cooled when the engine is operated, and is maintained in a state exceeding a predetermined oil temperature in the engine.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.

  That is, in the stationary engine, in the stationary engine, a separate lubricating oil tank that stores lubricating oil supplied to the engine, a pair of pipes that connect the engine and the lubricating oil tank, and the one pipe An on-off valve provided in the middle of the pipe, a three-way valve and a lubricating oil pump provided in the middle of the other pipe, and a lubricating oil heating means disposed in the middle of the pipe communicating the remaining port of the three-way valve and the lubricating oil tank Is provided.

  In claim 2, the on-off valve and the three-way valve are constituted by electromagnetic valves and connected to the control means, the detection means for detecting the oil temperature of the lubricating oil and the lubricating oil heating means are connected to the control means, If the lubricating oil temperature is higher than the set oil temperature when starting the engine, open the on-off valve and switch the three-way valve to send the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil tank to the engine with the lubricating oil pump. When the lubricating oil temperature is less than the set oil temperature value, the on-off valve is closed and the lubricating oil heating means is activated to lubricate the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank. By switching to return to the lubricating oil tank via the oil heating means, the lubricating oil is circulated between the lubricating oil tank and the lubricating oil heating means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cooling water passage is formed on the outer periphery of the lubricating oil tank so that heat can be exchanged between the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank and the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lubricating oil heating means is provided in the middle of a pipe communicating the three-way valve and the lubricating oil tank.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the lubricating oil heating means is attached to a lubricating oil tank.

  As effects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

  In Claim 1, the on-off valve provided in the piping which connects the engine and the lubricating oil tank, the three-way valve, the lubricating oil pump, and the lubricating oil provided on the communicating pipe with the remaining port of the three-way valve and the lubricating oil tank By appropriately controlling the operation of the heating means, the lubricating oil is heated by the lubricating oil heating means when the engine is started at a low temperature to raise the lubricating oil temperature, thereby reducing the viscous resistance of the lubricating oil and cranking. It is possible to make it easier, and the startability of the engine can be improved. Since the lubricating oil can be heated in a single loop, the heating time can be shortened and the life of the lubricating oil heating means can be extended.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the engine is started at a low temperature, the lubricating oil is heated by the lubricating oil heating means to increase the lubricating oil temperature, thereby reducing the viscous resistance of the lubricating oil and facilitating cranking. Thus, the startability of the engine can be improved. Since the lubricating oil can be heated in a single loop, the heating time can be shortened and the life of the lubricating oil heating means can be extended.

  In claim 3, when the temperature of the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank becomes higher than the cooling water temperature in the cooling water passage, such as when the engine is started at a low temperature, the cooling water temperature in the cooling water passage is raised by the lubricating oil. This cooling water can increase the temperature of the engine itself and improve the startability of the engine. In addition, when the lubricating oil temperature is higher than the specified oil temperature, such as during normal operation, the lubricating oil temperature in the lubricating oil tank is lowered by cooling water to prevent deterioration of the lubricating oil and improve its durability. Can be planned.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the lubricating oil heating means can be adapted to the lubricating oil tank. Further, the maintenance and replacement of the lubricating oil heating means can be easily performed.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the lubricating oil heating means and the lubricating oil tank can be integrally formed, and the cost can be reduced. Moreover, compared with the case where a lubricating oil heating means and a lubricating oil tank are comprised separately, it can comprise compactly as a whole.

  Next, embodiments of the invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a lubricating oil supply device for an engine according to an embodiment of the present invention and a flow of lubricating oil at the time of starting the engine at a low temperature, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control mechanism of the engine lubricating oil supply device, and FIG. 4 is a lubrication in the engine lubricating oil supply device. It is a figure which shows the flow of supply control of oil.

  The stationary engine of the present invention is used for a gas heat pump or the like, and includes a lubricating oil tank 2 that is separate from the engine body, as shown in FIGS. The lubricating oil tank 2 stores lubricating oil supplied to the engine 1 and is in communication with the engine 1 through a pair of pipes 3A and 3B. The pipes 3A and 3B can discharge the lubricating oil from the engine 1 to the lubricating oil tank 2 through one discharge side pipe 3A, and can supply the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the engine 1 through the other supply side pipe 8B. The lubricating oil can be circulated between the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2.

  An on-off valve 4 composed of an electromagnetic valve is provided in the middle of the discharge side pipe 3A, and the on-off valve 4 can shut off the discharge of the lubricating oil from the engine 1 to the lubricating oil tank 2. In the middle of the supply side pipe 3B, a three-way valve 5 composed of an electromagnetic valve is provided, and a lubricating oil pump 6 is provided so as to be positioned between the three-way valve 5 and the lubricating oil tank 2. Lubricating oil is sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the engine 1 via the valve 5 by the lubricating oil pump 6 and can be supplied. That is, the lubricating oil can be forcedly circulated between the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2 by the lubricating oil pump 6 through the discharge side piping 3A and the supply side piping 3B.

  The remaining port of the three-way valve 5 is connected to the lubricating oil tank 2 through a pipe 3C, and the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 by the lubricating oil pump 6 is supplied to the engine 1 through the pipe 3C through the supply side pipe 3B. It is possible to return to the lubricating oil tank 2 through the three-way valve 5 before starting. That is, the three-way valve 5 is configured to be able to switch oil supply from the lubricating oil pump 6 to the engine 1 side and the lubricating oil tank 2 side. A lubricating oil heating means 7 comprising an electric heater or the like is provided in the middle of the pipe 3C, and the lubricating oil heating means 7 can heat the lubricating oil when it flows through the pipe 3C. The lubricating oil heating means 7 may be provided between the three-way valve 5 and the lubricating oil tank 2 in the middle of the supply side pipe 3B, or may be attached to the lubricating oil tank 2.

  Further, a lubricating oil sound detecting means for detecting the oil temperature of the lubricating oil in the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2 is provided. The lubricating oil temperature detecting means comprises a first lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8A and a second lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8B, and the first lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8A can detect the lubricating oil temperature in the engine 1. The lubricating oil temperature in the lubricating oil tank 2 can be detected by the second lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8B. In the present embodiment, the first lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8A is arranged in an oil pan or the like of the engine 1, and the second lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8B is arranged in the middle of the supply side pipe 3B.

  The first lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8A and the second lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8B are connected to the control means 10 as shown in FIG. The control means 10 includes an on-off valve 4 provided in the discharge side pipe 3A, a three-way valve 5 provided in the supply side pipe 3B, a lubricating oil pump 6, a lubricating oil heating means 7 provided in the pipe 3C, a setting means. 9 etc. are also connected. Based on the detection signal from the first lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8A and the second lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8B and the program stored in advance in the memory of the controlling means 10 in the control means 10 Control signals for the four-way valve, the three-way valve 5, the lubricating oil pump 6, and the lubricating oil heating means 7 are generated, and the operation of each device can be controlled by the control signal.

  In such a configuration, when the engine is started, supply control of the lubricating oil is performed between the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2 by the control means 10 in the following flow. When the key switch is turned on when the engine 1 is started, the control means 10 is activated. When the switch for cranking the engine 1 (starter ON) is turned on, as shown in FIG. 4, a starter signal is input to the control means 10 (step S10), and the cell motor is rotated accordingly. Then, cranking is started.

  At the same time, the lubricating oil temperature in the engine 1 at this time is detected by the first lubricating oil temperature detection means 8A, and this detection signal is input to the control means 10 so that the lubricating oil temperature Tlo1 in the engine 1 at the start is controlled. 10 is read (step S11). In the control means 10, it is determined whether or not the lubricating oil temperature Tlo1 in the engine 1 at the time of starting is lower than the set oil temperature Tlo0 preset in the control means 10 by the setting means 9 (step S12).

  Here, when it is determined that the lubricating oil temperature Tlo1 in the engine 1 is higher than the set oil temperature Tlo0, the lubricating oil heating means 7 provided in the pipe 3C is brought into a stopped state by the control means 10. (Step S13), the on-off valve 4 provided in the discharge side pipe 3A is opened, and the three-way valve 5 provided in the supply side pipe 3B causes the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the engine by the lubricating oil pump 6. Is switched to 1 (step S14).

  In this state, along with the operation of the lubricating oil pump 6, the lubricating oil in the engine 1 is discharged to the lubricating oil tank 2 by opening the on-off valve 4, and lubrication is performed by switching the three-way valve 5 in the direction of the engine 1. The lubricating oil is sent in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 2 through the discharge side pipe 3A and the supply side pipe 3B so that the lubricating oil in the oil tank 2 is supplied to the engine 1 by the lubricating oil pump 6. 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2 are circulated. As described above, if the lubricant supply temperature is equal to or higher than the set oil temperature when the engine is started, the lubricant supply control is performed and the engine 1 is started.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the lubricating oil temperature Tlo1 in the engine 1 is lower than the set oil temperature Tlo0, the control means 10 closes the on-off valve 4 provided in the discharge side piping 3A and supplies the supply side The three-way valve 5 provided in the pipe 3B is switched to return the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the lubricating oil tank 2 through the pipe 3C (step S15). Subsequently, the lubricating oil heating means 7 provided in the pipe 3C is activated (step S16).

  In this state, along with the operation of the lubricating oil pump 6, the closing of the on-off valve 4 blocks the discharge of the lubricating oil from the engine 1 to the lubricating oil tank 2, and the three-way valve 5 switches to the lubricating oil tank 2 direction. Due to the operation, the supply of the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the engine 1 is cut off, so that the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 by the lubricating oil pump 6 is supplied from the middle of the supply side pipe 3B to the three-way valve. 5 is sent through the pipe 3C in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. At this time, the lubricating oil is heated by the lubricating oil heating means 7 in the pipe 3C.

  The lubricating oil tank 2 and the lubricating oil heating formed by including the lubricating oil tank 2, the lubricating oil pump 6, and the lubricating oil heating means 7 by a part of the supply side piping 3B and the piping 3C through the three-way valve 5 in this way. When the lubricating oil is circulated while being heated by the lubricating oil heating means 7 in a loop with the means 7, the lubricating oil temperature in the lubricating oil tank 2 is periodically changed by the second lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8B. This detection signal is input to the control means 10, and the lubricating oil temperature Tlo2 in the lubricating oil tank 2 is read into the control means 10 (step S17). In the control means 10, it is determined whether the lubricating oil temperature Tlo2 in the lubricating oil tank 2 is lower than the set oil temperature Tlo0 (step S18).

  When the lubricating oil temperature Tlo2 in the lubricating oil tank 2 is lower than the set oil temperature Tlo0, the on-off valve 4 provided in the discharge side pipe 3A is closed by the control means 10 and the supply side pipe 3B is closed. The three-way valve 5 is maintained in a state where the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 is switched back to the lubricating oil tank 2 through the pipe 3C, and the lubricating oil heating means 7 provided in the pipe 3C includes Maintained in working condition. Thus, the lubricating oil heating means 7 continues to heat the lubricating oil while circulating in the loop, and the lubricating oil temperature is further raised. In this process, the control of steps S17 and S18 is repeated.

  On the other hand, when the lubricating oil temperature Tlo2 in the lubricating oil tank 2 is higher than the set oil temperature Tlo0, the lubricating oil heating means 7 provided in the pipe 3C is deactivated by the control means 10 (step S19). ), The on-off valve 4 provided in the discharge side pipe 3A is opened, and the three-way valve 5 provided in the supply side pipe 3B is switched to send the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the engine 1 by the lubricating oil pump 6. (Step S14).

  Accordingly, the lubricating oil in the engine 1 is discharged to the lubricating oil tank 2 by the opening operation of the on-off valve 4, and the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank 2 is lubricated by the switching operation of the three-way valve 5 in the direction of the engine 1. Lubricating oil is sent in the direction of the black arrow in FIG. 2 through the discharge side pipe 3A and the supply side pipe 3B so as to be supplied to the engine 1 by the pump 6, and between the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2 Lubricant circulation begins. Thus, the supply control of the lubricating oil is performed if the lubricating oil temperature is lower than the set oil temperature when the engine is started, and the engine 1 is started.

  As described above, the stationary engine 1 according to the present embodiment includes a separate lubricating oil tank 2 that stores lubricating oil supplied to the engine 1 and a pair of pipes that communicate the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2. 3A, 3B, the on-off valve 4 provided in the middle of the one pipe 3A, the three-way valve 5 and the lubricating oil pump 6 provided in the middle of the other pipe 3B, the remaining port of the three-way valve 5, and the lubricating oil tank 2 And a lubricating oil heating means 7 disposed in the middle of a pipe 3C communicating with the pipe 3C.

  In the engine 1, the opening / closing valve 4 and the three-way valve 5 are constituted by electromagnetic valves and connected to the control means 10, and the detection means 8 </ b> A and 8 </ b> B for detecting the oil temperature of the lubricating oil, Is connected to the control means 10 and the on-off valve 4 is opened if the lubricating oil temperature is equal to or higher than the set oil temperature value when the engine is started, and the three-way valve 5 is sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 to the engine 1 by the lubricating oil pump 6. In this way, the lubricating oil is circulated between the engine 1 and the lubricating oil tank 2. If the lubricating oil temperature is lower than the set oil temperature value, the on-off valve 4 is closed and the lubricating oil heating means 7 is operated. The three-way valve 5 is switched between the lubricating oil tank 2 and the lubricating oil heating means 7 by switching the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank 2 back to the lubricating oil tank 2 via the lubricating oil heating means 7. Lubricating the engine 1 so as to circulate the lubricating oil Control of the supply is carried out.

  Accordingly, when starting the engine at a low temperature, the lubricating oil is heated by the lubricating oil heating means 7 to raise the lubricating oil temperature, thereby reducing the viscous resistance of the lubricating oil and facilitating cranking. 1 startability can be improved. Since the lubricating oil can be heated in a single loop, the heating time can be shortened and the life of the lubricating oil heating means 7 can be extended.

  In the stationary engine 1, the lubricating oil heating means 7 is provided in the middle of the pipe 3 </ b> C that connects the three-way valve 5 and the lubricating oil tank 2, so that the lubricating oil heating means is adapted to the lubricating oil tank. Can do. Further, maintenance and replacement of the lubricating oil heating means 7 can be easily performed. In the present embodiment, the lubricating oil heating means 7 is provided in the middle of the pipe 3C, but may be provided in the middle of the supply side pipe 3B.

  Further, when the lubricating oil heating means 7 is attached to the lubricating oil tank 2, the lubricating oil heating means 7 and the lubricating oil tank 2 can be integrally configured, and the cost can be reduced. it can. Moreover, compared with the case where the lubricating oil heating means 7 and the lubricating oil tank 2 are comprised separately, it can comprise compactly as a whole.

  In the stationary engine 1, a cooling water passage 11 for sending cooling water used for cooling the engine 1 from the cooling water pump to the engine 1 is formed on the outer periphery of the lubricating oil tank 2. The lubricating oil and the cooling water passage 11 are configured to exchange heat with the cooling water flowing in the direction of the white arrow in FIGS. Therefore, when the lubricating oil temperature exceeds the predetermined oil temperature, such as during normal operation, the lubricating oil temperature in the lubricating oil tank 2 is lowered by cooling water to prevent deterioration of the lubricating oil and improve its durability. Can be achieved.

  Further, when the lubricating oil temperature in the lubricating oil tank 2 becomes higher than the cooling water temperature in the cooling water passage 11 such as when the engine is started at a low temperature as described above, the cooling water temperature in the cooling water passage 11 is set by the lubricating oil. By raising the temperature, the temperature of the engine 1 itself can be increased with this cooling water, and the startability of the engine 1 can be improved. At this time, the temperature of the cooling water can be raised by the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank 2 heated by the lubricating oil heating means 7, so when the lubricating oil heating means 7 is an electric heater, Compared with an electric heater that is attached to a simple engine and raises the temperature of the lubricating oil and the temperature of the cooling water, the capacity can be reduced.

  The stationary engine 1 of the above embodiment uses the lubricating oil temperature detected by the lubricating oil temperature detecting means 8A and 8B when the engine is started, and uses the three-way valve 4 and the supply side pipe 3B of the discharge side pipe 3A. The operating state of the lubricating oil heating means 7 of the valve 5 and the pipe 3C is changed by the control means 10, and if the lubricating oil temperature is lower than the set oil temperature, the lubricating oil heating means 7 increases the temperature while the engine 1 and Although it is set as the structure which controls supply of control lubricating oil between the lubricating oil tanks 2, it is the structure which performs supply control of lubricating oil using the cooling water temperature and external temperature for engine cooling with the lubricating oil temperature In this case as well, it is possible to improve the startability of the engine at a low temperature start.

The figure which shows the structure of the lubricating oil supply apparatus of the engine which concerns on one Example of this invention, and the flow of lubricating oil at the time of engine low temperature start. The figure which shows the structure of the lubricating oil supply apparatus of the engine which concerns on one Example of this invention, and the flow of lubricating oil at the time of normal operation of an engine. The block diagram which shows the control mechanism of the lubricating oil supply apparatus of an engine. The figure which shows the flow of supply control of the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil supply apparatus of an engine.

Explanation of symbols

1 Engine 2 Lubricating Oil Tank 3A Piping 3B Piping 4 On-off Valve 5 Three-way Valve 6 Lubricating Oil Pump 6
7 Lubricating oil heating means 8A and 8B Lubricating oil temperature detecting means 10 Control means 11 Cooling water passage

Claims (5)

  In the stationary engine, a separate lubricating oil tank for storing lubricating oil to be supplied to the engine, a pair of pipes communicating the engine and the lubricating oil tank, and an on-off valve provided in the middle of the one pipe; A stationary apparatus comprising: a three-way valve and a lubricating oil pump provided in the middle of the other pipe; and a lubricating oil heating means disposed in the middle of the pipe communicating the remaining port of the three-way valve and the lubricating oil tank. Expression engine.   The on-off valve and the three-way valve are constituted by electromagnetic valves and connected to the control means, the detection means for detecting the oil temperature of the lubricating oil and the lubricating oil heating means are connected to the control means, and the lubricating oil temperature is If the oil temperature is higher than the set oil temperature, open the on-off valve and switch the three-way valve to send the lubricating oil from the lubricating oil tank to the engine with the lubricating oil pump, and circulate the lubricating oil between the engine and the lubricating oil tank. If the oil temperature of the lubricating oil is lower than the set oil temperature value, the on-off valve is closed, the lubricating oil heating means is operated, and the lubricating oil sent from the lubricating oil tank is passed through the lubricating oil heating means. The stationary engine according to claim 1, wherein the stationary oil is switched back to the lubricating oil tank and the lubricating oil is circulated between the lubricating oil tank and the lubricating oil heating means.   The cooling water passage is formed in the outer periphery of the lubricating oil tank, and heat exchange is possible between the lubricating oil in the lubricating oil tank and the cooling water flowing through the cooling water passage. Stationary engine.   The stationary engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lubricating oil heating means is provided in the middle of a pipe communicating the three-way valve and a lubricating oil tank. The stationary engine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lubricating oil heating means is attached to a lubricating oil tank.

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