Pitot engine crankshaft oil pump
AssigneeKohler Co.
InventorAleko D. Sotiriades
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The oil pump comprises an open ended conduit extending from a connecting rod journal to below the surface of oil in a crankcase. The conduit is bent and oriented such that the open end is tangential to the radius of crankshaft rotation and faces in the direction of rotation. Channels in the crankshaft and connecting rod journal provide flow paths between the upper end of the conduit and at least one bearing surface.
Claims39
A method of providing lubricating oil to a bearing surface of a connecting rod journal on a crankshaft, the connecting rod journal offset from an axis of rotation of the crankshaft wherein the connecting rod journal comprises an interior chamber at least partially defined by a base axially extending through the connecting rod journal wherein any open end of the bore is covered by a cap, the method comprising:
- immersing an open lower end of a conduit in a volume of oil contained within an engine crankcase, wherein an upper end of the conduit connects to the connecting rod journal and wherein a first channel is in fluid communication with the upper end of the conduit and the interior chamber;
- positioning the conduit such that the open lower end is oriented tangentially to a radius extending from the crankshaft axis of rotation to an upper end of the conduit, wherein the conduit is bent such that the lower open end has an opening facing towards a direction of rotation of the crankshaft;
- and,
- rotating the crankshaft around the axis of rotation such that the lower end of the conduit moves through the volume of oil in a circular path centered on the axis of rotation;
- wherein movement of the conduit through the volume of oil forces oil to flow through the conduit and first channel to the interior chamber.
An oil pump comprising:
- an engine crankshaft having an axis of rotation, the crankshaft comprising a connecting rod journal that is offset from the axis of rotation and is located on a portion of the crankshaft that extends through a crankcase, wherein the crankcase is designed to contain a volume of oil having an upper surface and wherein the connecting rod journal comprises an interior chamber wherein the interior chamber is at least partially defined by a bore axially extending through the connecting rod journal wherein any open end of the bore is covered by a cap;
- a conduit extending from the connecting rod journal to a point below the upper surface of the volume of oil, wherein the conduit has an open lower end and wherein the conduit is bent such that the open lower end is oriented tangentially to a radius extending from the crankshaft axis of rotation to an upper end of the conduit and wherein the upper end of the conduit is in fluid communication with the interior chamber;
- and,
- a first channel providing fluid communication between a first bearing surface located on the connecting rod journal and the interior chamber.
An engine comprising an oil pump, wherein the oil pump comprises:
- an engine crankshaft having an axis of rotation, the crankshaft comprising a connecting rod journal that is offset from the axis of rotation and is located on a portion of the crankshaft that extends through a crankcase, wherein the crankcase is designed to contain a volume of oil having an upper surface and wherein the connecting rod journal comprises an interior chamber at least partially defined by a bore axially extending through the connecting rod journal wherein any open end of the bore is covered by a cap;
- a conduit extending from the connecting rod journal to a point below the upper surface of the volume of oil, wherein the conduit has an open lower end and wherein the conduit is bent such that the open lower end is oriented tangentially to a radius extending from the crankshaft axis of rotation to an upper end of the conduit and wherein the upper end of the conduit is in fluid communication with the interior chamber;
- and,
- a first channel providing fluid communication between a first bearing surface located on the connecting rod journal and the interior chamber.
An engine comprising an oil pump, wherein the oil pump comprises:
- an engine crankshaft having an axis of rotation, the crankshaft comprising a connecting rod journal that is offset from the axis of rotation and is located on a portion of the crankshaft that extends through a crankcase, wherein the crankcase is designed to contain a volume of oil having an upper surface;
- a conduit extending from the connecting rod journal to a point below the upper surface of the volume of oil, wherein the conduit has an open lower end and wherein the conduit is bent such that the open lower end is oriented tangentially to a radius extending from the crankshaft axis of rotation to an upper end of the conduit wherein the open lower end of the conduit remains continuously below the upper surface of the volume of oil when the crankshaft rotates about the axis of rotation;
- and,
- a first channel providing fluid communication between a first bearing surface located on the connecting rod journal and the upper end of the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.