Sump and an engine

Abstract

An engine, for example for use in a marine vessel, comprises an engine superstructure; and an oil sump for collecting oil from the engine superstructure. At a least a first baffle ( 8 ) extending generally horizontally and a second baffle ( 7 ) extending generally vertically are provided in the oil sump to reduce displacement of oil contained in the sump as the orientation of the engine varies. Providing a horizontal baffle in the sump means that oil is retained within the sump even if the engine nearly or completely turns over, and providing the vertical baffle in the sump means that oil is contained within the sump even if the engine, for example, rolls from side to side or pitches from end to end.

1 . An engine, comprising:
 an engine superstructure; and   an oil sump for collecting oil from the engine superstructure;
 wherein at a least a first baffle extending generally horizontally and a second baffle extending generally vertically are provided in the oil sump to reduce displacement of oil contained in the sump as the orientation of the engine varies. 
   
     
     
         2 . An engine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a third baffle extending generally vertically is provided in the oil sump, the third baffle being generally crossed with the second baffle. 
     
     
         3 . An engine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an external perimeter of the first baffle substantially corresponds to the internal cross-section of the oil sump, at least one aperture being provided in the first baffle. 
     
     
         4 . An engine as claimed in  claim 3  wherein at least a portion of the upper surface of the first baffle is inclined downwardly towards the at least one aperture. 
     
     
         5 . An engine as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a downwardly extending wall is provided on a lower surface of the first baffle, the wall enclosing the circumference of the at least one aperture. 
     
     
         6 . An engine as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second baffle extends from a first internal face of the sump to an opposite internal face of the oil sump. 
     
     
         7 . An engine as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the third baffle extends from a second internal face of the oil sump to an opposite internal face of the oil sump. 
     
     
         8 . An engine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the oil sump comprises a sump base portion and a sump extension portion disposed between the sump base portion and the engine superstructure. 
     
     
         9 . An engine as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the engine is a marine engine. 
     
     
         10 . A vehicle comprising an engine as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . A marine vessel comprising an engine as claimed in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . A vehicle as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the vessel is an unmanned marine vessel. 
     
     
         13 . A vehicle as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the vessel is a remotely-operated marine vessel.