This invention relates generally to engine oil pickup systems and, more particularly, to a dynamic engine oil pickup system that scavenges engine oil from more than one pickup point.
Known engine lubrication systems include an oil pump, an oil pump pickup tube, an oil filter and a sump including an oil pan. Engine oil is sucked out of the oil pan by the oil pump via the oil pump pickup tube. The engine oil is then run through the oil filter to remove any debris, and squirted under high pressure to lubricate various engine components. The engine oil then flows by gravity down to the bottom of the sump or the oil pan, where it is collected again and the cycle repeats.
Dry sump lubrication systems are commonly used in high performance engine applications where the vehicle is exposed to high “g” maneuvers, such as those experienced in race course driving. During these maneuvers, forces are created, which act to inhibit the ability of the engine oil to flow back to the oil pump pickup tube. By using a dry sump lubrication system, multiple pumps scavenge engine oil from various locations within the engine crankcase environment. These multiple pumps then transfer the scavenged engine oil to a container, which is typically remotely located external to the engine. Once in the remotely located container, a second pump draws the engine oil from the container to pressurize the engine's lubrication system.
One known engine lubrication system incorporates a dry sump lubrication system including a single scavenging pump that scavenges engine oil from a single location within the engine. However, in this known application, packaging constraints prevent multiple pumps, which could scavenge from multiple locations, from being incorporated.
Another known engine lubrication system incorporates a dry sump lubrication system including a single scavenging pump with multiple inputs, or pickup points. However, in this known application, the single scavenging pump draws engine oil from all pickup points into the scavenging pump whenever the scavenging pump is activated, regardless of whether engine oil is present at each of the pickup points, resulting in reduced scavenging pump performance.
A dynamic engine oil pickup system is disclosed. The dynamic engine oil pickup system includes a scavenge pump and a pickup tube assembly in fluid communication with the scavenge pump. The pickup tube assembly includes at least two oil pickup portions operable to pickup engine oil from at least two different oil pickup locations.
The dynamic engine oil pickup system further includes a flow control is in fluid communication with both the scavenge pump and the pickup tube assembly. The flow control is operable to control a flow of engine oil between the at least two different oil pickup locations and the scavenge pump. The flow control includes a suction valve, and movement of the suction valve is controlled by selectively applying a high pressure oil to a head of the suction valve.
The suction valve is moveable from a first position to a second position. The suction valve blocks the flow of engine oil from one of the at least two different oil pickup locations when the suction valve is in the first position and blocks the flow of engine oil from another of the at least two different oil pickup locations when the suction valve is in the second position.
The dynamic engine oil pickup system further includes an electric solenoid valve in communication with the suction valve. Actuation of the electric solenoid valve results in the application of the high pressure oil to the head of the suction valve.
A dynamic engine oil pickup tube assembly is also disclosed. The dynamic engine oil pickup tube assembly includes a manifold portion and at least two oil pickup portions extending from the manifold portion. The at least two pickup portions are operable to pickup engine oil from at least two different oil pickup locations and a flow control in fluid communication with the at least two pickup tube portions. The flow control is operable to control a flow of engine oil between the at least two different oil pickup locations and a scavenge pump.
The flow control is moveable within the manifold portion from a first position to a second position. The flow control includes a suction valve, and movement of the suction valve is controlled by selectively applying a high pressure oil to a head of the suction valve.
The suction valve blocks the flow of engine oil from one of the at least two different oil pickup locations when the suction valve is in the first position and blocks the flow of engine oil from another of the at least two different oil pickup locations when the suction valve is in the second position.
The suction valve further includes a return spring and an electric solenoid valve in communication with the suction valve. The return spring is operable to move the suction valve to the second position when the high pressure oil is removed from the head of the suction valve. Actuation of the electric solenoid valve results in the application of the high pressure oil to the head of the suction valve.
An internal combustion engine including the dynamic engine oil pickup system discussed above is also disclosed.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components,
A switching device, schematically illustrated at 26, which may include but is not limited to a computer and/or a mercury switch, is in operable communication with the dry sump lubrication system 12. The switching device 26 is operable to detect a vehicle characteristic, which may include but is not limited to a vehicle attitude characteristic and/or a vehicle dynamic characteristic.
As illustrated in
The first pickup portion 32 is operable to pick up engine oil from a first pickup location 32A through a first baffle 32B that is optimized for best performance. The second pickup portion 34 is operable to pick up engine oil from a second pickup location 34A through a second baffle 34B that is optimized for best performance. It should be appreciated that the more available pickup point locations the better the scavenging system performs.
High pressure oil is delivered to the dynamic engine oil pickup tube assembly 30 through a high pressure oil feed line 42 from a high pressure oil gallery 44 within the oil pan 18.
As illustrated in
The switching device, schematically illustrated at 26, is in operable communication with the electric solenoid valve 40 and the suction valve 52. The switching device 26 is operable to selectively control a position of the suction valve 52, allowing the high pressure oil to be delivered through the solenoid valve 40 when energized.
The pressure chamber 50 is located at one end of the suction valve 52, while a return spring 54 is installed at the opposite end of the suction valve 52. The return spring 54 is operable to return the suction valve 52 to the first position A in the absence of high pressure oil within the pressure chamber 50.
An air/oil vent hole 56 is provided at one end of the scavenging manifold portion 36, while a suction valve access plug 58 is provided at the other end of the scavenging manifold portion 36 to provide access to the suction valve 52. Alternatively, the air/oil vent hole 56 can be provided within the suction valve 52.
As the suction valve 52 moves from the first position A to the second position B, first and second heads, 52A and 52B respectively, of the suction valve are operable to selectively block flow of engine oil from the first pickup portion 32 and/or the second pickup portion 34 to the scavenge pump (not shown).
As discussed above, the suction valve 52 moves from the first position A to the second position B in response to an increase in oil pressure within the pressure chamber 50.
As illustrated in
Upon discontinuation of the activation signal or receipt of a deactivation signal from the switching device 26, the solenoid valve 40 is de-energized, as illustrated further in
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
It should be appreciated that the dynamic engine oil pickup system 112 may include more than one dynamic engine oil pickup tube assembly 130, each in fluid connection with a separate scavenging pump and, as discussed above, each dynamic engine oil pickup tube assembly 130 includes at least two pickup portions 132 and 134, as illustrated in
While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.