Engine with cylinder block and oil admission valve

Abstract

An engine (10) includes a cylinder block (12) having a plurality of cylinders (16) formed therein, a main oil gallery (30), and a jet gallery (32). A cross bore (36) is fluidly connected to the main oil gallery (30) and extends to the jet gallery (32). Each jet oil jet (38) is fluidly connected with one of a plurality of oil inlet bores (34) that are fluidly connected with the jet gallery (32). An oil inlet valve (50), which can be hydraulically or electrically actuated, is supported in the cylinder block (12) and is movable between a closed position in which the oil inlet valve (50) blocks the jet gallery (32) and each of the oil inlet bores (34) from the cross bore (36) and an open position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to an internal combustion engine, and more specifically to an inlet valve supported in a cylinder block and movable to open and close a jet flow passage formed in the cylinder block. Background Technology

[0002] An internal combustion engine typically consists of multiple reciprocating pistons within combustion cylinders in a cylinder block. Combustion of the air-fuel mixture causes the pistons to move in response to a rapid increase in pressure and temperature within the combustion cylinders, rotating the crankshaft. Internal combustion engines generally operate in a four-stroke cycle, comprising the piston's intake, compression, expansion, and exhaust strokes. Various engine configurations may alternatively employ a dual-cycle mode.

[0003] The combustion of fuel and air generates heat within the combustion cylinder, which is transferred to the engine's metal surfaces, including the cylinder or cylinder liner walls, pistons, and engine cylinder head. Various strategies for dissipating combustion heat include delivering liquid coolant through the cylinder block and delivering oil to the surfaces of the pistons and associated components.

[0004] In some internal combustion engines, particularly compression-ignition diesel engines, piston cooling jets are typically positioned below the piston to inject engine oil at the piston, thus preventing piston overheating. Traditionally, engines use a fixed-displacement oil pump that operates linearly with respect to engine speed. As a result, the oil pressure supplied by the piston cooling jet for injecting cooling oil varies with both pump and engine speed. When the engine operates under high engine loads, the heat from combustion is sufficient to cool the piston via the piston cooling jet, which is essential for operation. In other cases, the demand for injected oil can be significantly reduced. Some attempts have been made to regulate piston cooling jet injection to avoid wasting energy due to wasted oil pressure and fuel consumption when reducing the demand for piston cooling. One such strategy is to use a ball spring check valve in each individual jet. This strategy can sometimes undesirably affect the flow characteristics of the oil delivered through the jet.

[0005] A known piston cooling jet configuration is known from Berlinger's U.S. Patent No. 5,267,534. In Berlinger's patent, the cooling nozzle comprises a non-metallic body and a metal insert. The channel configuration of the cooling nozzle apparently provides a smooth, turbulence-reduced, and vortex-reduced flow pattern. The cooling nozzle is said to be low-cost and efficient. While Berlinger's cooling jet / nozzle configuration undoubtedly has application value, there is always room for improvement and the development of alternative strategies. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In one aspect, an engine includes a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders formed therein, the plurality of cylinders extending between a top platform surface and a bottom body surface and arranged between a front end and a rear end. The cylinder block also has a main oil passage formed therein, extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends; an injection jet passage; a plurality of oil supply holes fluidly connected to the injection jet passage; and a cross-hole fluidly connected to the main oil passage and extending into the injection jet passage. The cylinder block also includes a plurality of injection jets, each injection jet fluidly connected to one of the plurality of oil supply holes and directionally injecting oil upward into one of the plurality of cylinders; and an inlet valve supported in the cylinder block and movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the inlet valve blocks the injection jet passage and each of the plurality of oil supply holes from the cross-hole.

[0007] On the other hand, a cylinder block includes a cylinder block casting having a plurality of cylinders formed therein, the plurality of cylinders extending between a top platform surface and a bottom body surface and arranged between a front body end and a rear body end. The cylinder block casting also has a main oil passage formed therein, extending longitudinally between the front and rear body ends; a jet injection passage, extending longitudinally between the front and rear body ends; a plurality of oil supply holes, each opening from the jet injection passage at a position longitudinally aligned with one of the plurality of cylinders; and a cross-hole fluidly connected to the main oil passage and extending to the jet injection passage. The cylinder block casting also includes an outer casting surface and a cast-in valve body forming a valve port extending from the cross-hole to the outer casting surface.

[0008] In another aspect, an engine includes a cylinder block having a plurality of cylinders formed therein, the plurality of cylinders extending between a top platform surface and a bottom body surface and arranged between a front end and a rear end. The cylinder block also has a main oil passage formed therein, extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends; an injection jet passage; a plurality of oil supply holes, each fluidly connected to the injection jet passage and longitudinally aligned with one of the plurality of cylinders; and a cross-hole fluidly connected to the main oil passage and extending into the injection jet passage. The cylinder block also includes an inlet valve supported within the cylinder block and movable between a closed position and an open position, in which the inlet valve blocks the injection jet passage and each of the plurality of oil supply holes from the cross-hole. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a cylinder block casting in an engine according to one embodiment;

[0010] Figure 2 Is passing through like Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the cylinder block casting;

[0011] Figure 3 Is passing through like Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the cylinder block casting;

[0012] Figure 4 Is passing through like Figure 1 The cylinder block casting and another cross-sectional view including the oil jet;

[0013] Figure 5 Is passing through like Figure 1 The cylinder block casting and another cross-sectional view including the oil jet;

[0014] Figure 6 Is passing through like Figure 1 Another cross-sectional view of the cylinder block casting, including the oil inlet valve;

[0015] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an oil inlet valve assembly according to one embodiment; and

[0016] Figure 8 It is a cross-sectional view through a cylinder block casting including an oil inlet valve assembly according to another embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0017] refer to Figure 1 An internal combustion engine 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The engine 10 includes a cylinder block 12 having an integral casting 14. The cylinder block 12 and the cylinder block casting 14 are sometimes referred to interchangeably herein. The cylinder block 12 has a plurality of cylinders 16 formed therein, the plurality of cylinders 16 extending between a top platform surface 18 and a bottom body surface 20. The cylinders 16 are arranged between a front body end 22 and a rear body end 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the number of cylinders 16 is six, and they are arranged in a straight line between the front body end 22 and the rear body end 24. In other embodiments, the cylinders 16 may be arranged differently, such as V-shaped, and may be any number. The cylinder block 12 also forms a crankcase 40, and a plurality of crankshaft bearings 42 are coupled to the cylinder block 12 to journal-connect the crankshaft in a generally conventional manner. A first lateral side 26 of the cylinder block 12 is shown at 26, while a second lateral side of the cylinder block 12 is shown at 28. The first lateral side 26 and the second lateral side 28 can also be understood as the opposite lateral sides of the crankcase 40.

[0018] Although not in Figure 1As shown, but those skilled in the art will understand, each of the cylinders 16 may be equipped with a piston, which is connected to the crankshaft in a generally conventional manner via a connecting rod. The engine 10 may also include a front gear train located at the front end 22 and a rear gear train located at the rear end 24, neither of which is shown. The front gear train may include a flywheel. The rear gear train may include various gears for operating auxiliary equipment, including pump gears, cam gears, and other gears. A body flange 23 for mounting the gear train components is positioned at the rear end 24. It should be understood that the terms “front” and “rear” as used herein are illustrative only and should not be construed as requiring any particular orientation or arrangement of the associated components in the cylinder block 12 or engine 10. The positioning of the components of the rear and front gear trains may differ from or be opposite to those described. The engine 10 may be compression-ignition and configured to operate on liquid fuels such as liquid diesel fuel, which is injected directly via fuel injectors, each fuel injector being positioned to extend into one of the cylinders 16 and supported in the engine cylinder head. In other embodiments, engine 10 may be spark-ignited, pre-combustion chamber ignited, dual-fuel liquid ignition ignited, or have a variety of other configurations or operating strategies.

[0019] Now for reference Figures 2-5 The cylinder block 12 also has a main oil passage 30 formed therein, which extends longitudinally between the front end 22 and the rear end 24. The cylinder block 12 also has a jet injection passage 32 formed therein. The jet injection passage 32 may also extend longitudinally between the front end 22 and the rear end 24. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the main oil passage 30 is located on a first lateral side 26 of the crankcase 40, and the jet injection passage 32 is located on a second lateral side 28 of the crankcase 40. As further discussed herein, a plurality of jet injection locations 39 are associated with a plurality of jet injections 38, each jet injection being longitudinally aligned with one of the cylinders 16 and injecting oil upwards toward or below a piston constructed within the cylinder 16.

[0020] The cylinder block 12 also has a plurality of oil supply holes 34 formed therein, fluidly connected to the injection jet passage 32, and a cross hole 36 fluidly connected to the main oil passage 30 and extending into the injection jet passage 32. A single oil supply connection can extend between the main oil passage 30 and the injection jet passage 32 and is formed by the cross hole 36. In other words, the only fluid connection between the main oil passage 30 and the injection jet passage 32 can be a cross hole 36. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the injection jet passage 32 includes a front section 62 arranged to supply oil to the front group of oil supply holes 34 and a rear section 64 arranged to supply oil to the rear group of oil supply holes 34. The cross hole 36 can be located approximately midway between the front end 22 and the rear end 24, and can be fluidly connected to the injection jet passage 32 longitudinally between the front group of oil supply holes 34 and the rear group of oil supply holes 34. Each oil supply hole 34 can be oriented downwards from the injection jet passage 32. In some embodiments, the oil supply port 34 may be arranged to be centered with respect to a corresponding cylinder in the cylinder 16, which means that the central axis of each oil supply port 34 is substantially aligned front-to-back with the central axis of one of the cylinders in the cylinder 16.

[0021] The engine 10 also includes a plurality of fuel injection jets 38, each fluidly connected to and typically fitted into one of the fuel supply ports 34, and directed to inject fuel upward into one of the cylinders 16. Figure 4 and Figure 5 As can be seen most clearly, each of the oil jets 38 may include an elongated tubular structure having a jet inlet 60 located within the oil supply port 34 and a jet outlet 58 located within the cylinder 16. Figure 4 and Figure 5 Also shown is a cylinder liner 48 that partially forms the combustion space of the associated cylinder 16.

[0022] Engine 10 also includes an inlet valve 50 supported in cylinder block 12, movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, inlet valve 50 blocks each of the injection jet passage 32 and the fuel supply port 34 from the cross bore 36; in the open position, inlet valve 50 does not block the injection jet passage 32 and the fuel supply port from the cross bore 36. Inlet valve 50 may be a three-way valve fluidly positioned between the front section 62 and the rear section 64 of the injection jet passage 32. Engine 10, specifically cylinder block casting 14, may also include a cast-in valve body 68. Cylinder block casting 14 also includes an outer casting surface 46 (external surface). Cast-in valve body 68 forms a valve port 74 and a valve seat 70. Valve port 74 extends from cross bore 36 to outer casting surface 46. Valve seat 70 is fluidly located between cross bore 36 and injection jet passage 32. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the cast-in valve body 68 includes a protruding valve boss 72 having a boss end surface 86. The boss end surface 86 extends peripherally around the valve bore 74 and forms part of the outer casting surface 46. Figure 6 It can also be seen that the groove 88 is formed in the valve boss 72.

[0023] The inlet valve according to the invention can be the sole fluid connection control between the cross orifice 36 and the jet channel 32. As will become further clear from the following description, the inlet valve 50 can be passively operated in response to oil pressure supplied via the cross orifice 36, or actively actuated and electrically actuated. Reference now also makes to... Figure 7 The engine 10 may also include a spring biaser 54, such as a coil spring, to bias the inlet valve 50 toward the closed position. The inlet valve 50 may include a valve member 80. The inlet valve 50, i.e., the valve member 80 in the illustrated embodiment, may include an open hydraulic surface 66 exposed to fluid pressure in the cross bore 36. The open hydraulic surface 66 contacts a valve seat 70 in the closed position. The inlet valve 50 is also understood to define a reciprocating valve axis 76. The reciprocating valve axis 76 may be collinear with the center bore axis (unlabeled) of the valve bore 74. The cross bore 36 also defines a cross bore center axis 78. In the illustrated embodiment, as... Figure 6 As shown, the reciprocating valve axis 76 intersects with the through hole axis 78.

[0024] It is worth recalling that in the closed position, the inlet valve 50 contacts the valve seat 70. The opening hydraulic surface 66 can be planar, and the valve seat 70 can be a flat seat. In other embodiments, a tapered opening hydraulic surface and a tapered valve seat, a spherical surface, or other arrangements and / or structures can be used. Sliding spool valves, lift valves, or other valve configurations employing one or more valve components can fall within the scope of the invention. The inlet valve 50, i.e., the valve component 80 in the illustrated embodiment, includes an outer peripheral surface 82 extending about the reciprocating valve axis 76 and exposed to the jet flow passage 32 in the closed position. Thus, when the inlet valve 50 is in the closed position, the outer peripheral surface 82 can be understood as forming the wetting surface of the front section 62 and the rear section 64 of the jet flow passage 32. The inlet valve 50, i.e., the valve component 80 in the illustrated embodiment, may also include an inner peripheral surface 85. The inner peripheral surface 85 may also extend about the reciprocating valve axis 76 and form a spring sleeve 84 receiving the spring biaser 54. Each of the outer peripheral surface 82 and the inner peripheral surface 85 may be cylindrical, thus giving the valve member 80 a barrel-like or bucket-like shape. The inlet valve 50 may form a valve assembly comprising the valve member 80, the spring biaser 54, and the cap 56. The cap 56 may be cast into the valve body 68 and engage with the cylinder block casting 14. Specifically, the cap 56 may be attached to a valve boss 72 within a valve bore 74 and engaged by a thread 83. The thread 83 may include external threads, and the valve bore 74 may suitably have internal threads. The cap 56 is partially received within a recess 88. A tool engagement surface 90, such as a conventional female or male hexagonal socket, may be formed on or within the cap 56.

[0025] Now for reference Figure 8The diagram illustrates a cylinder block casting 14 equipped with an electric actuator 100. It should be understood that the cylinder block casting is configured for use with any of the inlet valve configurations and actuation principles discussed herein. The electric actuator 100 may be attached to a valve boss 72 and coupled to an inlet valve member 102. The inlet valve member 102 may be similar to or the same as the inlet valve member 80, or may have a different configuration. The electric actuator 100 includes an armature 104, a solenoid 106, and an electrical plug or connector 108 coupled to the valve member 102 for communicatively connecting to an engine control system. The electric actuator 100 is configured to move the inlet valve / valve member 102 from a closed position to an open position in a manner similar to that described in the above embodiments. In one embodiment, the valve member 102 is biased closed by a spring biaser, and the electric actuator 100 is energized to move the valve member 102 from a closed position relative to the biasing force of the spring biaser. In another implementation, the electric actuator 100 moves the valve member 102 between stop positions without the assistance of a spring biaser, or the valve member 102 can be biased open and electrically actuated to close. It should be understood that the invention is not limited to valve configuration or valve operation, and considers implementations where the inlet valve is purely passive, electrically actuated, or a combination of these strategies.

[0026] Industrial applicability

[0027] Referring generally to the accompanying drawings, it is worth recalling that engine 10 will be equipped with an oil pump. An implementation using a fixed displacement oil pump and operating linearly with engine speed is envisioned. At relatively low engine speeds, the oil pump's outlet pressure will act on the opening hydraulic surface 66, where the outlet oil pressure is delivered to the opening hydraulic surface 66 via the main oil passage 30 and the cross-hole 36. However, at relatively low engine speeds, the oil pressure may be insufficient to overcome the biasing force of the spring biaser 54. Consequently, the injection jet passage 32 will not be fluidly connected to the cross-hole 36, and oil will not be injected from the injection jet 38. However, as the engine speed increases sufficiently, the oil pressure acting on the opening hydraulic surface 66 will increase to a level sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the spring biaser 54, and fluidly connect the cross-hole 36 to the injection jet passage 32, thereby initiating oil injection through the injection jet 38.

[0028] In another embodiment, the engine 10 is equipped with an oil pump capable of changing its outlet pressure, such as an inlet metering oil pump, an outlet metering oil pump, or an oil pump otherwise operated to change the oil outlet pressure. Using an oil pump whose outlet pressure changes independently of engine speed, the pump can be operated as needed to increase or decrease the oil pressure, thereby controlling the injection of oil through the injection jet 38 by hydraulically controlling the opening or closing of the inlet valve.

[0029] Other embodiments employ an electric actuator 100. This embodiment using an electric actuator 100 can be implemented via an oil pump that operates linearly with engine speed, keeping the inlet valve closed to prevent fuel injection, except when fuel injection is required, by electrically actuating the inlet valve to open it. In yet another improvement, the electric actuator can be used in conjunction with a variable displacement oil pump that operates non-linearly with engine speed. In this improved embodiment, optimized flexibility regarding fuel injection can be achieved, where fuel injection pressure and timing can be correlated without limitation with a wide variety of different engine operating conditions.

[0030] This specification is for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications can be made to the currently disclosed embodiments without departing from the full and fair scope and spirit of the invention. Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and appended claims. As used herein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more”. The term “an” or similar terms are used where only one item is intended. Similarly, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” etc., are intended to be open-ended terms. Furthermore, unless expressly stated otherwise, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “at least partially based on.”

Claims

1. An engine (10), comprising: A cylinder body (12) having a plurality of cylinders (16) formed therein, the plurality of cylinders (16) extending between a top platform surface (18) and a bottom body surface (20) and arranged between a front body end (22) and a rear body end (24); The cylinder block (12) also has a main oil passage (30) formed therein, which extends longitudinally between the front end (22) and the rear end (24); a jet injection passage (32); a plurality of oil supply holes (34) fluidly connected to the jet injection passage (32); and a cross hole (36) fluidly connected to the main oil passage (30) and extending to the jet injection passage (32). Multiple oil jets (38), each of the multiple oil jets (38) being fluidly connected to one of the multiple oil supply holes (34), and directionally spraying oil upward into one of the multiple cylinders (16); as well as An inlet valve (50), supported in the cylinder body (12) and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the inlet valve (50) blocks each of the plurality of oil supply holes (34) from the cross hole (36). The jet channel (32) includes a front section (62) arranged to supply oil to the front group of the oil supply holes (34); and a rear section (64) arranged to supply oil to the rear group of the oil supply holes (34); and the oil inlet valve (50) includes a three-way valve fluidly positioned between the front section (62) and the rear section (64) of the jet channel (32).

2. The engine (10) according to claim 1 further comprises: A spring biaser (54) biases the oil inlet valve (50) toward the closed position; as well as An electric actuator (100) is connected to the oil inlet valve (50) and configured to move the oil inlet valve (50) from the closed position.

3. The engine (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The inlet valve (50) includes an opening hydraulic surface (66) exposed to fluid pressure in the cross-hole (36); The cylinder block (12) includes a crankcase (40), the main oil passage (30) is located on a first lateral side (26) of the crankcase (40), and the jet injection passage (32) is located on a second lateral side (28) of the crankcase (40); and The cylinder body (12) includes a cast-in valve body (68) forming a valve seat (70), and the open hydraulic surface (66) contacts the valve seat (70) in the closed position.

4. The engine (10) according to claim 2, wherein the oil inlet valve (50) includes an inner peripheral surface (85) that forms a spring sleeve (84) receiving the spring biaser (54).

5. A cylinder block (12), comprising: A cylinder body casting (14) having a plurality of cylinders (16) formed therein, the plurality of cylinders (16) extending between a top platform surface (18) and a bottom body surface (20) and arranged between a front body end (22) and a rear body end (24); The cylinder block casting (14) also has a main oil passage (30) formed therein, which extends longitudinally between the front end (22) and the rear end (24); a jet channel (32), which extends longitudinally between the front end (22) and the rear end (24); and a plurality of oil supply holes (34), each of the oil supply holes (34) opening from the jet channel (32) at a position longitudinally aligned with one of the plurality of cylinders (16); and a cross-hole (36), which is fluidly connected to the main oil passage (30) and extends to the jet channel (32); and The cylinder block casting (14) also includes an outer casting surface (46) and a cast valve body (68) forming a valve hole (74) extending from the cross hole (36) to the outer casting surface (46). The oil inlet valve (50) is supported in the cylinder body (12) and is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the oil inlet valve (50) blocks each of the plurality of oil supply holes (34) from the cross hole (36). The jet channel (32) includes a front section (62) arranged to supply oil to the front group of the oil supply holes (34); and a rear section (64) arranged to supply oil to the rear group of the oil supply holes (34); and the oil inlet valve (50) includes a three-way valve fluidly positioned between the front section (62) and the rear section (64) of the jet channel (32).

6. The cylinder block (12) according to claim 5, wherein The cast-in valve body (68) forms a valve seat (70) fluidly located between the cross hole (36) and the jet channel (32). The cylinder block casting (14) also forms a crankcase (40), the main oil passage (30) is located on the first lateral side (26) of the crankcase (40), and the jet injection passage (32) is located on the second lateral side (28) of the crankcase (40); and The cross hole (36) is fluidly connected to the jet channel (32) at a position in the longitudinal direction between the front group of oil supply holes (34) and the rear group of oil supply holes (34).

7. The cylinder block (12) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cross hole (36) defines a cross hole central axis, and the valve hole (74) defines a valve hole central axis intersecting the cross hole central axis.

8. The cylinder block (12) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the cast-in valve body (68) includes a protruding valve boss (72) having a boss end surface (86) that extends peripherally around the valve hole (74) and forms part of the outer casting surface (46).

9. An engine (10), comprising: A cylinder body (12) having a plurality of cylinders (16) formed therein, the plurality of cylinders (16) extending between a top platform surface (18) and a bottom body surface (20) and arranged between a front body end (22) and a rear body end (24); The cylinder block (12) also has a main oil passage (30) formed therein, which extends longitudinally between the front end (22) and the rear end (24); a jet channel (32); a plurality of oil supply holes (34), each of which is fluidly connected to the jet channel (32) and longitudinally aligned with one of the plurality of cylinders (16); and a cross hole (36) which is fluidly connected to the main oil passage (30) and extends to the jet channel (32). as well as An inlet valve (50), supported in the cylinder body (12) and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein in the closed position, the inlet valve (50) blocks each of the plurality of oil supply holes (34) from the cross hole (36). The jet channel (32) includes a front section (62) arranged to supply oil to the front group of the oil supply holes (34); and a rear section (64) arranged to supply oil to the rear group of the oil supply holes (34); and the oil inlet valve (50) includes a three-way valve fluidly positioned between the front section (62) and the rear section (64) of the jet channel (32).

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