WO2011159143A2

WO2011159143A2 - Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines

Info

Publication number: WO2011159143A2
Application number: PCT/MX2011/000074
Authority: WO
Inventors: José GRANADOS COPCA
Original assignee: Granados Copca Jose
Priority date: 2010-06-14
Filing date: 2011-06-13
Publication date: 2011-12-22
Also published as: MX2010006581A; WO2011159143A3; US20110303181A1

Abstract

The invention relates to the automobile industry in general and to the internal combustion engine manufacturing industry in particular. The invention specifically relates to a novel device that, when added to internal combustion engines, pre-lubricates the mobile parts of the engine before the normal system does it. The advantages of the invention compared to those of the prior art are that its operation does not alter the normal lubrication operation and ensures the pre-lubrication; the device can be installed in any kind of machinery that needs to be pre-lubricated before starting; and with modifications of the dimensions and mechanical characteristics of one or two parts, it can be adapted to conditions and characteristics of different engines and does not need an additional pumping means for the operation thereof. Structurally, the system is characterised in that it comprises a reservoir containing a deformable means that deforms with the entrance of the lubricant and stores potential energy that is released and drives the lubricant from the reservoir to the parts of the engine to be lubricated when a remote control valve is energised and opens.

Description

MOTOR PRELUBRICATION SYSTEM

INTERNAL COMBUSTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to the automotive industry in general and to the internal combustion engine manufacturing industry in particular. It has to do with a new device that added to internal combustion engines pre-lubricates the moving parts of the engine before the normal system does.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

After a series of serious studies and experiments, it can be seen that the greatest wear on internal combustion engines, occurs at the time of starting said engines, before the normal lubrication system, driven by the combustion engine itself internal, get the oil to the moving parts of the engine itself.

When the engine has been left idle for at least three hours, all the lubricating oil has already drained from the moving parts and concentrated in the crankcase. If it is after this that it starts the car, for a while, small but existing, the moving parts will rub against other moving parts or other immobile parts, without having the necessary lubrication. This friction at the beginning is the one that causes the most wear on the engine. Making the life span shorter than it really should be.

In very large internal combustion engines, there are complete systems, with independent engine propellant means, which are responsible for lubrication not only during starting, but throughout the period of engine operation.

In the case of internal combustion engines of relatively small vehicles, there is no space or conditions necessary to achieve lubrication even before engine starts.

Large engines as well as steam and gas turbines have independent lubrication systems, because of their high cost they must be kept lubricated even when the equipment is not transformed energy, the same applies to gas turbines that are they must keep lubricated even when they are turning to an arrow (low speed before they can be stopped completely) it is important to clarify, that it is not necessarily the same, that the issue of development that We will present in the present description, since the development we will present does not need an external source of energy to guarantee a pre-lubrication in the equipment in which it is installed. The rationale for the usefulness of this device derives from the fact that the machines that require lubrication generally start their operation without adequate lubrication, being more critical even when said equipment is new or has long downtimes, which will cause the lubricant to drain and arrive at the tank designed for this purpose called crankcase.

This condition will cause the materials to have a direct friction which will generate excessive wear between the moving parts, this wear will be significantly reduced if we guarantee an initial pre-lubrication before the equipment is set in motion.

OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention is to make possible an apparatus that, without altering the normal operation of lubrication of the machines in which it is installed, always ensures that when starting the operation of said machine it starts with lubrication.

Another objective is to give it characteristics that allow it to be installed on any type of machinery that needs to be pre-lubricated before starting.

Still another objective of the present invention is to achieve an assembly that, with modifications in the dimensions and mechanical characteristics of one or two pieces, is able to adapt to conditions and characteristics of different motors.

Still another objective of the present invention is to ensure that it does not require an additional pump means to achieve its operation.

And all those objectives and advantages that will become apparent with the description of the invention, accompanied by the figures that are an integral part thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In a nutshell, the present invention consists of a reservoir connected derivatively to one of the ducts, which in the original design of the motor vehicle, conducts the oil from the oil pump to the engine parts that are going to be lubricated The parts to be lubricated are the camshaft, the crankshaft crank system and the combustion chamber cylinders. This tank has inside it a medium that stores potential energy as an effect of the entry of lubricant and occupation of a volume that causes said medium to deform. At the entrance of the tank, in addition to a check valve that prevents the return of the oil, there is a means of controlling the amount of the oil to be passed. This control is carried out in order not to substantially alter the normal flow of oil through normal ducts. The outlet is located at a lateral point of the tank, connected to a tube comprising a valve remotely operated by some means that gives the signal of the moment to be opened so that the lubricant, driven by the deformed means inside the tank, circulate to the points to lubricate.

The inlet pipe connected on one side to the inlet of the tank through a check valve and the means of controlling the amount of oil to be passed through, is connected bypass with the tube that normally conducts the pump oil to the parts to lubricate.

In this way, the oil pump fills the tank, forcing the lubricant to enter and deforming the energy storage medium, achieving an increase in pressure in the tank, which is released when the remote operated valve is energized and allows the outlet of the lubricant to the parts to be pre-lubricated. This valve is energized before starting the engine. One of the ways is to do it when the key is put in the contact. But it could also be done when the doors are opened to board the vehicle in which this engine is located, or a button that is pressed when the engine is to be started could be available.

In the filling phase of the tank, the lubricant will finish entering when said tank is full, and since it is hydraulically connected bypass, there will be no problem of pump overload.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, this consists of an assembly whose basic structure consists of a cylindrical reservoir with a plunger and a compression spring, located on the opposite side of the plunger of the face facing the lubricant inlet. The other end of the spring rests on the inner face of the rear cover of the cylinder.

Said cylindrical reservoir, at its front end, comprises a cap with a central inlet of capillary diameter, connected to a tube of the same internal diameter that is connected in branch with the duct that conducts the lubricating oil of the lubricant pump, towards the engine parts to be lubricated. Also, on the cylinder body, laterally, there is an oil outlet connected to a tube with a solenoid valve that allows the lubricant to escape. By the design of this assembly, this solenoid valve is normally closed.

A description will now be made of the figures which, for illustrative purposes, but not limited to, are added to form an integral part of the present description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 schematically shows the engine lubrication system with the attachment object of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the lubrication system with the regulating valve and the reservoir of the attachment object of the present invention. Figure 3 is an explosive of the housing in the mode in which the potential energy storage means is a compression spring and the volumetric input expense regulating means is a capillary.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The device in question can be installed on all equipment that requires pre-lubrication and that by design principle, have a real lubrication until the same equipment is capable of generating the flow and pressure conditions that guarantee said lubrication, which does not It happens with the proposed development as indicated below.

The device can have the external appearance that suits us since although it is convenient for reasons of space to consider a cylindrical shape inside the Piston and Embolo, you can have designs with square, rectangular or some other geometric geometric cross-sectional areas, of such that it can be incorporated practically to any machine where pre-lubrication is desirable (in reality this is its main advantage since it will prevent the wear of the equipment produced by starting said equipment without lubrication since in most applications the lubrication is performed once the machine is running and the lubrication pump can provide the lubricant flow)

In all the drawings the same symbols will be used to designate the same parts of the assembly object of the present invention. The lubrication pumps generally have a pressure regulating valve to avoid overpressing the lubrication system so that the excess lubricant is returned to the crankcase of the machine, the device presented in this application will be connected to the discharge duct as close possible to this regulating valve in such a way that the pressure generated by it is transmitted to the inlet tube (1) which is a capillary tube of 5% of the area of the discharge duct of the lubricant pump, passing through a unidirectional valve (2) generating a pressure in the plunger (4) which has a seal ring (5), this plunger will compress the compression spring (6) which will be compressed until the top of the plunger touches the rear wall of the system, the lubricant will be stored under pressure since the unidirectional valve (2) will prevent it from returning to the main line.

In one of the embodiments of the present invention, on the operation side, when the machine is started when the key is inserted into the starter switch, or when preparing the system for manual start, the solenoid valve (7) will be energized, which allows the discharge through a pipe similar to that of the discharge pipe of the lubrication pump at a point close to the discharge of said pump, whereby the lubricant that is kept under pressure will be injected under pressure into the lubrication system of the machine in question with which we will guarantee a pre-lubrication, before the machine is put into motion, so that once I start the movement, this machine will be guaranteed a previous lubrication that will avoid the wear and tear produced during the start-ups or start-ups of these machines when operating without prior lubrication.

After a period of 3 or 4 seconds the solenoid valve (7) is de-energized, so that the system is ready to restart its load for the next cycle, a unidirectional valve (10) installed after the valve solenoid (7) will prevent lubricant from returning through the discharge tube (8) to the system and will only be charged by the capillary tube (1)

In one of the embodiments of the present invention with respect to operation, once a key or ignition mechanism of the machine is introduced into the ignition switch, a solenoid valve will be activated that will allow the pressure of this device to be relieved. which has been stored by means of the plunger and compression spring. At this time the resistance to the flow of the lubricant is lower because the equipment is without movement by means of a pipe of a dimension similar to that of the lubrication system at a point close to the discharge of the lubrication pump, to ensure a pre - Complete lubrication of said machine before it starts its movement, the return to the crankcase is avoided because the pumps generally have non-return valves installed in the pipeline. suction and the lubricant being an incompressible liquid, this possibility is eliminated, in case it is not so if it is advisable to install said valve, where if it is essential to install a non-return valve it is at the exit of this device to ensure that through this pipe that should only function as an outlet of the same device, return lubricant when the machine is operating, this valve in combination with the solenoid will prevent this return. Once the equipment is set in motion, the machine will maintain its lubrication through the normal system, the solenoid will de-energize and the device will start its slow and gradual charge so that in a period of 5 or 10 minutes it is fully charged ready for A new ignition cycle.

At the bottom of the system jacket (9) a drain (11) with return to the crankcase will be installed to expel the air and the small amounts of lubricant that will pass through the sealing ring or that will remain in the wall of the system liner, since if they are not drained they would hinder or prevent recharging of the device.

Figure 1 schematically shows the engine lubrication system with the attachment object of the present invention. This diagram is quite schematic because, for example, of the camshaft and the crankshaft and connecting rods, the lubricant that drains flows into the crankcase, to repeat the cycle. The oil pump 12 takes the oil from the bottom of the crankcase and drives it through the oil filter 13 to reach the camshaft 14, the crankshaft connecting rods 15 and the pistons in the cylinders (not illustrated).

From the outlet of the filter 13, closest to the regulating valve (not illustrated), a branch is taken to connect it to the inlet of the tank 19, in this mode, through a capillary or reduced diameter tube 1. The outlet of the The tank, through a solenoid valve 7 and a unidirectional valve 10, is connected to the tube that carries the lubricant to the parts to be lubricated.

To prevent the lubricant that can sneak to the bottom of the tank from accumulating, the tank has a drain 11 that by its position allows the oil that passes through it to reach the crankcase.

Figure 2 illustrates a detail of the lubrication system with the regulating valve and the reservoir of the attachment object of the present invention.

The regulating valve comprises a spring which, depending on the pressure of the lubricant, contracts or relaxes more or less, allowing a derivation of the lubricant that enters through the access 22 and normally leaves through the access 25. When the pressure is too much, it opens bypass and lubricant returns to crankcase by exit 21. The other elements illustrated are already indicated in figure 1.

Figure 3 is an explosive of the housing in the mode in which the potential energy storage means is a compression spring 6 and the volumetric input expense regulating means is a capillary 1.

The tank 9 comprises an outlet 11 for draining the lubricant that has managed to pass through the interstices between the piston 4 and the wall of the tank 9.

In the cover 3 of the reservoir, on the outer surface, in the center of the circular face, is the tube 1 comprising a unidirectional valve 2. This cover has an internal thread to fix the cover to the lubricant reservoir.

A piston 4 driven by a spring 6 is located inside the reservoir so that the lubricant entering the tube 1, pushes the piston 4 against the spring 6. As the lubricant enters the reservoir, the spring is compressed until it can no longer be deformed or until the pressure inside the tank is equal to the pressure with which the lubricant will stop entering, but thanks to the unidirectional valve 2, the lubricant cannot be returned. When the solenoid valve 7 is operated, prior to the engine starting, the spring drives the piston and this to the lubricant, to direct it to the parts of the engine to be pre-lubricated. When the tank is empty or when the engine is started, the solenoid valve is closed, de-energized, and the cycle is repeated.

With this modality the idea of the invention can be understood, but it is clear that there may be modalities regarding the spring, which can operate at tension instead of compression, instead of a spring a diaphragm can be used. Among other options.

Also, instead of a capillary tube to control the volumetric consumption of the lubricant, a control valve can be provided. The fundamental part of the invention consists in a tank that can be filled by the lubricant pump itself of the normal lubrication system, without significantly altering the operation for which this system was designed and subsequently by the mechanism included in the tank, This drives the lubricant to the parts to be lubricated before starting the engine.

The configuration of the tank can also vary, and can also be in the form of prism, quadrangular, rectangular, triangular, hexagonal, etc. The invention has been described sufficiently that a person with average knowledge in the field can reproduce and obtain the results mentioned in the present description. However, any skilled person in the field of the art that is in charge of the present invention may be able to make modifications not described in the present application, however, if for the application of these modifications in a given structure or in the process of manufacturing thereof, the matter claimed in the following claims is required, said structures should be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS Having described the invention, what is contained in the following clauses is considered as a novelty and is therefore claimed as property.

1. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, characterized by comprising a tank with a deformable means inside it to accumulate potential energy so that when lubricant enters the tank, the deformable medium becomes deformed and saves potential energy; the tank having a front face and a back face; an entry in the tank, close to its front face, with a means that allows an entry with a volumetric expense that does not compromise the normal operation of the standard lubrication system and an outlet, near the front face, that allows, by action of any signal, the discharge of the lubricant contained in the tank, as a result of the recovery of the original shape of the deformable element; the inlet is connected hydraulically bypass, through the means that controls the volumetric flow and a unidirectional valve, to the tube that takes the lubricant of the pump to the parts of the engine to be lubricated and the outlet of the tank is connected hydraulically by means of the valve of remote drive, and a unidirectional valve, to the same tube that connects the tank inlet, but upstream.

2. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that said deformable means is chosen from among the elements of the assembly formed by a compression spring, a tension spring and a diaphragm .

3. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that when the deformable means is a tension or compression spring, said spring comprises a piston so that the oil inlet can exert the deformation action of said spring.

4. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that when the deformable means is a compression spring, said piston is located between the lubricant inlet and the front part of the spring .

5. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that when the deformable means is a tension spring, the piston is located between the front cover and the back of the spring.

6. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said remote operated valve consists of a solenoid valve actuated by the key when it is inserted into the contact, or by some other device controlled directly or indirectly from the dashboard.

7. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said volumetric expense control means is selected from among the elements that form the capillary tube and volumetric valve assembly.

8. Pre-lubrication system for internal combustion engines, as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said reservoir comprises a purge outlet to drain the oil that could have drained to the back of said Deposit.