COOLING OIL IN AN ENGINE SYSTEM
A system and method for cooling oil in an engine system. In one embodiment, the system includes an oil sump and an oil cooler that is integrated into the oil sump. The oil cooler receives cooling fluid and ejects the cooling fluid, and the cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the overall size of the engine system and the number of external pressurized oil lines are reduced.
Latest Cummins, Inc. Patents:
- METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR REMOVING DEPOSITS IN AN AFTERTREATMENT SYSTEM TO MINIMIZE VISIBLE SMOKE EMISSIONS
- Battery-ultracapacitor hybrid energy storage system architecture for mild-hybrid power systems
- System and methods for monitoring and controlling emissions from fuel cell engines
- Pistons and piston assemblies for internal combustion engines
- Injector nozzle spray hole with an aerated counterbore
The present invention relates to engine systems, and more particularly to a system and method for cooling oil in an engine system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONEngine systems typically include oil cooling systems to cool oil in the engine system. Oil cooling systems include a heat exchanger through which oil passes. The heat exchanger is typically located somewhere external to the engine block. Oil is delivered to the heat exchanger via tubes. Engine coolant is also delivered to the heat exchanger via tubes. The oil typically makes contact with the tubes containing engine coolant, and heat from the oil transfers to the engine coolant. Problems with conventional oil cooling systems include the requirement for external oil lines. These lines add cost, increase space claim, and are a potential hazard in case of failure,
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method for cooling oil that is simple and cost effective. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA system and method for cooling oil in an engine system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an oil sump and an oil cooler that is integrated into the oil sump. The oil cooler receives cooling fluid and ejects the cooling fluid, and the cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the overall size of the engine system and risk is reduced.
The present invention relates to engine systems, and more particularly to a system and method for cooling oil in an engine system. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
A system and method in accordance with the present invention for cooling oil in an engine system are disclosed. The system includes an oil sump and an oil cooler that is integrated into the oil sump. The oil cooler is integrated into the oil sump in that the oil cooler is positioned inside of the oil sump. Cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler. Also, oil gets cooled as the oil passes through the oil sump and around the oil cooler. As a result, the overall size of the engine system and number of external lines are reduced. To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
An advantage of the oil cooler 200 being inside or integrated into the oil sump 210 is that it requires no external oil lines and decreases the package size and complexity of the overall engine system 100. Embodiments of the present invention have applications in marine environments, which are space sensitive applications. Decreasing external pressurized oil lines and the fittings necessary decreases the chance for oil leaks, which can be an environmental hazard and cause damage to the engine.
According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides numerous benefits. For example, embodiments of the present invention reduce the overall size of the engine by decreasing exterior add-ons necessary during marinization and the number of pressurized external oil connections.
A system and method for cooling oil in an engine system have been disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes an oil sump and an oil cooler that is integrated into the oil sump. The oil cooler receives cooling fluid and ejects the cooling fluid, and where the cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler. According to the system and method disclosed herein, the overall size of the engine system is reduced.
The present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments, and that any variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- an oil sump; and
- an oil cooler that is integrated into the oil sump, wherein the oil cooler receives cooling fluid and ejects the cooling fluid, and wherein the cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the oil cooler is integrated into the oil sump in that the oil cooler is positioned inside of the oil sump.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the cooling fluid is raw water.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the cooling fluid is engine coolant.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the oil cooler comprises:
- an oil cooler inlet for receiving the cooling fluid; and
- an oil cooler outlet for ejecting the cooling fluid.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the oil cooler is accessed via a hole in the oil sump which allows service of the oil cooler without removal of the oil sump from the engine.
7. A vehicle comprising:
- an engine comprising: an oil sump; and an oil cooler that is integrated into the oil sump, wherein the oil cooler receives cooling fluid and ejects the cooling fluid, and wherein the cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler.
8. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the oil cooler is integrated into the oil sump in that the oil cooler is positioned inside of the oil sump.
9. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the cooling fluid is raw water.
10. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the cooling fluid is engine coolant.
11. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the oil cooler comprises:
- an oil cooler inlet for receiving the cooling fluid; and
- an oil cooler outlet for ejecting the cooling fluid.
12. The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the oil cooler is accessed via a hole in the oil sump which allows service of the oil cooler without removal of the oil sump from the engine.
13. A method for cooling oil in an engine system, the method comprising:
- providing an oil cooler that is integrated into an oil sump;
- receiving cooling fluid; and
- ejecting the cooling fluid, and wherein the cooling fluid cools oil in the oil sump as the cooling fluid passes through the oil cooler.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the oil cooler is integrated into the oil sump in that the oil cooler is positioned inside of the oil sump.
15. The method of claim 13 wherein the cooling fluid is raw water.
16. The method of claim 13 wherein the cooling fluid is engine coolant.
17. The method of claim 13 wherein the oil cooler comprises an oil cooler inlet for receiving the cooling fluid and an oil cooler outlet for ejecting the cooling fluid.
18. The method of claim 13 wherein the oil cooler is accessed via a hole in the oil sump which allows service of the oil cooler without removal of the oil sump from the engine.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 17, 2008
Publication Date: Jun 17, 2010
Applicant: Cummins, Inc. (Indianapolis, IN)
Inventors: Roger D. ENGLAND (Charleston, SC), Jim D. KAHLENBECK (Columbus, IN)
Application Number: 12/337,363
International Classification: F01M 5/00 (20060101);