Engine lubrication system with decreased power draw
AssigneeCummins Engine Company, Inc.
InventorsP. Doug Free, Thomas L. McKinley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention provides for automatic relief of excess pressure within an engine lubrication system in such a way as to recover a significant portion of the energy that was used to create the excess oil pressure. A pressure regulator creates a directed flow of oil in order to relieve pressure within the lubrication system. This directed flow of oil is caused to impact an impulse/momentum wheel, thereby imparting momentum from the oil to the wheel, creating a torque therein. The impulse/momentum wheel is advantageously coupled to the engine gear train, thereby reducing the engine power required to run the gear train by recovering energy from the lubrication system.
Claims22
An engine lubrication system, comprising:
- a reservoir adapted for holding a quantity of lubricant;
- a pump operative to transmit the lubricant to at least one remote location within the engine for lubrication thereof;
- a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the lubricant and operative to discharge a portion of the quantity of lubricant in a directed flow if a pressure of the lubricant exceeds a predetermined threshold;
- and
- an impulse/momentum wheel located in a path of the directed flow, such that a momentum of the directed flow is at least partially transferred to the impulse/momentum wheel.
A device for recovering wasted energy from a lubricant within an engine lubrication system, comprising:
- a pressure regulator in fluid communication with the lubricant and operative to discharge a portion of the lubricant in a directed flow if a pressure of the lubricant exceeds a predetermined threshold;
- and
- an impulse/momentum wheel adapted to rotate when in contact with the directed flow.
A method of recovering wasted energy from an engine lubrication system, comprising the steps of:
- (a) sensing a pressure of a quantity of lubricant;
- (b) discharging a portion of the lubricant in a directed flow if the pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold;
- and
- (c) aiming the directed flow such that it contacts an impulse/momentum wheel, whereby a momentum of the directed flow is at least partially transferred to the impulse/momentum wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.