LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE, AND METHOD FOR LUBRICATION

• US 20120234286A1
• Filed: 03/06/2012
• Published: 09/20/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Quix, Hans Guenter, Mehring, Jan
• Granted Patent: US 8,857,403 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/196.AB
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/02 using lubricating pumps pumps in general F04; lubricating pumps per se F16N
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/08 Lubricating systems characterised by the provision therein of lubricant jetting means
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/00 Heating, cooling, or controlling temperature of lubricant arrangement of lubricant coolers in engine cooling system F01P11/08; Lubrication means facilitating engine starting
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/001 Heating
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/002 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/021 by heating
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2003/006 the liquid being oil
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/06 Arrangements for cooling pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/08 Cooling of piston exterior only, e.g. by jets
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 7/16 by thermostatic control

Abstract

Embodiments for a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine are provided. In one example, a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine comprises a lubricant circuit, a radiator for cooling the lubricant, a heat accumulator arranged upstream of the engine for warming up the lubricant, the heat accumulator connected in parallel to the radiator, and a valve for switching over the lubricant circuit between the radiator and the heat accumulator. In this way, the oil may be rapidly heated during cold engine start conditions.

Claims

1. A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, comprising:

a lubricant circuit;

a radiator for cooling the lubricant;

a heat accumulator arranged upstream of the engine for warming up the lubricant, the heat accumulator connected in parallel to the radiator; and

a valve for switching over the lubricant circuit between the radiator and the heat accumulator.

2. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lubricant is oil.

3. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a pump arranged in the lubricant circuit for delivering the lubricant.

4. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat accumulator is a chemical heat accumulator.

5. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lubricant circuit runs through the radiator in a normal mode and runs through the heat accumulator in a warming up mode.

6. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the heat accumulator is arranged on the lubricant circuit in such a way that the heat accumulator is charged by the lubricant in the normal mode.

7. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the cooling performance of the radiator is substantially equal to the charging capacity for the heat accumulator.

8. The lubrication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat accumulator is arranged directly upstream of the engine.

9. An internal combustion engine having a lubrication system as claimed in claim 1.

10. A method for lubricating an internal combustion engine with a lubricant circuit, comprising:

circulating the lubricant along a heat accumulator in a warming up mode;

switching over to the lubricant circuit into a normal mode; and

circulating the lubricant along a radiator which is connected in parallel to the heat accumulator in the normal mode.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the heat accumulator is charged in the normal mode.

12. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switching over into the normal mode is carried out when the heat accumulator has output available energy.

13. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the switching over into the normal mode is carried out when the lubricant has reached an operating temperature.

14. An engine method, comprising:

during a first condition, pumping oil to piston cooling jets of the engine through a heat accumulator;

during a second condition;

pumping oil to the piston cooling jets through a radiator, bypassing the heat accumulator, and

periodically recharging the heat accumulator by pumping engine oil through the heat accumulator; and

in response to operating conditions, interrupting the recharge.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first condition comprises oil temperature below a cold threshold, and wherein the second condition comprises oil temperature at or above the cold threshold.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein interrupting the recharge further comprises pumping oil to the piston cooling jets through the radiator, and bypassing the heat accumulator.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the operating conditions comprise engine temperature above a hot threshold.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the operating conditions comprise engine knocking.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising, during a third condition, pumping oil directly to the piston cooling jets.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the third condition comprises the heat accumulator being below a charge threshold.