U.S. patent application number 13/134829 was filed with the patent office on 2011-12-22 for pre start friction protection system.
Invention is credited to Robert L. Mitchell.
Application Number | 20110308493 13/134829 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45327539 |
Filed Date | 2011-12-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110308493 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mitchell; Robert L. |
December 22, 2011 |
Pre start friction protection system
Abstract
A system for reducing friction in an engine during start-up
having an oil canister which holds oil, an air supply unit for
providing air to the canister through an air intake line and valve,
an oil intake line for transmitting oil from the engine oil
reservoir to the canister, and a distribution rod connected to the
canister through a distribution line. The distribution rod has
various ports for discharging the oil over the engine parts which
need lubrication prior to engine start-up. The nozzles may provide
precise and uniform discharge patterns. The system may include a
controller for receiving the pre-start notification and for
controlling the valves and air supply unit.
Inventors: |
Mitchell; Robert L.;
(Cincinnati, OH) |
Family ID: |
45327539 |
Appl. No.: |
13/134829 |
Filed: |
June 17, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61356030 |
Jun 17, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
123/196R |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01M 5/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
123/196.R |
International
Class: |
F01M 1/08 20060101
F01M001/08 |
Claims
1. A pre-start lubrication system for an engine comprising: an oil
canister for holding a volume of oil; an air supply unit fluidly
connected to the oil canister through an air intake line and an air
intake valve for providing air under pressure to the canister; an
oil intake line fluidly connected to an engine oil reservoir and
the oil canister wherein the oil intake line includes an oil intake
valve for controlling the flow of oil from the oil reservoir to the
oil canister; an oil distribution line fluidly connected to the
canister and an oil distribution rod, wherein the oil distribution
line includes an oil distribution valve for controlling the flow of
oil from the canister to the oil distribution rod; and wherein the
oil distribution rod has a plurality of dispensing ports for
dispensing oil; a controller for receiving a signal and powering
the air supply unit to provide air to the canister through the air
intake line and air intake valve which will push oil from the
canister through the oil distribution line and oil distribution
valve to the oil distribution rod wherein the oil will exit the
distribution rod through the dispensing ports.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the dispensing ports are
nozzles.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the nozzles are cone spray
nozzles.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dispensing ports
are aligned over a plurality of valves.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dispensing ports
are aligned over a plurality of piston chambers.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller receives the
signal to power the air supply unit as part of an engine ignition
sequence.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the controller controls power to
the air supply unit.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls how long
the air supply unit provides air.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein the controller controls one or
more of the air intake valve, the oil intake valve, and the oil
discharge valve.
10. A system for reducing friction in an engine during start-up
comprising: a canister for holding a volume of lubricant; an air
supply unit fluidly connected to the canister through an air intake
line and a one way air intake valve for providing air under
pressure to the canister; the one way air intake valve configured
to allow air into the canister while preventing air from escaping
the canister; a bypass valve in the canister for releasing air in
the canister if the pressure is too high; a lubricant intake line
fluidly connected to an engine lubricant reservoir and the canister
wherein the lubricant intake line includes a lubricant intake valve
for controlling the flow of lubricant from the lubricant reservoir
to the canister; a lubricant distribution line fluidly connected to
the canister and a lubricant distribution rod with a plurality of
discharge ports, wherein the lubricant distribution line includes
an lubricant distribution valve for controlling the flow of
lubricant from the canister to the distribution rod; and wherein
upon engine ignition lubricant is delivered to the distribution rod
and exits through the plurality of discharge ports to predetermined
engine parts.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the dispensing ports are
nozzles.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the nozzles are cone spray
nozzles.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of dispensing
ports are aligned over a plurality of valves.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the plurality of dispensing
ports are aligned over a plurality of piston chambers.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller receives the
signal to power the air supply unit as part of an engine ignition
sequence.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller controls power
to the air supply unit.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller controls how
long the air supply unit provides air.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein the controller controls one or
more of the air intake valve, the oil intake valve, and the oil
discharge valve.
19. A method of lubricating an engine prior to starting the engine
comprising the steps of: filling an oil canister with a volume of
oil from an oil reservoir through an oil intake line and an oil
intake valve; receiving a signal to initiate the pre-start
lubrication process; controlling an air supply unit to provide air
to the oil canister through an air intake line and an air intake
valve; wherein the air added to the canister forces the oil within
the canister to flow from the canister to an oil distribution rod
through an oil distribution line and an oil distribution valve; and
wherein the oil is dispensed through a plurality of dispensing
ports in the oil distribution rod.
20. The method of claim 19, further including the step of
controlling how long the air supply unit provides air to the oil
canister.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/356,030 filed on Jun. 17, 2010 entitled "Pre
Start Friction Protection System", the entirety of which is
incorporated herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a system used cooperatively with an
engine to reduce friction at start up by delivering lubricant to
engine parts before start up.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Engine wear is difficult to prevent and can affect engine
performance. Engine start up is a major cause of engine wear due to
excessive friction during start up. A significant factor in the
amount of friction at start-up is the lack of sufficient lubricant
on the engine components. Current mechanical systems which attempt
to address this problem often include systems which pump oil from
the oil reservoir and push the oil to the internal oil pressure
system to lubricate the wearing parts. However, the current systems
have many moving parts and do not provide an easy solution for
distributing the oil evenly across the wearing parts during
pre-start.
[0006] Accordingly, there is a need for a system which minimizes
friction during start up by effectively delivering lubricant, such
as oil, evenly to the engine wearing parts before ignition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the
detailed description of the invention. This summary is not intended
to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the claimed
subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the scope of the
claimed subject matter.
[0008] The present invention provides a pre-start lubrication
system for an engine which is comprised of an oil canister for
holding a volume of oil; an air supply unit fluidly connected to
the oil canister through an air intake line and an air intake valve
for providing air under pressure to the canister; an oil intake
line fluidly connected to an engine oil reservoir and the oil
canister wherein the oil intake line includes an oil intake valve
for controlling the flow of oil from the oil reservoir to the oil
canister; an oil distribution line fluidly connected to the
canister and an oil distribution rod, wherein the oil distribution
line includes an oil distribution valve for controlling the flow of
oil from the canister to the oil distribution rod; and wherein the
oil distribution rod has a plurality of dispensing ports for
dispensing oil; a controller for receiving a signal and powering
the air supply unit to provide air to the canister through the air
intake line and air intake valve which will push oil from the
canister through the oil distribution line and oil distribution
valve to the oil distribution rod wherein the oil will exit the
distribution rod through the dispensing ports. The dispensing ports
may be nozzles including cone spray nozzles. The dispensing ports
may be aligned over a plurality of valves or pistons. The
controller may receive the signal to power the air supply unit as
part of an engine ignition sequence. The controller may control the
power to the air supply unit or how long the air supply unit is
provided power. The controller may also control one or more of the
air intake valve, the oil intake valve, and the oil discharge
valve.
[0009] The present invention also provides a system for reducing
friction in an engine during start-up which includes a canister for
holding a volume of lubricant; an air supply unit fluidly connected
to the canister through an air intake line and a one way air intake
valve for providing air under pressure to the canister; the one way
air intake valve configured to allow air into the canister while
preventing air from escaping the canister; a bypass valve in the
canister for releasing air in the canister if the pressure is too
high; a lubricant intake line fluidly connected to an engine
lubricant reservoir and the canister wherein the lubricant intake
line includes a lubricant intake valve for controlling the flow of
lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to the canister; a lubricant
distribution line fluidly connected to the canister and a lubricant
distribution rod with a plurality of discharge ports, wherein the
lubricant distribution line includes an lubricant distribution
valve for controlling the flow of lubricant from the canister to
the distribution rod; and upon engine ignition lubricant is
delivered to the distribution rod and exits through the plurality
of discharge ports to predetermined engine parts. Further, the
dispensing ports may be nozzles including cone spray nozzles. The
dispensing ports may be aligned over a plurality of valves or
pistons. The controller may receive the signal to power the air
supply unit as part of an engine ignition sequence. The controller
may control the power to the air supply unit or how long the air
supply unit is provided power. The controller may also control one
or more of the air intake valve, the oil intake valve, and the oil
discharge valve.
[0010] The present invention also provides a method of lubricating
an engine prior to starting the engine including filling an oil
canister with a volume of oil from an oil reservoir through an oil
intake line and an oil intake valve; receiving a signal to initiate
the pre-start lubrication process; controlling an air supply unit
to provide air to the oil canister through an air intake line and
an air intake valve; wherein the air added to the canister forces
the oil within the canister to flow from the canister to an oil
distribution rod through an oil distribution line and an oil
distribution valve; and wherein the oil is dispensed through a
plurality of dispensing ports in the oil distribution rod. The
method might further include controlling how long the air supply
unit provides air to the oil canister or controlling how much air
pressure the air supply unit provides to the oil canister.
[0011] The components of the invention are a lubricant reservoir
canister, a pressure line for delivering lubricant to the canister,
a bypass valve and an oil distribution rod, wherein upon engine
ignition, lubricant is delivered to predetermined engine parts.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the invention, is better understood when read in
conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, exemplary constructions of the
invention are shown in the drawings. However, the invention is not
limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed
herein.
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates the pre-start Friction Protection system
in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an four cylinder engine with the
pre-start system connected thereto;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a six cylinder engine with the pre-start
system connected thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Particular embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in greater detail with reference to the figures.
[0017] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a Pre-Start Friction Protection System
10 which is cooperatively mounted to an engine 30, in accordance
with the present invention. The system 10 is configured to reduce
pre-start friction between components by delivering fluid or oil to
critical parts before the engine is started. As such, the system 10
cooperatively works with the engine 30 and its components. The
system 10 comprises an oil canister 20, a pressure line 24, an air
supply 22, an air line valve 26, an oil intake line 34, an oil
intake line valve 36, and oil reservoir 38, an oil distribution
line 54, an oil distribution valve 56 and an oil distribution rod
50.
[0018] The oil reservoir canister 20 has an intake line 34 for
receiving oil and a distribution line 54 for dispensing or
transferring oil from the canister 20 to the distribution rod 50.
Oil is stored in the oil reservoir canister 20 for distribution to
the engine 30 through the distribution rod 50. The intake line 34
is connected to the main oil gallery of engine 30. The intake line
34 may connect directly to the main oil gallery or may be connected
to an oil reservoir 38. The oil reservoir 38 would be in fluid
communication with the main oil gallery via opening 32. Oil from
the engine or oil reservoir 38 flows through the intake line 34 to
fill canister 20. Valve 36 controls flow between the oil reservoir
38 and canister 20 and can be opened to allow oil to fill up
canister 20. The valve 36 could also be a two way valve which
allows oil to flow from canister 20 back through line 34 to
reservoir 38. Using a two way valve for valve 36 would be useful if
the pressure in canister 20 becomes too high to prevent an over
oiling or an over pressurized delivery of oil through distribution
rod 50. In an over pressurized system, valve 36 would open in the
reverse allowing oil to flow back to reservoir 38.
[0019] Initially, when an ignition switch is turned into the "on"
position in the vehicle, an electronic switch is activated
signaling the air supply 22, such as an air compressor, to provide
air to canister 20 through air intake line 24. Valve 26 is ideally
a one way valve allowing air to flow into the pressurized canister
20 but not allowing air or oil to flow in the opposite direction.
Upon pressurization of canister 20 oil flows from canister 20
through distribution line 54 and valve 56 into distribution rod 50.
The oil flows evenly through distribution rod 50 to the exit
nozzles 52. The exit nozzles 52 allow for even flow and
distribution of the oil from the distribution rod 50 into the
engine 30.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, valve 56 is a pressure sensitive
valve that allows oil to pass through the valve when the pressure
or force of the oil on the valve forces it to open. When the
pressure in canister 20 falls below a certain threshold the valve
56 will shut and oil will stop flowing to the distribution rod 50.
The canister 20 may also have an air exhaust valve such that is the
air pressure within the canister 20 exceeds a certain pressure the
exhaust valve would open allowing air within canister 20 to be
released and reduce pressure.
[0021] The main oil supply of engine 30 follows its normal course.
While the engine 30 is in operation, the oil in the oil canister 20
fills to capacity as oil flows from reservoir 38 or the main oil
supply of engine 30 through oil intake line 34 and valve 36. Once
capacity is reached, shut-off valve 36 is activated, preventing
additional oil from entering into canister 20. Oil reservoir 38 may
be placed down line of the engine 30 oil filter (not shown) such
that clean oil is used to fill canister 20.
[0022] In the preferred embodiment, the canister 20 capacity would
be approximately one pint. After the engine 30 is turned off,
although most of the oil in engine 30 returns to the oil pan, the
oil in canister 20 is prevented from returning because of valve
36.
[0023] The next time the vehicle's ignition switch is turned on;
the pressurized air forces the oil contained in the oil canister 20
to be immediately dispersed to critical engine parts through
distribution rod 50. This process significantly reduces the
pre-start friction experienced upon ignition. Alternatively, the
system 10 could be designed such that the canister 20 uses gravity
instead of air pressure to force oil flow to the distribution rod
50.
[0024] As seen in FIG. 2, the system 10 is employed on an inline
four cylinder engine 30. The distribution rod 50 contains one or
more openings or nozzles 52. In the preferred embodiment, there are
nozzles 52 associated with each valve or piston. As oil flows
through the distribution rod 50 the oil is dispensed out of the
nozzles 52 and sprayed upon the engine 30 components. The engine 30
components include valves 71, 72, the piston chamber 60, the piston
head 61, as well as the rocker arms, springs, and cam shafts.
[0025] In one exemplary embodiment, the distribution rod 50 is
enclosed below the valve cover but above the valves 71, 72, piston
chamber 60, and piston head 61. The system 10 and the distribution
rod 50 would be configured to provide a sealed engagement with the
engine 30 and valve cover.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention with the pre-start friction protection system 10 and
distribution rod 50 designed for an inline six cylinder engine 30.
The distribution rod 50 has a plurality of nozzles 52. The
distribution rod 50, depicted in FIG. 3 has twelve nozzles 52
designed such that each nozzle 52 sprays oil onto a desired valve
71, 72. The oil spray 53 can be defined in shape and size by the
design of the nozzle. The nozzles 52 could also be arranged to
provide an even oil spray over other internal parts and need not be
aligned over a valve 71, 72.
[0027] In operation, when canister 20 reaches its capacity, the
bypass valve 36 is activated closing the oil feed line 34 to
prevent additional oil from entering the canister 20. With the
filling of oil in canister 20 complete, when the ignition is turned
to an "on" position, the air pressure in canister 20 increases
which rapidly sends the oil through distribution line 54, through
valve 56 to distribution rod 50. The present invention provides a
precise oil distribution system which distributes oil equally among
the nozzles 52 which then provide a precise oil distribution to the
rocker arms, pistons, and valves.
[0028] Although the distribution rod 50 depicted in FIGS. 1-3 shows
a single distribution rod 50 applied to an inline engine the system
10 could employ more than one distribution rods to different parts
of the motor. For example, in a V-type engine the system 10 might
employ two distribution rods 50 connected to each other, connected
to valve 56, or to the canister 20. Thus, the system 10 could be
comprised of several distribution rods 50, distribution lines 54
and valves 56.
[0029] Further, the ignition switch could be connected to a
controller which controls the air supply unit 22 as well as control
one or more valves 26, 36, 56. The controller, air supply unit 22,
and valves 26, 36, 56 could be controlled by one or more timers
designed to regulate or control the time period air or oil are
pumped into canister 20 or the time period oil is distributed to
the distribution rod 50.
[0030] The various components of the system 10 may be made from
common or standard materials including cast iron, aluminum alloys,
steel, titanium, or other metal alloys capable of handling the
temperatures range as well as resistance to wear, corrosion, and
damage. The valves 26, 36, 56 may be ball valves, solenoid valves,
spring controlled valves and the like.
[0031] The nozzles 52 on the distribution rod 50 may be of various
types which are fastened to or integrated into the rod 50. The
nozzles 52 enable the application to provide a profile spray and
oil is dispensed. The nozzle 52 design enables spray profiles to
include a solid cone spray, a semi sold cone spray, and a hollow
cone spray. Further, the distribution rod 50 need not use nozzles
52 and may instead use machined openings or ports which when
providing or dispensing oil under pressure provide sufficient
exhaust spray.
[0032] The present invention may also make use of a controller (not
shown) which may be independent, integrated with, or be a part of
the control system of the vehicle with the engine. The controller
may receive a signal to initiate the pre-start lubrication process.
The signal may be part of an ignition sequence to start the engine.
Upon receipt of the initiation signal, the controller will control
the air supply to begin providing air into the canister 20. The
controller may control the air supply by controlling the power
provided to the air supply unit, by controlling the time air is
provided, or by providing the power or amount of air provided. The
controller may also control the various valves in the system such
as the air intake valve 26, the oil intake valve 36, and the oil
discharge valve 56 to control the amount of air or oil provided to
the canister 20 or the control the oil provided to the distribution
rod 50.
[0033] In summary the present invention provides a pre-start
lubrication system for an engine which is comprised of an oil
canister for holding a volume of oil; an air supply unit fluidly
connected to the oil canister through an air intake line and an air
intake valve for providing air under pressure to the canister; an
oil intake line fluidly connected to an engine oil reservoir and
the oil canister wherein the oil intake line includes an oil intake
valve for controlling the flow of oil from the oil reservoir to the
oil canister; an oil distribution line fluidly connected to the
canister and an oil distribution rod, wherein the oil distribution
line includes an oil distribution valve for controlling the flow of
oil from the canister to the oil distribution rod; and wherein the
oil distribution rod has a plurality of dispensing ports for
dispensing oil; a controller for receiving a signal and powering
the air supply unit to provide air to the canister through the air
intake line and air intake valve which will push oil from the
canister through the oil distribution line and oil distribution
valve to the oil distribution rod wherein the oil will exit the
distribution rod through the dispensing ports. The dispensing ports
may be nozzles including cone spray nozzles. The dispensing ports
may be aligned over a plurality of valves or pistons. The
controller may receive the signal to power the air supply unit as
part of an engine ignition sequence. The controller may control the
power to the air supply unit or how long the air supply unit is
provided power. The controller may also control one or more of the
air intake valve, the oil intake valve, and the oil discharge
valve.
[0034] The system of the present invention is not limited to oil
and any logical lubricant could be used. The system may include a
bypass valve in the canister for releasing air in the canister if
the pressure is too high. Further, the dispensing ports may be
nozzles including cone spray nozzles. The dispensing ports may be
aligned over a plurality of valves or pistons. The controller may
receive the signal to power the air supply unit as part of an
engine ignition sequence. The controller may control the power to
the air supply unit or how long the air supply unit is provided
power. The controller may also control one or more of the air
intake valve, the oil intake valve, and the oil discharge
valve.
[0035] In addition, the present invention also provides a method of
lubricating an engine prior to starting the engine including the
steps of filling an oil canister with a volume of oil from an oil
reservoir through an oil intake line and an oil intake valve;
receiving a signal to initiate the pre-start lubrication process;
controlling an air supply unit to provide air to the oil canister
through an air intake line and an air intake valve; wherein the air
added to the canister forces the oil within the canister to flow
from the canister to an oil distribution rod through an oil
distribution line and an oil distribution valve; and wherein the
oil is dispensed through a plurality of dispensing ports in the oil
distribution rod. The method might further include controlling how
long the air supply unit provides air to the oil canister or
controlling how much air pressure the air supply unit provides to
the oil canister.
[0036] The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the
purpose of explanation and are in no way to be construed as
limiting of the present method and product disclosed herein. While
the invention has been described with reference to various
embodiments, it is understood that the words which have been used
herein are words of description and illustration, rather than words
of limitation. Further, although the invention has been described
herein with reference to particular means, materials, and
embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the
particulars disclosed herein; rather, the invention expands to all
functionally equivalent structures, methods and uses, such as are
within the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art,
having the benefit of the teachings of this specification, may
affect numerous modifications thereto and changes may be made
without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention in its
aspects.
* * * * *