Engine lubrication system with decreased power draw
US5474041A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 28, 1994 |
| Grant date | Dec 12, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 28, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF01M9/102
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides for automatic relief of excess pressure within an engine lubrication system in such a way as to recover a significant portion of the energy that was used to create the excess oil pressure. A pressure regulator creates a directed flow of oil in order to relieve pressure within the lubrication system. This directed flow of oil is caused to impact an impulse/momentum wheel, thereby imparting momentum from the oil to the wheel, creating a torque therein. The impulse/momentum wheel is advantageously coupled to the engine gear train, thereby reducing the engine power required to run the gear train by recovering energy from the lubrication system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.