Oil tank of an internal combustion engine

Abstract

Oil tank (10) of an internal combustion engine, in particular for an internal combustion engine installed on a ship or an oil platform, wherein oil collected in the oil tank (10) for lubrication and optionally cooling of the internal combustion engine can be removed from the oil tank (10), conveyed towards the internal combustion engine and then returned from the internal combustion engine into the oil tank (10), with a central, closed oil chamber (11) from which oil can be sucked in and conveyed towards the internal combustion engine; with a first lateral, top-open oil chamber (17) which, depending on an inclined position of the oil container, is positioned diagonally above or alternatively diagonally below the central oil chamber (11), and with a second lateral, top-open oil chamber (18) which, depending on the inclined position of the oil container, is positioned diagonally below or alternatively diagonally above the central oil chamber (11), wherein oil can be returned from the internal combustion engine into the first lateral oil chamber (17) and / or into the second lateral oil chamber (18); with a valve (23) associated with the middle oil chamber (11), via which the middle oil chamber (11) can be vented depending on the inclination of the oil container (10), wherein the central oil chamber (11) is coupled to the first lateral oil chamber (17) and / or to the second lateral oil chamber (18) depending on the inclined position of the oil container (10) characterized in that the valve (23) assigned to the middle oil chamber (11) is opened or closed depending on the inclination of the oil tank (10), namely in such a way that when the inclination of the oil tank (10) is less than a limit value, the valve (23) is open, and when the inclination of the oil tank (10) is greater than a limit value, the valve (23) is closed.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an oil tank of an internal combustion engine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] An internal combustion engine has an oil reservoir, typically designed as an oil pan, in which oil can be collected to lubricate and, if necessary, cool components of the internal combustion engine. The oil collected in the oil reservoir can be fed from the oil reservoir to the relevant components of the internal combustion engine for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling. The oil can then be fed from the respective components of the internal combustion engine back into the oil reservoir. In an internal combustion engine of the so-called Holeby type, the oil expelled from the internal combustion engine runs directly from the internal combustion engine down into the oil reservoir. In an internal combustion engine of the so-called Augsburg type, the oil is pumped from the internal combustion engine towards the oil reservoir via a pipe.

[0003] Particularly in so-called offshore applications on board a ship or on board an oil platform, it is required that an internal combustion engine installed there can continue to operate even at a permanent inclination of up to 25°. With oil tanks known from the state of the art, the problem is that in such an inclination the oil collected in the oil tank either backs up into the internal combustion engine or that no more oil can be sucked out of the oil tank. If the oil backs up into the internal combustion engine, parts of the internal combustion engine are flooded with oil, which impairs its functioning. If no more oil can be sucked in, the internal combustion engine is damaged due to a lack of lubrication and, in some cases, cooling.

[0004] The problem that conventional oil tanks can no longer ensure a sufficient oil supply to the engine at such an inclined position becomes more severe with increasing engine length or the number of cylinders. In principle, the above-mentioned problem of the inclined position can be addressed with a higher-mounted oil tank, but this is impractical due to limited space.

[0005] DE 23 44 949 A1 discloses an oil tank of an internal combustion engine according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] DE 725 831 A and DE 20 14 916 A disclose further prior art.

[0007] There is therefore a need for an oil tank for an internal combustion engine that enables a defined oil supply to the internal combustion engine even when the engine is tilted, thus preventing oil from backing up into the internal combustion engine on the one hand and ensuring that oil can be sucked out of the oil tank on the other.

[0008] Based on this, the present invention is based on the object of creating a novel oil tank for an internal combustion engine.

[0009] This object is achieved by an oil container according to claim 1.

[0010] The oil tank has a central, closed oil chamber from which oil can be sucked in and pumped towards the internal combustion engine.

[0011] The oil tank further comprises a first lateral, top-open oil chamber, which is positioned diagonally above or alternatively diagonally below the central oil chamber depending on an inclined position of the oil tank, and a second lateral, top-open oil chamber, which is positioned diagonally below or alternatively diagonally above the central oil chamber depending on the inclined position of the oil tank, wherein oil can be returned from the internal combustion engine into the first lateral oil chamber and / or into the second lateral oil chamber.

[0012] The oil tank further comprises a valve associated with the central oil chamber, via which the central oil chamber can be vented depending on the inclination of the oil tank, wherein the central oil chamber is coupled to the first lateral oil chamber and / or to the second lateral oil chamber depending on the inclination of the oil tank.

[0013] The oil reservoir ensures a smooth supply of oil for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling, even when the engine is tilted. This prevents oil from backing up into the engine when tilted. It also prevents oil from being sucked from the oil tank when the engine is tilted.

[0014] According to the invention, the valve associated with the middle oil chamber is opened or closed depending on the inclination of the oil tank, namely in such a way that when the inclination of the oil tank is less than a limit value, the valve is open, and when the inclination of the oil tank is greater than a limit value, the valve is closed.The two lateral oil chambers are coupled to the central oil chamber depending on the inclination of the oil reservoir in such a way that when the inclination of the oil reservoir is less than a limit value, both lateral oil chambers are coupled to the central oil chamber; when the inclination of the oil reservoir is greater than the limit value and the first lateral oil chamber is arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber, only the first lateral oil chamber is coupled to the central oil chamber; and when the inclination of the oil reservoir is greater than the limit value and the second lateral oil chamber is arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber, only the second lateral oil chamber is coupled to the central oil chamber. This allows the internal combustion engine to be optimally supplied with oil for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling, even when the internal combustion engine is at an inclination.

[0015] According to an advantageous development, the first lateral oil chamber can be coupled to the central oil chamber via a first connecting pipe to which a first shut-off element is assigned, depending on the inclined position of the oil container, wherein the second lateral oil chamber can be coupled to the central oil chamber via a second connecting pipe to which a second shut-off element is assigned, depending on the inclined position of the oil container.

[0016] The two shut-off elements are open or closed depending on the inclination of the oil tank. This is so that when the inclination of the oil tank is less than a limit value, both shut-off elements are open. When the inclination of the oil tank is greater than the limit value and the first lateral oil chamber is arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber, the second shut-off element is closed and the first shut-off element is open. When the inclination of the oil tank is greater than the limit value and the second lateral oil chamber is arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber, the first shut-off element is closed and the second shut-off element is open. This design is simple and ensures that the internal combustion engine is optimally supplied with the oil required for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling, even when the internal combustion engine and thus the oil tank are at an inclination.

[0017] Preferably, the first connecting pipe opens into the first lateral oil chamber adjacent to a bottom wall of the first lateral oil chamber, the second connecting pipe opening into the second lateral oil chamber adjacent to a bottom wall of the second lateral oil chamber, and an oil suction pipe, via which oil can be sucked in from the central oil chamber, opens into the middle of the central oil chamber approximately in the middle and / or adjacent to a bottom wall of the central oil chamber. The first connecting pipe and the second connecting pipe each open into the middle oil chamber adjacent to a ceiling wall of the central oil chamber. This improves the transfer of oil from the lateral oil chambers into the central oil chamber when the vehicle is in an inclined position, as well as the suction of oil from the central oil chamber when the vehicle is in an inclined position.

[0018] Preferably, above the central oil chamber there is a section of the oil container which is open at the top and extends between the two lateral oil chambers and which connects the two lateral oil chambers to one another.

[0019] This ensures that oil exchange between the side oil chambers can be ensured when the vehicle is in an inclined position, namely because oil flows from the respective side oil chamber, which is arranged diagonally above the middle oil chamber when the vehicle is in an inclined position, via the section running above the middle oil chamber into the side oil chamber, which is arranged diagonally below the middle oil chamber when the vehicle is in an inclined position.

[0020] Preferred developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description. Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail, without being limited thereto, with reference to the drawings. Herein: Fig. 1: a perspective view of an oil tank of an internal combustion engine according to the invention; Fig. 2: a side view of the oil container according to the invention; Fig. 3: the oil container according to the invention in normal position; and Fig. 4: the oil container according to the invention in an inclined position.

[0021] The invention relates to an oil tank for an internal combustion engine.

[0022] The oil tank according to the invention is used in particular in an internal combustion engine installed on a ship or on an oil platform. In such an internal combustion engine, operation of the internal combustion engine must be maintained even when the engine is permanently tilted. Therefore, when the internal combustion engine, and thus the oil tank, is permanently tilted, the internal combustion engine must be supplied with oil from the oil tank in a defined manner for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling.

[0023] Fig. 1 to 4 show different views and details of an oil tank 10 according to the invention for an internal combustion engine, wherein oil collected in the oil tank 10 for lubrication and optionally cooling of the internal combustion engine can be removed from the oil tank, conveyed towards the internal combustion engine and then returned from the internal combustion engine into the oil tank 10.

[0024] In Fig. 1 to 4, an internal combustion engine in which the oil tank 10 according to the invention can be used is not shown. It should be noted that the internal combustion engine can be either a so-called Holeby-type internal combustion engine or an Augsburg-type internal combustion engine. In a Holeby-type internal combustion engine, the oil supplied for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling of the internal combustion engine then flows downwards from the internal combustion engine directly into the oil tank 10. In an Augsburg-type internal combustion engine, the oil is supplied from the internal combustion engine to the oil tank 10 via at least one pipe.

[0025] The top-open oil container 10 according to the invention has a central oil chamber 11, which is designed as a closed oil chamber, wherein oil can be sucked in from the central oil chamber 11 and conveyed towards the internal combustion engine. For this purpose, an oil intake pipe 12 serves, through which oil can be sucked in from the central oil chamber 11. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the oil intake pipe 12 opens into the central oil chamber 11 approximately in the middle of the central oil chamber 11 and adjacent to a bottom wall 13 of the central oil chamber 11. An opening region 14 of this oil intake pipe 12, through which oil can be sucked in from the central oil chamber 11 and supplied for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling of the internal combustion engine, is accordingly positioned in a central section of the central oil chamber 11 adjacent to the bottom wall 13 of the same.

[0026] The closed, central oil chamber 11 is not only delimited by the bottom wall 13, but also by side walls 15 and a ceiling wall 16.

[0027] The top-open oil tank 10 further comprises a first lateral, top-open oil chamber 17 and a second lateral, top-open oil chamber 18, wherein the first lateral oil chamber 17 is arranged on a first side of the central, closed oil chamber 11 and the second lateral oil chamber 18 is arranged on an opposite second side of the central oil chamber 11. These two lateral oil chambers 17, 18 are not closed, but rather open at the top, wherein an top-open section 29 of the oil tank 10 extends above the ceiling wall 16 of the closed, central oil chamber 11, which section couples or connects the two lateral, top-open oil chambers 17, 18 to one another.

[0028] Depending on the inclination of the oil container 10, the first lateral oil chamber 17 is positioned either diagonally above or alternatively diagonally below the central oil chamber 11. Accordingly, the second lateral oil chamber 18 is positioned either diagonally below or alternatively diagonally above the central oil chamber 11, depending on the inclination of the oil container 10. In the Fig. 4, the first lateral oil chamber 17 is positioned obliquely above the central oil chamber 11 and the second lateral oil chamber 18 is positioned obliquely below the same.

[0029] As already explained above, the oil required for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling of the internal combustion engine can be drawn from the area of ​​the central oil chamber 11 via the oil intake pipe 12. Oil leaving the internal combustion engine can be fed to one or both of the two lateral oil chambers 17, 18, both in an internal combustion engine of the so-called Holeby type and in an internal combustion engine of the so-called Augsburger type.

[0030] As already explained, the two lateral oil chambers 17, 18 are open. Accordingly, they do not have a ceiling wall. Rather, they are bounded exclusively by a bottom wall 19, 20 and side walls 21, 22. The lateral oil chambers 17, 18 are separated from the central oil chamber 11, in particular by the side walls 15.

[0031] A valve 23 is assigned to the central oil chamber 11, via which the central oil chamber 11 can be vented depending on the inclination of the oil tank 10. When the inclination of the oil tank 10 is less than a certain limit value, i.e., in particular, when the oil tank 10 is not inclined or only slightly inclined but in a normal position, the valve 23 is open. However, when the inclination of the oil tank 10 is greater than a certain limit value, the valve 23 is closed.

[0032] The central oil chamber 11 is further coupled to the first lateral oil chamber 17 and / or the second lateral oil chamber 18 depending on the inclination of the oil container 10. If the inclination of the oil container 10 is less than a threshold value, both lateral oil chambers 17, 18 are coupled to the central oil chamber 11. In this case, the oil level in all oil chambers 11, 17, and 18 is identical (see Fig. 3). In this case, all oil chambers 11, 17, and 18 are connected to each other, and the pressure between them is equalized. The open valve 23 allows pressure equalization of the central oil chamber 11 to the environment. If the inclination of the oil reservoir 10 is greater than the limit value and the first lateral oil chamber 17 is arranged diagonally above the central oil chamber 11 (see Fig. 4), only the second lateral oil chamber 18 is coupled to the central oil chamber 11, while the first lateral oil chamber 17 is separated from the central oil chamber 11. If the inclination of the oil container 10 is reversed, i.e., greater than the limit value, with the second lateral oil chamber 18 then positioned obliquely above the central oil chamber 11 (not shown), then only the first lateral oil chamber 17 is coupled to the central oil chamber 11, while the second lateral oil chamber 18 is then separated from the central oil chamber 11.

[0033] The coupling of the central oil chamber 11 with the two lateral oil chambers 17, 18, depending on the inclined position of the oil container 10, is carried out via connecting pipes 24, 25 and via shut-off devices 26, 27 interacting with the connecting pipes 24, 25. Fig. 1, the first lateral oil chamber 17 can be coupled to the central oil chamber 11 via a first connecting pipe 24, to which a first shut-off element 26 is assigned. The second lateral oil chamber 18 can be coupled to the central oil chamber 11 via a second connecting pipe 25 and a shut-off element 27 assigned to the second connecting pipe 25.

[0034] For this purpose, the two shut-off elements 26 and 27 are open or closed depending on the inclination of the oil tank 10. If the inclination of the oil tank 10 is less than a limit value, both shut-off elements 26 and 27 are open, so that the central oil chamber 11 is then coupled to both lateral oil chambers 17, 18 via the two connecting pipes 24, 25. If the inclination of the oil tank 10 is greater than the limit value and, furthermore, the first lateral oil chamber 17 is arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber 11, the first shut-off element 26 is open and the second shut-off element 27 is closed, so that only the first lateral oil chamber 17 is then coupled to the central oil chamber 11.If the inclination of the oil tank 10 is reversed, i.e., greater than the limit value, with the second lateral oil chamber 18 being arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber 11, the first shut-off element 26 is closed and the second shut-off element 27 is opened, so that only the second lateral oil chamber 18 is coupled to the central oil chamber 11. When the oil tank 10 reaches the position shown in . Fig. 3, all oil chambers 11, 17 and 18 are coupled to each other when the shut-off elements 25 and 26 are open and when the valve 23 is open. When the oil container 10 assumes the inclined position of the Fig. 4, the valve 23 is closed, the shut-off element 27 is open and the shut-off element 26 is closed, so that the middle oil chamber 11 is then coupled to the second lateral oil chamber 18, which is positioned obliquely below the middle oil chamber 11.

[0035] Then, when the oil container 10 reaches the Fig. 4 and the shut-off element 26 is closed, the shut-off element 27 is open and the valve 23 is closed, oil expelled from the internal combustion engine can collect in the lateral oil chambers 17, 18, whereby oil which can no longer be absorbed in the oil chamber 17 positioned diagonally above the central oil chamber 11 flows diagonally downwards via the section 29 into the lateral oil chamber 18 positioned diagonally below the central oil chamber 11.

[0036] Oil required for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling in the internal combustion engine is sucked in from the central oil chamber 11 via the oil intake pipe 12, whereby a negative pressure is created in the central oil chamber 11, which ensures that oil is fed from the lateral oil chamber 18 arranged diagonally below the central oil chamber 11 into the central oil chamber 11.

[0037] As already explained above, the opening region 14 of the oil intake pipe 12 is positioned adjacent to the bottom wall 13 of the central oil chamber 11. The first connecting pipe 24 and the second connecting pipe 25 each open into the two lateral chambers 17, 18 adjacent to the bottom walls 19 and 20 of the same. Furthermore, the two connecting pipes 24, 25 open into the central oil chamber 11 adjacent to the top wall 16 of the same. This ensures particularly advantageous oil flow and / or oil exchange between the oil chambers 11, 17, 18, depending on the inclination of the oil container 10.

[0038] The two lateral, top-open oil chambers 17, 18 are relatively small in volume compared to the central, closed oil chamber 11. The central oil chamber 11 is therefore relatively large in volume compared to the two lateral oil chambers 17, 18.

[0039] According to the invention, it is possible to ensure an optimal supply of oil to the internal combustion engine for lubrication and, if necessary, cooling, even when the oil reservoir 10 is tilted, with a low overall height. There is no risk of oil backing up into the area of ​​the internal combustion engine when tilted.

[0040] As already explained, the opening and closing of the shut-off elements 26 and 27 as well as the valve 23 depends on the inclination of the oil tank 10 and thus on the inclination of the internal combustion engine to be operated. In this context, it can be provided to measure the inclination, for example, via an inclination sensor, and to open or close the shut-off elements 26, 27 and the valve 23 depending on this. Fig.1 to 4, actuators 28 are assigned to the shut-off elements 26 and 27, via which the shut-off elements 26 and 27 can be opened and closed depending on the inclination of the oil tank 10. Such an actuator can also be assigned to the valve 23 in order to open or close it depending on the inclination of the oil tank. List of reference symbols 10 oil containers 11 Oil chamber 12 Oil intake pipe 13 Floor wall 14 Mouth area 15 Side wall 16 Ceiling wall 17 Oil chamber 18 Oil chamber 19 Floor wall 20 floor wall 21 Side wall 22 side wall 23 Valve 24 connecting pipe 25 connecting pipe 26 Shut-off element 27 Shut-off element 28 Actuator Section 29

Claims

[1] Oil tank (10) of an internal combustion engine, in particular for an internal combustion engine installed on a ship or an oil platform, wherein oil collected in the oil tank (10) for the lubrication and, if necessary, cooling of the internal combustion engine can be removed from the oil tank (10), conveyed in the direction of the internal combustion engine and then returned from the internal combustion engine into the oil tank (10), with a central, closed oil chamber (11) from which oil can be sucked in and conveyed towards the internal combustion engine; with a first lateral, top-open oil chamber (17) which, depending on an inclined position of the oil container, is positioned diagonally above or alternatively diagonally below the central oil chamber (11), and with a second lateral, top-open oil chamber (18) which, depending on the inclined position of the oil container, is positioned diagonally below or alternatively diagonally above the central oil chamber (11), wherein oil can be returned from the internal combustion engine into the first lateral oil chamber (17) and / or into the second lateral oil chamber (18); with a valve (23) associated with the middle oil chamber (11), via which the middle oil chamber (11) can be vented depending on the inclination of the oil container (10), wherein the central oil chamber (11) is coupled to the first lateral oil chamber (17) and / or to the second lateral oil chamber (18) depending on the inclined position of the oil container (10) characterized by , that the valve (23) assigned to the middle oil chamber (11) is opened or closed depending on the inclination of the oil tank (10), namely in such a way that when the inclination of the oil tank (10) is less than a limit value, the valve (23) is open, and when the inclination of the oil tank (10) is greater than a limit value, the valve (23) is closed. [2] Oil tank according to claim 1, characterized bythat the two lateral oil chambers (17, 18) are coupled to the central oil chamber (11) depending on the inclined position of the oil container (10) in such a way that when the inclined position of the oil container (10) is less than a limit value, both lateral oil chambers (17, 18) are coupled to the central oil chamber (11), that when the inclined position of the oil container (10) is greater than the limit value and the first lateral oil chamber (17) is arranged obliquely below the central oil chamber, exclusively the first lateral oil chamber (17) is coupled to the central oil chamber (11), and that when the inclined position of the oil container (10) is greater than the limit value and the second lateral oil chamber (18) is arranged obliquely below the central oil chamber, exclusively the second lateral oil chamber 18 is coupled to the central oil chamber (11). [3] Oil tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the first lateral oil chamber (17) can be coupled to the central oil chamber (11) via a first connecting pipe (24) to which a first shut-off element (26) is assigned, depending on the inclined position of the oil container (10), and that the second lateral oil chamber (18) can be coupled to the central oil chamber (11) via a second connecting pipe (25) to which a second shut-off element (27) is assigned, depending on the inclined position of the oil container (10). [4] Oil tank according to claim 3, characterized by that the first connecting pipe (24) opens into a bottom wall (19) of the first lateral oil chamber (17) adjacent to the same, and that the second connecting pipe (25) opens into a bottom wall (20) of the second lateral oil chamber (18) adjacent to the same. [5] Oil tank according to claim 3 or 4, characterized bythat the first connecting pipe (24) and the second connecting pipe (25) each open into a ceiling wall (16) of the central oil chamber (11) adjacent to the same. [6] Oil tank according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat the two shut-off elements (26, 27) are opened or closed depending on the inclined position of the oil container, namely in such a way that when the inclined position of the oil container (10) is less than a limit value, both shut-off elements (26, 27) are open, that when the inclined position of the oil container (10) is greater than the limit value and the first lateral oil chamber (17) is arranged obliquely below the central oil chamber (11), the second shut-off element (27) is closed and the first shut-off element (26) is open, and that when the inclined position of the oil container (10) is greater than the limit value and the second lateral oil chamber (18) is arranged obliquely below the central oil chamber (11), the first shut-off element (26) is closed and the second shut-off element (27) is open. [7] Oil tank according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized bythat an oil suction pipe (12), via which oil can be sucked out of the central oil chamber (11), opens into the central oil chamber (11) approximately in the middle and / or adjacent to a bottom wall (13) of the central oil chamber (11). [8] Oil tank according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by that above the central oil chamber (11) there is a section (29) of the oil container which extends between the two lateral oil chambers (17) and which connects the two lateral oil chambers (18) to one another. [9] Oil tank according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by that the middle oil chamber (11) is designed to be relatively large in volume compared to the first lateral oil chamber (17) and the second lateral oil chamber (18).

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