The present invention refers to a method for controlling a piston cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine wherein said circuit comprises at least a circulation pump and means for emitting cooling oil connected to the delivery of the pump. According to the method, said pistons are cooled by a jet generated by said emitting means only during the upward stroke of said pistons from the bottom dead center to the top dead center.

The present invention refers to a method for controlling a piston cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine wherein said circuit comprises at least a circulation pump and means for emitting cooling oil connected to the delivery of the pump. According to the method, said pistons are cooled by a jet generated by said emitting means only during the upward stroke of said pistons from the bottom dead center to the top dead center.

A method of operating a relief valve assembly for an oil pump includes unblocking a first bypass inlet passage and blocking a first bypass outlet passage, a second bypass inlet passage, and a second bypass outlet passage with a plunger, introducing oil to the relief valve assembly, moving the plunger in a downward direction by a first displacement to unblock the first bypass outlet passage, starting a first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a second displacement to block the first bypass inlet passage and unblock the second bypass inlet passage, terminating the first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a third displacement to unblock the second bypass outlet passage, and starting a second bypass of the oil.

A method of operating a relief valve assembly for an oil pump includes unblocking a first bypass inlet passage and blocking a first bypass outlet passage, a second bypass inlet passage, and a second bypass outlet passage with a plunger, introducing oil to the relief valve assembly, moving the plunger in a downward direction by a first displacement to unblock the first bypass outlet passage, starting a first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a second displacement to block the first bypass inlet passage and unblock the second bypass inlet passage, terminating the first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a third displacement to unblock the second bypass outlet passage, and starting a second bypass of the oil.

A method of operating a relief valve assembly for an oil pump includes unblocking a first bypass inlet passage and blocking a first bypass outlet passage, a second bypass inlet passage, and a second bypass outlet passage with a plunger, introducing oil to the relief valve assembly, moving the plunger in a downward direction by a first displacement to unblock the first bypass outlet passage, starting a first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a second displacement to block the first bypass inlet passage and unblock the second bypass inlet passage, terminating the first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a third displacement to unblock the second bypass outlet passage, and starting a second bypass of the oil.

A method of operating a relief valve assembly for an oil pump includes unblocking a first bypass inlet passage and blocking a first bypass outlet passage, a second bypass inlet passage, and a second bypass outlet passage with a plunger, introducing oil to the relief valve assembly, moving the plunger in a downward direction by a first displacement to unblock the first bypass outlet passage, starting a first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a second displacement to block the first bypass inlet passage and unblock the second bypass inlet passage, terminating the first bypass of the oil, moving the plunger in the downward direction by a third displacement to unblock the second bypass outlet passage, and starting a second bypass of the oil.

A spool is configured to reciprocate at an inside space of a sleeve and includes: a spool tube; a spool cover, which closes an end portion of the spool tube located on a camshaft side; a pressure accumulation space, which is formed at an inside of the spool tube; a supply passage, which is configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and a supply port; a control passage, which is configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and a primary control port; and a control passage, which is configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and a secondary control port. A variable volume space is formed between the spool cover and a sleeve bottom. The sleeve includes a breathing hole at an outside of the inside space while the breathing hole is a hole that communicates between the variable volume space and the atmosphere.

A spool is configured to reciprocate at an inside space of a sleeve and includes: a spool tube; a spool cover, which closes an end portion of the spool tube located on a camshaft side; a pressure accumulation space, which is formed at an inside of the spool tube; a supply passage, which is configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and a supply port; a control passage, which is configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and a primary control port; and a control passage, which is configured to connect between the pressure accumulation space and a secondary control port. A variable volume space is formed between the spool cover and a sleeve bottom. The sleeve includes a breathing hole at an outside of the inside space while the breathing hole is a hole that communicates between the variable volume space and the atmosphere.

A retard supply passage connects between a hydraulic oil supply source and a retard chamber through a hydraulic oil controller. An advance supply passage connects between the hydraulic oil supply source and an advance chamber through the hydraulic oil controller. A drain passage and a drain passage connect the retard chamber and the advance chamber to an oil discharge portion, respectively. A recycle passage connects the drain passage and the drain passage to the retard supply passage and the advance supply passage, respectively. A recycle check valve enables only a flow of hydraulic oil from the drain passages toward the retard supply passage and the advance supply passage in the recycle passage. The recycle passage is connected to the drain passages at an inside of the hydraulic oil controller.

A retard supply passage connects between a hydraulic oil supply source and a retard chamber through a hydraulic oil controller. An advance supply passage connects between the hydraulic oil supply source and an advance chamber through the hydraulic oil controller. A drain passage and a drain passage connect the retard chamber and the advance chamber to an oil discharge portion, respectively. A recycle passage connects the drain passage and the drain passage to the retard supply passage and the advance supply passage, respectively. A recycle check valve enables only a flow of hydraulic oil from the drain passages toward the retard supply passage and the advance supply passage in the recycle passage. The recycle passage is connected to the drain passages at an inside of the hydraulic oil controller.