Engine Oil Pump Pressure Relief Valve Dynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fixed displacement oil pumps in engines fail to maintain optimal oil pressure across varying engine conditions, leading to inefficiencies in power consumption and fuel economy due to inadequate pressure at high temperature and low speed conditions and excessive pressure at high speed and low temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
An oil pump system with a pressure relief valve and biasing member that selectively provides low and high pressure relief through dedicated passages, allowing the pressure relief valve to translate and align with low and high pressure relief passages based on predetermined pressure values, thereby adjusting oil pump output to maintain optimal pressure across different engine conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the displacement of a fixed displacement oil pump is increased to improve oil pressure at high temperature and low engine speed, then oil pressure is improved, but power consumption increases and fuel economy degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a pressure relief valve mechanism that dynamically adjusts oil pressure based on operating conditions. The valve translates between different positions (first, second, third positions) to selectively align with low pressure relief passage or high pressure relief passage, enabling the system to adapt pressure output to match engine needs rather than operating at fixed high pressure
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the pressure parameter dynamically by using a biasing member (spring) that responds to pressure differential forces. When oil pressure exceeds a threshold, the pressure differential causes the valve to translate and shift from blocking the low pressure relief passage to aligning with it, thereby changing the output pressure parameter from high to low based on operating conditions
2Stress or pressure
If the displacement of a fixed displacement oil pump is increased to improve oil pressure at high temperature and low engine speed, then oil pressure is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve is segmented into functional zones with different passages (low pressure relief passage and high pressure relief passage) that can be selectively aligned. The valve body contains internal bores and slots that create distinct flow paths, allowing the system to provide different pressure relief functions through a single integrated component rather than requiring multiple separate systems
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief valve performs multiple functions: it acts as a check valve to prevent backflow, a pressure relief valve to limit maximum pressure, and a flow director to route oil through different passages. The single valve component replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high pressure capability
3Device complexity
If a conventional fixed displacement oil pump is used, then the system is simple, but oil pressure is insufficient at high temperature and low engine speed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure relief valve operates automatically based on pressure differential forces without requiring external control systems. The biasing member and pressure differential force create a self-regulating mechanism that responds to operating conditions in real-time, eliminating the need for sensors, actuators, or control electronics while maintaining adequate pressure across all operating conditions
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 ensures efficient oil pressure regulation across varying engine conditions, improving fuel economy by reducing power consumption and maintaining optimal oil flow, while minimizing complexity and cost by using a fixed displacement pump and eliminating the need for external controls.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member positioned in the second internal bore and configured to bias the pressure relief valve to a first position
Implementation Method 2
The biasing member can be positioned in the second internal bore and can bias the pressure relief valve to a first position
Implementation Method 3
pressurized oil from the pump outlet passage that flows into the first internal bore and into engagement with the internal wall member being greater than a first predetermined pressure value
Data Source
AI summary
An oil pump system can include a housing defining a pocket for an oil pump, a cavity, and a pump outlet passage connecting the pocket to the cavity. Low and high pressure relief passages can be defined by the housing for selectively fluidly coupling the cavity to a pressure relief area. A pressure relief valve positioned in the cavity can comprise first and second ends, first and second internal bores, and a slot in communication with the first internal bore. A biasing member positioned in the second internal bore can biasing the valve to a first position. The valve can translate to a second position aligning the slot with the low pressure relief passage to selectively provide low pressure relief to the oil pump, and can translate to a third position aligning the slot with the high pressure relief passage to selectively provide high pressure relief to the oil pump.