Dry Sump Patents (Class 184/6.13)
  • Patent number: 11674414
    Abstract: The gas turbine engine can have a casing, a rotor rotatable around a rotation axis relative the casing, the casing extending along and around the rotation axis, a first component mounted externally to the casing by a first mount, the first mount defining a torsion axis extending along a vertical radial orientation normal the rotation axis, the first component having a center of gravity located on a first side relative the torsion axis, a second component mounted externally to the casing on the second side, extending along the vertical radial orientation from a bottom portion to a top portion, a second mount structurally connecting the bottom portion to the casing, and a structure connecting the top portion to the first component on the second side relative the torsion axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Krzysztof Gajowniczek, Paul Weaver, Melanie Brillant
  • Patent number: 11319836
    Abstract: An assembly for a gas turbine engine having: static and rotating components; a seal between the static and rotating components, and between a cavity and an environment outside thereof, the cavity having an inlet fluidly connectable to a source of lubricant and an outlet fluidly connectable to a scavenge pump for drawing lubricant out of the cavity; and a drain conduit having a drain inlet outside the cavity in proximity to the seal for receiving leaked lubricant, and a drain outlet fluidly connected to the outlet of the cavity, the drain outlet located in proximity to a scavenge inlet via which the lubricant exits the cavity to flow toward the scavenge pump such that, in use, a lubricant flow within the drain conduit is entrained by the lubricant exiting the cavity via the scavenge inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Martin Poulin, Sean Powers
  • Patent number: 11255221
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gas turbine engine including a first turbine frame defining one or more first struts extended along a radial direction and a turbine rotor assembly. The turbine rotor assembly defines a rotatable drum surrounding a reduction speed reduction assembly and coupled thereto. The turbine rotor assembly includes a first turbine rotor and a second turbine rotor each disposed on one or more bearing assemblies. The first turbine frame defines a first supply conduit through the first strut providing a flow of fluid to the speed reduction assembly and one or more of the bearing assemblies. The first turbine frame further defines a first scavenge conduit providing an egress of at least a portion of the flow of fluid from one or more of the bearing assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Darek Tomasz Zatorski, Christopher Charles Glynn
  • Patent number: 10851941
    Abstract: A lubrication system comprises a lubricant feed tank, a lubricant feed pump, one or more lubricant nozzles, a scavenge pump drive motor, and one or more scavenge pumps. The lubricant feed pump takes suction from the lubricant feed tank and pumps a lubricant feed as lubricant jets exiting the one or more lubricant nozzles. The lubricant feed pump has a rotating feed pump shaft coupled to a power source. The scavenge pump drive motor drives a rotating scavenge pump shaft that is coupled to the one or more scavenge pumps. The scavenge pumps return lubricant to the lubricant feed tank. The feed pump shaft and scavenge pump shaft rotate independently of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Wilson, John Gebhard, Josh Gear, Mihir Desai
  • Patent number: 10837329
    Abstract: A fluid management system, or flow control system, for an automotive propulsion system is provided. The system includes a housing defining a sump configured to collect a volume of liquid and gaseous fluid and a pump configured to pump fluid from the sump. The pump defines a pump inlet and a pump outlet. A conduit is in fluid communication with the pump outlet. A passive valve is disposed within the conduit, the conduit defining a conduit outlet downstream of the passive valve, and the conduit further defining an orifice between the pump and the passive valve. The passive valve allows hydraulic fluid to flow past the valve, while substantially preventing air from flowing past the passive valve. The air is instead bled out through the orifice, along with some of the hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert Parrish, Vijay A Neelakantan, Michael A Fisher, David J Varda
  • Patent number: 10563750
    Abstract: Provided is a power transmission device lubricating structure capable of preventing air from being mixed with a lubricating fluid while suppressing a resistance applied from the lubricating fluid to a rotation body in a casing. A lubricating structure includes a strainer which includes a suction port and partition members which divide an inner space of a transmission casing. The partition members define a differential room accommodating a final driven gear and a strainer room accommodating the strainer and communicating with the differential room at an upper portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Natsumi Iizuka, Hiroyuki Kita
  • Patent number: 10520035
    Abstract: A bearing compartment assembly includes a bearing compartment with a bearing and a plenum, a buffer system that supplies pressure to an exterior of the bearing compartment, and a reactive volume vessel connected to the bearing compartment. The reactive volume vessel has a displaceable member that is movable between two positions, one of which adds additional volume to the bearing compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Duffy, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Patent number: 10502311
    Abstract: A method of controlling a fluid level around a transmission gear of a vehicle includes the steps of providing a set of predetermined operating conditions, each predetermined operating condition having a corresponding predetermined fluid level requirement, operating the vehicle at an actual operating condition, determining a predetermined operating condition equivalent to the actual operating condition, and arranging the fluid level around the transmission gear to be equivalent to the predetermined fluid level requirement corresponding to the predetermined operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Meritor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Gianone, Chiara Cesari, Marco Bassi, Marco Fratelli
  • Patent number: 10309275
    Abstract: A control device for a variable-capacity oil pump provided in an engine using alcohol-containing fuel includes an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit is configured to: (i) estimate an alcohol concentration in oil of the engine, and (ii) correct a capacity of the oil pump to be increased in a correction condition as compared with a case where the correction condition is not established when the correction condition is established. The correction condition is that an estimated alcohol concentration is a predetermined concentration or more and a temperature of the oil is a predetermined temperature or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Murakami, Hisashi Ono, Yuki Nishida
  • Patent number: 10280748
    Abstract: A high-frequency vibrating transverse drum cutter head, and a drum cutter machine and a tunnel boring machine with such drum cutter head are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Zhongsheng Tang
  • Patent number: 10107197
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided. The lubrication system may be used in conjunction with a gas turbine engine for generating power or lift. The lubrication system utilized a flow scheduling valve which reduces lubricant flow to at least one component based on an engine load. The lubrication system may further include a main pump which may be regulated by an engine speed. Thus, a lubrication system which provides a lubricant to engine components based on the load and speed of the engine is possible. The system may improve efficiency of the engine by reducing the power previously spent in churning excess lubricant by at least one engine component as well as reducing the energy used by a lubricant cooler in cooling the excess lubricant. The lubricant cooler size may also be minimized to reduce weight and air drag due to the reduced lubricant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman, David M. Daley, Denman H. James, Richard W. Clark
  • Patent number: 9927020
    Abstract: An axle assembly that may have a housing and a carrier housing. The axle assembly may include one or more quiet lubricant reservoirs that may not receive rotating components of the axle assembly. A seal may be provided in a channel that may be disposed between the housing and the carrier housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Keeney, Todd R. Ekonen, Fabio Santinato, Dale Kwasniewski, Danny Seaman, Robert J. Martin, Ben Bradley, Sean Gainey
  • Patent number: 9903242
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes a hybrid module, a transmission and a torque converter. The lubrication system associated with the torque converter includes an oil sump within the torque converter housing which is intended to be managed as a “dry” sump oil lubrication system. There is an oil pump in communication with the sump in order to manage the sump oil level. By monitoring an operational parameter of the oil pump motor (pressure, torque, or current) oil aeration can be detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Thomas A. Wright
  • Patent number: 9903241
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine, an external oil reservoir, a supply pump, and a return pump. The engine includes an oil gallery configured to distribute oil and a crankcase chamber. The external oil reservoir includes an oil tank defining an oil chamber and an oil filter assembly including a housing at least partially defining a filter chamber, and a filter positioned within the filter chamber. The supply pump is in fluid communication with the oil chamber and the oil gallery and the supply pump is configured to draw oil from the oil chamber and provide pressurized oil to the oil gallery. The return pump in fluid communication with the crankcase chamber and the filter chamber and the return pump is configured to draw oil from the crankcase chamber and provide pressurized oil to the filter chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton Corporation
    Inventors: Adam J. Hellman, John Schneiker, Tim Kwiatkowski, Casey Groh, Robert Price, Ryan Sullivan, Gary Johnson
  • Patent number: 9874145
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a gas turbine engine may include a pump for moving a lubricant through a conduit from a lubricant tank to an engine component. Further, a scheduling valve positioned in the conduit between the lubricant tank and the engine component may vary a flow of the lubricant to the engine component based on a condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew D. Teicholz, Francis Parnin, Richard Alan Weiner, Katherine A. Knapp Carney
  • Patent number: 9765881
    Abstract: A hydraulic circuit is disclosed for use with a powertrain having an engine, a transmission, and an output transfer group. The hydraulic circuit may have a first sump configured to collect fluid drained from the transmission, and a second sump configured to collect fluid drained from the output transfer group. The hydraulic circuit may also have a primary pump configured to draw fluid from the first sump and generate at least one flow of pressurized fluid directed to the transmission and to the output transfer group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Meyer, David Michael Thaler, Kendall Robert Harrell, Scott Alan Lyons, James David Hill
  • Patent number: 9297454
    Abstract: In order to implement a reliable supply of lubricant to gear unit components during emergency or spinning operation of a gear unit, level control is provided in a lubricant sump of the gear unit as a function of the operating state by means of a control unit associated with a lubricant pump. During normal operation the level is adjusted to dry sump level. In contrast, the lubricant pump is switched off in emergency or spinning operation, so that a splash lubrication level is automatically achieved in the lubricant sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Thomas Barthel, Jan-Dirk Reimers, Jörg Tebroke, Ulrich Weinsdörfer
  • Patent number: 9093872
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a seal oil feeding apparatus includes a hydrogen detraining tank, a float trap tank, and an air detraining tank. The hydrogen detraining tank is configured to collect and reserve seal oil that has flowed out to the inside of a housing from a sealing unit. The float trap tank is provided integrated with the hydrogen detraining tank in horizontally, and is connected to the hydrogen detraining tank, so that the liquid level of the seal oil becomes substantially the same as the height of the hydrogen detraining tank. The float trap tank includes a float valve. The air detraining tank is placed at a position lower than the hydrogen detraining tank and float trap tank, and reserves seal oil that has flowed out from the float valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideyasu Ajioka, Takaharu Tani, Naoshi Murakami, Shohei Soma, Toshihiro Mouri, Mitsuyoshi Kuramoto
  • Patent number: 9046002
    Abstract: An oil supply system for an aircraft engine, includes at least one oil circuit including an oil tank having a closing valve associated with an outlet opening of the oil tank into a suction line, an oil pump, and at least one consumer to be supplied oil via a pressure line. A negative pressure relief line having a shut-off valve is connected to the suction line for ensuring pressure relief in the suction line after shutdown. Via a diaphragm volume flow limiter alternatively incorporated into the relief line, the suction line can also be connected permanently to the pressure line. A negative pressure occurring in the suction line after shutdown of the engine when the closing valve is closed and the plastic deformation of the suction line as well as a reduction of the pump suction capacity are thus avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd & Co KG
    Inventor: Christian Homeyer
  • Patent number: 9045191
    Abstract: A frame structure of a saddle type vehicle that can easily secure the bending strength of welded portions by a structure that seat rails are welded to rear portions of pivot frames, etc. is provided. Elongated holes 71A extending along an axis L of a front portion 15F of the seat rail is provided to a side surface of the pivot frame 14, and the pivot frame 14 and the front portion 15F of the seat rail are welded to each other at the peripheral edge of the elongated hole 71A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutoyo Yasuda, Keisuke Kishikawa
  • Patent number: 8807282
    Abstract: A lubricant system is disclosed, in particular for the supply of lubricant to a user in a gas turbine aircraft engine. The system includes a lubricant reservoir, where in the lubricant reservoir a lubricant can be set in rotation by at least one rotatable drum that is integrated into the lubricant reservoir or by at least one rotatable blade that is integrated into the lubricant reservoir, such that the lubricant, as a result of centrifugal force, comes into contact against a rotationally symmetrical wall of the lubricant reservoir, and from there can be transported toward a user. A drive system is included for the or each rotatable drum or the or each rotatable blade of the lubricant reservoir. At least one rotating lubricant separator is provided for the venting of the lubricant. The or each lubricant separator can be driven by the drive system of the or of each rotatable drum and/or of the or of each rotatable blade of the lubricant reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Streifinger
  • Patent number: 8635983
    Abstract: An oil pan 1 includes: an oil pan body 2 having a reservoir 21 for storing oil circulated in an engine E and returned to the reservoir 21; and a separator 3 having a vertically extending sidewall unit 4 partitioning the reservoir 21 into a first reservoir 21a for storing high-temperature oil and a second reservoir 21b for storing low-temperature oil. The first reservoir 21a has a suction-member-placement region 22 in which a member for sucking oil is provided. The separator 3 has an inclined portion 61 extending, to the suction-member-placement region 22, from a portion below a downstream end of a return pipe Rt for allowing oil to return to the first reservoir 21a.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: DaikyoNishikawa Corporation
    Inventor: Satoshi Enokida
  • Patent number: 8474259
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankcase which accommodates cylinders, having at least one exhaust turbocharger and having an oil circuit containing at least one oil pump, in which engine oil is siphoned by at least one oil pump and delivered to the cylinders for lubrication, and in which the or each exhaust turbocharger is coupled to the oil circuit such that siphoned engine oil can be distributed to bearings of the respective turbocharger via an inlet line leading to the respective exhaust turbocharger and can then be expelled from the bearings of the respective exhaust turbocharger in the direction of an oil sump via an outlet line leading away from the respective exhaust turbocharger. The respective outlet line of the respective exhaust turbocharger is assigned a pressure limiting device, with the aid of which a vacuum prevailing at the bearings of the respective exhaust turbocharger can be limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Bruno Kistner, Bernhard Freiermuth, Christoph Müller
  • Patent number: 8464684
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine (10) dry sump lubrication system including multiple oil paths through the engine, the engine being constructed and arranged such that when the engine is mounted on a vehicle and the vehicle is level and upright and the engine is not in operation, oil in each of the multiple oil paths collects at oil collection portions (3,26,514,516) within the engine, each oil collection portion being at a low portion with respect to gravity in one of the oil paths; a plurality of oil drainage openings (510,512,508) fluidly connected to the oil collection portions; and a single drain plug (500) simultaneously removeably sealing each of the oil drainage openings, whereby substantially all of the oil in the system is drained from the system when the single drain plug is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rudolf Kusel
  • Patent number: 8156905
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cylinder crankcase and a v-shaped cylinder configuration and having a lubricant circuit which operates according to the dry sump principle and has a lubricant reservoir, wherein the lubricant reservoir is located within the cylinder crankcase in the space between the cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Audi AG
    Inventor: Xaver Stemmer
  • Patent number: 7819227
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having pressure lubrication according to the dry sump principle, in particular for an opposed cylinder engine, has a crankcase in which an oil suction space (dry sump) is formed in the lower part. The lubricant oil is conveyed from the oil suction space to an oil supply container (wet sump) via an oil return pump equipped with an oil suction line. The lubricant oil in the oil supply tank and/or in the oil supply space is conveyed to the consumer via a main delivery pump. An annular space arranged around the cylinder is provided as part of the oil returned to the oil supply tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Rutschmann, Thorsten Wieg
  • Patent number: 7798289
    Abstract: An internal-combustion engine having a pressure lubrication system according to the dry-sump principle, particularly for an opposed-cylinder engine, having a crankcase in which an oil scavenging space is constructed in the lower part feeds the lubricating oil by way of an oil return feed pump equipped with an oil scavenging pipe to an oil storage tank. The lubricating oil situated in the oil storage tank is fed by way of a main feed pump to the consuming devices. The oil storage space forming the wet sump is also integrated in the crankcase of the internal-combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Thorsten Wieg, Erwin Rutschmann
  • Patent number: 7717082
    Abstract: A prime mover is shown which can be used in supplying power for a variety of roles in industrial applications, including oil and gas well operations, such as the prime mover which is used to operate a pump jack at a well site. It includes an internal combustion engine having an output shaft, the engine being cooled by engine oil supplied from an oil reservoir to the engine and circulated by an oil pump. A housing framework encloses the engine and supports an associated jack shaft bearing assembly, and includes a base, a hood and a plurality of upright supports which extend upwardly from the base in the direction of the hood. One or more of the uprights is a specially designed compartment having a plurality of opposing sides which define an initially open interior space, the interior space comprising an integral oil reservoir for storing and supplying oil to the engine during normal engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: William B. Mullin
  • Patent number: 7717233
    Abstract: An oil tank uses centrifugal movement of oil to separate blow-by gases. The oil tank has a tank body with an internal oil chamber. The oil chamber is spaced from the walls of the oil tank. The oil is delivered to the oil chamber and the oil swirls along the inner wall of the oil chamber in a helical pattern thereby allowing separation between the oil and the blow-by gases. The oil settles in the bottom of the oil chamber, which is in fluid communication with the region defined between the tank body and the oil chamber. The oil chamber is placed in an off-center location relative to the bottom of the tank body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Ashida
  • Patent number: 7694780
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pump arrangement for use in a gear box housing. The interior surface of the gear box housing has a collection wall arranged in the interior surface of the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed through the gear box housing and has a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft that provides a lubrication delivery arrangement for distributing lubricant through the gear box housing. A pump housing circumscribes the shaft and has a discharge cavity connected to the longitudinal bore. Additionally, the pump housing has an inlet port for receiving lubrication from the collection wall. Contained within the pump housing is a pump member that has an impeller face and helical threaded surface that pressurizes and introduces the lubricant into the lubricant delivery arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans R. Beels van Heemstede, Christopher E. Blair, Charles E. Johnson, Jr., Wayne E. Wyant, Bryan C. Wright
  • Patent number: 7686137
    Abstract: There is provided an oil separating structure of an automatic transmission, which makes it difficult for an oil strainer of an oil pump to draw oil containing air bubbles. A baffle plate base separates a space around the oil strainer and a space around a driven sprocket as well as a final gear, and therefore, oil containing air bubbles formed as a result of agitation by the driven sprocket, chain, and final gear does not flow directly into the oil strainer. As a result, the oil strainer is unlikely to draw oil containing air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Masakazu Tominaga, Tsutomu Saitou, Hiromi Taguchi, Yasuhiko Kunii
  • Patent number: 7645175
    Abstract: An oil supplying apparatus for supplying the oil to an engine of a watercraft can be provided with an oil sump, a vapor-liquid separation chamber, a scavenging pump for sending the oil in the oil sump to the vapor-liquid separation chamber, a transfer path for returning the oil from which air and blow-by gas have been separated in the vapor-liquid separation chamber to the oil sump, a feed pump for supplying the oil in the oil sump to the engine, and openings and for returning oil used to lubricate the engine to the oil sump. The oil sump can be provided below the crankcase, and the vapor-liquid separation chamber can be provided to a side surface of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeaki Miyata
  • Publication number: 20090242331
    Abstract: A dry sump oil tank assembly is provided for a vehicle. 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Hommes
  • Publication number: 20090211552
    Abstract: A dry sump oil tank assembly for a vehicle is provided with a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing is configured with a laterally-extending portion to add lateral volume to the internal cavity and has at least one internal baffle attached to the housing within the internal cavity below the laterally-extending portion and configured to reduce sloshing of oil within the cavity. The dry sump oil tank assembly 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, Akram R. Zahdeh, Robert S. McAlpine, Bryce E. Mazzola
  • Publication number: 20090173580
    Abstract: A removable oil storage tank for lubricating an engine. The oil storage tank includes a body having a reservoir, an oil inlet and an oil outlet. A pick up tube in connected to the oil outlet. Connectors are coupled to the oil inlet and oil outlet. Oil lines are coupled to the connectors to couple to oil inlet of the tank to the outlet of the engine and the oil outlet of the tank to the inlet of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Gary R. Papas
  • Publication number: 20080245613
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having pressure lubrication according to the dry sump principle, in particular for an opposed cylinder engine, has a crankcase in which an oil suction space (dry sump) is formed in the lower part. The lubricant oil is conveyed from the oil suction space to an oil supply container (wet sump) via an oil return pump equipped with an oil suction line. The lubricant oil in the oil supply tank and/or in the oil supply space is conveyed to the consumer via a main delivery pump. An annular space arranged around the cylinder is provided as part of the oil returned to the oil supply tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Dr.Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Erwin Rutschmann, Thorsten Wieg
  • Patent number: 7395804
    Abstract: The lubrication structure of an engine is provided with a crankcase having a crank chamber that houses a crankshaft. A first oil reservoir is in communication with the crank chamber and is formed adjacent a bottom of the crank chamber. A second oil reservoir is in communication with the first oil reservoir and is formed adjacent the side of and on the bottom of the first oil reservoir. A reed valve extends diagonally from the bottom of the first oil reservoir toward the top of the second oil reservoir in an opening where the first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir communicate with the crankcase. The reed valve includes a valve element that opens and closes according to the variation of pressure in the crank chamber. The valve element of the reed valve is arranged on the side of the second oil reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Takemoto, Tomio Onozato
  • Publication number: 20080121464
    Abstract: An engine lubrication oil flow control system and control method for an engine in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain is disclosed. An engine lubrication oil pump is powered by a lubrication oil pump motor. Provision is made to start the lubrication pump motor at the initiation of engine cranking upon a transition from an engine-off driving mode to an engine-on driving mode. An engine oil pressure signal is used to indicate engine filter maintenance is needed. The oil pump motor may be powered by a vehicle powertrain traction battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Ledger, George Dolan, Floyd Cadwell, Jeffrey Boismier, Jason Konopa
  • Publication number: 20070266986
    Abstract: A lubricating apparatus for an internal combustion engine is provided in which an oil discharge passage, extending from the oil pump, is provided for straddling the oil pump case and the tank body. A direction of the extension of the oil discharge passage is changed in the tank body such that the oil discharge passage further extends in parallel with a junction plane between the oil pump case and the tank body. An opening for pressure reception by a relief valve is provided in the oil discharge passage portion extending in parallel with the junction plane. By attaching the oil pump case such that an outside end portion of the relief valve is held by a portion of the oil pump case, the relief valve is fixed between the tank body and the oil pump case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Yosuke Hoi
  • Publication number: 20070227491
    Abstract: A power unit provided with a dry sump type lubricating device includes a power unit case that is covered in part by a power unit case cover and is divided into a front unit case and a rear unit case. The power unit also includes a crankshaft rotatably supported by a crank chamber that is formed by the power unit case and a shift shaft rotatably supported by a transmission chamber that is provided adjacent to the crank chamber. The power unit also includes an oil tank disposed on the crank chamber side of an anteroposterior outside surface of the power unit case cover and a hydraulic control device for controlling a shift clutch, disposed on the transmission chamber side of the anteroposterior outside surface of the power unit case cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kinya Mizuno, Yasushi Fujimoto, Masako Takahashi, Hiroshi Sotani
  • Patent number: 7240657
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dry sump type or semidry sump type lubricating system of an engine in which a lubricating method executes an operation while keeping an inner side of a crank chamber in a dry state. An oil drain port is formed in a bottom surface of each of individual crank chambers partitioned into the cylinders, and a scavenging oil pump is provided so as to suck out oil to an oil reservoir portion which is isolated from each of the individual crank chambers. An oil collecting chamber communicating with a suction portion of the scavenging oil pump is provided in a lower side of the bottom wall in the crank chamber, and the oil drain port is communicated with the oil collecting chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshio Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7174876
    Abstract: A feed pump 28 that is driven by the axial torque of an internal combustion engine 10 is installed. An electric scavenge pump 36 is installed. A base value for the ratio (S/F ratio) between the discharge volume of the scavenge pump 36 and feed pump 28 is calculated. The base value is corrected so that the S/F ratio is lower in a region where the engine speed is high than in a region where the engine speed is low. The discharge volume of the scavenge pump 36 is controlled in accordance with the S/F ratio that is corrected in the above manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takao Suzuki, Hidenori Usui
  • Patent number: 7131421
    Abstract: The oil pan includes an oil introducing portion that has an oil introducing plate. The oil introducing plate has an insertion hole for receiving a sucking portion of an oil strainer. The oil introducing plate extends from the periphery of the insertion hole toward a side wall of the oil pan. The oil returned from the first oil return passage is introduced to flow along the oil introducing plate via an oil falling hole formed in a baffle plate that is positioned at the bottom of a crank case of the internal combustion engine. The oil introducing portion further includes a plurality of inclined wall portions mounted on a bottom portion of the oil pan in the vicinity of the side wall of the oil pan in order to support the oil introducing plate. Opening portions are formed between the inclined wall portions and the bottom portion of the oil pan. The oil introducing plate of the oil introducing portion is located just below the oil falling hole formed in said baffle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Aichi Machine Industry Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Masatoshi Hada, Yasuki Ohta
  • Patent number: 7017546
    Abstract: A tank assembly for a dry sump lubrication system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The tank assembly includes a tank having an upper tank portion and a lower tank portion. An interface assembly is disposed at the lower tank portion and is configured to operably deliver and receive a lubricant to and from the engine. A first end of a return tube in fluid communication with a second end is configured to receive lubricant from the engine at the interface assembly. The second end opposite the first end is in fluid communication with the upper tank portion. In this manner, a return hose and a feed hose may be connected to a same portion of the tank assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dipak R. Patel, Daniel J. Hommes
  • Patent number: 6848528
    Abstract: A dry sump lubrication system for a four cycle engine is disclosed. The dry sump lubrication system has at least two lubricant storage chambers. A first lubricant storage chamber stores a first volume of lubricant. The first lubricant storage chamber may be located in a lower part of the crankcase. A second lubricant storage chamber is an oil tank and stores a second volume of lubricant. The oil tank may be secured to the output end of the crankcase. The first lubricant storage chamber is capable of storing at least 30% of a total volume of lubricant within the dry sump lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Anton Pichler, Rudolf Kusel, Sylvain Matte, Johann Holzleitner, Kurt Wildfellner, Josef Stockhammer
  • Publication number: 20030116115
    Abstract: A dry-sump lubrication unit for an internal combustion engine for a vehicle. A crankshaft of the vehicle is disposed so as to be parallel with the direction of travel of the vehicle, and in a position offset from a center of the vehicle when viewed from the front or back of the vehicle. A transmission shaft is disposed on the other side thereof. An oil tank is disposed in a crankcase located substantially at the lower center of the crankcase when viewed from the front or back of the vehicle on the rear side with respect to the traveling direction, and/or in a space between the crankcase and a rear case cover. Oil pumps are disposed forwardly of the oil tank. An oil injection pipe extends from the oil tank toward the side surface thereof on the transmission side. The resulting configuration prevents variations in liquid surface of lubricating oil of the vehicle internal combustion engine due to shaking of the vehicle body, and makes it possible to downsize the entire power unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Tohru Nishi, Yoshiaki Hori, Seiji Hamaoka, Masahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 6537115
    Abstract: A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine includes an oil pump assembly driven by the crankshaft. The oil pump can be mounted in various positions for maintaining a low center of gravity of the engine. Optionally, or in addition, the engine can include a bearing disposed between a valvetrain drive gear and an output drive gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noboru Suganuma, Masaki Takegami, Keiya Funahashi
  • Patent number: 6488002
    Abstract: A lubricating oil tank for an engine unit arranged in a motor vehicle engine compartment, open from below, including a flat-shaped tank arranged in the compartment lower part, beneath the engine unit, and connected to the engine unit by an oil outlet conduit and by an oil inlet conduit connected to the engine oil pump. The tank includes a part connected to the oil outlet conduit and a lower part connected to the oil inlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Renault VI
    Inventor: Pierre-Louis Vernhes
  • Patent number: 6428295
    Abstract: A scroll compressor having a simple structure is disclosed, which effectively decreases the thrust load imposed on the revolving scroll without degrading the compression efficiency. The scroll compressor comprises a casing; a fixed scroll provided in the housing and comprising an end plate and a spiral protrusion built on one face of the end plate; and a revolving scroll provided in the casing and comprising an end plate and a spiral protrusion built on one face of the end plate, wherein the spiral protrusions of each scroll are engaged with each other so as to form a spiral compression chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kobayashi, Makoto Takeuchi, Takahide Itoh, Tetsuzuo Ukai
  • Patent number: 6230680
    Abstract: Highly reliable lubrication and cooling of four-stroke cycle motorcycle engines are achieved by an oil pump and three check valve assembly delivering oil continuously to tappets at the upper end of the cylinders. Engine operation at idling speed or higher produces oil pump pressure exceeding about 12 psi, and the crankshaft bearings are thus continuously lubricated as well. “Wet sump” collection of oil in the crankcase is avoided, and effective cooling of return oil in an external oil tank promotes cooler engine operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Thomas A Pirone