Variable fluid flow techniques for machine fluid systems

Abstract

Methods, systems, and techniques for structuring, operating, and/or controlling a variable fluid flow system of a machine are provided. In various embodiments, a supplemental pump and/or an electric motor can be leveraged in combination with the existing components of a machine, such as the main fluid pump of the machine.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fluid flow system comprising:
 a main pump structured to provide sufficient fluid flow for at least a highest rated speed of at least one component of a machine;   at least one supplemental pump connected for fluid communication with the main pump, wherein the supplemental pump is positioned onboard with respect to the machine, and wherein the supplemental pump is structured to provide fluid flow at multiple speeds for at least one component of the machine or to provide fluid flow for multiple loading conditions of at least one component the machine; and,   a control module programmed to activate or deactivate the supplemental pump or the main pump in association with a triggering condition.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one supplemental filter apparatus positioned in fluidic series with the supplemental pump, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus is structured with:
 (i) an inlet to receive fluid flow from the supplemental pump; and,   (ii) an outlet to direct fluid flow to at least a portion of a fluid reservoir system of the machine.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the supplemental pump includes a pre-lubrication pump. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes a threshold time duration of operation. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes an injection timing variable. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the triggering condition includes a filter condition. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is programmed to activate or deactivate the supplemental pump during operation of the machine. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control module is programmed to process time stamp data associated with at least one component of the machine. 
     
     
         14 . A method for directing fluid flow in a machine, the method comprising:
 structuring a main pump of a machine to provide sufficient fluid flow for at least a highest rated speed of at least one component of the machine;   connecting a supplemental pump for fluid communication with the main pump and positioning the supplemental pump onboard with respect to the machine;   structuring the supplemental pump to provide fluid flow at multiple speeds for at least one component of the machine or to provide fluid flow for multiple loading conditions of at least one component of the machine; and,   activating or deactivating, with a control module, the supplemental pump or the main pump in association with a triggering condition.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising positioning at least one supplemental filter apparatus in fluidic series with the supplemental pump, wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes:
 (i) an inlet to receive fluid flow from the supplemental pump; and,   (ii) an outlet to direct fluid flow to at least a portion of a fluid reservoir system of the machine.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the supplemental filter apparatus includes at least one fine filtration medium. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising performing at least one pre-lubrication operation with the supplemental pump. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising performing at least one post-lubrication operation with the supplemental pump. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising performing at least one periodic lubrication operation with the supplemental pump. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising performing at least one of a fluid refill procedure or a fluid evacuation procedure with the supplemental pump. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes at least one of a threshold fluid temperature or a threshold fluid pressure. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes a threshold machine speed. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes a threshold fluid contaminant level. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes a threshold time duration of operation. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes an injection timing variable. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes a fuel consumption value. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the triggering condition includes a filter condition. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising activating or deactivating, with the control module, the supplemental pump during operation of the machine. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising processing, with the control module, time stamp data in association with at least one component of the machine. 
     
     
         30 . A fluid flow system comprising:
 a main pump of a machine;   an electric motor operatively associated with the main pump, wherein the motor is structured to drive the main pump to provide fluid flow at multiple speeds for at least one component of the machine or to provide fluid flow at multiple loading conditions of at least one component of the machine; and,   a control module programmed for activating or deactivating the main pump or the motor in response to at least one triggering condition.   
     
     
         31 . A fluid flow system comprising:
 a main pump of a machine structured to be mechanically driven by the machine to deliver fluid flow for at least one component of the machine;   an electric motor operatively associated with the main pump through a gear box, wherein the motor is structured to drive the main pump to provide fluid flow at multiple speeds for at least one component of the machine or to provide fluid flow at multiple loading conditions of at least one component of the machine;   a control module programmed for activating or deactivating the main pump or the motor in response to at least one triggering condition.