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US 2002/0170524 A1Published application
Cylinder block assembly with increased lubricant capacity
OwnerHoward J. Lawrenceinventor
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OwnerHoward J. Lawrenceinventor
Estimating the term…
In an internal combustion engine, a large volume of lubricant is desirable to increase service intervals and thus reduce maintenance costs. Large lubricant volumes typically require an undesirable increase in engine size. A cylinder block assembly for an internal combustion engine in accordance with this invention comprises a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir or sump below the cylinder block, and a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block. The secondary lubricant reservoir may be formed as a pannier oil tank by sealably attaching an apron to a side of the cylinder block. A fluid passage extending between the secondary lubricant reservoir and the primary lubricant reservoir is closeable by a valve and is adapted to permit lubricant flow from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open. The secondary lubricant reservoir increases the oil capacity of the cylinder block.
A cylinder block assembly comprising a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir below the cylinder block, a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block, a fluid passage extending between the primary and secondary lubricant reservoirs, and a valve that can be actuated to open and close the fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is adapted to permit gravitational flow of the lubricant from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open, wherein actuation of the valve is controlled by a level of lubricant in the primary lubricant reservoir.
A cylinder block assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein the valve is a float valve.
A cylinder block assembly as set forth in claim 14, wherein the valve is a float valve.
A cylinder block assembly as set forth in claim 16, wherein the valve is a float valve.
A cylinder block assembly comprising a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir below the cylinder block, a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block, a fluid passage extending between the primary and secondary lubricant reservoirs, and a valve that can be actuated to open and close the fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is adapted to permit gravitational flow of the lubricant from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open, wherein said valve is actuated to close the fluid passage when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is above a predetermined level, and wherein said valve is actuated to open the fluid passage when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is below the predetermined level.
A method for lubricating an engine having a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir below the cylinder block and a secondary lubricant reservoir, comprising the steps of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.