Oil Pan With Flow Management Tunnel

Abstract

A system and method for managing return oil flow in a multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a plurality of pistons reciprocating within corresponding cylinders of an engine block to rotate a crankshaft include an oil pan having a shallow portion and a deeper sump portion, wherein the shallow portion includes at least one tunnel extending between the shallow portion and the sump portion to block airflow generated by rotation of the crankshaft and facilitate oil flow through a localized high pressure region between the shallow portion and the sump portion.

1 . A multiple cylinder internal combustion engine having a plurality of pistons reciprocating within corresponding cylinders of an engine block to rotate a crankshaft, the engine comprising:
 an oil pan disposed generally below the crankshaft and adapted for sealing attachment to the engine block, the oil pan including a shallow portion and a deeper sump portion, wherein the shallow portion includes at least one tunnel extending between the shallow portion and the sump portion.   
   
   
       2 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tunnel comprises a plate extending from the bottom of the shallow portion to an adjoining side of the oil pan. 
   
   
       3 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tunnel has a first opening forward of a first crank pin of the crankshaft. 
   
   
       4 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tunnel comprises a cylinder having a first end disposed forward of a first crank pin of the crankshaft. 
   
   
       5 . The engine of  claim 1  wherein the tunnel comprises a plurality of generally transverse ribs on a top surface to direct oil flow toward a desired location. 
   
   
       6 . The engine of  claim 5  wherein the plurality of ribs are aligned such that lines passing through the ribs intersect at a common point. 
   
   
       7 . A method for managing return oil flow from a shallow portion to a sump portion of an oil pan for an internal combustion engine, the method comprising:
 blocking air flow generated by crankshaft rotation within a passage extending between the shallow portion and the sump portion of the oil pan.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of block air flow comprises positioning a tunnel in the oil pan with a first lateral opening in the shallow portion of the oil pan and a second lateral opening in the sump portion of the oil pan. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the first lateral opening is positioned forward of any crank pin of a crankshaft rotating above the oil pan. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the tunnel comprises a generally flat plate extending from the bottom of the oil pan to an adjacent side of the oil pan. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the tunnel comprises a plurality of ribs on an upper surface to direct oil toward the sump portion. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the tunnel comprises a cylinder having a first end disposed within the shallow portion of the oil pan and a second end disposed in the sump portion of the oil pan. 
   
   
       13 . An oil pan for an internal combustion engine, the oil pan comprising:
 a body including a bottom and four side walls, the bottom defining a shallow portion and a deeper sump portion; and   a tunnel within the body extending between the shallow portion and the sump portion.   
   
   
       14 . The oil pan of  claim 13  wherein the body comprises a one-piece metal component. 
   
   
       15 . The oil pan of  claim 14  wherein the tunnel comprises a generally flat plate secured to the bottom along one edge and to an adjoining one of the four side walls of the body along an opposite edge. 
   
   
       16 . The oil pan of  claim 13  wherein the tunnel extends past first and second crank pins of an associated crankshaft. 
   
   
       17 . The oil pan of  claim 13  wherein the tunnel comprises a plurality of ribs on an upper surface to direct oil toward the sump. 
   
   
       18 . The oil pan of  claim 17  wherein the plurality of ribs are oriented such that lines passing through the ribs intersect at a common point.