Internal-combustion engines – Lubricators – Crankcase – pressure control
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-17
2001-09-04
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Lubricators
Crankcase, pressure control
C123S1960AB
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283082
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of internal combustion engines, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for extending the operating interval between oil changes for an internal combustion engine.
The reliability of an internal combustion engine is directly affected by the condition of the lubricant used in the engine. It is known to provide an oil filter for removing particulate matter from an engine's lubricant during the normal operation of the engine. Such oil filters must be changed regularly as they become clogged with particulate matter. Filtering of the oil is effective for removing particulate matter, however, the entire volume of the lubricant must be changed periodically in order to maintain a desired level of additives contained within the lubricant. Thus it is known that, for most internal combustion engine applications, there is a recommended frequency for changing the lubricant. For example, the manufacturers of many automobiles recommend that the lubricating oil and filter be changed after 3,000 miles of operation. The assignee of the present invention supplies locomotives driven by diesel engines. Current operating recommendations for such locomotive engines require that the engine lubricating oil be changed quarterly. An oil change on a locomotive engine requires that the locomotive to be taken out of service Thus, the interval between recommended oil changes for an internal combustion engine has an adverse impact on the overall availability of the engine for productive operation. In particular, as the reliability of locomotive components continues to increase, the engine oil change requirement may become a limiting event defining the maximum achievable on-train availability for a locomotive.
Periodic engine lubricant changes also generate a large volume of hazardous waste that must be disposed of and/or reprocessed. The operators of large fleets of internal combustion driven vehicles are faced with a considerable expense for the proper disposal of the spent crankcase oil for the entire fleet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, there is a particular need for extending the operating interval between recommended lubricant changes for an internal combustion engine. There is a further need for reducing the amount of spent lubricant that must be disposed of and/or reprocessed, and for reducing the cost associated with such disposal and reprocessing.
Disclosed herein is a method of extending the interval between lubricant changes in an internal combustion engine, the method comprising the steps of: removing from an engine a portion the lubricant in the engine; combusting the removed portion of the lubricant in the engine; and adding replacement lubricant to the engine. Also disclosed herein is a method of disposal for oil from an internal combustion engine, the method comprising the steps of: removing a portion of the oil from an internal combustion engine; mixing the portion of the oil with fuel being supplied to the engine; and combusting the portion of the oil with fuel in the engine. In a vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a fuel supply for the engine, and a lubricating circuit for supplying lubricant to the engine, an apparatus is described comprising a fluid connection between the lubricating circuit and the fuel supply, the fluid connection operable to provide lubricant from the lubricating circuit to the fuel supply for combusting in the engine.
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Gunshore Paul M.
Ishler Larry W.
Beusse, Brownlee, Bowdoin & Molter, P.
General Electric Company
Huynh Hai
Kamen Noah P.
Maire, Esq. David G.
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