Cylinder block assembly with increased lubricant capacity

Abstract

In an internal combustion engine, a large volume of lubricant is desirable to increase service intervals and thus reduce maintenance costs. Large lubricant volumes typically require an undesirable increase in engine size. A cylinder block assembly for an internal combustion engine in accordance with this invention comprises a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir or sump below the cylinder block, and a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block. The secondary lubricant reservoir may be formed as a pannier oil tank by sealably attaching an apron to a side of the cylinder block. A fluid passage extending between the secondary lubricant reservoir and the primary lubricant reservoir is closeable by a valve and is adapted to permit lubricant flow from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open. The secondary lubricant reservoir increases the oil capacity of the cylinder block.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cylinder block assembly comprising a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir below the cylinder block, a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block, a fluid passage extending between the primary and secondary lubricant reservoirs, and a valve that can be actuated to open and close the fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is adapted to permit gravitational flow of the lubricant from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open, wherein actuation of the valve is controlled by a level of lubricant in the primary lubricant reservoir.  
     
     
         2 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the valve is a float valve.  
     
     
         3 . A cylinder block as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid passage comprises an aperture in the secondary lubricant reservoir.  
     
     
         4 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover on the cylinder head, wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir communicates at least one duct with an interior of the cylinder head cover.  
     
     
         5 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the valve is a float valve.  
     
     
         6 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a crankcase above the primary lubricant reservoir, wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir is provided with an overflow aperture in a side wall thereof communicable with the crankcase.  
     
     
         7 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a crankcase above the primary lubricant reservoir, wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir is provided with an overflow aperture in a side wall thereof communicable with the crankcase.  
     
     
         8 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir is defined between a wall of the cylinder block and an apron sealably mounted on the cylinder block.  
     
     
         9 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the valve is a float valve.  
     
     
         10 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir is defined between a wall of the cylinder block and an apron sealably mounted on the cylinder block.  
     
     
         11 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the valve is a float valve.  
     
     
         12 . A cylinder block assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir is defined between an outer wall and an inner wall of the cylinder block.  
     
     
         13 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the valve is a float valve.  
     
     
         14 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lubricant reservoir is defined between an outer wall and an inner wall of the cylinder block.  
     
     
         15 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the valve is a float valve.  
     
     
         16 . A cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said valve is actuated to close the fluid passage when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is above a predetermined level, and wherein said valve is actuated to open the fluid passage when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is below the predetermined level.  
     
     
         17 . A cylinder block assembly comprising a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir below the cylinder block, a secondary lubricant reservoir at a side of the cylinder block, a fluid passage extending between the primary and secondary lubricant reservoirs, and a valve that can be actuated to open and close the fluid passage, wherein the fluid passage is adapted to permit gravitational flow of the lubricant from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir when open, wherein said valve is actuated to close the fluid passage when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is above a predetermined level, and wherein said valve is actuated to open the fluid passage when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is below the predetermined level.  
     
     
         18 . An engine comprising a cylinder block assembly and a cylinder head mounted to said cylinder block assembly, wherein said cylinder block assembly comprises a cylinder block assembly as set forth in  claim 1 .  
     
     
         19 . A method for lubricating an engine having a cylinder block, a primary lubricant reservoir below the cylinder block and a secondary lubricant reservoir, comprising the steps of: 
 pumping lubricant around the engine from the primary lubricant reservoir;    collecting a proportion of returned lubricant in the secondary lubricant reservoir; and    controlling the return of lubricant from the secondary lubricant reservoir under gravity to the primary lubricant reservoir.    
     
     
         20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the return of lubricant from the secondary lubricant reservoir to the primary lubricant reservoir is controlled by a float valve, such that return of lubricant is prevented when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is above a predetermined level, and return of lubricant is allowed when the lubricant level in the primary lubricant reservoir is below the predetermined level.