Device and Method for Supplying Lubricating Oil

An apparatus for supplying oil to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a variable displacement type vane pump including biased means for eccentrically displacing a vane carrying ring thereof relative to a rotor thereof to provide first and second output flow rates;
• and
• a regulator including means defining a chamber, a spool axially displaceable in said chamber, having a first reduced section providing a bearing surface of a first area disposed at an angle to the axis of said spool cooperating with a portion of said chamber to provide a first variable volume chamber, a second reduced section providing a bearing surface of a second area disposed at an angle to the axis of said spool cooperating with a portion of said chamber to provide a second variable chamber and a third reduced section cooperating with said chamber to provide an annular chamber, means for axially biasing said spool in a first direction, tending to decrease the volumes of said variable volume chambers, a first passageway including said annular chamber intercommunicating an output of said pump in said means for displacing said vane carrying ring, a second passageway intercommunicating said first passageway and said first variable volume chamber, and a third passageway including a valve intercommunicating said first passageway and said second variable volume chamber,
• wherein said third reduced section of said spool is spaced a selected distance from said first and second reduced sections of said spool whereby upon closure of said valve, said spool shall obstruct said first passageway a fixed amount to correspondingly supply a volume of oil at a first pressure to said vane carrying ring and upon opening said valve said spool shall obstruct said first passageway a second amount to correspondingly supply a volume of oil at a second pressure to said vane carrying ring.

An apparatus for supplying oil to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• a variable displacement type vane pump including biased means for eccentrically displacing a vane carrying ring thereof relative to a rotor thereof to provide first and second output flow rates;
• and
• a regulator including means defining a chamber, a spool axially displaceable in said chamber, having a first reduced section providing a bearing surface disposed at an angle to the axis of said spool cooperating with a portion of said chamber to provide a first variable volume chamber, a second reduced section providing a bearing surface disposed at an angle to the axis of said spool cooperating with a portion of said chamber to provide a second variable volume chamber and a cam surface disposed at an angle relative to the axis of said spool, means for axially biasing said spool in a direction tending to decrease the volume of said variable volume chambers, a follower operatively connected to said vane control ring and engaging said cam surface of said spool, means for urging said follower into engagement with said cam surface, a first passageway intercommunicating an output of said pump and said first variable volume chamber, and a second passageway including a valve intercommunicating said first passageway and said second variable volume chamber,
• whereas upon closure of said valve, said spool will be displaced a first amount against the first of said biasing means to correspondingly cause said follower to displace longitudinally and eccentrically displace said vane control ring a first amount and upon opening of said valve said spool shall displace a second amount against the force of said first of said biasing means and correspondingly said follower will be displaced longitudinally a second amount and said vane controlled ring will be displaced a second amount.

A method of controlling the operation of a variable displacement type vane pump utilizing a control ring eccentrically displaceable relative to a rotor thereof for varying the output thereof, in supplying lubricating oil to an internal combustion engine, comprising:

• applying oil discharged from said pump through a first passageway to said vane controlled ring, causing said vane control ring to displace eccentrically relative to said rotor;
• providing an axially displaceable spool having means for partially obstructing said first passageway;
• providing a biasing force on said spool in a first direction for at least partially obstructing said first passageway;
• directing oil from said first passageway to a first surface of said spool through a second passageway to provide a force opposing said biasing force, causing said spool to displace and provide a smaller obstruction to said first passageway;
• directing oil from said second passageway to a second surface of said spool through a third passageway to provide an additional force opposing said biasing force, causing said spool to displace additionally and thus provide a yet smaller obstruction to said first passageway;
• and
• selectively obstructing said third passageway.