Oil Pan

Abstract

An oil pan ( 200 ) for an internal combustion engine includes a body ( 201 ) that defines a reservoir cavity ( 202 ). A collector cavity ( 222 ) is defined by at least one wall of the body ( 201 ) and is in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity ( 202 ). An oil supply passage ( 220 ) is defined by at least one wall of the body ( 201 ) and is in fluid communication with the collector cavity ( 222 ).

1 . An oil pan for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a body defining a reservoir cavity;   a collector cavity defined by at least one wall of the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity; and   an oil supply passage defined by at least one wall of the body and in fluid communication with the collector cavity.   
   
   
       2 . The oil pan of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover operably connected to the body, wherein the collector cavity is defined between the at least one wall of the body and the cover. 
   
   
       3 . The oil pan of  claim 2 , further comprising at least one rib disposed on the body and forming at least one opening therebetween, wherein the at least one rib and the at least one opening form a baffle structure that is integral with the oil pan. 
   
   
       4 . The oil pan of  claim 1 , wherein the body and the oil supply passage are integrally formed. 
   
   
       5 . The oil pan of  claim 1 , wherein the body is formed by an evaporative pattern casting process. 
   
   
       6 . The oil pan of  claim 1 , further comprising a filter disposed in the collector cavity, wherein the filter is arranged to filter a flow of fluid passing through the oil supply passage when the internal combustion engine is in operation. 
   
   
       7 . The oil pan of  claim 6 , further comprising a slot formed in the body, wherein the filter is disposed in the slot. 
   
   
       8 . The oil pan of  claim 1 , further comprising an oil drain opening formed in the body. 
   
   
       9 . An oil pan for an internal combustion engine, comprising:
 a body defining a reservoir cavity, wherein the reservoir cavity has a shallow portion and a deep portion;   a sealing interface surrounding the reservoir cavity along an edge of the body;   an opening formed in the sealing interface;   a collector cavity defined by the body, the collector cavity in fluid communication with the deep portion of the reservoir cavity, and in fluid communication with the opening.   
   
   
       10 . The oil pan of  claim 9 , further comprising a passage disposed between the opening and the collector cavity. 
   
   
       11 . The oil pan of  claim 10 , further comprising a filter dividing the collector cavity from the passage. 
   
   
       12 . The oil pan of  claim 9 , wherein the body is formed by an evaporative pattern casting process. 
   
   
       13 . The oil pan of  claim 9 , further comprising a baffle structure integrally formed with the body, wherein the baffle structure is connected to the body adjacent to the sealing interface. 
   
   
       14 . The oil pan of  claim 13 , wherein the baffle structure includes at least one rib defining at least one opening. 
   
   
       15 . The oil pan of  claim 9 , further comprising a slot formed in the body adjacent the collector cavity, wherein a filter is disposed in the slot. 
   
   
       16 . An internal combustion engine, comprising:
 an engine crankcase;   an oil pump operably connected to the crankcase;   an oil pan connected to the crankcase comprising:
 a body defining a reservoir cavity; 
   a collector cavity defined by at least one wall of the body and in fluid communication with the reservoir cavity; and   an oil supply passage defined by at least one wall of the body and in fluid communication with the collector cavity.   
   
   
       17 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 16 , further comprising a filter disposed in a slot formed in the body, wherein the filter defines the collector cavity. 
   
   
       18 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 17 , wherein an oil flow path is defined from the reservoir cavity, to the collector cavity, to the filter, to the oil supply passage, and to the oil pump. 
   
   
       19 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid communication between the collector cavity and the internal cavity is accomplished by at least one opening in a wall defining the collector cavity. 
   
   
       20 . The internal combustion engine of  claim 16  further comprising a plate sealably engaging the body, wherein the plate defines the collector cavity.