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US 8,418,671 B2Granted
Magnetorheological lubrication of an internal combustion engine
AssigneeFord Global Technologies, LLC
InventorsJonathan Terence Joseph O'Neill, Ian Grahem Pegg
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system and method are disclosed for reducing the fuel consumption of an engine, particularly during a cold start or an engine warm-up period. A magnetorheological fluid having a low viscosity is used to lubricate the engine. When viscosity is to be increased, a magnetic field is applied to the magnetorheological fluid. The magnetic field can be selectively applied to electromagnets proximate engine bearings.
Claims10
A method for operating an internal combustion engine, comprising:
- providing a magnetorheological fluid to lubricate the engine;
- applying a magnetic field to the magnetorheological fluid to change the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid based upon engine operating conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.