Patent Application
20240384671
The present disclosure relates generally to oil systems for machines, and more particularly to an oil make-up system for an engine of a machine.
Oil-based lubrication systems are ubiquitous in modern industrial and consumer machines, includes automobiles, trucks, construction equipment, etc. Internal combustion engines in particular utilize an oil-based lubrication system that typically includes a pump which transports oil to various components requiring lubrication, and a sump which collects oil that flows back from those components. In many applications, oil must be changed at predetermined intervals as oil breaks down or otherwise become less effective. The recommended oil change interval of a particular machine may be based on several factors, such run time, distance traveled, total oil capacity of the system, and extenuating environmental circumstances. Oil changes represent a significant source of maintenance and downtime for machinery, particularly in heavy industry when any amount of downtime can have significant financial implications.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,371,153 to Fischerkeller et al. (hereinafter “the '153 patent”) discloses a fuel system including first and second tank portions, and first and second fuel pumps in the first and second tank portions, respectively. The fuel system further includes a first crossover fuel line for transferring fuel from the second tank portion to the first tank portion, and a second crossover fuel line for transferring fuel from the first tank portion to the second tank portion. In one aspect of the '153 patent, the first and second tank portions define a bifurcated tank and the first and second crossover fuel lines are housed completely within the bifurcated tank. In another aspect of the '153 patent, the first and second crossover fuel lines extend partially outside the bifurcated tank.
While the '153 patent discloses a fuel tank having two portions, the '153 patent does not disclose such a tank for an oil system. Furthermore, the '153 patent does not address the challenges of implementing such a tank in an oil system, such as overfilling of an oil pan or sump which can lead to over pressurization, oil aeration and various adverse effects on the engine.
The oil make-up system of the present disclosure solve one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an oil make-up system for an engine of a machine is disclosed. The system includes an oil pan for supplying oil to engine components, an auxiliary oil tank positioned above the oil pan, a return including a return pump for conveying oil from the oil pan to the auxiliary oil tank, a supply including a supply pump for conveying oil from the auxiliary oil tank to the oil pan, and a siphon-terminating-connection between the supply and return.
In another aspect, an oil make-up system for an engine of a machine is disclosed. The system includes an oil pan for supplying oil to engine components, an auxiliary oil tank positioned above the oil pan, a return including a return pump for conveying oil from the oil pan to the auxiliary oil tank, a supply including a supply pump for conveying oil from the auxiliary oil tank to the oil pan, and at least two siphon-terminating connections between the supply and return. The siphon-terminating connections includes a partition dividing the auxiliary oil tank into a return chamber and a supply chamber, and a bypass between the return and the supply.
In yet another aspect, a method for operating an oil make-up system to prevent overfilling of an oil pan of an engine of a machine is disclosed. The oil make-up system includes the oil pan and an auxiliary oil tank positioned above the oil pan. The method includes actuating a return pump of a return to convey oil from the oil pan to the auxiliary oil tank, actuating a supply pump of a supply to convey oil from the auxiliary oil tank to the oil pan, and breaking a siphon in the supply in response to a failure of the supply pump. Breaking the siphon in the supply comprises introducing air into the siphon via a siphon-terminating connection.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments.
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, unless stated otherwise, relative terms, such as, for example, “about,” “substantially,” and “approximately” are used to indicate a possible variation of +10% in the stated value. Throughout the accompanying drawings, like reference numerals refer to like components.
Referring to
Oil pan 110 includes an inlet 112 positioned above an optimal oil level 120 of oil in oil pan 110. Inlet 112 may be a port, channel, or any other structure through which oil can flow or drain into oil pan 110. Oil pan 110 further includes an outlet port 114 which sets an optimal oil level 120 of oil in oil pan 110. In particular, a suction tube 314 extends through outlet port 114 and has an open end through which oil is drawn from oil pan 110. Thus, optimal oil level 120 corresponds to the height of the open end of suction tube 314. In some aspects, oil make-up system 100 is retrofitted to the engine, and outlet port 114 corresponds to a port originally connected to an oil filler neck (not shown).
Referring to
An orifice 208 fluidly connects and allows oil to flow between return chamber 202 and supply chamber 204. Orifice 208 is located below (i.e., at an elevation lower than) or at the same elevation as inlet port 212 and outlet port 214. Further, orifice 208 is located proximate to the bottom of return chamber 202 and supply chamber 204 so that oil flow between return chamber 202 and supply chamber 204 even when the overall oil volume in auxiliary oil tank 200 is relatively low. Orifice 208 may be sized so as to limit the flow rate of oil through orifice 208 to a desired flow rate. In aspects in which return chamber 202 and supply chamber 204 are separated by partition 206, orifice 208 is an aperture in partition 206. During steady-state operation of oil make-up system 100, oil flows into return chamber 202 via inlet port 212, through orifice 208 of partition 206, and into supply chamber 204. In aspects in which return chamber 202 and supply chamber 204 are distinct tanks, orifice 208 may be a tube or the like that connects the two tanks forming return chamber 202 and supply chamber 204, respectively.
As shown in
With continued reference to
Supply 400 may include a series of pipes, hose(s), tubing, and/or fitting(s) forming a fluid pathway 402 that connects outlet port 214 of auxiliary tank 200 to inlet 112 of oil pan 110. Supply 400 includes a supply pump 404 in-line with fluid pathway 402 which conveys oil in a direction from auxiliary oil tank 200 to oil pan 110. Supply 400 may include one or more one-way valves 406 (e.g., check valves) located, for example, downstream of supply pump 404 to prevent backflow of oil in fluid pathway 402 in a direction from oil pan 110 to auxiliary oil tank 200.
Supply 400 includes a trap 410 extending vertically above a maximum oil level in auxiliary oil tank 200. As shown in
Oil make-up system 100 includes at least one siphon-terminating connection between return 300 and supply 400. Siphon-terminating connection is configured to break the siphon created in trap 410 to ensure that oil from auxiliary oil tank 200 cannot overfill oil pan 110. Siphon-terminating connection is configured to introduce air into trap 410 to break the siphon. In some aspects, siphon-terminating connection includes partition 206 and orifice 208. Partition 206 and orifice 208 may particularly act as siphon-terminating connection during steady-state operation of the engine (i.e., when the engine is running) and supply pump 404 fails. Orifice 208 is sized so that a maximum flow rate through orifice 208 is less than a maximum flow rate of a siphon created in trap 410. In some aspects, orifice 208 may have an internal diameter of about 2 millimeters to about 5 millimeters. Due to the flow restriction imposed by orifice 208, oil level 224 in supply chamber 204 may be less than oil level 222 in return chamber 202 if oil is pumped and/or siphoned from supply chamber 204 at a flow rate greater than the flow rate of oil through orifice 208. As such, the siphon in trap 410 will drain supply chamber 204 faster than supply chamber 204 can be replenished with oil from return chamber 202 via orifice 208. If the siphon in trap 410 drains oil in supply chamber 204 below outlet port 214, the siphon will suck air from supply chamber 204, terminating the siphon in trap 410 and stopping flow of oil through supply 400 to oil pan 110.
With continued reference to
In some aspects, the siphon-terminating connection of oil make-up system 100 includes bypass 500 and orifice 510. Bypass 500 and orifice 510 particularly act as a siphon-terminating connection when the engine, including return pump 304, is shut off such that no oil is flowing through return 300. When no oil is flowing in return 300, a portion of return pathway 302 between bypass inlet 320 and inlet port 212 of auxiliary foil tank 200 is filled with air because inlet port 212 is above oil level 222 of return chamber 202. If a siphon is present in trap 410 of supply 400, the siphon pulls air through bypass 500 into up-pipe 412 of trap 410, thereby introducing air into the siphon and terminating the siphon.
In some aspects, oil make-up system 100 includes multiple siphon-terminating connections, such as a first siphon-terminating connection including orifice 208, and a second siphon-terminating connection including orifice 510.
Referring again to
Add sensor 604 is located below full sensor 602 in oil pan 110, and corresponds to an oil level lower than optimal oil level 120. Low sensor 606 is located below add sensor 604 in oil pan 110, and may correspond to a level of oil that is harmful to operation of the engine. Add sensor 604 and low sensor 606 may be in electrical communication with ECM 600. If oil in oil pan 110 falls below add sensor 604 and/or low sensor 606, ECM 600 may actuate signal(s), such as light(s), on a dashboard of the machine to alert the operator that oil make-up system 100 is malfunctioning, or the oil level is otherwise low.
With continued reference to
The disclosed aspects of oil make-up system 100 as set forth in the present disclosure may be used to increase the oil capacity, and thus extend the oil change interval, of machines such as mobile machines (e.g., trucks or construction machines). During steady-state operation of the machine, return pump 304 conveys oil from oil pan 110 to auxiliary oil tank 200, while supply pump 404 conveys oil from auxiliary oil tank 200 to oil pan 110. Thus, oil is continuously circulated between oil pan 110 and auxiliary oil tank 200 during operation of the engine. The total oil capacity of the machine having oil make-up system 100 may be greater than the oil capacity of a similar machine lacking oil make-up system 100. Thus, a greater volume of oil may be present in the machine, so wear is distributed over a greater volume of oil. As such, the oil change intervals for the machine may be less frequent relative to a machine which does not include oil make-up system 100.
Moreover, oil make-up system 100 as set forth in the present disclosure helps to prevent siphoning of oil from auxiliary oil tank 200 into oil pan 110 as a result of auxiliary oil tank 200 being positioned above oil pan 112. As such, oil make-up system 100 may prevent overfilling of oil pan 110 which can lead to oil aeration, high crankcase pressure leakage, and other undesired effects. The siphon-terminating connection(s) of oil make-up system 100 can prevent siphoning of oil into oil pan 110 during both operation of the machine, and when the machine is shut down.
Referring now to
Method 700 may further include, at step 704, actuating supply pump 404 to convey oil from auxiliary oil tank 200 to oil pan 110. Actuating supply pump 404 causes oil to flow through supply 400 and into oil pan 110 via inlet 112. Supply pump 404 may operate at a flow rate less than the flow rate of return pump 304, for example about 2 gallons per hour (GPH). As a result of supply pump 404 conveying oil through supply 400, a siphon is created in trap 410. The siphon causes oil to continue to flow through supply 400 to oil pan 110 even if supply pump 400 fails in an open state (i.e. if supply pump fails in a manner that allows oil to flow through supply pump). Steps 702 and 704 may be performed concurrently, and continuously, during normal operation of the machine.
Method 700 further includes, at step 706, breaking the siphon in trap 410 of supply 400. Step 706 is performed automatically in response to supply pump 404 failing in an open state. The siphon is broken by siphon-terminating connection introducing air into the siphon in trap 410. In particular, siphon-terminating connection, namely orifice 208 in partition 206 of auxiliary oil tank 200, limits the flow of oil into supply chamber 204 to a flow rate lower than the flow rate at which oil is pulled from supply chamber 204 by the siphon in trap 410. As such, oil level 224 (see
After the siphon in trap 410 has been broken, oil from return chamber 202 may continue to flow into supply chamber 204 via orifice 208. However, oil in supply chamber 204 cannot flow to oil pan 110 in the absence of the siphon broken at step 706. Particularly, because bend 414 of trap 410 is located above the maximum height of oil level 224 in supply chamber 404, oil cannot flow through trap 410 to reach oil pan 110. As such, breaking the siphon at step 706 halts flow of oil from auxiliary oil tank 200 to oil pan 110, thereby preventing overfilling of oil pan 110.
Flow through supply 400 to oil pan 110 cannot resume until supply pump 404 is repaired and actuated. If return pump 304 is still being actuated, as during running of the engine, oil will flow to auxiliary oil tank 200 from oil pan 110 via return 300 until oil level in return chamber 202 reaches vent 232 and/or vent 234. Oil then flows through vent(s) 232, 234, through overflow 250, and back to oil pan 110. Thus, the engine may continue to operate utilizing the oil returned to oil pan 110 via overflow in the event of a failure of supply pump 404.
Referring now to
Method 800 includes, at step 802, deactivating return pump 304. Deactivating return pump 304 may be performed commensurate with shut down of the engine, such as after use of the machine. As a result of deactivating return pump 304, oil from oil pan 110 no longer flows through return 300 to auxiliary oil tank 200. Further, the siphon in trap 410 pulls oil from return 300 through bypass 500 until the oil level in return pathway 302 drops below bypass inlet 320. As such, bypass inlet 320 is in fluid communication with air via inlet port 212 of auxiliary oil tank 200.
Method 800 further includes, at step 804, breaking the siphon in trap 410. Step 804 is performed automatically in response to return pump 304 being deactivated at step 802. The siphon is broken by siphon-terminating connection allowing air to enter trap 410. In particular, orifice 510 of bypass 500 allows air to flow from bypass inlet 320 of return 300 into bypass outlet 420 of supply 400. As such, air is introduced into the siphon in trap 410, breaking the siphon.
After the siphon in trap 410 has been broken, oil from return chamber 202 may continue to flow into supply chamber 204 via orifice 208. However, oil in supply chamber 204 cannot flow to oil pan 110 in the absence of the siphon broken at step 804. Particularly, because bend 414 of trap 410 is located above the maximum height of oil level 224 in supply chamber 404, oil cannot flow through trap 410 to reach oil pan 110. As such, breaking the siphon at step 804 halts flow of oil from auxiliary oil tank 200 to oil pan 110, thereby preventing overfilling of oil pan 110. Flow through supply 400 to oil pan 110 cannot resume until supply pump 404 is repaired and actuated.
As noted above, method 700 may be automatically performed to break a siphon in supply 400 when the engine of the machine is running. Additionally, method 700 may also automatically occur to break a siphon in supply 400 when the engine is not running, concurrently with method 800. That is, both methods 700 and 800 can stop a siphon when the engine is not running. Because method 700 includes, at step 706, oil flowing from supply chamber 204 of auxiliary oil tank 200 until the oil level in supply chamber 204 falls below outlet port 214, method 700 may take significantly longer to complete than method 800. Method 800 is completed relatively quickly, as the siphon is broken at step 804 without requiring significant draining of oil from auxiliary oil tank 200. Thus, if methods 700 and 800 are initiated simultaneously, method 800 will break a siphon in supply 400 before method 700.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Other embodiments of the system will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the system disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.
