Engine lubrication heating system
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorDavid Scott Krug
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lubrication distribution system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes a source of lubricant for the engine and at least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant. The feed line includes a wall defining a passageway and an orifice. The feed line terminates at the orifice, and lubricant flows through the passageway and exits the feed line through the orifice. The feed line also includes a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice. The heating element is selectively activated to heat the lubrication flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice.
Claims20
A lubrication distribution system for an engine, the system comprising:
- a source of lubricant for the engine;
- and
- at least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant, the feed line comprising:
- a wall defining a passageway and an orifice, the feed line terminating at the orifice, wherein lubricant flows through the passageway and exits the feed line through the orifice;
- and
- a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice, the heating element selectively activated to heat the lubrication flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice.
A control system for heating lubricant of an engine, comprising:
- a reservoir for containing lubricant;
- at least one feed line fluidly connected to the reservoir, the feed line comprising a wall defining a passageway, an orifice, and a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice, the heating element selectively activated to heat the lubricant flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice;
- at least one power wire for supplying electrical current to the heating element;
- and
- a control module in communication with the at least one power wire, the control module receiving as input an activation signal and a reservoir temperature, wherein the activation signal indicates an impending start-up of the engine, the control module including control logic for:
- determining whether the reservoir temperature is below a target start-up temperature;
- and
- activating the at least one power wire to allow the electrical current to the heating element in response to receiving the activation signal and the reservoir temperature being below the target start-up temperature.
A method of heating lubricant within an engine system, the engine system including an engine and a reservoir, the method comprising:
- receiving an activation signal and a reservoir temperature by a control module, wherein the activation signal indicates an impending engine start-up;
- determining whether the reservoir temperature is below a target start-up temperature by the control module;
- supplying electrical current to at least one power wire in response to receiving the activation signal and the reservoir temperature being below the target start-up temperature by the control module, wherein the at least one power wire is in communication with the control module and the at least one power wire supplies electrical current to at least one heating element;
- and
- activating the at least one heating element of the engine system, wherein the engine system includes at least one feed line fluidly connected to the reservoir, the feed line comprising a wall defining a passageway, an orifice, and the heating element, wherein the heating element is contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and is located at or directly upstream of the orifice.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.