Apparatus and method for a hydraulic valvetrain system

Abstract

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).

Claims

1. An apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system, the apparatus comprising: a first oil retaining means; a second oil retaining means; and an oil conveyance means having a first end operably connected to the first oil retaining means and a second end operably connected to the second oil retaining means; wherein the second oil retaining means is configured to receive oil from the first oil retaining means via the oil conveyance means during operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system; the first oil retaining means is configured to receive oil from the oil conveyance means following cessation of operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system; and upon contraction of an oil volume during a reduction of oil temperature, oil from the second oil retaining means passes into the oil conveyance means to prevent air entering the hydraulic valvetrain system; the first oil retaining means comprises an oil flow aperture through which oil can pass; and the second oil retaining means is arranged to provide a pressure balance to prevent oil leakage through the oil flow aperture.

2. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 1, wherein the second oil retaining means is at least partially located below the first oil retaining means.

3. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 1, wherein the oil conveyance means comprises a first oil conveyance means and a second oil conveyance means.

4. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 3, wherein the first oil conveyance means comprises an oil discharge line, an oil discharge port, a de-aeration line, or a de-aeration gallery.

5. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 3, wherein the second oil conveyance means comprises a tube, a hose or a conduit.

6. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 1, wherein the first oil retaining means is a first oil reservoir and the second oil retaining means is a second oil reservoir.

7. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 1, wherein the first oil retaining means is operably connected via the oil flow aperture to at least one of the group consisting of a valve, a piston, and a brake unit; and the connection between the first oil retaining means and the one of the group provides an oil flow path.

8. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 1, wherein the second oil retaining means comprises an open top configured to allow egress of oil from the second oil retaining means to an engine sump.

9. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 1, wherein the second end of the oil conveyance means comprises an opening located below a top of the second oil retaining means.

10. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 9, wherein a retainable level of oil in the second oil retaining means above the level of the opening is such that a retained volume of oil above the opening is greater than the oil contraction volume in the hydraulic valvetrain system between a maximum oil temperature and a minimum oil temperature.

11. The apparatus for a hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 10, wherein a difference between a maximum oil temperature and a minimum oil temperature is between 60 C. and 180 C.

12. A hydraulic valvetrain system comprising the apparatus according to claim 1.

13. An internal combustion engine comprising the hydraulic valvetrain system according to claim 12.

14. A vehicle comprising the internal combustion engine according to claim 13.

15. A method of retaining oil in a hydraulic valvetrain system, the method comprising: receiving, in a second oil retaining means during operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system, oil from a first oil retaining means via an oil conveyance means, the oil conveyance means having a first end operably connected to the first oil retaining means and a second end operably connected to the second oil retaining means; providing a pressure balance, using the second oil retaining means, to prevent oil leakage through an oil flow aperture of the first oil retaining means through which oil can pass; and following cessation of operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system, receiving, in the first oil retaining means oil from the oil conveyance means, wherein, upon contraction of an oil volume during reduction of oil temperature, oil from the second oil retaining means passes into the oil conveyance means to prevent air entering the hydraulic valvetrain system.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of an apparatus;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic view of an internal combustion engine;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an example vehicle;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in an engine running condition;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 on engine stop;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 during engine standstill;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates an example method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) Examples of the present disclosure relate to apparatus for preventing drain down of fluid in a hydraulic system. In particular, some examples of the present disclosure relate to apparatus for preventing drain down of oil in a hydraulic valvetrain system. Non-limiting examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(10) The figures illustrate an apparatus 10 for a hydraulic valvetrain system 90 comprising: a first oil retaining means 12; a first oil conveyance means 14 operably connected to the first oil retaining means 12; a second oil conveyance means 16 having a first end 18 operably connected to the first oil conveyance means 14; and a second oil retaining means 20; wherein a second end 22 of the second oil conveyance means 16 is located within the second oil retaining means 20. The second oil retaining means 20 has a non-permeable base 30 and a side wall 32 to provide a receptacle 34 in which to retain oil.

(11) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 10 comprising a first oil retaining means 12 in the form of a first oil reservoir, which may be called a middle pressure chamber or medium pressure chamber, which may form part of a hydraulic valvetrain system 90 in the form of a continuous variable valve lift system. The hydraulic valvetrain system 90 may form part of an internal combustion engine 100. FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus 10 as part of a hydraulic valvetrain system 90 in an internal combustion engine 100. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the internal combustion engine 100 may be located in a vehicle 200 to provide motive force to the vehicle 200.

(12) In FIG. 1 two first oil retaining means 12 are illustrated, however, in other examples, any number of first oil retaining means 12 may be comprised in the apparatus 10, without affecting the function of the apparatus 10. For simplicity, the description below describes the interrelationship between a second oil retaining means 20 and a single first oil retaining means 12.

(13) As shown in FIG. 1, the first oil retaining means 12 is in the form of a first oil reservoir, having a base 24 which may be operably connected to a valve 28, a pump piston 48 and a brake unit 50. In some embodiments different components may be operably connected to the base 24 of the first oil retaining means 12, and the components illustrated within the dashed area of FIG. 1 are not considered to be essential to the claimed invention, but are merely intended to be illustrative of components which could be connected to the first oil retaining means 12. Furthermore, for simplicity, the components in the dashed area are not shown for the other illustrated first oil retaining means 12. The valve 28 may be a solenoid valve for control of a brake unit 50. The connection to the valve 28 at the base 24 provides an oil flow path through an oil flow aperture 26. Since the valve 28 must have finite clearance between moving parts, an oil leakage path along or through which oil may pass even when the internal combustion engine 100 is at standstill is provided. Further leakage gaps downstream of the valve 28, provided for instance by or at a pump piston 48 and/or a brake unit 50, allow for oil to drain from the first oil retaining means 12 at engine standstill. Where oil leaks through the oil leakage path and further leakage gaps, air can be introduced into the apparatus 10. The connection to the valve 28 is additionally shown schematically in FIG. 2. The first oil retaining means 12 functions to retain a lubricant in the form of oil, or similar chemical compound, for lubrication of the valve 28. First oil retaining means 12 functions to retain fluid for actuation and lubrication of a hydraulic valvetrain system 90.

(14) In FIG. 1 the first oil retaining means 12 is operably connected to a first oil conveyance means 14 in the form of a de-aeration gallery such that air, introduced into the first oil retaining means 12 during operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system 90, can be purged from the first oil retaining means 12, thus maintaining operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system 90 within desired or expected parameters. The first oil retaining means 12 may be directly connected to the first oil conveyance means 14, or there may be one or more intervening components.

(15) The first oil conveyance means 14 allows transportation of oil to and from the first oil retaining means 12 for the de-aeration of oil from the first oil retaining means 12. Since the first oil retaining means 12 is arranged to provide for the de-aeration of oil, it is often called a de-aeration line or de-aeration gallery. In FIG. 1 the first oil conveyance means 14 is also operably connected to a second oil conveyance means 16. The second oil conveyance means 16 is in the form of a tube, hose or conduit suitable for transportation of oil at temperatures exhibited by the oil in the hydraulic valvetrain system 90.

(16) The second oil conveyance means 16 comprises a tube, hose or conduit with a first end 18 and a second end 22 and having a first axis 42 defined therebetween, such that the flow of oil passing through the second oil conveyance means 16 is along the first axis 42. In other examples, the second oil conveyance means 16 may define a tortuous path between the first end 18 and the second end 22, thus providing for a longer oil flow path between the first oil retaining means 12 and the second oil retaining means 20. The second oil conveyance means 16 may be directly connected to the first oil conveyance means 14 or there may be one or more intervening components. The function of the second oil conveyance means 16 is to allow the transportation of oil to and from a second oil retaining means 20.

(17) The first end 18 of the second oil conveyance means 16 is, in use, at an altitude or elevation which is higher than the second end 22 of the second oil conveyance means 16, such that oil flows under gravitational force or action from the first end 18 to the second end 22.

(18) The second end 22 of the second oil conveyance means 16 is located within a second oil retaining means 20. The second oil retaining means 20 provides a reservoir for oil and comprises a base 30 and side wall 32, providing a receptacle 34 to hold or retain oil. The base 30 and side wall 32 may be flat, curved, or of any other form in order to provide a receptacle 34 for oil. The second oil retaining means 16 has an open top 36, or alternatively a top portion with apertures, to allow egress of oil from the second oil retaining means 20. When located in an internal combustion engine 100, oil is allowed to flow out of the second oil retaining means 20 via the open top 36 to an engine sump 38 which is located below the level of the second oil retaining means 20, as shown in FIG. 2. Oil which flows out from the open top 36 of the second oil retaining means 20 flows under gravitational force or action to the engine sump 38, for further use in the lubrication of engine components.

(19) In FIG. 1, the second oil retaining means 20 is located below the first oil retaining means 12 in order to assist in the creation of a hydrostatic pressure balance within the hydraulic valvetrain system 90, in particular between the first oil retaining means 12 and the second oil retaining means 20. The purpose and operation of this arrangement will be further described below with regards to FIGS. 4 to 6.

(20) In other examples, the second oil retaining means 20 may be only partially located below the first oil retaining means 12. The altitude or elevation of at least a portion of the second oil retaining means 20 may be lower than the first oil retaining means 12, that is, lower than the base 24 of the first oil retaining means 12 in order to create or facilitate a hydrostatic pressure balance within the apparatus 10.

(21) An opening 40 in the second end 22 of the second oil conveyance means 16 is located within the receptacle 34 of the second oil retaining means 20 adjacent to the base 30 of the second oil retaining means 20 to allow a flow of oil through the second oil conveyance means 16 to and from the second oil retaining means 20. A gap 44 between the opening 40 and the base 30 of the second oil retaining means 20 allows substantially free flow of viscous fluid such as oil between the second oil conveyance means 16 and the second oil retaining means 20.

(22) FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate an example apparatus at various times in the operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system 90 of an internal combustion engine 100.

(23) In FIG. 4 the internal combustion engine 100 is running such that valve actuation is occurring. In FIG. 4, under the engine running condition, aerated oil flows out of the first oil retaining means 12 via the first oil conveyance means 14 and the second oil conveyance means 16, and through the opening 40 at the second end 22 of the second oil conveyance means 16 to the second oil retaining means 20. The second oil retaining means 20 receives oil in the receptacle 34. The oil accumulates in the second oil retaining means 20 until it reaches the open top 36 of the second oil retaining means 20, where excess oil is caused to flow over the side wall 32, flowing under gravitational force or action to the sump 38 of the internal combustion engine 100 below. The flow of oil during engine running is illustrated by directional arrows in FIG. 4.

(24) In FIG. 5 the internal combustion engine 100 is, or has been, caused to stop, such that valve actuation is no longer occurring. Following engine stop, the oil within the apparatus 10, and in the internal combustion engine 100 in general, begins to cool. The temperature decreases from a temperature which was achieved during engine operation towards an ambient temperature, that is, a temperature external to the internal combustion engine 100, such as an outside air temperature.

(25) In FIG. 5 it is shown that during the cooling cycle, oil in the apparatus 10, which includes oil in the first oil retaining means 12, contracts. During contraction, oil from the second oil retaining means 20 is drawn up against the force or action of gravity through the opening 40 of the second oil conveyance means 16, up the second oil conveyance means 16 towards the first oil conveyance means 14 and the first oil retaining means 12. During cooling from the temperature which was achieved during engine operation to an ambient temperature, the oil contracts by an oil contraction volume, which is dependent on the volume of oil in the apparatus 10 and by the physical properties of the oil, which are for example defined by the specification or grade of oil. It can be seen from FIG. 5 that the level of the oil has been reduced by a distance 46 determined from, at least, the oil contraction volume and the configuration of the second oil retaining means 20. The flow of oil, during the cooling cycle, is illustrated by directional arrows in FIG. 5.

(26) The minimum temperature may be an ambient temperature experienced by a non-operational hydraulic valvetrain system 90 and may vary depending on environmental conditions. It may therefore be considered that a minimum temperature of the oil may be an expected minimum temperature in which the hydraulic valvetrain system 90 is expected to operate.

(27) The second oil retaining means 20 acts as an oil reservoir for maintaining the oil level in the first oil retaining means 12, such that on subsequent engine start up, immediate valve lift in the hydraulic valvetrain system 90 can be achieved. The volume of the receptacle 34 retaining oil in the second oil retaining means 20, above the opening 40 in the second oil conveyance means 16, is arranged or configured to be greater than the expected oil contraction volume over an application specific temperature range, that is, between a maximum oil temperature, for example as experienced during engine operation, and a minimum oil temperature, for example an ambient temperature following engine shutoff, thus avoiding drawing in of air through the opening 40 which would lead to pressure imbalance in the apparatus 10 and drainage of the oil via the flow aperture 26 of the first oil retaining means 12. The expected oil contraction volume may be based on a calculated oil contraction volume. The calculated oil contraction volume may be based on one or more of the expected working temperature range of the oil, the internal volume of at least the first oil retaining means 12, the first oil conveyance means 14 and the second oil conveyance means 18, and the oil specification.

(28) In one example embodiment the difference between the maximum oil temperature and the minimum oil temperature is 120 C. With such a temperature decrease, the contraction in oil volume, in one non-limiting example, may be twenty four cubic centimetres.

(29) It will be understood that the contraction in oil volume is dependent, at least, on the volume of oil in the hydraulic valvetrain system 90 and the specific compound or grade of oil being used, and that the configuration of the second oil retaining means 20 will be chosen to account for the specific hydraulic valvetrain system 90 configuration and compound or grade of oil used. Thus with a decrease in volume of twenty four cubic centimetres, the volume of the second oil retaining means 20 in which oil can be retained above the opening 40 in the second end 22 of the second oil conveyance means 16 would have to be greater than twenty four cubic centimetres in order to avoid air being drawn into the apparatus 10 allowing drain down of oil from the first oil retaining means 12.

(30) In FIG. 6, the engine is at standstill and the temperature of the oil has reached ambient temperature, such that no further significant oil contraction would be expected. In this engine standstill state a hydrostatic pressure balance is achieved, where pressure on the oil in the second oil retaining means 20 balances with pressure at the oil flow aperture 26 in the first oil retaining means 12, such that oil is prevented from leaving the first oil retaining means 12 through the oil flow aperture 26. In this state no air can escape from the apparatus 10 meaning that no air can be drawn into the first oil retaining means 12.

(31) FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of an example method of retaining oil in a hydraulic valvetrain system 90. The method may in some examples be performed by the apparatus 10.

(32) The method of retaining oil in a hydraulic valvetrain system 90 comprises, at block 70, receiving, in a second oil retaining means 20 during operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system 90, oil from a first oil retaining means 12 via a first oil conveyance means 14 and a second oil conveyance means 16, the second oil conveyance means 16 having a first end 18 operably connected to the first oil conveyance means 16 and a second end 22 located within the second oil retaining means 20.

(33) At block 72 the method comprises receiving, in the first oil retaining means 12 following cessation of operation of the hydraulic valvetrain system 90, oil from the first oil conveyance means 14, wherein, upon contraction of the oil volume during reduction of oil temperature, oil from the second oil retaining means 20 passes into the second oil conveyance means 16 to prevent air entering the hydraulic valvetrain system 90.

(34) The blocks illustrated in FIG. 7 may represent steps in a method. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some steps to be omitted.

(35) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

(36) Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

(37) Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not.

(38) Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not.

(39) Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.