Pressure Regulating Arrangement for Piston Engine Lubrication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large internal combustion engines face energy wastage due to over-sized lubricating oil pumps that maintain excessive flow rates and pressures, even in conditions where lower pressures are sufficient, leading to inefficient energy use.
Innovation Solution
A pressure regulating arrangement with multiple pressure-controlled control valves and an actively controllable valve system that adjusts lubricating oil pressure based on engine operating conditions, allowing for three distinct pressure levels to optimize energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If over-sized lubricating oil pumps are used to ensure sufficient lubrication in harsh operating conditions, then the lubrication reliability is improved, but the energy consumption increases due to excessive flow rates and pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the pump system adjustable through multiple control valves (first and second control valves) that can dynamically change the pump discharge pressure based on operating conditions. The pump pressure is no longer fixed but can be actively regulated to match actual lubrication needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high pressure for reliability and reducing pressure for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter dynamically by using control valves with different set pressures. The system can switch between different pressure levels (first set pressure and second set pressure) depending on whether the engine is operating in harsh or mild conditions, allowing the system to optimize energy consumption while maintaining adequate lubrication pressure for each operating mode.
2Reliability
If high lubricating oil pressure is maintained at all times, then the lubrication of components is ensured under harsh conditions, but energy is wasted during easier operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pressure based on actual needs by using control valves that can switch between different pressure states. During easier operating conditions, the control valves redirect pump discharge to lower pressure paths, while during harsh conditions, they enable high pressure delivery, thus eliminating energy waste while maintaining component lubrication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the pressure control into multiple independent control valves (first control valve and second control valve), each capable of operating at different pressure levels. This segmentation allows the system to select appropriate pressure levels for different operating conditions, preventing energy waste during mild operations while ensuring adequate pressure for harsh conditions.
3Use of energy by moving object
If multiple control valves are added to enable dynamic pressure regulation, then energy efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control functions into a coordinated valve system where the first and second control valves work together to manage pressure regulation. By combining these control functions in an integrated manner with coordinated operation, the system achieves energy efficiency through dynamic pressure adjustment while managing the complexity through unified control logic rather than entirely separate systems.
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 efficiently adjusts lubricating oil pressure to match engine needs, reducing energy consumption by allowing lower pressure levels when sufficient, thus optimizing energy use and maintaining adequate lubrication even in harsh conditions.
Implementation Method 1
configured to move from a closed position to an open position when a control pressure at the first control valve exceeds a first predetermined limit value
Implementation Method 2
a pressure relief valve including a housing having a bore having a piston and a spring received therein
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The pressure regulating arrangement for a lubricating system of a piston engine comprises a pressure regulating valve (16) for releasing pressure from a lubricating oil line (4), a first control valve (19), which is con- figured to open when a control pressure at the valve (19) exceeds a first predetermined limit value, and a second control valve (20), which is configured to open when a control pressure exceeds a second predetermined limit value, which is lower than the first predetermined limit value, wherein the opening of a control valve (19, 20) is configured to allow opening of the pressure regulating valve (16). The arrangement further comprises a control line (17) for transmitting control pressure from the lubricating oil line (4) to the first control valve (19) and an actively controllable valve (25) for opening and closing fluid communication be- tween the control line (17) and the second control valve (20).