Lubricating Configuration for Maintaining Wristpin Oil Pressure in a Two-Stroke Cycle, Opposed-Piston Engine

摘要

A lubricating configuration in a two-stroke cycle, opposed-piston engine for a piston wristpin minimizes losses in oil pressure at the wristpin as the piston approaches bottom center and reduces the required oil supply pressure to the engine. The wristpin is constructed to absorb and store oil pressure energy when oil pressure at the wristpin is high, and to release that stored energy to pressurize the oil at the wristpin when connecting rod oil pressure is low.

主权项

1. A lubricating configuration in a two-stroke cycle engine in which a piston includes a bearing support structure with a bearing surface, and a wristpin fixed to the small end of a connecting rod, and the bearing support structure retains the wristpin for oscillation in the bearing surface, the lubricating configuration comprising:
an internal oil reservoir in the wristpin in communication with one or more wristpin oil outlet passages operative to pass oil through the wristpin into an interface between the wristpin and the bearing surface; at least one oil pressure absorber disposed in the oil reservoir; a wristpin oil inlet passage in communication with the oil reservoir; an oil delivery passage in the connecting rod; and, a pressure-responsive control device coupling the oil delivery passage with the wristpin oil inlet passage; in which the pressure-responsive control device is oriented so as to open for passage of oil into the reservoir when oil pressure in the oil delivery passage exceeds the oil pressure in the oil reservoir and to close otherwise.