Cold Start Lubricant Distribution System for Work Vehicles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cold start conditions in work vehicles lead to lubricant stacking and inadequate lubrication in actively-lubricated assemblies, resulting in component wear and maintenance issues, as the high viscosity of lubricant hinders its distribution and causes low oil levels in some assemblies.
Innovation Solution
A cold start lubricant distribution system that includes a flow divider section and a lubricant flow modification assembly with a shutoff valve and pressure balance valve, which reduces lubricant flow to prone assemblies and increases pump output pressure to accelerate lubricant warming, preventing stacking and ensuring adequate lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If lubricant is circulated through all actively-lubricated assemblies during cold start, then all assemblies receive lubrication, but lubricant stacking occurs in certain assemblies causing low oil levels in others
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts lubricant flow distribution based on operating conditions. During cold start, the flow divider section modifies its flow splitting ratio to prevent stacking in specific assemblies. The shutoff valve dynamically closes to block flow to assemblies prone to stacking, while the pressure balance valve adjusts pressure distribution to accelerate warming and ensure adequate lubrication to all assemblies as conditions change
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of lubricant flow during cold start operation. The pressure balance valve increases pump output pressure to accelerate lubricant warming and improve flow characteristics. The flow divider section changes flow distribution parameters to account for varying viscosity and flow characteristics of cold lubricant, preventing stacking while ensuring all assemblies receive adequate lubrication
2Temperature
If pump output pressure is increased to accelerate lubricant warming, then lubricant viscosity decreases and flow improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies periodic or conditional pressure increases rather than continuous high pressure operation. The pressure balance valve increases pump output pressure specifically during cold start conditions to accelerate warming, then returns to normal operating pressure once lubricant temperature reaches adequate levels, reducing energy consumption while still achieving the warming objective
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively prevents lubricant stacking and accelerates lubricant warming, maintaining optimal lubrication and reducing maintenance needs by adjusting lubricant flow and pressure in cold start conditions.
Implementation Method 1
increases pump output pressure to accelerate lubricant warming
Implementation Method 2
the shutoff valve blocks lubricant flow to the first actively-lubricated work vehicle assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a cold start lubricant distribution system include a lubricant distribution circuit, which fluidly interconnects first and second actively-lubricated work vehicle assemblies onboard a work vehicle. A flow divider section is included in the lubricant distribution circuit and through which lubricant flow is apportioned between the first and second actively-lubricated work vehicle assemblies. A lubricant supply pump is further located in the lubricant distribution circuit upstream of the flow divider section. The cold start lubricant distribution system further includes a lubricant flow modification assembly operably in a cold start mode. When operating in the cold start mode, the lubricant flow modification assembly reduces a volume of lubricant flow supplied to the first actively-lubricated work vehicle assembly through the flow divider section relative to a volume of lubricant flow supplied to the second actively-lubricated work vehicle assembly through the flow divider section.