A METHOD AND APPARATUS TO REGULATE OIL PRESSURE VIA CONTROLLABLE PISTON COOLING JETS

摘要

pA method and apparatus to provide and regulate oil pressure within an oil system 100 of an engine assembly 50. The oil system has an oil pump 104 which provides oil at a rate which may vary according to the engine running speed. The oil system has at least one piston cooling jet (PCJ) 130 which in use, directs a jet of cooling oil to at least one piston (16 Fig 1). The flow of oil to the piston cooling jet is controlled by an electronic control valve 131, for example a solenoid valve, which is controlled by a controller 140. The controller operates the electronic control valve such that below a threshold power output or threshold engine running speed, the controller regulates oil pressure within the oil pressure system, and above a threshold oil flow rate and the threshold power output, oil is provided to the piston cooling jet. The control valve may be a variable flow control valve, and the arrangement may include a pressure sensor 136 to determine the pressure of oil within the oil system. The oil jet may lubricate and cool at least one piston, and may improve friction and efficiency./p[GB2553288A]