US2136040A

US2136040A - Viscosity regulator

Info

Publication number: US2136040A
Application number: US599493A
Authority: US
Inventors: Henry B Clarke
Original assignee: HENRY R GROSS
Current assignee: HENRY R GROSS
Priority date: 1932-03-17
Filing date: 1932-03-17
Publication date: 1938-11-08
Anticipated expiration: 1955-11-08

Description

NOV. 8, 1938. H. B CLARKE 2,136,040

vIscosITY REGULATOR Filed March 17, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l A TORNEYS,

Nov.4 8, 1938.

Hl B. CLARKE VISCOSI'I'Y REGULATOR Fil-ed March 17, .1932

Z sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Nov. 8, 1938. H. B. CLARKE VISCOSITY REGULATOR Filed March 17, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 lNVENTOR fw 5% ATTORNEYS.

Patented Nov. 8, "i

'v also VISCOSITY GULA'IOR Henry a. Clarke, Gersen om, N. Y., mesne assignments, to Henry R. G

cago,lll.

or by cm' Application mmh 11, 1932, semi Nn. 599,493

22 Claims.

This invention relates to viscosity regulators and has for an'object a simple, eicient, inexpensive and durable apparatus for use in connection with the lubricating system o! an lnternal combustion engine for regulating the viscosity of the lubricant supplied to the bearings.

In an apparatus embodying the invention, the lubricating oil of an internal combustion engine is delivered from the pump to a valve box having two outlets, each being connected with a pipe coil, one of the pipe coils being arranged within a chamber included in the cooling system between the engine jacket and the radiator and the other coil being arranged around said chamber. The two coils discharge into a` conduit leading to the bearings. In the valve box there is provided a valve adapted to close either of the outlet ports, this valve being electrically operated by means controlled by a viscosity responsive device connected to the discharge conduit.

The oil is directed through the inner coil except when its viscosity decreases to the lower limit of a predetermined permissible` viscosity range, whereupon it is directed through the outer coil until its viscosity increases to the upper limit of the predetermined range when it is again directed through the inner coil. During the initial period of operation of the engine, the viscosity oi the oil is high and the oil is directed through the inner coil and also during the same period, the temperature of the water delivered from the engine jacket to the chamber is higher than that oi the oil passing through the inner coil and the oil is heated by the water, thereby decreasing the viscosity of the oil. After a period of operation, the temperature of the oil exceeds that of the water and then the water tends to cool the oil to prevent undue decrease of its viscosity. Should the viscosity of the oil decrease to the lower limit of the predetermined range, the oil is directed through the exterior coil in which it is air cooled to increaseits viscosity. After the viscosity o! the oil reaches the upper limit of the predetermined range, the oil is again directed through the inner coil. y

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specication and accompanying drawings, wherein:

50 Fig. 1 is a side elevation o! an automobile engine equipped with a viscosity regulator embodyl ing the invention;

Flg. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the regulator;

Fig. 3 is a section-on the' line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

(Cl. 12S-196) Fig. 4 is a section on the line 5 4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; n

Fig. 8 is a wiring diagram oi the solenoid energizing circuit;

Fig. 7 is a side elevatori of a modified form o f the invention;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 3 of Fig.- 7, and` Fig. 9 is a. wiring diagram.

Fig. l0 is a section through a viscosity responsive device.-

1 In Figs. i to 6 inclusive, the engine I0 is provided with a water outlet from its jacket to which j is connected a pipe il leading into one end of a chamber i2 supported at the side of the engine. A conduit i3 leads from the otherend of the chamber l2 to the radiator M. A coil I5 is arranged within thel chamber i2 and a coil I6 is arranged around the chamber i2. In the head il of the chamber there is provided a valve box I8 having outlets communicating with the coils i5 and it. A. valve i9 is mounted on a shaft 20 journalled in the head l'i and carrying atits free end a yoire 2l. The arrangement of the valve i9 is such that in one position it closes one outlet with the other open and in another position it closes the second outlet with the iirst one open, thus establishing communication between the valve box and either of the two coils l5 and i6. A pipe ma leads from the lubricant pump (not shown) into the valve box iii. The coils i5 and i6 discharge into a conduit 22 leading to the bearings.

A viscosity meter consisting of a viscosity responsive device 23 and a pressure gauge 25 is connected to the pipe 22 and has an outlet pipe ad discharging .into the sump of the engine iii. The gauge 25 oi the viscosity meter 23 is mounted on the instrument board and the dial 26 of the gauge supports a .pair of

stationary contacts

21 and 28 arranged 'near each end of the swing of the `pivoted pointer 29 of the gauge. The pointer 29 is connected in series with a battery 80 and is'adapted to engage the contacts 21 and 2S to close electrical circuits hereinafter described. 'I'he contact 2 is connected with the :deld winding of a solenoid 3i while the contact 28 is connected with the cid winding of the solenoid 32, these two solenoids being angularly related and being in alinement with the yoke 2i. When the pointer 2S is engaged with the contact 21, the solenoid 3l isenergized and when the pointer 2a is in engagement with the contact 28, the solenoid $2 is energized.

The arrangement of the yoke and solenoid is' such that the yoke acts as them-mature for both solenoids and when the yoke is in alinement with one solenoid, the valve I9 closes one of the outlets from the valve box and when the yoke is in alinement with the other solenoid, the valve closes the other outlet. The yoke and valve are moved between the two positions by alternately energizing lthe solenoids 3| and 32. The arrangement of the Solenoids relative to the valve I9 is such that when the pointer 29 engages the contact 21, the port leading to the coil I6 is open and when the pointer 29 engages the contact 28, the outlet to the coil I5 will be open. A spring 2Ia serves to exert pull on the jvoke 2l tending to hold it against eitherl of the stops 2lb, the yoke in either of these positions being in alinement with one of the Solenoids.

When the engine is at rest, the pointer lies to the left of the contact 21 and the yoke 2| is aligned with the solenoid3l, the valve I9 being so positioned that the outlet from the valve chamber communicates with the coil- I6. When the engine is started, the viscosity of the oil is high and the pointer 29 is therefore immediately moved to the extreme right end of its swing and in moving to this position it engages the contact 28, thereby closing the circuit through the eld winding of the solenoid 32 and energizing the same to draw the armature 2i into alinement therewith'. The valve i9 is thus actuated to close off the coil it and direct the oil through the coil I5. During. the initial period of operation of the engine, the waterdelivered from the engine jacket to the chamber is of higher temperature than the oil and therefore heats the oil, tending to reduce its viscosity. The pointer 28 moves to the left as the viscosity decreases and again engages the contact 28, but the position of the valve I 9 is unchanged. Continued operation of the engine results in an increase in the temperature of the oil above that of the water so that the water` then tends to cool the oil to prevent undue viscosity decrease. Should the oil viscosity continue to decrease, the pointer 29 will move further to the left and come into engagement with the contact 21, thereby closing the circuit through the tleld winding of solenoid 3l and energizing the same to draw the arm 2| into alinement therewith, thereby closing oil' the coil I5 and directing the oil through the coil I6. The oil passing through the coil I6 is air-cooled, thereby causing its viscosity to increase. As the oil viscosity increases; the pointer 29 is again moved to the right and when it again engages the contact 28 the solenoid 32 is again energized and the valve I9 actuated to close oil the coil I6 and direct the oil through the coil I 5. A repetition of the cycle above otuned maintains the viscosity of the lubricant within a predetermined range, the range being 'dependent upon the position of the

contacts

21 and 28. When the engine is stopped, the viscosity meter ceases to function and the pointer 29 moves to the extremeleft end oi' its swing and in so doing engages the contact 21, thereby energizing the solenoid 3I to actuate the armature 2I and valve I9 to close off the coil I 5 and open the ort leading to the coil I6.

The above de ribed apparatus maintains the lubricating oil of-an internal combustion engine within a predetermined viscosity range irrespective of the initial viscosity rating of the oil and irrespective of dilution. The water of the cir- 'culating system tends to maintain the oil Vat such temperature' that its viscosity lies within the permissiblerange and the air-cooled coil provides means for restoring the oilto the upper limit of l sure in the middle chamber.

amebic the permissible viscosity range in the event that the viscosity of the oil'decreases to the lower limit of such range.

Referring now to Figs. '7 to 9 inclusive, the pipe I8a discharges into a valve box I8' having outlet ports communicating with the coils I5 ,and I6. In the valve box is mounted a slide valve I9' adapted in one position to close off the coil I6. Solenoids 3|' and 32 surround extensions of the valve box I8 and the valve I9 constitutes a common core for these solenoids.

As in the modification disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive, the dial 26 of the'gauge 2 5 supports a pair-of

stationary contacts

21 and 28 arranged to be engaged by the pointer 29, which is connected in series with a battery 30 and is adapted to close electrical circuits hereinafter described by engagement with the

contacts

21 and 28. The contact 21 is connected with the field winding of the solenoid "3I while the contact 28 is connected with the ield winding of the solenoid 32'. When the pointer 29 engages the contact 21, the sole, noid 3I' is energized ,and when the pointer 29 engages the contact 28, the solenoid 32' is energized. Alternate energization of the solenoids 3I' and 32' causes movement of the valve I9 vfrom one of its positions to the other, thereby controlling the iiow of the lubricant through the coils I5 and I6-in the manner described in detail in connection with the modification disclosed in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive. In view of the detailed description of operation of the rst modification, the operation of the second modification is offered without further explanation.

The viscosity responsive device 23 consists of a housing divided into three chambers by partitions 33 and 34. A pipe 35 leads from the pipe 22 to the middle chamber and a pipe 36 leads from the left hand chamber to the pressure gauge 25, the pipe 24 leading from the right hand chamber. 'I'he partition 33 is provided with an orilce 33a, the resistance of which to liquid ilow is substantially independent of the viscosity of the liquid and a friction tube 31 leads from the left hand chamber to the right hand chamber, the resistance ofthe friction tube to liquid iiow being dependent upon the viscosity of the liquid. The partition. is provided with a port which is adapted to be closed by a spring actuated valve 38, this valve serving to maintain constant pres- Oll is supplied to the middle chamber through the pipe 85 and flows through the orifice' and friction tube at the same rate and is then discharged into the right hand chamber from which it is discharged through the pipe 24 into the sump and constant pressure is maintained within the middle chamber by means of the relief valve 38, the pressure ofV oil in the pipe 35 being at all times greater than the pressure required to actuate the valve 38. As constant pressure is maintained inl the middle chamber, oil is supplied to the orifice at Y constant pressure and as its resistance to ow is independent of viscosity and the rate of flow through` the orice and the friction tube is the same,- the pressure of the oil in the left handA chamber is a measure of the rate of ilow through the friction tube and is a function of 'the oil viscosity. Change in the oil viscosity results in `change of pressure applied to the gauge 25 and effects regulation oi' flow through the coils as above explained.'v

It is of course understood that various modications may be made in the structure above described, without in any way. departing from the spirit of the inventionl as dened in the appended claims.

I claim: A

1. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming part of said cooling system, a coil of pipe in said chamber, a coil oi pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which both of said coils discharge, a lubricant supply pipe, valve means for connecting said supply pipe with either of said coils, viscosity responsive means including a chamber in which the pressure of liquid flowing therethrough is a'fun'ction of its/viscosity, connections for supplying lubricant fromsaid conduit to said viscosity responsive means, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling the position of the valve means.

2. In combinationwith an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming part of said cooling system, a coil of pipe in said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which both of said coils discharge, a lubricant supply pipe, valve meansI for connecting said supply pipe with either of said coils, viscosity responsive means including a v chamber in which the pressure of liquid owingA therethrough is a function of itsxviscosity, connections for supplying lubricant from. said conduit to said viscosity responsive means, and electro-magnetic means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling the position of the p valve means.

3. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming a part of the cooling system, a coil of pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into.which said coils discharge, a valve box having an outlet port communicating with each of said coils, a valve in'said 'box for closing either outlet, a lubricant supply pipe leading to said valve box, viscosity responsive means including a chamber in which the pressure of liquidi owing therethrough is a func; i

tion of its viscosity, connections for supplying lubricant from said conduit to said viscosity kresponsive means, and means responsive to the pressure insaid chamber for actuating said-valve.

4. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming apart of the cooling system, a coil oi pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which said coils dischargefa valve box having an outlet port communicating with each of said coils,a vave in engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming a part of the cooling system, a`coi1 of pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior, of

said chamber, a conduit into which said coils dis charge, a valve box having an outlet port communicat/ing with each of said coils, a valve in said box for closing either outlet, a lubricant suping lubricant from. said conduit to said viscosity responsive means, a pair oi.angularly related solenoids, a rotatable common amature for said solenoids, connections between said armature and said valve, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for selectively energizing said solenoids.

6. In combination with an internal combustion engine. having a cooling system, a chamber forming a part of the cooling system, a coil of pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which said coils discharge, a valve box having an outlet port communicating with each of said coils, a valve vin said box for closing either outlet, a lubricant supply pipe leading to said valve box, viscosity responsive means including a chamber in-which the pressure of liquid ilowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, connections for supplying lubricant from said conduit to said viscosity responsive means, a pair of angularly related solenoids, a rotatable common amature for said solenoids, connections between said armature and said valve, energizing circuits for said solenoids comprising a pair of stationary contacts and a contact movable into engagement with either of said stationary contacts, and meansresponsive toO the pressure in said chamber for controlling the position oi said movable contact.

'i'. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming apart of thecooling system, a coil of pipe within said chamber',` a coll of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which said coilsdscljiarge'e4 lubricant supply pipe, valve means for connecting said supply pipe with either of said coils, viscosity responsive means including a, chamber 'in which the pressure of liquid flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, connections for supplying lubricant from said conduit to said viscosity responsive means, a pair of angularly related solenoids, a rotatable common amature for said solenoids, connections between said .amature and said valve means, and means responsive to the pressure in saidvchamber for selectively energizing said solenoids.

8. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming a part oi the cooling system, a coil of pipe within said chamber, a coil oi pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduitinto which said coils discharge, a lubricant supply pipe, valve means duit to said viscosity responsive means, a pair of angularly related solenoids, a rotatable common armature for said solenoids, connections between said armature and saidwvalve means, energizing `circuits for said solenoids comprising a pair of stationary contacts and a contact niem-l `bei' movable into engagement with either of said contacts, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling the position of the movable contact.

f 9. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber, a, coilof pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior ofsaid chamber. a conduit into which said coils discharge, a valve box having outlet ports connecting with said coils, a lubricant supply pipe leading to said valve box, viscosity responsive meansl including a chamber in which the nections for supplying lubricant from said conpressure of liquid flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, connections for supplying lubricant from said conduit to said viscosity responsive means, a valve within said box rotatable to close either outlet, a pair of angularly related solenoids, a yoke rotatable with said valve and constituting a common armature for said solenoids, yieldable means tending to hold said yoke with the valve in either of its two port closing positions, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for selectively energizing said solenoids.

10. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber, a coil of pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which said coils discharge, a valve box having outlet ports connecting with said coils, a lubricant suprotatable to close either outlet, a pair of angularly related solenoids, a yoke rotatable with said valve and constituting a common armature for said solenoids, yieldable means tending to hold said yoke with the valve in either of its port closing positions, energizing circuits for said solenoids comprising a pair of stationary contacts and a contact movable intov engagement with either of said stationary contacts, and means responsive to the 7pressure in said chamber for controlling the position of said movable contact.

1,1. In combination with aninternal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming a part of the cooling system, a coil of pipe within said chamber, a coil of pipe exterior of said chamber, a conduit into which said coils discharge, a lubricant supply pipe, valve means for connecting said supply pipe with either of said coils, viscosity responsive means including a chamber in which the pressure of liquid owing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, connections for supplying lubricant from said conduit to said viscosity responsive means, a pair of solenoids having a common amature for actuaating said valve means, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for selectively energizing said solenoids.

12. In combination with an internal combustion engine having a cooling system, a chamber forming a part of the cooling system, a coil of ofsolenoids having a common armature for actu-V ating said valve means, energizing circuits for said solenoids comprising a pair of stationary contacts and a contact movable into engagement with either of said stationary contacts, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling the position of said movable contact.

13. In combination ,with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a pair of, 1

means for attemperating the oil in the system, a conduit into which said attemperating means j tem for operation upon by a portion only of the responsive means including a chamber in which the pressure of liquid owing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, connections for supplying oil from said conduit t'o said viscosity responsive means, and electro-magnet means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for actuat- 10 ingsaid valve.

14. In combination with the lubricating system of an internal combustion engine, a pair of means for attemperating the oil in the system,

'a conduit into which said attemperating means 15 discharge, a valve chamber communicating with both said attemperating means, means for supplying oil to-said chamber, a slide valve movable to close 01T either attemperating means, a

pair ofsolenoids having said valve for a common core, viscosity responsive means including a chamber in which the pressure of liquid flowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, connections for supplying liquid from said discharge conduit to said viscosity responsive means,

and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for selectively energizing said solenoids.

15. In combination with the lubricating sys` tem of aninternal combustion engine, a pair of means for attemperating the oil in the system,'30

to close off either attemperating means, a pair of solenoids for actuating said valves, energizing circuits for said solenoids comprising a pair of stationary contacts and a contact member movable into 'engagement with either of said stationary contacts, viscosity responsive means including a chamber in whichthe pressure of liquid ilowing therethrough is a function of its lviscosity, connections for supplying liquid from said conduitv to said viscosity responsive means, and means responsive lto the pressure in lsaid chamber for controllinggthe position of said movable contact member.

16. Ina fluid system comprising two iiuid paths, attemperating means in each path, viscosity responsive means connected to said sysiluid flowing from said paths under pressure and including a chamber wherein the pressure of tbe ilucl flowing therethrough is la function of its viscosity, and means responsive to the pressure of the uid in said chamber for controlling iiow through said paths.

17. In a uid system comprising two uid paths,

' attemperating means in each path, valve means for controlling ow through said paths, viscosity responsive means connected to said system for operation upon by a portion only of the iluid owing from said paths under pressure and including a chamber wherein the pressure of the iiuid owing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for actuating said valve means.

18. In combination with an internal combus- "tion engine, a cooling system therefonand a lubricating system therefor, said lubricating system comprising a pair'of oil paths, one of said oil paths being in heat exchange relationship with the uid of the cooling system, a common conduit Vinto which both of said oil pathsdischarge and leading to the engine bearings, viscosity responsive means connected to said conduit and including a chamber in' which the pressure of liquid iiowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber for controlling ow through said paths.

19. In combination with an internal combus tion engine, a cooling Wstem therefor and a lubricating system therefor, said lubricating sys" tem comprising a pair of oil paths, one of said oil paths being in heat exchange relationship with the iluid of the cooling system, a common conduit into which both of said oil paths discharge and leading to the engine bearings, valve means for regulating flow through said paths, viscosity responsive means connected to said conduit and including a chamber wherein the pressure of liquid iiowing therethrough is a function of its viscosity, and means responsive to the pressure in said chamber to actuate said valve means.

20. In a system having a circulating liquid, means to indicate the viscosity of said liquid, means to heat said liquid, means to-cool said liquid, and means operable by said first mentioned A means selectively to cause said heating and said cooling means to function.

2l. In a system having a circulating liquid, means to circulate said liquid, a viscosity measuring device, means to bypass a portion of said liquid through said device, heating means connected to said system, cooling means connected to said system, means selectively to permit the passage of the liquid through either the heating or the cooling means while inhibiting its passage through the cooling or the heating means, and a relay operable under control of said device to operate said last-mentioned means.

22. In a system having a circulating liquid, means to determine the viscosity of said liquid, a. water cooling system, and means operable by said first mentioned means to cause said cooling system to cool said liquid under predetermined conditions of viscosity of said liquid.

HENRY B. CLARKE.