US 11,808,184 B2 · Lubrication system for internal combustion engine

Abstract

A lubrication system for a machine such as a mobile generator, a mobile light tower, or a mobile jobsite heater implements an engine oil supplementation strategy from an auxiliary sump to increase service time between engine oil servicing tasks of an internal combustion engine. The system periodically introduces a supplemental volume of oil from an auxiliary sump into the engine's lubricating system during an oil supplement event. The fluid communication between the engine sump and auxiliary sump may be achieved through multiple sump connections, which may include a sump-to-sump return line that provides a liquid connection allowing oil to freely flow between the engine sump and the auxiliary sump and a vent line that provides a gaseous connection between a void space at an upper end of the auxiliary sump and a void space at an upper end of the engine sump.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine with an engine oil pan that defines an engine sump holding a primary volume of oil that defines a base oil level in a default state, the lubrication system comprising:

an auxiliary tank that defines an auxiliary sump holding an auxiliary volume of oil;
a sump connector that extends between the engine oil pan and the auxiliary tank and fluidly interconnects the engine sump and the auxiliary sump;
and
an auxiliary oil delivery system configured to periodically deliver a supplemental volume of oil from the auxiliary sump to the engine sump during an oil supplement event to increase the volume of oil in the engine sump from the base oil level to a supplement-increased oil level.

1 more element

A commercial or industrial machine, comprising:

an internal combustion engine with an engine oil pan that defines an engine sump holding a primary volume of oil, and an oil pump configured to circulate the primary volume of oil through the engine during a warmup phase;
a lubrication system that includes:
an auxiliary tank that defines an auxiliary sump holding an auxiliary volume of oil;
and
an auxiliary oil delivery system that includes an auxiliary pump that is configured to periodically deliver a supplemental volume of oil from the auxiliary sump to the engine sump during an oil supplement event to provide an increased volume of oil in the engine sump, wherein:
following the oil supplement event, the oil pump of the engine circulates the increased volume of oil through the engine;
and
during a level-restore phase, the increased volume of oil is reduced to approach the primary volume of oil by passively equalizing oil levels of the engine sump and the auxiliary sump.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lubrication system for internal combustion engine

Life of this patent

Lubrication system for internal combustion engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20