Patent Application
20090242331
The invention relates to a reserve dry sump oil tank assembly for use in a motor vehicle. More particularly, it relates to providing additional volume for increased oil flow during certain vehicle operating conditions.
Lubrication systems for internal combustion engines on passenger vehicles may be wet or dry sump lubrication systems. A wet sump lubrication system is typically used on production vehicles. Lubricant is stored beneath the crankshaft and oil pan. The oil pan needs to be large and deep in order to hold sufficient amounts of lubricant, such as oil, to lubricate the engine.
Dry sump lubrication systems utilize an external tank to store some of the oil outside of the engine. Accordingly, a large and deep oil pan under the engine is not required and the engine may be placed lower in the vehicle. Dry sump lubrication systems are commonly used with high-performance engines, such as racing vehicles.
In vehicles with a dry sump lubrication system, oil is pumped from the external oil tank to the parts of the engine that require lubrication. Oil thrown from the crankshaft bearings during operation drains to the sump located in a lower part of the crank case. Oil received in the sump is pumped back to the oil tank by a scavenge pump. Due to packaging considerations the oil tank is often of limited size and volume.
A dry sump oil tank assembly is provided for lubricating an engine, and is suitable for a high performance vehicle, such as a racing vehicle or for a standard passenger vehicle that may occasionally be subjected to high-performance conditions.
The dry sump oil tank assembly includes a main oil tank that defines a main outlet aperture. A reserve oil tank defines a reserve outlet aperture. An oil transfer tube connects the main oil tank at the main outlet aperture to the reserve oil tank at the reserve outlet aperture. The reserve oil tank is shaped to fit between a frame rail and a fender of the vehicle.
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 mounting bracket 24 is mounted to the main oil tank 14. The mounting bracket 24 is used to assemble the dry sump oil tank assembly 10 in the vehicle 30 (shown in
The reserve oil tank 12 also includes a reserve connector 46 extending upward from the reserve oil tank 12. The reserve connector 46 may be connected to a main connector 48 on the top of the main oil tank 14 via fluid piping or the like. The main connector 48 is preferably a semi-fresh line for operation of the main oil tank 14. The reserve connector 46 and the main connector 48 are in fluid communication to equalize pressure between the reserve oil tank 12 and the main oil tank 14. The main connector 48 may be further connected to the engine (not shown) to equalize pressure therebetween.
A bracket 26 assists in securing and aligning the reserve oil tank 12 to the main oil tank 14. Additionally a strap 28 may be used to secure and align the reserve oil tank 12 to the mail oil tank 14. Both the reserve oil tank 12 and the main oil tank 14 may be attached to the bracket 26 through welding, fasteners or the like.
The reserve oil tank 12 provides additional oil storage for the main oil tank 14. In the example embodiment shown, the reserve oil tank 12 has a 3 quart volume, including oil and air volumes. The additional volume for oil storage addresses the phenomenon of “draw down” where an operating level of the oil is higher within the dry main oil tank 14 when the vehicle is not in use, but is lowered when in use, as the oil is routed through the entire lubrication system. Severe draw down will cause the operating level of the oil to be insufficient, such that the main oil outlet (not shown) to the engine may be uncovered during high speed maneuvers, resulting in an undesirable drop in oil pressure. With an increased oil volume enabled by the reserve oil tank 12, even with draw down, the in-use oil operating level is high enough such that the main oil outlet does not become uncovered. The dry sump oil tank assembly 10 is thus also suited for a vehicle that may be typically used in standard driving conditions, but occasionally subjected to high performance use.
Referring to
The oil tank assembly 10 is also located forward in the vehicle of a door hinge pillar 36. That is, the oil tank assembly 10 is located closer to the front of the vehicle 30 than the door hinge pillar 36. The reserve oil tank 12 is located rearward in the vehicle 30 of the main oil tank 14.
Referring to
The oil tank assembly 10 is located forward in the vehicle 30 of the door hinge pillar 36. The door hinge pillar 36 is commonly referred to as an A-pillar. The A-pillar is the structural member that supports the forward vehicle doors. The A-pillar also commonly supports the vehicle windshield. An engine compartment wall (not shown) is can be mounted to the door hinge pillar 36. Thus, the oil tank assembly is located forward of the engine compartment wall such that the oil tank assembly 10 is separated from and forward of a passenger compartment of the vehicle 30.
The vehicle fender 34 defines a space 44 to allow for a wheel to be mounted on the vehicle under the vehicle fender 34. The space 44 is commonly known as the wheel well. The oil tank assembly 10 is located rearward in the vehicle 30 of the space 44. This can be seen more clearly in the perspective view of
As discussed above, the dry sump oil tank assembly 10 is particularly useful for high performance applications, such as racing vehicles, and may utilize components from standard vehicle applications, thus maximizing the economies of scale of producing such components and being suited for a vehicle that may be typically used in standard driving conditions, but occasionally subjected to high performance use.
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.
