A coupling member for use in priming a fluid pump of an internal combustion engine, the coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical length therebetween. The first end of the coupling member may be configured to axially engage a drive shaft of a rotational drive, a plurality of fins may extend along at least a portion of the cylindrical length, and the plurality of fins may be configured to engage a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine. Each fin from the plurality of fins may protrude radially from an outer surface of the coupling member, and the coupling member may be further configured to translate a rotational force provided by the rotational drive to the crank shaft of the internal combustion engine.

Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

Methods and systems are provided for an internal combustion engine having an oil circuit. In one example, a system may include a rising oil line from a block to a cylinder head of an engine; a main oil line in the head; and an oil siphon system including a reservoir positioned between, and having at least one portion at a lower elevation than both, a section the rising line and a section of the main oil line so that oil flows into, and remains in, the reservoir when the engine is shut-off. In this way, the design of the oil circuit may be used to improve oil supply to engine components while minimizing delays in oil supply during engine startup.

Methods and systems are provided for preemptively heating engine oil prior to an engine start using an inductive heating mat. In one example, a method may include coupling a magnetic field between a primary coil housed in the inductive heating mat and a ferrous oil pan to inductively heat engine oil contained in the oil pan. While maintaining engine oil temperature above a threshold temperature, heated engine oil may then be circulated through engine components to warm up the engine prior to engine start.

Apparatus (10) for a hydraulic valvetrain system (90) comprising: a first oil retaining means 5 (12), a second oil retaining means (20) and an oil conveyance means (14, 16) having a first end (18) operably connected to the first oil retaining means (12) and a second end (22) operably connected to the second oil retaining means (20). The second oil retaining means (20) is configured to receive oil from the first oil retaining means (12) via the oil conveyance means (14, 16), the first oil retaining means (12) is configured to receive oil from the oil 10 conveyance means (14, 16) and the oil conveyance means (14, 16) is configured to receive oil from the second oil retaining means (20).

A coupling member for use in priming a fluid pump of an internal combustion engine, the coupling member including a first end, a second end, and a cylindrical length therebetween. The first end of the coupling member may be configured to axially engage a drive shaft of a rotational drive, a plurality of fins may extend along at least a portion of the cylindrical length, and the plurality of fins may be configured to engage an oil drive gear of an internal combustion engine. Each fin from the plurality of fins may protrude radially from an outer surface of the coupling member, and the coupling member may be further configured to translate a rotational force provided by the rotational drive to the oil drive gear of the internal combustion engine.

Disclosed herein is a system includes a lubricated component and a lubricant pump that selectively provides lubricant to the lubricated component. The system also includes a lubricant source in lubricant providing communication with the lubricant pump. Additionally, the system includes a lubricant flow regulation device in lubricant receiving communication with the lubricated component and lubricant providing communication with the lubricant source. The lubricant flow regulation device is configured to drain lubricant from the lubricated component to the lubricant source based on when the lubricant pump provides lubricant to the lubricated component, and to prevent drainage of lubricant from the lubricated component to the lubricant source based on when the lubricant pump stops providing lubricant to the lubricated component.

Methods and systems are provided for an oil supply unit with a collecting vessel for collecting oil. In one example, a method may include maintaining a pressure of the collecting vessel during an engine off, wherein maintaining the pressure may further include maintain a temperature of the oil in the collecting vessel.

An automatic engine start/stop system and method which are compatible with recent engine requirements of a pre-lube period before engine crank, is disclosed. A temp-start controller is used to read inputs such as ambient temperature, oil temperature and engine RPMs, to determine proper conditions for engine cranking. A pre-lube pump is activated by the controller for up to 45 seconds, or a desired period of time, before engine crank. A glow plug pre-heating step may be performed as well, if necessary.

An internal combustion engine having: a plurality of cylinders, where respective pistons slide on the inside; a crank chamber arranged higher than the cylinders; a crankshaft, which is arranged in the crank chamber higher than the cylinders and is connected to the pistons; a lubricating system provided with an oil tank, with a lubricating pump, which draws from the oil tank, and with a series of lubricating devices, which receive oil from the lubricating pump and supply oil to moving components; and a control unit configured, when a command to turn off the internal combustion engine is received, to interrupt the supply of oil to the lubricating devices in advance with respect to the actual stopping of the rotation of the crankshaft.