Patent Application
20110056452
The present invention concerns a lubricating system for an internal combustion engine for supplying an uninterrupted supply of fluid, and more particularly relates to a gravity-activated valve for use in supplying an uninterrupted supply of fluid from a fluid reservoir.
Many engines require special handling of fluids to provide a constant supply of fluids to each respective system at high grades, including steep inclines or declines, braking and acceleration, or parking on an inclined or decline. Fluids move due to gravity at different tilt angles and may not always be accessible from one static supply point in a reservoir. When the fluid is inaccessible because of these conditions, the engine may stall due to an improper intake of air and/or vapor.
Additionally, not all existing engines have the capability to accept full redesigns of a fluid system. Instead, they may need to be retrofitted with other hardware designed to provide a constant flow under a high range of vehicle grades.
A gravity-activated valve for use in supplying an uninterrupted supply of fluid from a fluid reservoir is disclosed. The gravity-activated valve includes a housing having an outlet, an inlet positioned below the outlet, and a sleeve disposed within the housing. The gravity-activated valve further includes a buoyant piston disposed within the sleeve and adapted to move between an open position and a closed position. The piston is positioned above the outlet when the piston is in the open position to allow fluid flow through the outlet. The piston is positioned proximate the outlet when the piston is in the closed position to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. The piston is in the open position when the fluid level exceeds a predetermined fluid level. The piston is in the closed position when the fluid level is at or below said predetermined fluid level. The gravity-activated valve further includes a plurality of gaskets, which are adapted to create a seal between the piston and the sleeve.
Also disclosed is a valve that may be used in a lubricating system for an internal combustion engine for supplying an uninterrupted supply of fluid. The lubricating system comprises a reservoir for holding lubricating fluid. The reservoir includes a sump. The lubricating system further includes a plurality of valves located in the sump. Each of the valves comprises a housing having an outlet, an inlet positioned below the outlet, and a tubular cavity disposed within the housing. The valves further include a buoyant piston disposed within the tubular cavity and adapted to move between an open position and a closed position. The piston is positioned above the outlet when the piston is in the open position to allow fluid flow through the outlet. The piston is positioned proximate to the outlet when the piston is in the closed position to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. The piston is responsive to the level of the fluid in the reservoir at the inlet such that the piston is in the open position when the fluid level at the inlet is above a predetermined level and the piston is in the closed position when the fluid level at the inlet is at or below the predetermined level. The valves further comprise a plurality of gaskets, which are adapted to create a seal between the piston and the sleeve. The lubricating system further contains a pump which is in fluid communication with the outlet of each of the valves.
Further disclosed is a reservoir for supplying an uninterrupted supply of fluid. The reservoir includes a sump for holding fluid and a plurality of valves located in the sump. The valves include a housing having an outlet, an inlet positioned below the outlet, and a sleeve disposed within the housing. The valves further include a buoyant piston disposed within the sleeve. The piston is adapted to move between an open position and a closed position. The piston is positioned above the outlet when the piston is in the open position to allow fluid flow through the outlet. The piston is positioned proximate to the outlet when the piston is in the closed position to prevent fluid flow through the outlet. The piston is in the open position when the fluid level exceeds a predetermined fluid level and the piston is in the closed position when the fluid level is at or below the predetermined level. The valves further include a plurality of gaskets, which are adapted to create a seal between the piston and the sleeve. The valves further contain a mounting flange, which is connected to the housing and the sump.
These disclosed valve and related disclosures will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims and appended drawings.
The best mode for carrying out the claimed invention is presented below, wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding features throughout the several figures of the drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, particularly
The valve 100 also contains a tubular cavity or sleeve 108. In one embodiment, the tubular cavity or sleeve 108 is a hollowed cylindrical portion within the valve 100. In this embodiment, the tubular cavity or sleeve 108 and the housing 102 are one integral piece, where the tubular cavity or sleeve 108 may be formed during casting of the housing or by a subsequent machinery step through, for example, a drill press. In an alternative embodiment, the valve may contain a tubular cavity or sleeve 108 which is a separate component disposed within housing 102.
As also shown in
The valve also contains a buoyant piston 114 which is disposed within the tubular cavity or sleeve 108. The piston 114 may be made of any material which is sufficiently buoyant on the type of fluid which will flow through the valve 100. The piston 114 is adapted to move between an open position, as shown in
The piston 114 may include a plurality of gaskets 116. The gaskets 116 are adapted to create a seal between the piston and the sleeve. The purpose of the gaskets is to prevent gases, such as air, below the piston 114 from entering the exit opening 112 when the piston 114 is in the closed position. The gaskets also prevent fluid from entering the space above the piston 114 when the piston is disposed within the sleeve or tubular cavity 108. In one embodiment, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
In an alternative embodiment, as shown in
The valve 100 may also contain a mounting flange 122, which may be used to attach the valve(s) to a reservoir 500, as shown in
In one embodiment, as shown in
The lubricating system of the present invention may also include a pump 504. The pump 504 is used to transmit fluid from the reservoir 500 to the internal components of a vehicle. The pump 504 is in fluid communication with each of the outlets 106 of the valves 100. Due to the automatic nature of the valve closing when the fluid level about the valve drops, air and gas cannot enter the conduit 506 connecting the pump 504 with the valves 100. In one embodiment, the pump 504 is an oil pump, which lubricates the internal components of an engine.
While preferred embodiments and example configurations have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various further modifications and additional configurations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended that the specific embodiments and configurations disclosed are illustrative of the preferred and best modes for practicing the invention, and should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and it is to be appreciated that various changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
