Power system with an integrated lubrication circuit
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
F01M-001/04
F01M-001/00
출원번호
UP-0738169
(2003-12-18)
등록번호
US-7614381
(2009-11-23)
발명자
/ 주소
Hoff, Brian D.
Akasam, Sivaprasad
Algrain, Marcelo C.
Johnson, Kris W.
Lane, William H.
출원인 / 주소
Caterpillar Inc.
대리인 / 주소
Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
9
초록
A power system includes an engine having a first lubrication circuit and at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit. The first lubrication circuit is in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit.
대표청구항▼
What is claimed is: 1. A power system, comprising: an engine having a first lubrication circuit inside the engine; at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit inside the auxiliary power unit and configured to lubricate moving parts of the auxiliary power unit, the first lu
What is claimed is: 1. A power system, comprising: an engine having a first lubrication circuit inside the engine; at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit inside the auxiliary power unit and configured to lubricate moving parts of the auxiliary power unit, the first lubrication circuit being in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit; and a controllable valve operable to selectively allow fluid flow between the first lubrication circuit and the second lubrication circuit. 2. The power system of claim 1, further including: a first pump configured to pump oil from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit; and wherein the controllable valve is disposed between the first pump and the second lubrication circuit, and the controllable valve is movable between a first position where oil from the first pump is allowed to flow to the second lubrication circuit and a second position where oil is blocked from flowing from the first pump to the second lubrication circuit. 3. The power system of claim 2, wherein the controllable valve is moved from the second position to the first position after a predetermined period of operation of the at least one auxiliary power unit. 4. The power system of claim 2, further including a restrictive orifice disposed between the first pump and the at least one auxiliary power unit, the restrictive orifice configured to control the flow rate of pressurized oil pumped from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit. 5. The power system of claim 2, wherein the pump is electrically driven. 6. The power system of claim 2, further including: a second pump configured to pump oil from the second lubrication circuit to the first lubrication circuit; a first oil sump operatively connected to the engine; and a second oil sump operatively connected to the at least one auxiliary power unit, the first pump being configured to pump oil into the second oil sump and the second pump being configured to pump oil into the first oil sump. 7. A method of refreshing and utilizing an oil supply in a power system including at least one auxiliary power unit having an auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit, and an engine having an engine lubrication circuit, the method comprising: pumping oil from the auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit to the engine lubrication circuit; pressurizing oil in the engine lubrication circuit; selectively allowing pressurized oil to flow from the engine lubrication circuit to the auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit in response to a condition of the auxiliary power unit; and utilizing the auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit to lubricate moving parts of the auxiliary power unit. 8. The method of claim 7, further including restricting a flow rate of the pressurized oil. 9. The method of claim 7, further including: sensing an oil level in the auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit; and initiating the step of selectively allowing the pressurized fluid to flow in response to sensing that the oil level is below a predetermined level. 10. A power system, comprising: an engine having a first lubrication circuit; at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit, the first lubrication circuit being in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit; a first pump configured to pump oil from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit; a controllable valve disposed between the first lubrication circuit and the second lubrication circuit, wherein the controllable valve is disposed between the first pump and the second lubrication circuit, and the controllable valve is movable between a first position where oil from the first pump is allowed to flow to the second lubrication circuit and a second position where oil is blocked from flowing from the first pump to the second lubrication circuit; an oil level indicator configured to generate a signal indicative of an oil level in the second lubrication circuit; and a controller operable to receive the signal and configured to move the controllable valve from the second position to the first position when the signal indicates an oil level below a predetermined level. 11. A method of refreshing and utilizing an oil supply in a power system including at least one auxiliary power unit having an auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit, and an engine having an engine lubrication circuit, the method comprising: pumping oil from the auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit to the engine lubrication circuit; pressurizing oil in the engine lubrication circuit; tracking a total operating time of the at least one auxiliary power unit; and selectively allowing pressurized oil to flow from the engine lubrication circuit to the auxiliary power unit lubrication circuit when the total operating time corresponds to one or more predetermined values. 12. A power system, comprising: an engine having a first lubrication circuit; at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit configured to lubricate moving parts of the auxiliary power unit; a means for pressurizing oil in the first lubrication circuit; a means for pumping oil from the second lubrication circuit to the first lubrication circuit; and a means for selectively allowing the pressurized oil to flow to the second lubrication circuit in response to a condition of the auxiliary power unit. 13. The power system of claim 12, wherein the means for selectively allowing the pressurized oil to flow to the second lubrication circuit is actuated in response to a predetermined period of operation of the at least one auxiliary power unit. 14. The power system of claim 12, further including: a means for generating a signal indicative of an oil level in the second lubrication circuit; and a means for actuating the means for selectively allowing the pressurized oil to flow to the second lubrication circuit in response to the signal having a value that indicates an oil level below a predetermined level. 15. The power system of claim 12, further including a means for controlling the flow rate of oil from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit. 16. A machine, comprising: a traction device; a housing supported by the traction device; and a power system for driving the traction device, the power system comprising: an engine having a first lubrication circuit; at least one auxiliary power unit having a second lubrication circuit configured to lubricate moving parts of the auxiliary power unit, the first lubrication circuit being in fluid communication with the second lubrication circuit; and a controllable valve disposed between the first lubrication circuit and the second lubrication circuit, the controllable valve being operable to selectively allow fluid flow from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit. 17. The machine of claim 16, further including: a first pump configured to pump oil from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit; and wherein the controllable valve is disposed between the first pump and the second lubrication circuit, and the controllable valve is movable between a first position where oil from the first pump is allowed to flow to the second lubrication circuit and a second position where oil is blocked from flowing from the first pump to the second lubrication circuit. 18. The machine of claim 17, wherein the controllable valve is moved from the second position to the first position after a predetermined period of operation of the at least one auxiliary power unit. 19. The machine of claim 17, further including: an oil level indicator configured to generate a signal indicative of an oil level in the second lubrication circuit; and a controller operable to receive the signal and configured to move the controllable valve from the second position to the first position when the indicated oil level is below a predetermined level. 20. The machine of claim 17, further including a restrictive orifice disposed between the first pump and the at least one auxiliary power unit, the restrictive orifice configured to control the flow rate of oil pumped from the first lubrication circuit to the second lubrication circuit. 21. The machine of claim 17, wherein the pump is electrically driven. 22. The machine of claim 17, further including: a second pump configured to pump oil from the second lubrication circuit to the first lubrication circuit; a first oil sump operatively connected to the engine; and a second oil sump operatively connected to the at least one auxiliary power unit, the first pump being configured to pump oil into the second oil sump and the second pump being configured to pump oil into the first oil sump.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (9)
Mayfield ; Jr. John M. (Ukiah CA) Haselswerdt Vernon W. (Willits CA) Hinchliffe Hugh A. (Ukiah CA), Apparatus for maintaining a diesel engine in restarting condition.
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