Apparatus and method for lubricant delivery to an engine

• US 5,901,811 A
• Filed: 08/01/1997
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew L. Samples
• Original Assignee: Andrew L. Samples
• Inventors: Sawyer, Clark Thomas, Samples, Andrew L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jeffery, John A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): FENSTERMACHER, DAVID MORGAN
• Application Number:
  US08/904,595
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 184/1.5, 184/6.3, 184/6.4, 184/6.12, 184/7.3, 184/7.4, 184/55.1, 123/196 R, 123/196 S
• US Class Current: 184/6.3
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/025 by prelubricating, e.g. using an accumulator

Abstract

A lubricant reserve system (10) includes a reservoir tank (18) coupled to an accumulator T fitting (22). Additionally, coupled to the accumulator T fitting (22) is an accumulator pressure monitoring system (24) and an electronically-actuated valve (28). The reservoir tank (18) is adapted to hold a quantity of lubricant and a volume of gas having a gas pressure. The valve (28) opens in response to a control signal generated prior to ignition of an internal combustion engine (12) to prime the engine and closes when the engine (12) is disabled. The accumulator pressure monitoring system (24) is adapted to provide an indication of sufficient priming of the engine (12) prior to ignition of the engine (12). System (10) discharges lubricant (38) from the reservoir tank (18) while the engine (12) is running when the gas pressure is greater than a lubricant pressure of the engine lubrication system (13). Likewise, system (10) accumulates lubricant (38) in the reservoir tank (18) while the engine (12) is running and the gas pressure is less than the lubricant pressure of the engine lubrication system (13).

Claims

1. A lubricant reserve system for delivering engine lubricant to an internal combustion engine through an engine lubrication system of said engine, said lubricant reserve system comprising:

an accumulator adapted to hold a quantity of lubricant exhibiting a fluid pressure and a volume of gas having a gas pressure, said accumulator having an access opening formed therein;

an accumulator T fitting having a first port in fluid communication with said access opening, a second port configured for delivery of a first lubricant portion of said quantity of lubricant, and a third port configured for delivery of a second lubricant portion of said quantity of lubricant;

an accumulator pressure monitoring system having an accumulator pressure indicator and a sensing end, said sensing end being coupled to said second port and configured to receive said first lubricant portion in order to monitor said fluid pressure of said quantity of lubricant in said accumulator; and

an electronically-actuated valve having a first opening in fluid communication with said third port and a second opening configured for fluid communication with said engine lubrication system;

wherein

said first and second lubricant portions are discharged from said accumulator when said electronically-actuated valve is open and said gas pressure is greater than said fluid pressure; and

an amount of said first and second lubricant portions is accumulated in said accumulator when said electronically-actuated valve is open and said gas pressure is less than said fluid pressure.

2. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 wherein:

said access opening is formed in a lower end of said accumulator;

said volume of gas is held within said accumulator proximate an upper end thereof; and

said quantity of lubricant is held within said accumulator proximate said lower end.

3. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electronically-actuated valve is configured to open in response to an electronic signal generated by an ignition system prior to ignition of said internal combustion engine.

4. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 3 wherein:

said electronically-actuated valve is configured to remain open while said internal combustion engine is operating;

said electronically-actuated valve is configured to close when said internal combustion engine is disabled; and

an operating gas pressure is maintained within said accumulator by said quantity of lubricant when said electronically-actuated valve is closed.

5. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said accumulator pressure indicator is distally located from said accumulator and in a location that is readily visible to an operator.

6. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensing end is a sender unit configured to send an electrical signal to said accumulator pressure indicator, said electrical signal being responsive to said fluid pressure.

7. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said accumulator pressure indicator is a gauge configured to provide a readout of said fluid pressure.

8. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said accumulator pressure indicator is an illuminated lamp configured to extinguish after said fluid pressure is at a level indicating sufficient prelubrication of said internal combustion engine.

9. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said level is approximately five pounds per square inch.

10. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 1 additionally comprising a lubricant T fitting coupled to said second opening of said electronically-actuated valve, said lubricant T fitting being configured to route said second lubricant portion to said internal combustion engine.

11. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 10 wherein said system additionally comprises a total lubricant pressure monitoring system in fluid communication with said lubricant T fitting, said total lubricant pressure monitoring system being configured to indicate a total lubricant pressure, wherein said total lubricant pressure is a combined total of said fluid pressure and a lubricant pressure exhibited by said engine lubrication system.

12. A lubricant reserve system for delivering engine lubricant to an internal combustion engine through an engine lubrication system of said engine, said lubricant reserve system comprising:

an accumulator adapted to hold a quantity of lubricant exhibiting a fluid pressure and a volume of gas having a gas pressure, said accumulator having an access opening formed therein;

an electronically-actuated valve having a first opening in fluid communication with said access opening and a second opening configured for fluid communication with said engine lubrication system;

a lubricant T fitting having a first port in fluid communication with said second opening, a second port configured for delivery of a first lubricant portion of said quantity of lubricant, and a third port configured for delivery of a second lubricant portion of said quantity of lubricant to said internal combustion engine; and

a total pressure monitoring system having a lubricant pressure indicator and a sensing end, said sensing end being coupled to said second port and configured to receive said first lubricant portion in order to monitor said fluid pressure of said quantity of lubricant in said accumulator;

wherein

said first and second lubricant portions are discharged from said accumulator when said electronically-actuated valve is open and said gas pressure is greater than said fluid pressure; and

said first and second lubricant portions are accumulated in said accumulator when said electronically-actuated valve is open and said gas pressure is less than said fluid pressure.

13. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said lubricant pressure indicator is a gauge configured to indicate a total lubricant pressure, said total lubricant pressure being a combined total of said fluid pressure and a lubricant pressure exhibited by said engine lubrication system.

14. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 12 wherein said lubricant pressure indicator is a lamp configured to illuminate when a total lubricant pressure of said internal combustion engine is lower than a predetermined level, said total lubricant pressure being a combined total of said fluid pressure and a lubricant pressure exhibited by said engine lubrication system.

15. A lubricant reserve system as claimed in claim 12 further comprising:

an accumulator T fitting having a first port coupled to said access opening, a second port configured to route a first amount of said quantity of lubricant, and a third port configured for routing said first and said second lubricant portions of said quantity of lubricant; and

an accumulator pressure monitoring system having an accumulator pressure indicator and a sensing end, said sensing end being coupled to said second port and in fluid communication with said first amount of said quantity of lubricant, said first amount exhibiting said fluid pressure;

wherein

said sensing end is a sender unit configured to send an electrical signal responsive to said fluid pressure to said accumulator pressure indicator for indicating said fluid pressure.

16. A lubricant reserve system for delivering engine lubricant to an internal combustion engine through an engine lubrication system of said engine, said engine lubrication system exhibiting a lubricant pressure, said internal combustion engine being ignitable by an ignition system, and said lubricant reserve system comprising:

an accumulator adapted to hold a quantity of lubricant exhibiting a fluid pressure and a volume of gas having a gas pressure, said accumulator having an access opening formed therein;

an accumulator T fitting having a first port coupled to said access opening, a second port configured for delivery of a first lubricant portion of said quantity of lubricant, and a third port configured for delivery of a second lubricant portion of said quantity of lubricant;

an accumulator pressure monitoring system coupled to said second port, for indicating said fluid pressure of said first lubricant portion flowing from said accumulator;

a valve system for regulating flow of said second lubricant portion between said accumulator and said engine lubrication system, said valve system configured to be responsive to an electronic signal generated by said ignition system prior to ignition of said internal combustion engine; and

a second pressure monitoring system for indicating a total lubricant pressure, said total lubricant pressure being a combined total of said fluid pressure and said lubricant pressure;

wherein

said lubricant reserve system is configured to allow said second lubricant portion to flow into said engine lubrication system prior to ignition of said engine;

said lubricant reserve system is configured to allow said volume of gas to force said second lubricant portion into said engine lubrication system after ignition of said engine when said gas pressure is greater than said total lubricant pressure; and

said lubricant reserve system is configured to allow said second lubricant portion to flow into said accumulator and compress said volume of gas when said gas pressure is less than said total lubricant pressure.