US20120298068A1

US20120298068A1 - Interchangeable Lubricating Oil Pump For Use With Two Engines Having Different Lubrication Requirements And Method of Manufacturing Same

Info

Publication number: US20120298068A1
Application number: US13/115,191
Authority: US
Inventors: Christopher LaGatta; David Cyborski; Travis T. Petry-Johnson; Sudhakar Paruchuri
Original assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Current assignee: Caterpillar Inc
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2011-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: DE102012010417A1

Abstract

An interchangeable lubricating oil pump for use with two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements includes a pump housing and a drive shaft rotatably supported in an opening through the pump housing. A first end of the drive shaft provides a drive gear mounting location. First and second idler gear mounting locations of the pump housing are positioned a common distance from the drive gear mounting location. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump also includes a set of interchangeable gears including a small interchangeable gear and a large interchangeable gear. A first configuration for a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement includes the large interchangeable gear mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the small interchangeable gear mounted at the first idler gear mounting location. A second configuration for a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement includes the small interchangeable gear mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the large interchangeable gear mounted at the second idler gear mounting location.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and more particularly to an interchangeable lubricating oil pump and interchangeable gear set for use with two engines having different lubrication requirements.

BACKGROUND

Gears are used in internal combustion engines to increase or decrease speed, increase force, or change the direction of power for a number of different uses. The gear trains typically include two or more gears of various types sized to provide desired gear ratios depending on the particular application. U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,838 to Varela et al. teaches a transfer case assembly including a gear train that consists of an input gear, an idler gear, and an output gear. The idler gear is mounted on an idler shaft that is supported by a bearing that is retained within a carrier. The carrier is movable within an arcuate slot and may be fixed at one of a plurality of mounting locations within the slot. According to an exemplary embodiment, the idler gear may be fixed at different locations along the arcuate slot that are the same distance from the output gear. The different locations have different distances from the input gear and, thus, differently sized input gears may be used, depending on the mounting location of the idler gear.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect, an interchangeable lubricating oil pump for use with two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements includes a pump housing and a drive shaft rotatably supported in an opening through the pump housing. A first end of the drive shaft provides a drive gear mounting location. First and second idler gear mounting locations of the pump housing are positioned a common distance from the drive gear mounting location. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump also includes a set of interchangeable gears including a small interchangeable gear and a large interchangeable gear. A first configuration for a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement includes the large interchangeable gear mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the small interchangeable gear mounted at the first idler gear mounting location. A second configuration for a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement includes the small interchangeable gear mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the large interchangeable gear mounted at the second idler gear mounting location.
In another aspect, two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements include a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement and a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement. A first interchangeable lubricating oil pump and a second interchangeable lubricating oil pump are identical and interchangeable and each include a pump housing having a drive gear mounting location, a first idler gear mounting location, and a second idler gear mounting location. A first set of interchangeable gears and a second set of interchangeable gears are identical and interchangeable and each include a small interchangeable gear and a large interchangeable gear. The first interchangeable lubricating oil pump is installed on the first internal combustion engine and has a first configuration wherein the large interchangeable gear of the first set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the small interchangeable gear of the first set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the first idler gear mounting location. The second interchangeable lubricating oil pump is installed on the second internal combustion engine and has a second configuration wherein the small interchangeable gear of the second set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the large interchangeable gear of the second set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the second idler gear mounting location.
In yet another aspect, a method of manufacturing two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements comprises the steps of installing a first interchangeable lubricating oil pump on a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement, and installing a second interchangeable lubricating oil pump on a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement. The first installing step includes mounting a first large interchangeable gear at a drive gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and mounting a first small interchangeable gear at a first idler gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump. The second installing step includes mounting a second small interchangeable gear at a drive gear mounting location of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and mounting a second large interchangeable gear at a second idler gear mounting location of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of two engines having different lubrication requirements, according to one aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an interchangeable lubricating oil pump and an interchangeable gear set for use with the two engines of FIG. 1, according to another aspect of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the interchangeable lubricating oil pump of FIG. 2, according to a first configuration;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interchangeable lubricating oil pump of FIG. 2, according to a second configuration;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rear gear train of an internal combustion engine, including the interchangeable lubricating oil pump of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, two engines having different lubrication requirements are illustrated. Specifically, a first internal combustion engine 10, such as a compression ignition engine, may include an engine block 12 that defines twelve cylinders 14 in a V configuration. Each cylinder 14 forms a compression chamber and may receive fuel from a common rail fuel system 16. For example, a first row 18 of cylinders 14 may be fluidly connected to a first common rail 20, while a second row 22 of cylinders 14 may be fluidly connected to a second common rail 24. The first and second common rails 20 and 24 may receive pressurized fuel from a pump and rail assembly 26. Although a common rail fuel system 16 is shown, it should be appreciated that any fuel system capable of supplying fuel into each of the cylinders 14 during operation of the internal combustion engine 10 may be used.
The first internal combustion engine 10 also includes a lubrication system 28 having a plurality of lubrication oil galleries 30, which may be defined by the engine block 12. The lubrication oil galleries 30 may be arranged in parallel, as shown, and may receive lubricating oil from a first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32. More specifically, for example, the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 may draw oil from a sump 34, pressurize the oil, and circulate the pressurized oil first through an oil cooler 36 and one or more oil filters 38. The lubricating oil is then pumped along a first lubrication passage 40, from which lubricating oil is supplied to a number of engine components. Lubricating oil may also pass through the lubrication oil galleries 30, along which a number of additional engine components are supplied with lubricating oil, and along a second lubrication passage 42. After passing through this lubrication circuit, the lubricating oil is returned to the sump 34 where it may be recirculated.
A second internal combustion engine 50, which may also be a compression ignition engine, may include an engine block 52 that defines sixteen cylinders 54 arranged in a V configuration and forming compression chambers. The second internal combustion engine 50 may also receive fuel from a common rail fuel system 56, with a first row 58 of cylinders 54 receiving fuel from a first common rail 60 and a second row 62 of cylinders 54 receiving fuel from a second common rail 64. The first and second common rails 60 and 64 may receive pressurized fuel from a pump and rail assembly 66. A lubrication system 68 includes a plurality of lubrication oil galleries 70 receiving lubricating oil from a second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72. The second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 may draw oil from a sump 74, pressurize the oil, and circulate the pressurized oil through an oil cooler 76, one or more oil filters 78, and along various lubrication paths, which may include first and second lubrication passages 80 and 82 and the lubrication oil galleries 70, before returning the oil to sump 34.
The first and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50 may be substantially similar in design and, as a result, may include a number of similar systems and components arranged in a similar way. Although only fuel systems 16 and 56 and lubrication systems 28 and 68 were described above, it should be appreciated that additional systems and components well known in the art may be provided with the first and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50. Such engines 10 and 50 may be used in on-highway or off-highway machine applications, marine applications, or power generation applications. A notable difference between the first and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50 includes the cylinder count. Specifically, for example, the first internal combustion engine 10 includes twelve cylinders 14, while the second internal combustion engine 50 includes sixteen cylinders 54. As such, the engines 10 and 50 may have different lubrication requirements. For example, the second internal combustion engine 50 may have a higher lubrication demand than the first internal combustion engine 10. Engines with different lubrication requirements but the same number of cylinders also fall within the scope of this disclosure.
Turning now to FIG. 2, an interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 that may be used with the first and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50 of FIG. 1 is shown. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 generally includes a pump housing 102 and a drive shaft 104 rotatably supported in an opening 106 through the pump housing 102. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 may be a gear pump and, as such, an internal gear set (not shown) may be rotated upon rotation of the drive shaft 104. It should be appreciated, however, that a variety of other pumps capable of providing a required flow of lubricating oil may also be used. The pump housing 102 may include common pump features, including, for example, mounting fasteners 108 for attaching the interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 to one of the engines 10 and 50, and a lubrication passage 110 for fluidly connecting the interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 to one of the lubrication systems 28 and 68.
A first end 112 of the drive shaft 104 provides a drive gear mounting location 114. Specifically, the drive gear mounting location 114 may be a location at which a drive gear (discussed below) may be mounted to rotate the drive shaft 104 and, thus, operate the interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100. The pump housing 102 also includes a first idler gear mounting location 116 and a second idler gear mounting location 118. The first and second idler gear mounting locations 116 and 118 provide alternative mounting locations for an idler gear (discussed below), and may each include a fastener bore 120, 122 opening through a stub shaft engagement surface 124, 126. Each of the first and second idler gear mounting locations 116 and 118 are positioned a common distance from the drive gear mounting location 114. More specifically, the first idler gear mounting location 116 is positioned a first distance d₁from the drive gear mounting location 114 and the second idler gear mounting location 118 is positioned a second distance d₂from the drive gear mounting location 114 and, for reasons that will be described below, the first and second distances d₁and d₂are equal.
The interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 also includes an interchangeable gear set 128. The interchangeable gear set 128 includes a small interchangeable gear 130 and a large interchangeable gear 132. Each of the small interchangeable gear 130 and the large interchangeable gear 132 may include a common mounting geometry. As shown, for example, each gear 130, 132 may define a respective bore 134, 136 that defines a cylindrical surface 138, 140. However, alternative mounting geometries, including a splined geometry, may also be used, depending on the specific application. Further, the mounting surfaces 138 and 140 of the small interchangeable gear 130 and the large interchangeable gear 132 are similarly sized such that they can be interchangeably mounted at any of the drive gear mounting location 114, the first idler gear mounting location 116, and the second idler gear mounting location 118. For example, the cylindrical surface 138 of the small interchangeable gear 130 may define a distance d₃that is equal to a distance d₄defined by the cylindrical surface 140 of the large interchangeable gear 132.
One of the small interchangeable gear 130 and the large interchangeable gear 132 may be press fit onto the end of the drive shaft 104 at the drive gear mounting location 114. The other of the small interchangeable gear 130 and the large interchangeable gear 132 may be mounted at either the first idler gear mounting location 116 or the second idler gear mounting location 118. For example, either of the small or large interchangeable gears 130, 132 may be assembled with a stub shaft (not shown) and the stub shaft may be fastened to one of the first or second idler gear mounting locations 116, 118 using the respective fastener bores 120 and 122. According to a specific example, a bearing sleeve (not shown) may be press fit within the bore 134, 136 of either of the small interchangeable gear 130 and the large interchangeable gear 132 and may be configured to turn on a fixed stub shaft. As described herein, a stub shaft will be mounted to exactly one of the first and second idler gear mounting locations 116, 118.
As used herein, “interchangeable lubricating oil pumps” refer to pumps that may be used in place of one another. Specifically, each interchangeable lubricating oil pump described herein may be reconfigured, if necessary, and swapped with another interchangeable lubricating oil pump. Similarly, each “interchangeable gear set” is capable of replacing another interchangeable gear set. Therefore, “interchangeable,” as used herein, is used according to its common usage. The applicability to lubricating oil pumps and gear sets will become more apparent according to the description that follows.
Turning now to FIG. 3, the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32, installed on the first internal combustion engine 10 having a first lubrication requirement, is shown. The first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 is identical to and interchangeable with the interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 of FIG. 2 and, as such, generally includes a pump housing 150, a drive gear mounting location 152, a first idler gear mounting location 154, and a second idler gear mounting location 156. The first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 is shown having a first interchangeable gear set 158 installed thereon according to a first configuration. The first interchangeable gear set 158 is identical to and interchangeable with the interchangeable gear set 128 shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the first interchangeable gear set 158 includes a first small interchangeable gear 160 having the same size and configuration as the small interchangeable gear 130 of the interchangeable gear set 128 of FIG. 2, and a first large interchangeable gear 162 having the same size and configuration as the large interchangeable gear 132 of FIG. 2.
According to the first configuration, the first large interchangeable gear 162 of the first interchangeable gear set 158 is mounted at the drive gear mounting location 152 and the first small interchangeable gear 160 of the first interchangeable gear set 158 is mounted at the first idler gear mounting location 154. For example, the first large interchangeable gear 162 may be press fit onto a drive shaft 164 at the drive gear mounting location 152. The first small interchangeable gear 160 may be assembled with a stub shaft 166, as described above, and the stub shaft 166 may be fastened to the first idler gear mounting location 154 using a fastener 168. More specifically, as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 4, the fastener 168 may be threadably engaged with internal threads of a fastener bore 180 such that the stub shaft 166 contacts a stub shaft engagement surface 182.
The first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 may also include a first lubrication passage 184 terminating at the first idler gear mounting location 154, as shown in FIG. 4, and a second lubrication passage 186 terminating at the second idler gear mounting location 156, as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 5. As should be appreciated, the first and second lubrication passages 184 and 186 may provide lubricating oil to components mounted to either of the first idler gear mounting location 154 and the second idler gear mounting location 156. For example, the first lubrication passage 184 may provide lubrication to the stub shaft 166, such as along drilled passages of the stub shaft, and the first small interchangeable gear 160, according to the first configuration. Further, since no gear is mounted at the second idler gear mounting location 156, a plug 188 may be positioned within the second lubrication passage 186, as shown in FIG. 5, to prevent flow of lubricating oil therethrough.
Turning now to FIG. 6, the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72, installed on the second internal combustion engine 50 having a second lubrication demand, is shown, according to a second configuration. The second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72, which is identical to and interchangeable with the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 and the interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 described with reference to FIG. 2, generally includes a pump housing 200, a drive gear mounting location 202, a first idler gear mounting location 204, and a second idler gear mounting location 206. The second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 is shown having a second interchangeable gear set 208 installed thereon according to a second configuration. The second interchangeable gear set 208 is identical to and interchangeable with the first interchangeable gear set 158 of FIG. 3 and the interchangeable gear set 128 shown in FIG. 2, and includes a second small interchangeable gear 210 and a second large interchangeable gear 212.
According to the second configuration, the second small interchangeable gear 210 of the second interchangeable gear set 208 is mounted at the drive gear mounting location 202 and the second large interchangeable gear 212 of the second interchangeable gear set 208 is mounted at the second idler gear mounting location 206. More specifically, for example, the second small interchangeable gear 210 may be press fit onto a drive shaft 214 at the drive gear mounting location 202. The second large interchangeable gear 212 may be assembled with a stub shaft 216, and the stub shaft 216 may be fastened to the second idler gear mounting location 206 using a fastener 218. More specifically, as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 7, the fastener 218 may be threadably engaged with internal threads of a fastener bore 230 such that the stub shaft 216 contacts a stub shaft engagement surface 232.
The second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 may also include a second lubrication passage 234 terminating at the second idler gear mounting location 206, as shown in FIG. 7, and a first lubrication passage 236 terminating at the first idler gear mounting location 204, as shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 8. As should be appreciated, the second lubrication passage 234 and the first lubrication passage 236 may provide lubricating oil to components mounted at either of the second idler gear mounting location 206 and the first idler gear mounting location 204. For example, the second lubrication passage 234 may provide lubrication to the stub shaft 216, such as along internal drilled passages, and second large interchangeable gear 212, according to the second configuration. Further, since no gear is mounted at the first idler gear mounting location 204 according to the second configuration, a plug 238 may be positioned within the first lubrication passage 236, as shown in FIG. 8, to prevent flow of lubricating oil therethrough.
Turning now to FIG. 9, the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 is shown installed on a rear end 250 of the second internal combustion engine 50. Specifically, the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 having the second set of interchangeable gears 208 installed thereon according to the second configuration, described above, is shown in mesh with a rear gear train 252. The second large interchangeable gear 212, mounted at the second idler gear mounting location 206, is positioned to mesh with gear 254, which may be a crank gear driven by a crankshaft, of the rear gear train 252. As should be appreciated, the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32, having the first interchangeable gear set 158 installed thereon according to the first configuration, could alternatively be positioned in place of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 without any modifications to provide an alternative gear ratio and thus flow rate. This is achieved by positioning the first and second idler gear mounting locations 204 and 206 a common distance from the drive gear mounting location 202 and positioning the first and second idler gear mounting locations 204 and 206 such that according to either the first configuration or the second configuration, the drive and idler gears will mesh and the idler gear will mesh with the appropriate gear of gear train 252. As should also be appreciated, the gear ratios provided in the first configuration and the second configuration are reciprocals of one another.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure may be applicable to differently sized internal combustion engines and/or engines having different lubrication requirements. Further, the present disclosure may be particularly applicable to an interchangeable lubricating oil pump for use with any of the aforementioned engines. Yet further, the present disclosure may be applicable to an interchangeable lubricating oil pump and an interchangeable gear set having a first configuration for an internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement, such as an engine having a small number of cylinders, and a second configuration for an internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement, such as an engine having a large number of cylinders.
Referring generally to FIGS. 1-9, and more particularly to the embodiment of FIG. 6, an interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 generally includes a pump housing 102 and a drive shaft 104 rotatably supported in an opening 106 through the pump housing 102. A first end 112 of the drive shaft 104 provides a drive gear mounting location 114. The pump housing 102 also includes a first idler gear mounting location 116 and a second idler gear mounting location 118, both positioned a common distance from the drive gear mounting location 114. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump 100 also includes an interchangeable gear set 128, which includes a small interchangeable gear 130 and a large interchangeable gear 132.
First and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50 may include a number of similar components and may be substantially similar in design, with a notable difference being the cylinder count. For example, the first internal combustion engine 10 may include an engine block 12 that defines twelve cylinders 14, while the second internal combustion engine 50 includes an engine block 52 that defines sixteen cylinders 54. As a result, the engines 10 and 50 may have different lubrication requirements. For example, the first internal combustion engine 10 may have a first lubrication requirement, while the second internal combustion engine 50 may have a second lubrication requirement that is different than the first lubrication requirement. In addition to differing cylinder counts, there are additional reasons why first and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50 may have different lubrication requirements. For example, engines 10 and 50 may have different and/or additional systems or components having different lubrication demands.
A method of manufacturing two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements, such as the first and second internal combustion engines 10 and 50, includes first determining what size engine is being manufactured and/or determining the lubrication requirements of the engine. Next, a first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 may be installed on the first internal combustion engine 10 having a first lubrication requirement, and a second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 may be installed on the second internal combustion engine 50 having a second lubrication requirement. Each of the first and second interchangeable lubricating oil pumps 32 and 72 are identical and interchangeable. Each respectively includes a pump housing 150, 200 having a drive gear mounting location 152, 202, a first idler gear mounting location 154, 204, and a second idler gear mounting location 156, 206.
For the first internal combustion engine 10 having the first lubrication requirement, installing the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 includes installing a first interchangeable gear set 158 on the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32. A first large interchangeable gear 162 of the first interchangeable gear set 158 is mounted at the drive gear mounting location 152 of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32, functioning as a drive gear, and a first small interchangeable gear 160 is mounted at the first idler gear mounting location 154 of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32, functioning as an idler gear. More specifically, the first large interchangeable gear 162 may be press fit at the drive gear mounting location 152 of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32. Further, the first small interchangeable gear 160 may be assembled with a stub shaft 166. The first stub shaft 166 may be fastened at the first idler gear mounting location 154 of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32. A second lubrication passage 186 that terminates at the second idler gear mounting location 156 may be plugged to block the flow of lubricating oil to the unused idler gear mounting location 156.
The first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 having the first interchangeable gear set 158 installed thereon according to the first configuration may be installed on the first internal combustion engine 10 to provide lubrication according to the first lubrication requirement. Specifically, the drive ratio provided by the first configuration may provide the desired flow rate for the first internal combustion engine 10 having the small number of cylinders 14, such as, for example, twelve cylinders 14. According to a particular embodiment, the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump 32 may provide a flow rate of between about 325 liters per minute (lpm) and 375 lpm, and may be configured with a drive ratio of about 1.0.
For the second internal combustion engine 50 having the large number of cylinders 54, installing the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 includes installing a second interchangeable gear set 208 on the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72. A second small interchangeable gear 210 of the second interchangeable gear set 208 is mounted at the drive gear mounting location 202 of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72, functioning as a drive gear, and a second large interchangeable gear 212 is mounted at the second idler gear mounting location 206 of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72, functioning as an idler gear. More specifically, the second small interchangeable gear 210 is press fit at the drive gear mounting location 202. Further, the second large interchangeable gear 212 is assembled with a second stub shaft 216. The second stub shaft 216 is fastened at the second idler gear mounting location 206. A first lubrication passage 236 that terminates at the first idler gear mounting location 204 may be plugged to block the flow of lubricating oil to the unused idler gear mounting location 204.
The second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 having the second interchangeable gear set 208 installed thereon according to the second configuration may be installed on the second internal combustion engine 50 to provide lubrication according to the second lubrication requirement. Specifically, the drive ratio provided by the second configuration may provide the desired flow rate for the second internal combustion engine 50 having a large number of cylinders 54, such as, for example, sixteen cylinders 54. According to a particular embodiment, the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump 72 may provide a flow rate of between about 450 lpm and 500 lpm, and may be configured with a drive ratio of about 1.5.
As should be appreciated, engine manufacturers are constantly seeking ways to reduce costs. One possible way of reducing costs may be by utilizing an interchangeable lubricating oil pump and interchangeable gear set having different configurations, as described herein, to meet different lubrication requirements. For example, as described above, engines having different numbers of cylinders may have different lubrication requirements. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump and interchangeable gear set may be configured, such as according to the first or second configuration, to meet the different lubrication requirements and may do so with a reduced part count. Further, by facilitating a reduced part count, such a solution may reduce assembly and maintenance costs, by minimizing the time and skill required for assembly and repair, and may lead to fewer inventory control problems.
It should be understood that the above description is intended for illustrative purposes only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Thus, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other aspects of the disclosure can be obtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

Claims

1. An interchangeable lubricating oil pump for use with two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements, comprising:

a pump housing;

a drive shaft rotatably supported in an opening through the pump housing, a first end of the drive shaft providing a drive gear mounting location;

a first idler gear mounting location of the pump housing positioned a common distance from the drive gear mounting location;

a second idler gear mounting location of the pump housing positioned the common distance from the drive gear mounting location; and

a set of interchangeable gears including a small interchangeable gear and a large interchangeable gear;

wherein a first configuration for a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement includes the large interchangeable gear mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the small interchangeable gear mounted at the first idler gear mounting location;

wherein a second configuration for a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement includes the small interchangeable gear mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the large interchangeable gear mounted at the second idler gear mounting location.

2. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump of claim 1, further including a first lubrication passage terminating at the first idler gear mounting location and a second lubrication passage terminating at the second idler gear mounting location.

3. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump of claim 2, further including a plug positioned within one of the first lubrication passage and the second lubrication passage.

4. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump of claim 3, wherein the plug is positioned within the second lubrication passage for the first configuration and the first lubrication passage for the second configuration.

5. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump of claim 1, wherein the small interchangeable gear and the large interchangeable gear include a common mounting geometry.

6. The interchangeable lubricating oil pump of claim 5, further including a stub shaft mounted to exactly one of the first idler gear mounting location and the second idler gear mounting location.

7. Two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements, comprising:

a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement;

a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement;

first and second interchangeable lubricating oil pumps being identical and interchangeable and each including a pump housing having a drive gear mounting location, a first idler gear mounting location, and a second idler gear mounting location; and

first and second sets of interchangeable gears being identical and interchangeable and each including a small interchangeable gear and a large interchangeable gear;

wherein the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump is installed on the first internal combustion engine and has a first configuration wherein the large interchangeable gear of the first set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the small interchangeable gear of the first set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the first idler gear mounting location;

wherein the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump is installed on the second internal combustion engine and has a second configuration wherein the small interchangeable gear of the second set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the drive gear mounting location and the large interchangeable gear of the second set of interchangeable gears is mounted at the second idler gear mounting location.

8. The two internal combustion engines of claim 7, wherein the first idler gear mounting location and the second idler gear mounting location are positioned a common distance from the drive gear mounting location for each of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump and the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump.

9. The two internal combustion engines of claim 8, wherein each of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump and the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump includes a first lubrication passage terminating at the first idler gear mounting location and a second lubrication passage terminating at the second idler gear mounting location.

10. The two internal combustion engines of claim 9, further including a first plug positioned within the second lubrication passage of the first internal combustion engine and a second plug positioned within the first lubrication passage of the second internal combustion engine.

11. The two internal combustion engines of claim 7, wherein the small interchangeable gear and the large interchangeable gear of each of the first set of interchangeable gears and the second set of interchangeable gears include a common mounting geometry.

12. The two internal combustion engines of claim 11, wherein the common mounting geometry includes a cylindrical surface.

13. A method of manufacturing two internal combustion engines having different lubrication requirements, comprising the steps of:

installing a first interchangeable lubricating oil pump on a first internal combustion engine having a first lubrication requirement; and

installing a second interchangeable lubricating oil pump on a second internal combustion engine having a second lubrication requirement;

wherein installing the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump includes mounting a first large interchangeable gear at a drive gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and mounting a first small interchangeable gear at a first idler gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump;

wherein installing the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump includes mounting a second small interchangeable gear at a drive gear mounting location of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and mounting a second large interchangeable gear at a second idler gear mounting location of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein installing the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes plugging a second lubrication passage terminating at a second idler gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and wherein installing the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes plugging a first lubrication passage terminating at a first idler gear mounting location of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein installing the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes press fitting the first large interchangeable gear at the drive gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and wherein installing the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes press fitting the second small interchangeable gear at the drive gear mounting location of the second lubricating oil pump.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein installing the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes assembling the first small interchangeable gear with a first stub shaft, and wherein installing the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes assembling the second large interchangeable gear with a second stub shaft.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein installing the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes fastening the first stub shaft at the first idler gear mounting location of the first interchangeable lubricating oil pump, and wherein installing the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump further includes fastening the second stub shaft at the second idler gear mounting location of the second interchangeable lubricating oil pump.