Internal-combustion engines – Lubricators – Crankcase – pressure control
Patent
1998-06-15
2000-08-08
Wolfe, Willis R.
Internal-combustion engines
Lubricators
Crankcase, pressure control
123 73AD, 123196S, 184 63, F01M 100
Patent
active
060985879
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention is generally directed to the control of the flow rate of lubrication oil to an internal combustion engine.
A newly manufactured engine or an engine that has been re-built or reconditioned typically must initially run through a "break-in" period to thereby reduce the frictional resistance between mating components within the engine and enable the components thereof to bed-in. During this initial break-in period of the engine, it would be advantageous to provide a different oil flow rate (generally higher) in comparison to the standard oil flow rate provided after the engine has completed a reasonable break-in period. This allows the engine to be run-in at a more appropriate oiling rate, reducing the risk of causing undue damage to the engine.
However, the use of higher than normal oil flow rates after the engine has been broken-in is undesirable. In addition to the engine simply consuming more oil, higher oil flow rates can also result in damage to any catalytic converter used in the engine exhaust system as unburnt hydrocarbons from the oil are passed through the engine at a higher rate and are embedded in the catalyst, contaminating it and reducing its effectiveness. Over-oiling can also affect spark plug performance. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to determine whether an engine is running within its break-in period to thereby know when the higher oil flow rate is required.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of controlling the oil flow rate to an internal combustion engine, particularly a crankcase scavenged two-stroke engine.
With this in mind, the present invention provides a method of controlling the oil flow rate for an internal combustion engine including: and the engine when running under normal engine conditions outside the break-in period if the engine is running above said threshold value within said break-in period such that the oil flow rate during the break-in period is generally higher than the oil flow rate under normal engine conditions.
The fuel to oil ratio may be decreased when the engine is running in its break-in period which results in the oil flow rate during the engine break-in period being higher than the oil flow rate to the engine after the break-in period.
Decreased fuel to oil ratio may be simply achieved by increasing the standard oil flow rate by a given factor (for example.times.1.5) or by a set amount for the duration of the break-in period. However, the increase in oiling rate can be achieved in accordance with the invention in a variety of different ways, providing additional benefits. The increase in oiling rate, or decrease in fuel to oil ratio, can be made a function of the engines current operating parameters, thus adapting the oiling rate more closely to the requirements of the new engine.
For example, the oil flow rate variation may be a function of engine speed, so that below a given engine speed the oiling rate is not altered during break-in, but above that given engine speed, the oiling rate is substantially increased.
This functional dependence on the current operating conditions of the engine can be particularly advantageous in avoiding over-oiling at times when the oil requirements are minimal, such as at idle. Over oiling such as this can lead to, for example, spark plug malfunction as the electrodes may become clogged or fouled with oil.
Current operating conditions on which the break-in oiling rate is made dependent can be one or more of many operating parameters of the engine. As discussed above, current engine speed may be used. Other parameters which may be used to determine oiling rate include load, power output, engine running time since new, and total number of engine cycles since new.
It is possible, using a combination of these parameters to define a graduated strategy where the increased oil flow decreases over time (or engine use etc) so that at the end of the break-in period the oiling rate has been decreased to a level where it becomes the same as the standard oiling rate.
In regar
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Patent Abstracts of Japan, M-1533, p. 34, 5-240016, Sep. 17, 1993.
Malss Stephen Reinhard
Worth David Richard
Hairston Brian
Orbital Engine Company Australia
Wolfe Willis R.
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