US3917027A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for pre-lubricating an occasionally used, fluid cranked, quick starting, fuel burning engine
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-12-14
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A system for pre-lubricating a quick starting, fluid cranked engine that is powered by a combusting fuel. The engine is started by a hydraulic or a pneumatic cranking motor; it usually runs an emergency (stand-by) electric generator which should come on line almost instantaneously in the event of the failure of a principal source of electrical supply. The prelubing must be rapid because of the quick cranking of such engines that is characteristic of fluid cranking, e.g. in the order of 2 seconds, as compared to electric cranking which conventionally takes several more seconds, it being important to pre-lube the engine bearing surfaces before such cranking in order to lengthen the life of the engine and thus reduce breakdowns. The pre-lubing system is energized by the same source of fluid energy that is used for the cranking, e.g. hydraulic accumulators or pressurized air vessels, enabling the pre-lubing system to be packaged with the fluid cranking system as a unit, thus conserving space and minimizing cost and maintenance. The pressure lines from the source of fluid energy to the cranking motor and to the prelubing system are in parallel so that when the power on the electric mains fails and causes opening of a valve from the source of fluid energy to the cranking motor and to the prelubing system the substantial inertial resistance of the engine and the lesser resistance of the pre-lubing system will defer operation of the cranking motor until the prior completion of a pre-lubing cycle, hence, ensuring a proper sequence of operation, to wit, first pre-lubing and only then cranking, both performed rapidly.
Inventors
- 👤 Alton L Hakanson
- 👤 Wilbur C Schafer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:10
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02N; F02N7/00; F01; F01M; F01M5/00; F02B; F02B63/00; F02B63/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
224 words
In combination with an occasionally used, quick starting, fuel burning engine for driving an electric generator that powers an electric main, which engine has a lubricating system, and which has associated therewith a fluid energized rapid cranking system that includes A. a fluid energizeable cranking motor, B. a source of fluid under pressure, C. a first conduit connecting the source of fluid under pressure to the cranking motor, D. a normally closed valve in said conduit upstream of the cranking motor, and E. means for opening the valve when the electric main is deenergized, a pre-lubricating system that comprises: I. a chamber storing lubricating liquid, II. a second conduit connecting said chamber to the engine lubricating system, III. a check valve in the second conduit that permits flow of lubricating liquid only toward the engine lubricating system, IV. means for pressurizing the lubricating liquid in the chamber to force the liquid through the second conduit into the engine lubricating system, and V. a third conduit connecting the first conduit downstream of the valve to the pressurizing means, Vi. whereby when the valve is opened and fluid under pressure concurrently is applied to the cranking motor and to the pressurizing means, operation of the cranking motor will be deferred due to the inertia of the engine until the pressurizing means has completed a pre-lubricating cycle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
224 words
In combination with an occasionally used, quick starting, fuel burning engine for driving an electric generator that powers an electric main, which engine has a lubricating system, and which has associated therewith a fluid energized rapid cranking system that includes A. a fluid energizeable cranking motor, B. a source of fluid under pressure, C. a first conduit connecting the source of fluid under pressure to the cranking motor, D. a normally closed valve in said conduit upstream of the cranking motor, and E. means for opening the valve when the electric main is deenergized, a pre-lubricating system that comprises: I. a chamber storing lubricating liquid, II. a second conduit connecting said chamber to the engine lubricating system, III. a check valve in the second conduit that permits flow of lubricating liquid only toward the engine lubricating system, IV. means for pressurizing the lubricating liquid in the chamber to force the liquid through the second conduit into the engine lubricating system, and V. a third conduit connecting the first conduit downstream of the valve to the pressurizing means, Vi. whereby when the valve is opened and fluid under pressure concurrently is applied to the cranking motor and to the pressurizing means, operation of the cranking motor will be deferred due to the inertia of the engine until the pressurizing means has completed a pre-lubricating cycle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a fourth conduit connecting the second conduit to a region of pressure below the pressure created by the pressurizing means, and means effectively blocking flow of fluid through the fourth conduit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the blocking means includes a bleed device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein the blocking means includes a normally closed valve and means to open the valve when the engine is running.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 4 wherein the means to open the valve includes a hydraulic operator and a fifth conduit connecting the operator to the engine lubricating system.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 5 wherein fifth conduit has interposed therein a flow restriction valve.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A pre-lubricating System as set forth in claim 6 wherein the flow restriction valve is a manually regulatable valve.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 2 wherein a storage reservoir is included to constitute the means providing a region of pressure below the pressure created by the pressurizing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises a sixth conduit leading from a source of lubricating liquid to the storage chamber and means to force such lubricating liquid into the chamber after the valve has closed and the engine is running.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 9 wherein there are two chambers, one chamber constituting the storage chamber and the other chamber constituting the pressurizing means, and wherein means is included to transfer pressure from the pressurizing chamber to the storage chamber when the valve is open.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 9 including a cylinder having a floating piston therein which subdivides the piston into the storage chamber and into the other chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 11 wherein means is included to bias the piston toward the pressurizing chamber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a turbo-charger is associated with the engine, the turbo-charger having a lubricating system, and wherein a conduit is provided connecting the second conduit to the turbo-charger lubricating system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
41 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 1 wherein a further conduit is provided connecting the second conduit to the engine lubricating system, said further conduit including means preventing appreciable flow from the engine lubricating system to the second conduit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the further conduit is connected to the engine sump and wherein the means preventing substantial flow is a check valve.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
37 words
A pre-lubricating system as set forth in claim 14 wherein the further conduit is connected to the high pressure side of the engine lubricating system, and wherein the means preventing substantial flow is a flow restriction valve.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |