Method and apparatus for reducing wear in an internal combustion engine

Abstract

An apparatus for reducing wear in an internal combustion engine includes a pump, a control element, an external controller. The apparatus of the preferred embodiment is intended to be located inside an internal combustion engine, thereby eliminating most hardware. The control element is connected to a normally provided battery and automatically switches control power from the battery to the electric pump according to a programmed control operating cycle program, and is operatively independent of ignition switch activation or operator action. The inlet of the pump is immersed in oil inside the normally provided engine oil sump. The lubricating fluid is pumped through the high arrestance filter, yielding a substantially contaminant free lubricating fluid which flows into the normally provided engine lubricating gallery. The external controller, such as a wireless remote control, is provided to activate the pump remotely upon demand. In a second embodiment, a three-way valve is provided to facilitate evacuation of the oil sump for the purpose of an oil change by overriding automatic operation of the electric pump by a local control switch. In the second embodiment the inlet of the electric pump is dimensioned to be affixed and fluidly connected to the oil sump. An assembly adapter is disclosed that facilitates installation of the present invention, allows for easy fluid access to the engine oil gallery, and prevents backflow of the periodically injected oil which is done acording to the present invention operating strategy. The method discloses the periodic injection of oil into the lubricating galleries, whereby by continuously repeating the operating cycle the engine is automatically protected from wear by simultaneous priming, purifying and prelubricating.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.