Internal-combustion engines – Lubricators – Crankcase – pressure control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-01
2001-10-23
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Lubricators
Crankcase, pressure control
C123S1950AC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305342
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a dry sump type lubrication structure.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
In a dry sump type lubrication structure, oil that has accumulated in a sump is sucked up by a scavenge pump and sent to an oil tank through an oil cooler, and oil in an oil tank is supplied to parts of the engine by a feed pump. This means that there is piping respectively between the oil cooler, the scavenge pump and the oil tank. As an example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei-5-86829 discloses hoses, viewed from the side, that are fitted so as to run from the front over a cylinder and to the rear. This is achieved by plumbing a sending side hose from a rear upper surface of a transmission chamber to a catch tank above the cylinder, and plumbing a return side hose from the catch tank past the front of the cylinder to an oil tank below a crankcase, based on blow-by gas. Also, piping is made to intersect, and is gathered together at either the left or right side of the vehicle.
Also, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei-8-135419 discloses plumbing a sending side hose for sending oil sucked up by a scavenge pump from an oil pan provided in the central lower part of a crankcase from an upper surface of the crankcase behind the cylinder, above the cylinder and to an oil cooler in front of the cylinder, and, using the same route, piping a return side hose to an upper surface of a transmission.
In accordance with the background art, it is necessary to plumb a sending side hose and a return side hose. Such hoses are expensive and heavy. Further, the hoses must be ran over a long path length which increases the weight and costs of the vehicle. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a lubrication structure which will shorten these oil hoses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to address one or more of the drawbacks associated with the background art.
These and other objects are accomplished by an internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase; an oil tank arranged inside and on one side of said crankcase; and an oil pump arranged inside and on another side of said crankcase opposite to said one side of said crankcase, said oil pump including a feed pump and a scavenge pump, said feed pump for supplying lubricating oil inside said oil tank to respective components of the internal combustion engine, and said scavenge pump for returning lubricating oil that has accumulated in a bottom of said crankcase to said oil tank.
Further, these and other objects are accomplished by an internal combustion engine comprising: a crankcase; a crankshaft disposed in said crankcase; an oil tank arranged inside said crankcase and on one side of said crankshaft; an oil pump arranged inside said crankcase and on another side of said crankshaft opposite to said one side of said crankshaft, said oil pump including a feed pump and a scavenge pump, said feed pump for supplying lubricating oil inside said oil tank to respective components of the internal combustion engine, and said scavenge pump for returning lubricating oil that has accumulated in a bottom of said crankcase to said oil tank; and an oil cooler, wherein oil pumped by aid scavenge pump is passed through said oil cooler prior to being returned to said oil tank.
Moreover, these and other objects are accomplished by a combination comprising: a vehicle; and an internal combustion engine including: a crankcase; a crankshaft disposed in said crankcase, with said crankshaft extending in a direction parallel to a direction of travel of said vehicle; an oil tank arranged inside said crankcase and on one side of said crankshaft; an oil pump arranged inside said crankcase and on another side of said crankshaft opposite to said one side of said crankshaft, said oil pump including a feed pump and a scavenge pump, said feed pump for supplying lubricating oil inside said oil tank to respective components of the internal combustion engine, and said scavenge pump for returning lubricating oil that has accumulated in a bottom of said crankcase to said oil tank; and an oil cooler, wherein oil pumped by said scavenge pump is passed through said oil cooler prior to being returned to said oil tank.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
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Narita Satoru
Shichinohe Takashi
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Huynh Hai
Kamen Noah P.
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