Internal-combustion engines – Lubricators – Crankcase – pressure control
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-13
2001-09-18
Kamen, Noah P. (Department: 3747)
Internal-combustion engines
Lubricators
Crankcase, pressure control
C123S1950HC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06289865
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to an oil pump pick-up tube of an engine oil pump.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An engine oil pump draws oil through an oil pick-up tube from an oil reservoir. This pick-up tube must seal against a housing, such as the pump housing or engine block, as any air leak will allow the pump to draw air instead of oil. This condition could result in engine issues if the engine main bearings are not adequately lubricated.
Therefore, an o-ring seal may be supplied pre-assembled to the pick-up tube to seal against the housing. Prior to installing the pick-up tube in the oil pump at an engine assembly plant, the o-ring may inadvertently roll off the end of the pick-up tube. If this occurs without being detected during assembly, major engine rebuild or replacement costs may be incurred.
One conventional alternative is to undercut the tube to retain the o-ring on the tube. The disadvantage to this alternative is the cost associated with undercutting. Therefore the need exists for a simple, inexpensive solution to keep the o-ring seal on the end of the pick-up tube prior to engine assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is for an engine oil pump pick-up tube designed to retain its associated o-ring seal on the tube prior to engine assembly. The oil pick-up tube carries oil from an oil reservoir to an oil pump. It comprises an oil pick-up end disposed in the oil reservoir, a pump end disposed in the oil pump, and a transporting tube portion to deliver oil from the oil pick-up end to the pump end. The pump end includes an insert cylinder having outer diameter D and an oil outlet, an outer diameter d tube portion, and a flared portion tapering from the insert cylinder to the outer diameter d tube portion. The o-ring seal is disposed about the outer diameter d tube portion, wherein the diameter D of the insert cylinder is greater than the diameter d of the outer diameter d tube portion for keeping the o-ring seal about the tube prior to assembly with the oil pump. This prevents the potential harm to engine life which may result if the o-ring seal rolls off the pick-up tube during pre-assembly transportation or engine assembly. This solution is significantly less costly than undercutting the tube to retain the o-ring seal as this requires a secondary operation to perform the undercut.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3592293 (1971-07-01), Frincke et al.
patent: 5065487 (1991-11-01), Yother
patent: 5301642 (1994-04-01), Matsushiro et al.
patent: 5988134 (1999-11-01), Smietanski
patent: 6041752 (2000-03-01), Van Klompenburg
patent: 6142257 (2000-11-01), Bruener et al.
General Motors Corporation
Hargitt Laura C.
Hodges Leslie C.
Huynh Hai
Kamen Noah P.
LandOfFree
Oil pump pick-up tube does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Oil pump pick-up tube, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Oil pump pick-up tube will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2544305