Lubrication system, internal combustion engine and method for operating a lubrication system

Abstract

The invention relates to a lubrication system of an internal combustion engine ( 2 ), wherein lubricant is conveyed by means of at least one lubricant pump ( 8 ) from a reservoir ( 12 ) to lubrication points within the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) via a hydraulic connection ( 10 ). A lubricant store ( 14 ) is arranged in the hydraulic connection ( 10 ) between the lubricant pump ( 8 ) and the internal combustion engine ( 2 ). The invention further relates to an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) having said lubrication system and to a method for operating the lubrication system, wherein the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) is lubricated by lubricant from the lubricant store ( 14 ) in the event of high load demand.

1 . A lubrication system of an internal combustion engine ( 2 ), wherein lubricant is conveyed by means of at least one lubricant pump ( 8 ) from a reservoir ( 12 ) to lubrication points within the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) via a hydraulic connection ( 10 ), characterized in that a lubricant store ( 14 ) is arranged in the hydraulic connection ( 10 ) between the lubricant pump ( 8 ) and the internal combustion engine ( 2 ). 
     
     
         2 . The lubrication system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the lubricant pump ( 8 ) is an adjustable control pump ( 8 ), the delivery rate of which is changed at the same rotational speed by an adjustable displacement volume. 
     
     
         3 . The lubrication system according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the adjustable displacement volume of the adjustable control pump ( 8 ) can be controlled by a hydraulic feedback line ( 18 ). 
     
     
         4 . The lubrication system according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a means for decoupling ( 16 ) the lubricant pump ( 8 ) is arranged in the lubrication system, by means of which a delivery of lubricant by the lubricant pump ( 8 ) can be interrupted in the direction of the internal combustion engine ( 2 ). 
     
     
         5 . The lubrication system according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the means for decoupling ( 16 ) the lubricant pump ( 8 ) is a check valve ( 16 ) which is disposed between the lubricant pump ( 8 ) and the lubricant store ( 14 ). 
     
     
         6 . The lubrication system according to  claim 4 , characterized in that a control unit ( 20 ) is connected to the internal combustion engine ( 2 ), the lubricant store ( 14 ) and the means for decoupling ( 16 ) the lubricant pump ( 8 ). 
     
     
         7 . An internal combustion engine ( 2 ) comprising a lubrication system according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A method for operating a lubrication system of an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) is lubricated by lubricant from the lubricant store ( 14 ) as a function of an operating state thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , characterized in that the pressure in the lubricant store ( 14 ) is checked by a control unit ( 20 ); and if a predetermined pressure value in the lubricant store ( 14 ) is exceeded as a function of the operating state, the means for decoupling ( 18 ) the lubricant pump ( 8 ) is actuated so that the lubricant pump ( 8 ) does not convey any lubricant to the internal combustion engine ( 2 ). 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , characterized in that the control unit ( 20 ) actuates the means for decoupling ( 18 ) the lubricant pump ( 8 ) when the predetermined pressure value in the lubricant store ( 14 ) is undershot; thus enabling the lubricant pump ( 8 ) to convey lubricant to the internal combustion engine ( 2 ). 
     
     
         11 . A method for operating a lubrication system of an internal combustion engine ( 2 ) according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the internal combustion engine ( 2 ) is lubricated by lubricant from the lubricant store ( 14 ) as a function of load conditions.