Debris flush system for balance shaft bearings
AssigneeMetaldyne Company LLC
InventorsSteven J. Chevalier, David E. Tabbert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An engine oil filtration system including a pump operable to provide pressurized oil to the system is provided. A filter is in pressurized fluid communication with the pump and an engine lubrication network is in pressurized fluid communication with both the filter and an inlet of a balance shaft module. The balance shaft module also includes an outlet in pressurized fluid communication with the oil pump so that contaminated, pressurized oil may flow from the balance shaft module to the pump and filter for cleaning before being recycled to the engine's lubrication network.
Claims22
An engine oil filtration system comprising:
- a pump operable to provide pressurized oil to the system;
- a filter in pressurized fluid communication with said pump;
- an engine circuit in pressurized fluid communication with said filter;
- and
- a balance shaft module with at least one bearing surface having:
- an inlet in pressurized fluid communication with said engine circuit;
- a bearing feed circuit in pressurized fluid communication with said inlet;
- a flush channel in direct pressurized fluid communication with said bearing feed circuit, said flush channel including at least one settlement chamber;
- and
- an outlet in pressurized fluid communication with said pump so that contaminated pressurized oil may flow from said balance shaft module to said pump.
An engine oil filtration system comprising:
- a pump having an inlet and an outlet, said pump operable to provide pressurized oil to the system;
- a filter in pressurized fluid communication with said pump outlet to remove debris or contaminants from the oil;
- an engine circuit in pressurized fluid communication with said filter, said engine circuit utilizing pressurized oil to lubricate, cool, and flush debris from engine components;
- and
- a balance shaft module having at least one bearing surface, said balance shaft module comprising:
- an inlet in pressurized fluid communication with said engine circuit;
- a bearing feed circuit in pressurized fluid communication with said balance shaft module inlet;
- a flush channel in direct pressurized fluid communication with said bearing feed circuit and including at least one settlement chamber for collecting debris therein;
- and
- an outlet for providing pressurized fluid communication between said flush channel and said pump inlet so that contaminated oil may flow from said balance shaft module to said pump.
A balance shaft module for use with an engine oil filtration system comprising:
- an inlet capable of pressurized fluid communication with an engine circuit;
- a bearing surface for rotatably supporting at least one balance shaft;
- a bearing feed circuit capable of pressurized fluid communication with said inlet;
- a flush channel in direct pressurized fluid communication with said bearing feed circuit and including at least one settlement chamber;
- and
- an outlet capable of pressurized fluid communication with said flush channel and capable of pressurized fluid communication with an oil pump so that contaminated oil may flow from said balance shaft module to the oil pump.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.