A lubrication distribution system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes a source of lubricant for the engine and at least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant. The feed line includes a wall defining a passageway and an orifice. The feed line terminates at the orifice,
A lubrication distribution system for an engine is disclosed. The system includes a source of lubricant for the engine and at least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant. The feed line includes a wall defining a passageway and an orifice. The feed line terminates at the orifice, and lubricant flows through the passageway and exits the feed line through the orifice. The feed line also includes a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice. The heating element is selectively activated to heat the lubrication flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice.
대표청구항▼
1. A lubrication distribution system for an engine, the system comprising: a source of lubricant for the engine; andat least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant, the feed line comprising: a wall defining a passageway and an orifice, the feed line terminating at the orifice, wh
1. A lubrication distribution system for an engine, the system comprising: a source of lubricant for the engine; andat least one feed line fluidly connected to the source of lubricant, the feed line comprising: a wall defining a passageway and an orifice, the feed line terminating at the orifice, wherein lubricant flows through the passageway and exits the feed line through the orifice; anda heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice, the heating element selectively activated to heat the lubrication flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice. 2. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1, wherein the heating element completely circumscribes an outer periphery of the passageway of the feed line. 3. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1, wherein the feed line is fluidly connected to a primary feed line. 4. The lubrication distribution system of claim 3, wherein the primary feed line splits off into a plurality of feed lines. 5. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1, wherein the source of lubricant is a reservoir that contains the lubricant. 6. The lubrication distribution system of claim 5, wherein the heating element is selectively activated based on the temperature of the lubricant within the reservoir. 7. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1, wherein the heating element is activated during an impending start-up of the engine. 8. The lubrication distribution system of claim 1, wherein the heating element includes elements for heating lubricant selected from the group consisting of: resistive heating elements and inductive heating elements. 9. A control system for heating lubricant of an engine, comprising: a reservoir for containing lubricant;at least one feed line fluidly connected to the reservoir, the feed line comprising a wall defining a passageway, an orifice, and a heating element contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and located at or directly upstream of the orifice, the heating element selectively activated to heat the lubricant flowing through the passageway and exiting the orifice;at least one power wire for supplying electrical current to the heating element; anda control module in communication with the at least one power wire, the control module receiving as input an activation signal and a reservoir temperature, wherein the activation signal indicates an impending start-up of the engine, the control module including control logic for: determining whether the reservoir temperature is below a target start-up temperature; andactivating the at least one power wire to allow the electrical current to the heating element in response to receiving the activation signal and the reservoir temperature being below the target start-up temperature. 10. The control system of claim 9, wherein the target start-up temperature is indicative of a viscosity of the lubricant within the reservoir. 11. The control system of claim 9, wherein the control module determines a temperature of lubricant exiting the orifice based on the reservoir temperature, an engine run time, and an engine structural temperature. 12. The control system of claim 11, wherein the control module includes control logic to determine whether the temperature of lubricant exiting the orifice is above a deactivation temperature threshold. 13. The control system of claim 12, wherein the control module includes control logic to cease supplying the electrical current to the at least one power wire in response to the temperature of lubricant exiting the orifice exceeding the deactivation temperature threshold. 14. The control system of claim 9, wherein the control module determines a temperature of an inner surface of the wall of the feed line at the heating element based on the reservoir temperature, an engine run time, a heater element electrical power draw, engine structural temperature, and a flow rate. 15. The control system of claim 14, wherein the control module ramps down the electrical current supplied to the at least one power wire in response to the temperature of the inner surface of the wall of the feed line at the heating element exceeding a ramp down temperature threshold. 16. The control system of claim 9, wherein the reservoir is fluidly connected to a primary feed line, wherein the primary feed line branches off into a plurality of feed lines. 17. The control system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of feed lines each include a respective heater element, and wherein each of the respective heating elements are supplied the electrical current by the at least one power wire. 18. A method of heating lubricant within an engine system, the engine system including an engine and a reservoir, the method comprising: receiving an activation signal and a reservoir temperature by a control module, wherein the activation signal indicates an impending engine start-up;determining whether the reservoir temperature is below a target start-up temperature by the control module;supplying electrical current to at least one power wire in response to receiving the activation signal and the reservoir temperature being below the target start-up temperature by the control module, wherein the at least one power wire is in communication with the control module and the at least one power wire supplies electrical current to at least one heating element; andactivating the at least one heating element of the engine system, wherein the engine system includes at least one feed line fluidly connected to the reservoir, the feed line comprising a wall defining a passageway, an orifice, and the heating element, wherein the heating element is contained substantially within the wall of the feed line and is located at or directly upstream of the orifice. 19. The method of claim 18, comprising ceasing supplying the electrical current to the at least one power wire in response to a temperature of lubricant exiting the orifice exceeding a deactivation temperature threshold. 20. The method of claim 18, comprising reducing the electrical current supplied to the at least one power wire in response to a temperature of an inner surface of the wall of the feed line at the heating element exceeding a ramp down temperature threshold.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (4)
Steiner, Bernd; Kuhlbach, Kai Sebastian; Mehring, Jan, Heating engine oil in an internal combustion engine.
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