Back to results
US 10,947,872 B1Granted
On-engine lubrication fluid storage system
AssigneeCummins Inc.
InventorKevin C. Augustin, Sr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, apparatus, and methods are disclosed that include an internal combustion engine having a lubrication system with an upper storage reservoir for receiving lubrication fluid from the internal combustion engine. The upper storage reservoir maintains a supply of lubrication fluid to a lower storage reservoir even while the internal combustion engine is inclined due to operation along severe grades. The lower storage reservoir supplies fluid for circulation to the internal combustion engine.
Claims20
A system, comprising:
- an internal combustion engine for propelling a vehicle, the internal combustion engine including a block, a plurality of components supported by the block, and a lubrication fluid for lubricating the plurality of components;
- a lubrication fluid storage system for storing a supply of the lubrication fluid to lubricate the plurality of components, the lubrication fluid storage system including:
- a lower storage reservoir for storing the lubrication fluid to circulate to the plurality of components of the internal combustion engine;
- an upper storage reservoir for receiving the lubrication fluid collected from the plurality of components and for providing lubrication fluid to the lower storage reservoir;
- and
- at least two passages connecting the upper storage reservoir to the lower storage reservoir for providing lubrication fluid from the upper storage reservoir to the lower storage reservoir.
3 more elements
A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- a lower storage reservoir for providing lubrication fluid to an internal combustion engine;
- an upper storage reservoir for receiving the lubrication fluid from the internal combustion engine, wherein the upper storage reservoir is connected to the lower storage reservoir via a first passage and a second passage that are spaced from one another to supply lubrication fluid from the upper storage reservoir to the lower storage reservoir through at least one of the two passages with the upper and lower storage reservoirs tilted at a grade of at least 50%.
A method, comprising:
- operating an internal combustion engine including a lubrication fluid;
- returning the lubrication fluid from the internal combustion engine to an upper storage reservoir;
- storing the lubrication fluid in the upper storage reservoir;
- supplying the lubrication fluid from the upper storage reservoir to a lower storage reservoir through at least one of two passages that connect the lower storage reservoir to the upper storage reservoir;
- and
- circulating fluid from the lower storage reservoir to the internal combustion engine.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.