US 4,681,189 A · Dry sump lubrication system for an internal combustion engine

Abstract

A dry sump lubrication system for an internal combustion engine which includes a cam housing, a crankcase and an oil sump therein. The lubrication system includes an oil tank, a conduit connecting the oil tank to the engine and an oil pump for pumping oil from the sump. The pump may include a plurality of pumping stages. An air separator is directly connected to the pump to remove air from the oil. Oil is conducted from the air separator to the oil tank. Separated air is conducted from the air separator to a canister which is vented to the atmosphere. Oil particles will be condensed out of the air in the canister and will be conducted back to the engine through a conduit which is connected to the engine housing, which conduit includes a restrictor whereby engine pressure will not be equalized with the atmospheric pressure in the canister. A pressure relief is also provided for the oil tank by means of a one way check valve which connects the oil tank to the canister.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method for lubricating an internal combustion engine having a crankcase including an oil sump, an oil tank in fluid flow communication with said crankcase, a container, and a one way valve, the method comprising:

equalizing the pressure between the engine and the sump
pumping oil from said crankcase sump;
separating entrained air from said pumped oil;
conducting said oil, from which air has been separated, to said oil tank;
conducting said separated air to said container and separating entrained oil particles from said separated air;
venting said container to the atmosphere;
and
preventing pressure buildup in said oil tank and engine by providing a one way valve for relieving pressure in said engine and oil tank.

5 more elements

A dry sump lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, said engine having a crankcase, and an oil sump in said crankcase, the lubrication system comprising:

an oil tank;
a first pressure equalizing conduit connecting said oil tank to said engine
an oil circulating conduit connecting said oil tank to said engine for oil circulating communication therewith;
an oil circulating pump in said oil circulating conduit for receiving oil from said oil tank and for delivering said oil to said engine;
oil scavenging pumping means for pumping oil from said sump, said oil scavenging pumping means comprising a plurality of pumping stages;
centrifugal air separating means connected to said scavening pumping means for receiving oil therefrom and for separating entrained air from said oil;
a second conduit connecting an oil outlet of said centrifugal air separator means to said oil tank;
a second separating means comprising a container for separating oil particles from air received from said centrifugal air separating means;
a third conduit for connecting the air outlet of said centrifugal air separator means to said container;
a vent for venting said container to the atmosphere;
a fourth conduit for connecting said container to said engine;
a restrictor in said fourth conduit;
a fifth conduit for connecting said oil tank to said containers;
and
a check valve in said fifth conduit for preventing fluid flow from said container to said oil tank and for enabling fluid flow from said oil tank to said container for relieving superatmospheric pressures in said oil tank and engine.

12 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Dry sump lubrication system for an internal combustion engine

Life of this patent

Dry sump lubrication system for an internal combustion engine

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12