Lubricant circuit

Abstract

A lubricant circuit includes, but is not limited to a lubricant pump, which is connected on the suction side to a reservoir and on the pressure side to a distributor, at least one lubricating point, which is connected to the distributor and a return leading to the reservoir, and an electronic control unit, which is set up to regulate the output pressure of the lubricant pump by reference to the temperature of the lubricant.

1 . A lubricant circuit, comprising:
 a reservoir;   a distributor;   a lubricant pump connected on a suction side to the reservoir and on a pressure side to the distributor;   a lubricating point connected to the distributor;   a return leading to the reservoir; and   a control unit configured to regulate an output pressure of the lubricant pump by reference to a temperature of a lubricant.   
     
     
         2 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to estimate the temperature of the lubricant. 
     
     
         3 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is connected to a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         4 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor is in thermal communication with cooling water. 
     
     
         5 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 3 , wherein the temperature sensor is in thermal communication with intake air of an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         6 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the lubricant pump for a low output pressure depending on whether the temperature is less than a limiting temperature. 
     
     
         7 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is configured to adjust the lubricant pump for a high output pressure depending on whether the temperature is greater than a limiting temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the lubricant pump is a vane pump having eccentricity that is adjustable under influence of a pressure in the distributor. 
     
     
         9 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 8 , further comprising a first actuator communicating with the distributor and configured to adjust the eccentricity of the lubricant pump. 
     
     
         10 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 8 , further comprising a valve controlled by the control unit, the valve configured to connect to a second actuator to the distributor, which is disposed to adjust the eccentricity of the lubricant pump. 
     
     
         11 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 9 , further comprising a valve controlled by the control unit, the valve configured to separate a second actuator separates from the distributor, which is disposed to adjust the eccentricity of the lubricant pump. 
     
     
         12 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 11 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are disposed to adjust the eccentricity of the lubricant pump in a same direction. 
     
     
         13 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 11 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator are disposed to adjust the eccentricity of the lubricant pump in a same direction. 
     
     
         14 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 10 , wherein the valve is a directional valve. 
     
     
         15 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 11 , wherein the valve is connected to an upstream portion of the distributor and the first actuator is connected to a downstream portion of the distributor. 
     
     
         16 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 15 , further comprising a throttle element is disposed between the upstream portion and the downstream portion of the distributor. 
     
     
         17 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 16 , wherein the throttle element is a lubricant cooler. 
     
     
         18 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 1 , wherein the control unit is further configured to regulate the output pressure of the lubricant pump based at least in part on a speed of an internal combustion engine. 
     
     
         19 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 6 , wherein the limiting temperature is a function of a speed. 
     
     
         20 . The lubricant circuit according to  claim 19 , wherein the limiting temperature decreases as the speed increases.