U.S. patent application number 17/202522 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-22 for lubrication fluid filter bypass system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Cummins Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen D. Cofer, JR., Ella Michelle Morris, Nickolas A. Springmeyer.
Application Number | 20220298936 17/202522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005474596 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220298936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cofer, JR.; Stephen D. ; et
al. |
September 22, 2022 |
LUBRICATION FLUID FILTER BYPASS SYSTEM
Abstract
An internal combustion engine includes an engine lubrication
fluid system with a main rifle for distribution of filtered
lubrication fluid to a plurality of engine components through a
plurality of secondary rifles connected to the main rifle. The
system also includes a bypass for bypassing the filter in response
to certain engine operating conditions. The bypass is connected to
at least one of the secondary rifles so that unfiltered lubrication
fluid is not provided to certain engine components under filter
bypass conditions, and provided directly to certain other engine
components for which unfiltered lubrication fluid is less
problematic.
Inventors: |
Cofer, JR.; Stephen D.;
(Sugar Grove, PA) ; Morris; Ella Michelle;
(Louisville, KY) ; Springmeyer; Nickolas A.;
(Greensburg, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cummins Inc. |
Columbus |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005474596 |
Appl. No.: |
17/202522 |
Filed: |
March 16, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F01M 2001/1092 20130101;
F01M 2011/022 20130101; F01M 1/10 20130101; F01M 11/02 20130101;
F01M 1/08 20130101; F01M 2001/083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F01M 1/10 20060101
F01M001/10; F01M 1/08 20060101 F01M001/08; F01M 11/02 20060101
F01M011/02 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: an internal combustion engine including a
block, a plurality of components supported by the block, and a
lubrication fluid for lubricating the plurality of components; a
lubrication fluid circuit for circulating a supply of the
lubrication fluid to lubricate the plurality of components, the
lubrication fluid circuit including: a sump for storing lubrication
fluid to be filtered; a filter connected to the sump for filtering
lubrication fluid upstream of the plurality of components; a main
rifle in the block connected to the filter for receiving filtered
lubrication fluid for distribution to the plurality of components
through a plurality of secondary rifles in the block that are
connected to the main rifle; and a bypass connected to receive
unfiltered lubrication fluid that bypasses the filter, wherein the
bypass is directly connected to at least one of the plurality of
secondary rifles downstream of the main rifle.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the bypass includes a
pressure-responsive valve that normally blocks the flow of
lubrication fluid through the bypass, the pressure-responsive valve
automatically opening in response to a lubrication fluid pressure
above a predetermined threshold.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of components
includes a number of piston cooling nozzles and the at least one of
the plurality of secondary rifles that is connected directly to the
bypass is a piston cooling nozzle rifle.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the bypass includes a first part
in the block extending from a cylinder housed by the block toward
the filter, a second part extending from the cylinder to the piston
cooling nozzle rifle, and a third part connecting the first and
second parts that is formed around the cylinder between the block
and a liner of the cylinder.
5. The system of claim 4, wherein the third part changes in
elevation from the first part to the second part.
6. The system of claim 4, wherein the third part is wrapped around
a part of a perimeter of the cylinder.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the bypass is not directly
connected to the main rifle.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondary rifles
includes: a first secondary rifle along a first side of a plurality
of cylinders housed in the block; a second secondary rifle
extending from a first end of the first secondary rifle along a
first end of the block; a third secondary rifle extending from a
second end of the first secondary rifle along a second end of the
block; and a piston cooling nozzle rifle along a second side of the
plurality of cylinders that connects the second secondary rifle and
the third secondary rifle, wherein the bypass is directly connected
to the piston cooling nozzle rifle.
9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a check valve or
orifice at each end of the piston cooling nozzle rifle to restrict
lubrication fluid flow from the piston cooling nozzle rifle into
the second and third secondary rifles.
10. The system of claim 8, wherein the bypass extends through the
block and around a side of one of the cylinders for connection to
the piston cooling nozzle rifle.
11. A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine,
comprising: a sump for storing lubrication fluid; a filter device
for filtering lubrication fluid from the sump; a main rifle in the
engine connected to the filter device to receive filtered
lubrication fluid from the filter device; a plurality of secondary
rifles connecting the main rifle to a plurality of engine
components to provide filtered lubrication fluid to the plurality
of engine components; and a bypass connected to one of the
secondary rifles to bypass the filter and the main rifle and
circulate unfiltered lubrication fluid directly to the connected
one of the secondary rifles.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the bypass includes a
pressure-responsive valve that automatically opens in response to a
pressure of the lubrication fluid exceeding a threshold
pressure.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the one of the secondary rifles
is a piston cooling nozzle rifle connected to piston cooling
nozzles.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the bypass is formed in part by
a rifle through a block of the engine and in part by a passage
between the block and a cylinder liner of a cylinder of the
internal combustion engine.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein the passage changes in
elevation from one side of the cylinder to another side of the
cylinder.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the passage gravity drains into
the one of the secondary rifles.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the bypass is not directly
connected to the main rifle.
18. A method for circulating lubrication fluid in a lubrication
fluid system of an internal combustion engine, comprising:
circulating filtered lubrication fluid from a filter device through
a main rifle of the internal combustion engine to a plurality of
components of the internal combustion engine; and in response to a
filter bypass condition, bypassing the filter device and the main
rifle to circulate unfiltered lubrication fluid to a first subset
of the plurality of components that are downstream of a second
subset of the plurality of components.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising opening a valve in
response to the filter bypass condition to bypass the filter device
and the main rifle to circulate the unfiltered lubrication
fluid.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the filter bypass condition is
a pressure of the lubrication fluid exceeding a threshold pressure.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to an internal combustion engine
including a lubrication system, and more particularly to a filter
bypass system for an engine lubrication fluid.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In an internal combustion engine, a supply of lubrication
fluid, such as engine oil, is provided in an oil pan or sump at the
bottom of the engine. The cylinders and other components in an
internal combustion engine require lubrication and/or cooling with
the lubrication fluid to be able to operate properly. During engine
operation, a pump is used to carry the lubrication fluid from the
sump, through a filter, and into the working portions of the engine
in order to lubricate the engines moving parts and to provide other
functions. The lubrication fluid is continuously supplied to these
moving components, and the lubrication fluid is returned to the
sump through various paths by gravity flow.
[0003] In order to maintain the filter in working order and to
allow engine lubrication in the event the filter is clogged, a
filter bypass is provided. The filter bypass typically opens
automatically in response to high fluid pressure conditions at the
filter, and allows unfiltered lubrication fluid to bypass the
filter and flow directly to the main rifle for distribution of the
unfiltered lubrication fluid to the engine components. As a result,
any debris in the bypassed lubrication fluid is circulated to each
of the engine components connected to the lubrication circuit.
Therefore, further improvements in lubrication fluid circulation
during filter bypass conditions are needed.
SUMMARY
[0004] Embodiments include an internal combustion engine including
an engine lubrication fluid system with a filter and a filter
bypass in a lubrication fluid circuit. The filter is connected to
the main rifle of the lubrication fluid circuit so filtered fluid
is circulated to all the engine components connected to the
lubrication fluid circuit. The bypass is connected directly to a
secondary rifle, such as the piston cooling nozzle rifle, of the
lubrication fluid circuit downstream of the main rifle. Bypassed,
unfiltered lubrication fluid bypasses the main rifle and is sent
through the bypass directly to secondary component(s) for which
unfiltered lubrication fluid is less problematic, such as the
piston cooling nozzles. As a result, the main bearings and other
components connected to the main rifle upstream of the secondary
component(s) are not sent unfiltered lubrication fluid during
filter bypass operating conditions.
[0005] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts that are further described below in the illustrative
embodiments. This summary is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Further embodiments, forms, objects, features,
advantages, aspects, and benefits shall become apparent from the
following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic depiction of an internal combustion
engine lubrication fluid system with a filter and a filter
bypass.
[0007] FIGS. 2A and 2B are sectional views through an internal
combustion engine showing flow paths for the lubrication fluid with
the filter bypass open.
[0008] FIGS. 3A and 3B are sectional views through the internal
combustion engine showing flow paths for the lubrication fluid with
the filter bypass closed.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a cylinder showing the part of
the bypass around a cylinder of the engine block.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0010] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended, any alterations and further modifications in the
illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the
principles of the invention as illustrated therein as would
normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention
relates are contemplated herein.
[0011] Referring to FIG. 1 an internal combustion engine system 100
includes an internal combustion engine 102 with a block 104 housing
and/or supporting a plurality of components 106, 108 such as
crankshaft(s), a plurality of cylinders, pistons, bearings, valve
trains, gears, piston cooling nozzles, pumps, housings, turbines,
etc. that would normally be found on an internal combustion engine.
The system 100 further includes a lubrication fluid system 120 for
lubrication and/or cooling.
[0012] The lubrication fluid system 120 circulates a lubrication
fluid, such as oil, to the plurality of components 106, 108 and
receives the lubrication fluid from the plurality of components
106, 108 for filtering and/or recirculation. In an embodiment
discussed herein, first component(s) 106 may include, for example,
bearings and/or overhead valve train components. Second components
108 may include, for example, piston cooling nozzle(s). First
component(s) 106 are normally upstream of the second component(s)
108, and circulation of unfiltered lubrication fluid to first
component(s) 106 is typically more problematic than it is for
second component(s) 108 since second component(s) 108 are less
sensitive to debris in the lubrication fluid.
[0013] The internal combustion engine 102 may be any type of
internal combustion engine that requires lubrication, including at
least a diesel, gasoline, or natural gas engine, and/or
combinations thereof. The internal combustion engine 102 can
include a single cylinder bank, a dual cylinder bank, or any
cylinder bank arrangement. Any numbers of cylinders and cylinder
arrangements are contemplated for internal combustion engine
102.
[0014] The lubrication fluid system 120 includes a sump 122 that is
connected to the plurality of components 106, 108 with a fluid
circuit 124. The fluid circuit 124 includes a filter 126 connected
to the sump 122. A pump 125 can provide lubrication fluid to filter
126 to filter the lubrication fluid before circulation to
components 106, 108. The outlet of filter 126 is connected to a
main rifle 128 that may be formed wholly or in part in block 104.
The filtered lubrication fluid is provided to main rifle 128 for
distribution to the plurality of components 106, 108 via a
plurality of secondary rifles 130a, 130b that may be formed wholly
or in part in block 104. The lubrication fluid drains from the
plurality of components 106, 108 for collection at sump 122.
[0015] The lubrication fluid system 120 further includes a bypass
132 formed wholly or in part by a rifle in block 104. Bypass 132
includes a pressure-responsive bypass valve 134 that normally
prevents lubrication fluid from flowing into bypass 132. Therefore,
lubrication fluid is normally filtered and provided to main rifle
128 from filter 126. However, in response to high pressure
conditions in the fluid circuit 124 at filter 126, such as due to a
clogged filter 126 and/or cold start conditions, bypass valve 134
opens so that lubrication fluid bypasses the filter 126 and is
circulated into bypass 132, bypassing the main rifle 128.
[0016] Bypass 132 is not connected to main rifle 128, therefore the
unfiltered lubrication fluid is not circulated to all of the
plurality of components 106, 108. Instead, bypass 132 is connected
to at least one of the secondary rifles 130b such that the
unfiltered lubrication fluid is provided directly to second
component(s) 108, and therefore the first component(s) 106 are not
provided unfiltered lubrication fluid, at least under most filter
bypass operating conditions. In an embodiment, the at least one
secondary rifle 130b is a piston cooling nozzle rifle and the
second component(s) 108 are piston cooling nozzles.
[0017] Referring further to FIGS. 2A-2B, the lubrication fluid
circuit 124 is shown in when bypass valve 134 is open. Block 104
includes bypass 132 (FIG. 2A) that is formed in block 104 at a
location that is offset in elevation above main rifle 128 (FIG.
2B). Block 104 includes a piston cooling nozzle secondary rifle
130b that is connected to bypass 132. Block 104 also includes a
plurality of secondary rifles 130a, 130c, 130d connected to main
rifle 128 at the same elevation as main rifle 128, as shown in FIG.
2B. Secondary rifles 130c, 130d are also connected to opposite ends
of secondary riddle 130b.
[0018] Unfiltered filtered lubrication fluid 140 is provided
directly to bypass 132 for distribution directly to the secondary
rifle 130b for distribution to the piston cooling nozzles. Since
the secondary rifle 130b is on the side of block 104 that is
opposite of the filter 126, the bypass 132 traverses the block 104
for direct connection to secondary rifle 130b. Bypass 132 is formed
by a rifle with a first part 142 extending from bypass valve 132 to
cylinder 116, a second part 144 extending around cylinder 116, and
a third part 146 extending from cylinder 116 to secondary rifle
130b. Unfiltered lubrication fluid 140 fills secondary rifle 130b
directly from bypass 132 for distribution to the second
component(s) 108, such as the piston cooling nozzles. Meanwhile,
filtered lubrication fluid 150 is maintained in main rifle 128 and
in the other secondary rifles 130a, 130c, 130d for distribution to
the first component(s) 106.
[0019] Although not required, check valves 160a, 160b (FIG. 2B) may
be provided at the junction of secondary rifle 130b with secondary
rifles 130c, 130d. The check valves 160a, 160b can assist in
preventing or reducing reverse flow of unfiltered lubrication fluid
140 from secondary rifle 130b to the first component(s) 106.
However, check valves 160a, 160b are not required in all
embodiments, and some embodiments envision some mixing of filtered
and unfiltered lubrication fluid in all or a part of the secondary
rifles 130a, 130b, 130c, 130d. The pressure differential between
the filtered and unfiltered lubrication fluid can be maintained to
prevent the flow of unfiltered lubrication fluid from secondary
rifle 130b to first component(s) 106 under most operating
conditions.
[0020] Referring further to FIGS. 3A-3B, the lubrication fluid
circuit 124 is shown in a condition in which bypass valve 134 is
closed. With the bypass valve 134 closed, no unfiltered lubrication
fluid enters the lubrication fluid circuit 124 via bypass 132.
Filtered lubrication fluid 150 is provided from filter 126 to main
rifle 128, and then to secondary rifles 130a, 130c, 130d for
distribution to the first component(s) 106 and to second
component(s) 108 via secondary rifle 130b. Any unfiltered
lubrication fluid 140 is forced from secondary rifle 130b back into
bypass 132, and into filter 126.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 4, an embodiment of bypass 132 is shown in
which the outer side of the second part 144 of bypass 132 is formed
as a groove 170 cast in or otherwise formed by block 104. Groove
170 extends around a part of an outer perimeter of cylinder 116.
The inner or other side of the passage defined by second part 144
is formed by the liner (not shown) of cylinder 116. Unfiltered
lubrication fluid 140 enters the second part 144 of bypass 132 on
the hot or exhaust side 172 of cylinder 116. Second part 144 slopes
downwardly in elevation to an exit at the cold or intake side 174
of cylinder 116 that is connected to secondary rifle 130d. The
sloped arrangement of bypass 132 allows unfiltered lubrication
fluid to drain into the secondary rifle 130b and into second
component(s) 108 when the engine is shut down.
[0022] Various aspects of the present disclosure are contemplated
as indicated in the claims appended hereto. According one aspect, a
system includes an internal combustion engine including a block, a
plurality of components supported by the block, and a lubrication
fluid for lubricating the plurality of components. The system also
includes a lubrication fluid circuit for circulating a supply of
the lubrication fluid to lubricate the plurality of components. The
lubrication fluid circuit includes a sump for storing lubrication
fluid to be filtered, a filter connected to the sump for filtering
lubrication fluid upstream of the plurality of components, a main
rifle in the block connected to the filter for receiving filtered
lubrication fluid for distribution to the plurality of components
through a plurality of secondary rifles in the block that are
connected to the main rifle, and a bypass connected to receive
unfiltered lubrication fluid that bypasses the filter. The bypass
is directly connected to at least one of the plurality of secondary
rifles downstream of the main rifle.
[0023] In an embodiment, the bypass includes a pressure-responsive
valve that normally blocks the flow of lubrication fluid through
the bypass, and the pressure-responsive valve automatically opens
in response to a lubrication fluid pressure above a predetermined
threshold.
[0024] In an embodiment, the plurality of components includes a
number of piston cooling nozzles and the at least one of the
plurality of secondary rifles that is connected directly to the
bypass is a piston cooling nozzle rifle.
[0025] In an embodiment, the bypass includes a first portion in the
block extending from a cylinder housed by the block toward the
filter, a second portion extending from the cylinder to the piston
cooling nozzle rifle, and a third portion connecting the first and
second portions that is formed around the cylinder between the
block and a liner of the cylinder. In an embodiment, the third
portion changes in elevation from the first portion to the second
portion. In an embodiment, the third portion is wrapped around a
part of a perimeter of the cylinder.
[0026] In an embodiment, the plurality of secondary rifles
includes: a first secondary rifle along a first side of a plurality
of cylinders housed in the block; a second secondary rifle
extending from a first end of the first secondary rifle along a
first end of the block; a third secondary rifle extending from a
second end of the first secondary rifle along a second end of the
block; and a piston cooling nozzle rifle along a second side of the
plurality of cylinders that connects the second secondary rifle and
the third secondary rifle. The bypass is directly connected to the
piston cooling nozzle rifle.
[0027] In an embodiment, a check valve or orifice at each end of
the piston cooling nozzle rifle to restrict lubrication fluid flow
from the piston cooling nozzle rifle into the second and third
secondary rifles. In an embodiment, the bypass extends through the
block and around a side of one of the cylinders for connection to
the piston cooling nozzle rifle. In an embodiment, the bypass is
not directly connected to the main rifle.
[0028] In another aspect, a lubrication system for an internal
combustion engine includes a sump for storing lubrication fluid, a
filter device for filtering lubrication fluid from the sump, a main
rifle in the engine connected to the filter device to receive
filtered lubrication fluid from the filter device, a plurality of
secondary rifles connecting the main rifle to a plurality of engine
components to provide filtered lubrication fluid to the plurality
of engine components, and a bypass connected to one of the
secondary rifles to bypass the filter and the main rifle and
circulate unfiltered lubrication fluid directly to the connected
one of the secondary rifles.
[0029] In an embodiment, the bypass includes a pressure-responsive
valve that automatically opens in response to a pressure of the
lubrication fluid exceeding a threshold pressure. In an embodiment,
the one of the secondary rifles is a piston cooling nozzle rifle
connected to piston cooling nozzles.
[0030] In an embodiment, the bypass is formed in part by a rifle
through a block of the engine and in part by a passage between the
block and a cylinder liner of a cylinder of the internal combustion
engine. In an embodiment, the passage changes in elevation from one
side of the cylinder to another side of the cylinder. In an
embodiment, the passage gravity drains into the one of the
secondary rifles.
[0031] In an embodiment, the bypass is not directly connected to
the main rifle.
[0032] In another aspect, a method for circulating lubrication
fluid in a lubrication fluid system of an internal combustion
engine includes circulating filtered lubrication fluid from a
filter device through a main rifle of the internal combustion
engine to a plurality of components of the internal combustion
engine; and, in response to a filter bypass condition, bypassing
the filter device and the main rifle to circulate unfiltered
lubrication fluid to a first subset of the plurality of components
that are downstream of a second subset of the plurality of
components.
[0033] In one embodiment, the method includes opening a valve in
response to the filter bypass condition to bypass the filter device
and the main rifle to circulate the unfiltered lubrication fluid.
In an embodiment, the filter bypass condition is a pressure of the
lubrication fluid exceeding a threshold pressure.
[0034] Any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be combined with
one or more other embodiments unless otherwise excluded.
[0035] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been
shown and described. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that
many modifications are possible in the example embodiments without
materially departing from this invention. Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this
disclosure as defined in the following claims.
[0036] In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such
as "a," "an," "at least one," or "at least one portion" are used
there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless
specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language
"at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item can
include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated
to the contrary.
* * * * *