A baffle for disposition in a sump having a fluid containing cavity is disclosed. A first portion of the baffle has an outside edge abutting a side wall of the sump and an inner edge defining an opening. A second portion of the baffle extends downwardly from the inner edge to a lower edge abutting a bottom wall of the sump. At least one jalousie divider is disposed along the second portion of the baffle to regulate fluid flow through the baffle based on fluid temperature. A controller is coupled to the jalousie divider to selectively drive the jalousie divider to a closed position that prevents fluid flow through the baffle when the fluid temperature is below a temperature threshold and an open position that permits fluid flow through the second portion of the baffle when the fluid temperature is above the temperature threshold.

An engine assembly includes an oil pan having an oil pan body. The oil pan body includes an inner pan surface defining a cavity configured to collect oil and an outer pan surface opposite the inner pan surface. Further, the oil pan includes a dividing wall disposed within the cavity and coupled to the oil pan body. The dividing wall divides the cavity into a first compartment and a second compartment. The oil pan defines an opening extending through the dividing wall. A valve is disposed in the opening and can move between an open position and a closed position. When the valve is in the open position, the first compartment is in fluid communication with the second compartment. When the valve is in the closed position, the valve blocks fluid flow between the first compartment and the second compartment via the opening.

An oil pan structure (1) includes a lower structure (2) fixed to a lower portion of an engine block, a main oil pan (3) provided under an engine block with the lower structure being between the main oil pan and the engine block, a sub oil pan (5) that is provided in the main oil pan (3) and forms a first chamber (6) and a second chamber (7) inside the main oil pan (3). The sub oil pan (5) is separated into an upper body (5a) and a lower body (5b). The upper body (5a) is formed together with the lower structure (2) by injection molding.

The volume of lubricating oil stored in the sump of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle is in significant excess of the volume of oil circulating through the engine at any one time. The circulating oil, drawn from the sump, may be rapidly heated during its passage through the engine, but the excess volume remaining in the sump dilutes and cools the circulating oil as it returns to the sump. By separating the oil volume into a portion which is circulated through the engine and a second portion which has only limited opportunity to mix with and cool the circulating oil the circulating oil may attain its operating temperature more rapidly. Once the stored volume of oil in the engine has also reached its operating temperature the circulating oil and stored oil may be recombined.

A power transmission device includes: a case including a first oil reservoir configured to store oil, a second oil reservoir configured to store the oil, and a partition wall configured to separate the first oil reservoir and the second oil reservoir from each other; the oil enclosed in the case; a rotating member configured to contact the oil in the first oil reservoir; and an opening and closing member located in the partition wall and configured to supply the oil from the second oil reservoir to the first oil reservoir. The oil level in the first oil reservoir when the opening and closing member is open is higher than the oil level in the first oil reservoir when the opening and closing member is closed, and is high enough for at least a part of the rotating member to be dipped in the oil.

The present invention relates to automotive products, as well as uses thereof, which can facilitate warming of engine oil in an energy efficient and, therefore, more environmentally friendly manner. More specifically, a fluid reservoir is disclosed that includes a double walled vessel that defines a fluid containing compartment and has a self-contained region that shares a wall with the fluid containing compartment. A composition in the self-contained region at least partially covers the shared wall surface, and one or more light sources are positioned in the self-contained region to induce a phase change in the composition. The composition includes a phase-change material (PCM) and a molecular switch material. This fluid reservoir can be used to heat oil in an engine or oil pan.