Engine lubrication system

A method of operating a lubrication system for an engine which includes a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant along a main feed path to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an electrically driven auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant along an auxiliary feed path to second lubrication positions within the engine, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, the method including, for selected engine operating conditions, operating the main pump with the auxiliary pump inoperative or operating to provide a low level output, and for alternative engine operating conditions operating the auxiliary pump or operating auxiliary pump to provide a higher output.

A method of operating a lubrication system for an engine including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a system controller, the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, wherein in the event that the main pump fails, operating the auxiliary pump to provide a maximum flow of lubricant to the lubrication positions.

A method of operating a lubrication system for an engine which includes a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant along a main feed line to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an electrically driven auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant along an auxiliary feed line to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, the method including, prior to engine start-up or upon main pump failure, operating the auxiliary pump whilst opening the communication valve to allow the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the main feed line, and in normal engine operation, closing the communication valve so that the main feed line is fed with lubricant at least primarily from the main pump.

An engine including a lubrication system including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a system controller, the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions.