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A lubrication system for an engine including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump also operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump

A lubrication system for an engine including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump also operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a system controller the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions.

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1. A lubrication system for an engine including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions,

1. A lubrication system for an engine including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a system controller, the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions.2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the main pump has a linear output relative to engine speed at least during selected engine operating conditions in which the main pump is operated and the auxiliary pump is inoperative or operating at a low output.3. A system according to claim 2 wherein the main pump is mechanically driven from an output member of the engine.4. A system according to claim 1 wherein there is provided a main lubricant conditioner in the main lubricant feed line.5. A system according to claim 4 wherein the lubricant conditioner includes at least one of a lubricant filter and a lubricant cooler.6. A system according to claim 1 wherein there is an auxiliary lubricant conditioner in the auxiliary feed line.7. A system according to claim 1 wherein there is a main lubricant inlet to the main pump and an auxiliary inlet to the auxiliary pump and a passage connecting the main feed line and the auxiliary inlet, an isolating valve in the connecting passage which in one position isolates the auxiliary pump inlet from the main feed line and in another position provides communication between the main feed line and the auxiliary pump inlet.8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the isolating valve is a 90° two position ball valve.9. A system according to claim 1 wherein the engine includes a main lubricant gallery from which lubricant passes to the first lubrication positions to lubricate bearings of the engine crankshaft, and a head gallery from which lubricant passes to the second lubrication positions to lubricate engine valve operating devices.10. A system according to claim 9 wherein the engine includes a secondary lubrication gallery from which lubricant passes to lubrication positions to lubricate and cool the undersides of pistons of the engine.11. A system according to claim 10 wherein a control valve is provided which is selectively operated by the lubrication system controller to allow lubricant to flow to the secondary lubrication gallery in selected operating conditions.12. A system according to claim 1 wherein the sump includes an integral mounting for at least one of the main and auxiliary pumps, and an integral mounting for a lubricant conditioner.13. A system according to claim 12 wherein there is a main lubricant inlet to the main pump and an auxiliary inlet to the auxiliary pump and a passage connecting the main feed line and the auxiliary inlet, an isolating valve in the connecting passage which in one position isolates the auxiliary pump inlet from the main feed line and in another position provides communication between the main feed line and the auxiliary pump inlet and wherein the sump includes an integral mounting for the isolating valve.14. A method of operating a lubrication system for an engine which includes a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant along a main feed path to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an electrically driven auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant along an auxiliary feed path to second lubrication positions within the engine, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, the method including, for selected engine operating conditions, operating the main pump with the auxiliary pump inoperative or operating to provide a low level output, and for alternative engine operating conditions operating the auxiliary pump or operating auxiliary pump to provide a higher output.15. A method according to claim 14 which includes operating the main pump with the auxiliary pump inoperative or operative to provide a low level output for engine speeds lower than a predetermined engine speed, and operating the main pump and operating or increasing the output of the auxiliary pump for engine speeds higher than a predetermined engine speed.16. A method according to claim 14 which includes operating the main pump with the auxiliary pump inoperative or operating to provide a low level output, and upon bringing into operation an additional lubricant-using service, continuing to operate the main pump and operating or increasing the output of the auxiliary pump.17. A method according to claim 16 wherein the engine includes a main lubricant gallery from which lubricant passes to the first lubrication positions to lubricate bearings of the engine crankshaft, and a head gallery from which lubricant passes to the second lubrication positions to lubricate engine valve operating devices, and a secondary lubrication gallery from which lubricant passes to lubrication positions to lubricate and cool the undersides of pistons of the engine, there being a control valve which is selectively operated by the lubrication system controller to allow lubricant to flow to the secondary gallery in selected operating conditions, the method including operating the control valve to permit lubricant pumped by the main pump to flow to the secondary gallery, and in alternative selected engine operating conditions operating the control valve to permit lubricant pumped by the auxiliary pump to flow to the secondary gallery.18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the engine includes a main lubricant gallery from which lubricant passes to the first lubrication positions to lubricate bearings of the engine crankshaft, and a head gallery from which lubricant passes to the second lubrication positions to lubricate engine valve operating devices including a variable valve timing device, the method including operating the main pump with the auxiliary pump inoperative or operating to provide a low output, when the variable valve timing device is inoperative, and when the variable valve timing device is operated, operating the main pump and operating or increasing the output of the auxiliary pump.19. A method according to claim 14 including prior to engine start-up or upon main pump failure, operating the auxiliary pump whilst opening the communication valve to allow the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the main feed line, and in normal engine operation, closing the communication valve so that the main feed line is fed with lubricant at least primarily from the main pump.20. A method of operating a lubrication system for an engine including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a system controller, the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, wherein in the event that the main pump fails, operating the auxiliary pump to provide a maximum flow of lubricant to the lubrication positions.21. A method according to claim 20 which includes providing an output to an engine management system to result in restriction of engine performance to below a pre-set level.22. The method of claim 20, further including the steps of providing a lubricant filter in one of the main lubricant feed line and the auxiliary feed line; sensing the lubricant pressure in the one lubricant feed line on either side of the filter, and comparing the pressures, and in the event that the pressure differential exceeds a threshold value providing a warning signal.23. A method of operating a lubrication system for an engine which includes a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant along a main feed line to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an electrically driven auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant along an auxiliary feed line to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, the method including, prior to engine start-up or upon main pump failure, operating the auxiliary pump whilst opening the communication valve to allow the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the main feed line, and in normal engine operation, closing the communication valve so that the main feed line is fed with lubricant at least primarily from the main pump.24. An engine including a lubrication system including a sump for lubricant, a main pump operable to pump lubricant to first lubrication positions within the engine, and an auxiliary lubricant pump operable to pump lubricant to second lubrication positions, different from said first lubrication positions, within the engine and wherein the auxiliary pump is an electrically driven pump which is controlled by a system controller, the output of the auxiliary pump being controlled according to engine operating conditions, the main pump in use, pumping lubricant to the first lubrication positions within the engine along a main lubricant feed line, and the auxiliary pump when operated pumping lubricant to the second lubrication positions within the engine along an auxiliary feed line, and wherein the main and auxiliary feed lines, are connected via a communication passage which includes a closeable communication valve, the communication valve when closed preventing the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions, and when open permitting the flow of lubricant from the auxiliary feed line to the first lubrication positions.