# US 9,752,577 B2 · Variable-displacement lubricant vane pump > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,752,577 B2 - Document ID: US9752577B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/812,519 - Filed: 2010-07-29 - Published: 2013-05-30 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-29 - Assignees: Pierburg Pump Technology GmbH - Applicants: Nicola Novi; Jerome Maffeis - Inventors: Nicola Novi; Jerome Maffeis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9752577B2 ## CPC - F04C 14/223: {using a movable cam} - F01M 1/02: using lubricating pumps (pumps in general F04; lubricating pumps per se F16N) - F01M 1/16: Controlling lubricant pressure or quantity (rendering machines or engines inoperative or idling on lubricant pressure failure F01M1/22) - F04C 14/226: {by pivoting the cam around an eccentric axis} - F16N 13/20: Rotary pumps (with distributing equipment F16N13/22) - F01M 2001/0246: {Adjustable pumps} - F04C 2/344: with vanes reciprocating with respect to the inner member - F04C 2240/81: Sensor, e.g. electronic sensor for control or monitoring - F04C 2270/19: Temperature - F04C 2270/701: Cold start - F04C: ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES FOR LIQUIDS (engines F03C); ROTARY-PISTON, OR OSCILLATING-PISTON, POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT PUMPS - F01M: LUBRICATING OF MACHINES OR ENGINES IN GENERAL; LUBRICATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES; CRANKCASE VENTILATING - F16N: LUBRICATING ## Abstract A variable-displacement lubricant pump includes a first plunger. A control ring is pushed by the first plunger in a high pumping volume direction. The first plunger is arranged in a first control chamber with a side wall. A first pressure conduit connects a pump outlet port with the first control chamber. A pumping volume limitation unit is arranged so that the first plunger covers and closes an outlet opening arranged in the side wall in a lower pumping volume position of the control ring. A thermostatic element actuates a temperature controlled valve based on lubricant temperature. The thermostatic element pushes a shiftable valve body against a retraction spring to an extended closed end position when the lubricant has an operation temperature. The shiftable valve body is in a retracted closed end position at a cold lubricant temperature and in an intermediate open position at an intermediate lubricant temperature. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A variable-displacement lubricant pump for providing a pressurized lubricant for an internal combustion engine, the variable-displacement lubricant pump comprising: a first plunger configured to be radially movable; a control ring configured to be radially shiftable and to be pushed by the first plunger in a high pumping volume direction; a rotor comprising radially slidable vanes which are configured to rotate in the control ring; a first control chamber comprising a side wall, the first plunger being arranged in the first control chamber; a pump outlet port; a first pressure conduit configured to connect the pump outlet port with the first control chamber; a pumping volume limitation unit comprising: an outlet opening arranged in the side wall of the first control chamber, the outlet opening and the first plunger being arranged so that the first plunger covers and closes the outlet opening in a lower pumping volume position of the control ring; a thermostatic element; and a temperature controlled valve configured to be actuated by the thermostatic element based on a lubricant temperature; wherein the outlet opening is connected to an atmospheric pressure when the temperature controlled valve is actuated by the thermostatic element; a shiftable valve body; and a retraction spring; wherein the thermostatic element is configured to push the shiftable valve body against a force of the retraction spring to an extended closed end position when the lubricant has an operation temperature, the shiftable valve body is in a retracted closed end position at a cold lubricant temperature, and the shiftable valve body is in an intermediate open position at an intermediate lubricant temperature. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, wherein the thermostatic element is a wax element. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 2, wherein the wax element comprises a first wax and a second wax, the first wax and the second wax having different main stroke temperatures. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 3, wherein the first wax has a main stroke temperature of between 5° C. and 20° C., and the second wax has a main stroke temperature of between 90° C. and 105° C. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising a valve housing comprising a radial outlet opening, wherein the shiftable valve body is a sleeve comprising an axial inlet and a radial outlet, the axial inlet and the radial outlet being arranged with the radial outlet opening of the valve housing in the intermediate open position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 5, wherein the sleeve is configured to be pushed directly by the retraction spring into the retracted closed end position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pressure conduit, a second control chamber and a second plunger, wherein the second control chamber and the second plunger are arranged opposite the first control chamber and the first plunger, and the second control chamber is connected by the pressure conduit with the pump outlet port. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising a preload spring, wherein the first plunger is configured to be pushed by the preload spring into the high pumping volume direction. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pressure throttle valve arranged in the first pressure conduit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising a pressure control valve and a discharge conduit arranged between the first control chamber and a low pressure, the discharge conduit being configured to be controlled by the pressure control valve, and the pressure control valve being configured to be open at a high delivery pressure and to be closed at a low delivery pressure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The variable-displacement lubricant pump as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electrical heating element which is configured to heat the temperature controlled valve.