Engine Oil Passage Bypassing Cooler for Hydraulic Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional engines experience pressure loss in oil delivery to hydraulically-powered devices, leading to insufficient oil pressure at low engine speeds, which can increase engine size and cost, and reduce efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A branched oil passage system that bypasses the oil cooler, allowing oil to directly flow from the oil pump to the hydraulically-powered device, reducing pressure loss and enabling sufficient oil pressure even at low engine speeds, while using a smaller oil pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If oil is delivered through the oil cooler to the hydraulically-powered device, then the oil is cooled, but pressure loss increases and sufficient oil pressure cannot be obtained at low engine speeds
Solution Approach 1:
The oil delivery system is segmented into two separate paths: one path through the oil cooler for lubrication purposes, and another direct path bypassing the oil cooler for hydraulic actuation. This segmentation allows each path to be optimized for its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
A branched oil passage acts as an intermediary pathway that diverts oil directly from the oil pump to the hydraulically-powered device, bypassing the oil cooler. This intermediary path eliminates the pressure loss caused by the cooler while still allowing the cooler to perform its cooling function for other oil flows.
2Stress or pressure
If a large-volume oil pump is equipped to obtain sufficient oil pressure, then oil pressure is adequate, but the size and cost of the engine increase
Solution Approach 1:
The oil delivery function is segmented into two separate paths, allowing a smaller oil pump to be used since the total oil flow requirement is divided between lubrication and hydraulic actuation, with the direct path requiring less pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the flow parameters by creating a separate direct path that bypasses the high-resistance oil cooler, thereby reducing the pressure requirement for hydraulic actuation and allowing the use of a smaller, more efficient oil pump.
3Stress or pressure
If the rotations of the oil pump increase to obtain sufficient oil pressure, then oil pressure is adequate, but pumping losses increase and engine output efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The branched oil passage serves as an intermediary that provides a low-resistance path for hydraulic oil, reducing the work required by the oil pump and thereby decreasing pumping losses and improving engine efficiency.
4Stress or pressure
If an oil pump exclusively for the hydraulically-powered device is provided separately, then sufficient oil pressure is obtained, but the number of oil pumps increases leading to increased installation space and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The single oil pump is designed to serve multiple functions: it supplies oil for both lubrication (through the oil cooler) and hydraulic actuation (through the branched direct path). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate hydraulic pumps, reducing system complexity, installation space, and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The lubrication system and hydraulic actuation system are merged into a single integrated system that uses one oil pump, with oil flow divided between the two functions through the branched passage configuration.
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
This solution reduces engine size and cost, improves output efficiency by maintaining sufficient oil pressure for hydraulically-powered devices, and allows for easier maintenance and application to various engines.
Implementation Method 1
The oil cooler serves to water-cool or air-cool an outer wall of a sinuous oil passage thereof in which the oil flows to lower the temperature of the oil
Data Source
AI summary
An engine including an oil passage through which oil output from an oil pump flows, an oil cooler mounted to the oil passage, and a branched oil passage for a hydraulically-powered device of the engine that is configured to branch in a location of the oil passage extending from the oil pump to the oil cooler to deliver the oil to the hydraulically-powered device.