UAV Engine Lubrication System Incorporating an Electric Oil Pump and Lubrication Oil Heating Capability

摘要

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engine (40) lubrication system and lubrication oil heating strategy uses a solenoid actuated electric oil pump (10,42) to deliver lubrication oil to the engine from a lubrication oil reservoir (12,44) by energising and de-energising the solenoid (18) to operate a pump mechanism of the electric oil pump. A controller (ECU) (100) can control operation of the electric oil pump, the solenoid maintained energised for a required period of time to cause heating of the oil without continuously pumping the oil. An electric oil pump control strategy can maintain engine speed dependent minimum oil delivery rates, can heat the electric oil pump and oil through extended energised (ON) time of the solenoid, and, by varying the turn on time of the electronic oil pump based on sensed ambient temperature, long time periods can be used to ensure oil delivery for cold temperatures, and shorter times are permitted when necessary in order to reach maximum oil flow rate.

主权项

1. An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engine lubrication system including a solenoid actuated electric oil pump to deliver lubrication oil to the engine from a lubrication oil reservoir by energising and de-energising the solenoid to operate a pump mechanism of the electric oil pump, and a controller to control operation of the electric oil pump, the solenoid maintained energised for a first period of time during an engine warm up routine, the first period of time being shorter than a stroke time of the pump, and the solenoid maintained energised for a second period of time during normal operation of the engine the second period of time being longer than the stroke time of the pump, to cause heating of the oil without continuously pumping the oil.