Oil Supply System with Return Line Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing oil supply systems with additional oil tanks often result in a short oil residence time, leading to inefficient oil circulation and potential pressure increases due to gas accumulation.

Innovation Solution

The oil supply system incorporates a return line positioned near the ground or bottom of the oil tank for improved oil mixing and gas removal, utilizing a ventilation line to release dissolved gases into the crankcase, and includes a check valve to prevent reservoir emptying when the engine is stopped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the return line is positioned near the cover of the oil tank, then gas removal is facilitated, but oil residence time remains short

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas accumulationVSAvoidoil residence time
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The return line is divided into two separate lines: a first return line positioned near the cover for gas removal, and a second return line positioned near the bottom for oil withdrawal. This segmentation allows each line to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other objective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A ventilation line is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the oil tank to the crankcase, providing a dedicated pathway for gas removal while allowing the oil to remain in the tank for extended circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Duration of action of moving object

If the oil tank volume is increased to extend residence time, then oil circulation efficiency improves, but system complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil residence timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing the entire oil tank volume, the invention positions the return line withdrawal near the ground/bottom of the tank. This local modification creates extended residence time by utilizing the vertical height of the existing tank, avoiding the need for a larger tank or more complex system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If the return line withdrawal is near the ground, then oil mixing is improved and residence time extended, but gas removal becomes less efficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoil residence timeVSAvoidgas accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The return line is divided into two separate lines: a first return line positioned near the cover for gas removal, and a second return line positioned near the bottom for oil withdrawal. This segmentation allows each line to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other objective.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A ventilation line is introduced as an intermediary component that connects the oil tank to the crankcase, providing a dedicated pathway for gas removal while allowing the oil to remain in the tank for extended circulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 configuration extends the oil's residence time in the additional oil tank, prevents gas-induced pressure increases, and ensures continuous lubrication during engine startup, enhancing the overall efficiency and reliability of the oil circulation system.

Implementation Method 1

The supply line flows near the ground at least one oil tank. This measure causes a favorable flow and mixing of the oil tank, since the oil from the combustion machine occurs with a high temperature and with gas loading. This has the tendency to rise in the oil tank.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Implementation Method 2

a ventilation line is provided that connects the oil reservoir to the return line, in which gases dissolved in the oil are inserted into a crankcase of the combustion machine together with the return line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas dissolution and release:

Implementation Method 3

a check valve is installed in the feed line between the focal engine and the oil reservoir. A check valve prevents the oil reservoir from emptying the oil reservoir when the combustion engine is stopped

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCheck valve mechanism: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3314100B1Oil supply system for an internal combustion engine
Publication Date: 2023.01.11 GE JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
  • EP3314100B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

Oil supply system from internal combustion engine (1), wherein an internal oil sump (2) is arranged inside the internal combustion engine (1), wherein the oil supply system additionally comprises at least one external oil reservoir (3) arranged outside the internal combustion engine, opposite the internal oil sump (2) of the internal combustion engine (1), wherein a supply line (4) is provided to be connected with the internal combustion engine (1), which leads to a filling opening (5) of the oil reservoir (3) and wherein a return line (6) is provided to be connected with the internal combustion engine, through which oil (O) can be returned from the oil reservoir (3) to the internal combustion engine (1), wherein the return line (6) is connected to the oil reservoir (3) and wherein the oil reservoir (3) comprises at least one oil tank (7), wherein an extraction opening (8) of the return line (6) is arranged near the floor or in the floor of the at least one oil tank (7).