An apparatus and method for controlling an electric oil pump with a pump control signal generated by an electronic control unit (ECU) of a vehicle. The pump control signal has a variable drive time portion during which the electric oil pump is actuated to supply oil to an engine of the vehicle and a variable cycle time defining a frequency of the pump control signal.

A system and method for delivering lubrication oil to an internal combustion engine. The engine lubrication system (10) comprises a lubrication oil reservoir (13), a pump (15) to deliver lubrication oil to the engine from the reservoir (13), and a pressurization system (17) for pressurizing oil received by the pump from the reservoir for delivery to the engine. The pressurization establishes a positive pressure at the pump inlet to assist delivery of oil having entrained vapor cavities to the engine for lubrication thereof. The pump (15) comprises a solenoid actuated positive displacement pump, whereby operation of the pump may be selectively controlled by the manner in which the solenoid is operated. The engine lubrication system (10) further comprises a pressure release system (46) comprising pressure relief valve (47) for relieving excess fluid pressure within the oil reservoir (13).

A hydraulic control apparatus is provided including: an electromagnetic valve that has an input port communicating with a supply destination unit of oil and a control port that is switched between communication and disconnection by resultant force of a hydraulic pressure of the supply destination unit and electromagnetic force; a variable displacement pump which has a suction port communicating with a supply source of the oil, an ejection port communicating with the supply destination unit, and a control chamber communicating with the control port and rotates in accordance with drive of the supply destination unit, in which an amount of the oil ejected to the supply destination unit through the ejection port changes in accordance with a pressure in the control chamber; and a control unit that controls a value of a necessary current that is caused to flow through the electromagnetic valve.

A snowmobile has a frame, an endless drive track, a pair of skis, an engine operatively connected to the endless drive track, an oil tank, an electronic oil pump and an electronic control unit (ECU). The engine has at least one cylinder, a crankcase, and at least one exhaust valve. The electronic oil pump fluidly communicates with the crankcase and the at least one exhaust valve. The oil tank fluidly communicates with an inlet of the electronic oil pump for supplying oil to the electronic oil pump. The electronic oil pump delivers oil from the oil tank to the crankcase and the at least one exhaust valve. The ECU is electrically connected to the electronic oil pump for controlling actuation of the electronic oil pump.

A vehicle engine pump assembly (100, 1000, 1100) has a gerotor pump (102), a mechanical drive (106) driven by the engine and an electrical drive (104). A controller (107) selectively engages the mechanical drive to boost pumping effort when required via a clutch.

An unmanned aerial vehicle has an internal combustion engine, and a fuel and lubrication system comprising a fuelling system for fuelling the engine and a lubrication system for delivering lubricating oil to the engine. The fuelling system comprises a fuel reservoir from which fuel can be delivered to the engine. The fuel reservoir comprises a main tank and a header tank. The lubrication system comprises an oil tank. The oil tank is accommodated internally within the main tank to provide an integrated assembly. The arrangement provides for warming of lubrication oil for the UAV engine using several available heat sources. Further, the arrangement facilitates a configuration and layout intended to minimise or negate any undesirable moments of inertia for the UAV during flight as fuel and oil is consumed.

A method of controlling an engine includes the steps of: applying a current to the electromagnetic coil to move the at least one piston from the fully retracted position toward the full stroke position; sending a signal to an electronic control unit (ECU) when the at least one piston reaches the full stroke position; determining a time taken to reach the full stroke position from the fully retracted position based on the signal; determining a power-on time based on the determined time taken to reach the full stroke position from the fully retracted position; and returning the at least one piston to the fully retracted position by stopping to apply the current to the electromagnetic coil once the power-on time has elapsed.