This invention relates to the field of opposed-piston engines having two pistons in one cylinder configured to have facing heads. Specifically, this is an engine with two crankshafts, two piston heads facing each other in a single cylinder, with the following features: compact size relative to a comparable design, improved or equivalent performance to a comparable design as a result of any of the following: locating crankshafts in a different plane from the cylinder axes; the use of shared duct structures; and the use of an embedded compressor chamber for efficient operation to cover all volumetric requirements, fulfilling the entire thermodynamic cycle, and performing in addition the sweeping and overloading of air or an air/fuel mixture in the cylinder combustion chamber in each revolution of two or more crankshafts, either with or without advancement between the crankshafts.

This invention relates to the field of opposed-piston engines having two pistons in one cylinder configured to have facing heads. Specifically, this is an engine with two crankshafts, two piston heads facing each other in a single cylinder, with the following features: compact size relative to a comparable design, improved or equivalent performance to a comparable design as a result of any of the following: locating crankshafts in a different plane from the cylinder axes; the use of shared duct structures; and the use of an embedded compressor chamber for efficient operation to cover all volumetric requirements, fulfilling the entire thermodynamic cycle, and performing in addition the sweeping and overloading of air or an air/fuel mixture in the cylinder combustion chamber in each revolution of two or more crankshafts, either with or without advancement between the crankshafts.

A ratiometric system for autonomous lubrication of oilwell production equipment. In one arrangement a lubrication pump is fluidly connected to a stuffing box on an oilwell pumping unit. The interval for lubrication and the duration of lubrication is managed by an event sequencer that is electrically connected to the well controller for the pumping unit. The well controller senses a completed cycle of the pumping unit and produces an electronic pulse that can be counted. The event sequencer counts the pulses as they occur. A lubrication cycle is triggered when the sequencer reaches a count corresponding to a predetermined value. The amount of lubrication supplied is directly related to the number of completed cycles of the pumping unit.

A ratiometric system for autonomous lubrication of oilwell production equipment. In one arrangement a lubrication pump is fluidly connected to a stuffing box on an oilwell pumping unit. The interval for lubrication and the duration of lubrication is managed by an event sequencer that is electrically connected to the well controller for the pumping unit. The well controller senses a completed cycle of the pumping unit and produces an electronic pulse that can be counted. The event sequencer counts the pulses as they occur. A lubrication cycle is triggered when the sequencer reaches a count corresponding to a predetermined value. The amount of lubrication supplied is directly related to the number of completed cycles of the pumping unit.

A lubrication system for an engine is provided which includes an oil tank, a first passage communicating a bottom part of the crankcase chamber with an upper part of the oil tank, a first check valve provided in the first passage to permit a flow from the crankcase chamber to the oil tank but not in a reverse direction, a second passage communicating an upper part of the oil tank with an upper part of the crankcase chamber, a second check valve provided in the second passage to permit a flow from the oil tank to the crankcase chamber but not in a reserve direction and a third passage communicating a lower part of the oil tank with the second passage.

A lubrication system for an engine is provided which includes an oil tank, a first passage communicating a bottom part of the crankcase chamber with an upper part of the oil tank, a first check valve provided in the first passage to permit a flow from the crankcase chamber to the oil tank but not in a reverse direction, a second passage communicating an upper part of the oil tank with an upper part of the crankcase chamber, a second check valve provided in the second passage to permit a flow from the oil tank to the crankcase chamber but not in a reserve direction and a third passage communicating a lower part of the oil tank with the second passage.

Methods and systems are provided for supplying cooling oil to a piston of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include repeatedly activating an oil supply only during a part of a cylinder cycle synchronous with a reciprocating motion of the piston. In particular, supply of cooling oil may be initiated by displacing a poppet valve arranged within a piston cooling assembly via a reciprocating motion of the piston.

Methods and systems are provided for supplying cooling oil to a piston of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include repeatedly activating an oil supply only during a part of a cylinder cycle synchronous with a reciprocating motion of the piston. In particular, supply of cooling oil may be initiated by displacing a poppet valve arranged within a piston cooling assembly via a reciprocating motion of the piston.

Methods and systems are provided for supplying cooling oil to a piston of an engine cylinder. In one example, a method may include repeatedly activating an oil supply only during a part of a cylinder cycle synchronous with a reciprocating motion of the piston. In particular, supply of cooling oil may be initiated by displacing a poppet valve arranged within a piston cooling assembly via a reciprocating motion of the piston.

A ratiometric system for autonomous lubrication of oilwell production equipment. In one arrangement a lubrication pump is fluidly connected to a stuffing box on an oilwell pumping unit. The interval for lubrication and the duration of lubrication is managed by an event sequencer that is electrically connected to the well controller for the pumping unit. The well controller senses a completed cycle of the pumping unit and produces an electronic pulse that can be counted. The event sequencer counts the pulses as they occur. A lubrication cycle is triggered when the sequencer reaches a count corresponding to a predetermined value. The amount of lubrication supplied is directly related to the number of completed cycles of the pumping unit.