Lubrication System and Internal Combustion Engine Comprising Such a System

Abstract

This lubrication system includes a pump feeding a main line which provides oil to a support interface for a crank shaft of oil engine and an auxiliary line connected to at least one piston cooling jet. The pump is a variable flow pump controlled on the basis of oil pressure in the main line. A proportional means is mounted on the auxiliary line. This means is adapted to control oil flow in the auxiliary line depending on the working conditions of the engine, e.g. oil temperature, torque to be delivered or rotational speed of the engine.

1 . A lubrication system for an internal combustion engine, the system comprising a pump feeding a main line, providing oil to a support interface for a crank shaft of the engine, and an auxiliary line, connected to at least one piston cooling jet, wherein:
 the pump is a variable flow pump controlled based on oil pressure in the main line,   proportional means is mounted on the auxiliary line, the proportional means being adapted to control oil flow in the auxiliary line depending on working conditions of the engine, and   the system includes pressure sensing means adapted to determine oil pressure within the main line downstream of the pump, the pressure sensing means delivering a signal adapted to control the pump.   
   
   
       2 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a variable displacement pump. 
   
   
       3 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable flow pump is a vane pump. 
   
   
       4 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , herein the variable flow pump is a sliding gear pump. 
   
   
       5 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable flow pump is a variable timing pump. 
   
   
       6 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the pump is a variable speed pump. 
   
   
       7 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportional means is piloted based on oil temperature in the main line. 
   
   
       8 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportional means is piloted based on engine speed. 
   
   
       9 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportional means is piloted based on load of the engine. 
   
   
       10 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportional means is piloted based on actuation of auxiliary equipment. 
   
   
       11 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportional means is a proportional valve. 
   
   
       12 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1  wherein the proportional means is a piloted flow regulator. 
   
   
       13 . An internal combustion engine comprising at least a crank shaft and at least a piston cooling jet, comprising at least a lubrication system according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       14 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the variable flow pump is a gerotor pump. 
   
   
       15 . A lubrication system according to  claim 1 , wherein the proportional means is piloted based on torque delivered by the engine.