Prestart Oil-pressurizing Device

Abstract

A prestart oil-pressurizing device for internal combustion engines in which an oil reservoir is supplied during the course of operation of the engine with lubricant from the high pressure side of the engine-lubricating system through a forward flow passage having a first and a second check valve between which is interposed a slide valve. The reservoir is also in communication with the engine lubricating system through a backward flow passage having a third check valve and intersected between the third check valve and reservoir by the slide valve. The slide valve occupies a first position closing the forward flow passage and permitting discharge of lubricant from the reservoir and a second position closing the backward flow passage. Lubricant locked in the forward flow passage when the engine is idle prevents return of the slide valve to its first position until the second valve is momentarily opened by a solenoid armature activated by initial operation of the engine ignition switch permitting discharge of lubricant into the lubricating system during initial operation of the engine, before its lubricating system is effective.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been recognized that excessive wear occurs in an automobile internal combustion engine during the interval initiated by the turning of the ignition switch and terminating with the delivery of oil to the working parts of the engine. This is evidenced by the large number of patents which have issued on devices intended to supply oil during initial starting of an engine. However, none of these devices have proved practical to the extent of being adopted by the automotive industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a prestart oil-pressurizing device which provides a solution to the problem and is summarized in the accompanying objects:

First, to provide a prestart oil-pressurizing device operable, during operation of an internal combustion engine, to receive a predetermined quantity of oil under pressure, which is retained under pressure during the idle period of the engine; then, the instant the engine starter or ignition switch is closed, the stored oil is returned to the oil system under pressure before the oil pump is operative.

Second, to provide a prestart pressurizing device in which oil is supplied to a reservoir through a bypass having a relatively small check valve capable of being opened with little force by a solenoid, the check valve acting as a pilot valve which need be opened only momentarily to cause a larger capacity piston valve and a backflow valve to open for rapid delivery of the reservoir oil to the lubricating system.

Third, to provide a prestart pressurizing device which is dependable in operation; however, should failure occur, it does not adversely affect the lubricating system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of the prestart oil-pressurizing device.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken through 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section view, taken through 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a wiring diagram.

The prestart oil-pressurizing device includes a valve body 1, the upper side of which underlies the horizontal portion of a mounting bracket 2, which also forms the closed lower end of a reservoir 3. A tie bolt 4 joints the valve body 1 and bracket 2. A gasket 5 is provided between the valve body and the mounting bracket.

The valve body is provided with a horizontally extending slide valve bore 6, closed at its ends by seal plugs 7. Between the seal plugs, the slide valve bore receives a slide valve 8. Extending upwardly from the slide valve bore 6 near one end, is a reservoir inlet 9, provided with a backflow closing check valve 10. Near the opposite end of the slide valve bore 6, the bore is intersected by a reservoir outlet 11.

The underside of the valve body is provided in offset relation to the reservoir outlet 11 with an oil supply socket 12, which is internally screw-threaded to receive an end of a lubricant line 13, through which oil or lubricant is delivered to the valve body and the reservoir, and from which the oil or lubricant is discharged. The inner or upper end of the oil supply socket 12 intersects the slide valve bore 6 and is provided below the bore with a backflow opening check valve 14, normally held in its closed position by a spring 15.

Below the check valve 14, the valve body is provided with a horizontal bore 16, intersecting the socket 12 and closed at its opposite end by a plug 17. The horizontal bore 16 is intersected by a vertical bore 18, which intersects the slide valve bore 6 and is provided with a backflow closing check valve 19. Below the horizontal bore 16, the vertical bore 18 is enlarged and internally screw-threaded to provide a solenoid socket 20, into which is screw-threaded the case of a solenoid 21. An armature 22 projects upwardly from the solenoid 21 and is engageable with the check valve 19 to move the check valve to an open position.

Also communicating with the oil or lubricant supply socket 12 is a diaphragm socket 23, having a diaphragm 24 secured by a clamp plug 25. The clamp plug 25 guides a slide pin 26 which is engageable with a normally closed switch 27 mounted on the side of the valve body 1.

The reservoir inlet 9, vertical bore 18 and horizontal bore 16 form a forward flow passage for the delivery of lubricant from the line 13 to the reservoir. The reservoir outlet 11 and socket 12 form a backward flow passage for delivery of oil or lubricant to the line 13.

The switch 27 and solenoid 31 are series connected with an ignition switch 28 of the internal combustion engine. The ignition switch is normally closed so that closure of the ignition switch will energize the solenoid 21.

Operation of the prestart oil-pressurizing device is as follows:

Initially, following installation, the reservoir 3 is empty, the lubricating system of the internal combustion engine is depressurized so that the switch 27 is closed. Initial operation of the ignition switch 28 causes the lubrication system to become pressurized with the result that the lubricant flows through the forward flow passage, forcing the slide valve 8 to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2, so that the lubricant may flow into the reservoir 3, compressing the air therein, until the pressure in the reservoir equals the pressure in the lubricating system.

When the ignition is shutoff, and the internal combustion engine is inactive, the slide valve 8 remains in the dotted line position due to the liquid lubricant trapped between the check valves 10 and 19. Under these conditions, there is no pressure in the lubricant line 13 so that the switch 27 occupies a closed position. When the ignition switch 28 is again closed, the solenoid armature 22 engages the check valve 19 to permit the lubricant to bleed from the slide valve bore 6 so that the pressure in the reservoir 3 moves the slide valve 8 to the solid line position shown in FIG. 2, permitting the lubricant to drain from the reservoir through the check valve 14 and into the lubricant line.

The backward flow passage from the reservoir to the lubricant line may be relatively large so that the back flow takes place rapidly during the relatively short interval of time required for the engine-lubricating system to become pressurized. It is during this critical though short period, when under normal conditions the moving parts of the engine are not properly lubricated, much of the wear of these moving parts of an internal combustion engine occurs. Once the lubricant line 13 becomes pressurized, the switch 27 is moved to its open position by the diaphragm 24 so as to deenergize the solenoid 21. During the initial operating period of the internal combustion engine, the charge of lubricant is resupplied to the reservoir 3 through the forward flow passage between the lubricant line 13 and the reservoir.

It should be noted in this regard that the forward flow passage, and particularly the check valve 19, may be relatively small so that the force required to open this valve in order to initiate backflow of lubricant from the reservoir may be minimal. Also, it will be noted that the amount of back flow in order to permit the necessary movement of the slide valve 8 is likewise minimal so that no significant time delay occurs before the lubricant from the reservoir is available to protect the moving parts of the internal combustion engine.

It should be noted that the viscosity of lubricating oil is such that the valve 8 may have a sliding fit in its bore 6 and still provide a seal which remains effective to retain the oil in the reservoir even though the engine be idle for a substantial period. However, if desired, conventional seal rings either of the cup type of the O-ring type may be employed.

While particular embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is not intended to limit the same to the details of the constructions set forth, but instead, the invention embraces such changes, modifications and equivalents of the various parts and their relationships as come within the purview of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion engine having an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when the engine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running and during its starting period, said device comprising:

a. a lubricant reservoir;

b. a lubricant line connected with said lubricating system for flow of lubricant to and from said systems;

c. a forward flow passage from said lubricant line to said reservoir for delivery of lubricant under pressure to said reservoir;

d. a backward flow passage from said reservoir to said lubricant line for delivery of lubricant from said reservoir to said system when said system is depressurized;

e. a valve means communicating between said passages and having a first position closing said forward flow passage in response to pressure favoring said backward flow passage and a second position closing said backward flow passage in response to pressure favoring said forward flow passage;

f. and momentary operating means for bleeding pressure from said forward flow passage when said lubricant system is depressurized to move said valve means to said first position, thereby to permit backward flow of lubricant from said reservoir.

2. A device, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said momentary operating means includes a solenoid;

b. and a pressure sensitive switch in series with said solenoid is located in said backward flow passage, said switch being closed when the lubricating system is depressurized and opened when the lubricating system is pressurized.

3. A device, as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a. said valve means includes a valve bore having ends intersecting said passages, and a slide valve member movable between the ends.

4. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion engine having an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when the engine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running and during its starting period, said device comprising:

a. a lubricant reservoir;

b. means for pressurizing said reservoir with lubricant from said lubricating system;

c. a main valve means for retaining lubricant in said reservoir when said lubricating system is depressurized;

d. a pilot valve means operably connected with said ignition means for opening said main valve means to effect rapid return of lubricant to said system during the starting period of said engine;

e. and pressure sensitive means exposed to pressure in said lubricating system to prevent operation of said pilot valve when said lubrication system is pressurized.

5. A prestart pressurizing device for an internal combustion engine having an ignition means and a lubricating system pressurized when the engine is running and depressurized when the engine is not running and during its starting period, said device comprising:

a. a lubricant reservoir;

b. a lubricant line connected with said lubricating system for flow of lubricant to and from said system;

c. a valve body interposed between said reservoir and said lubricant line, said valve body including a backward flow passage between said reservoir and said lubricant line having a first check valve therein, a forward flow passage between said lubricant line and said reservoir having a second and a third check valve therein;

d. said valve body also including a cross bore intersecting said backward flow line between said reservoir and first check valve, and intersecting said forward flow line between said second and third check valves;

e. a slide valve movable in said bore in response to pressure favoring said rearward flow passage to a first position closing said forward flow passage and movable in response to pressure favoring said forward flow passage to a second position closing said backward flow passage;

f. and solenoid operated means operable to open said third check valve thereby to bleed pressure from said forward flow passage and cause said slide valve to move to its first position and permit backward flow of lubricant to said lubricating system.

6. A device, as defined in claim 5, wherein:

a. a pressure sensitive switch is exposed to pressure in said lubricant line for rendering said solenoid operated means ineffective when said lubricating system is pressurized.