DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relates to an oil gallery of an automobile engine. Particularly, but not exclusively relates to, an oil gallery configured with a wall at an inlet oil gallery of a cylinder block in an engine.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE AND PRIOR ARTS
Generally, a cylinder block is an important component in the engine. The cylinder block comprises of plurality of cylinders and surrounding structures, such as, but not limited to, oil galleries and coolant jackets. In engines, there are parts which move against each other causing friction which wastes otherwise useful power by converting the energy to heat. The function of engine oil passing through oil galleries is to lubricate the moving parts. In addition to lubricating, the engine oil serves additional functions such as cleaning, inhibiting corrosion and cooling the engine by carrying away the heat from the moving parts.

Typically in Naturally Aspirated (NA) engines, air for combustion is drawn into the cylinders by the atmospheric pressure acting against a partial vacuum occurring due to downward piston travel. The volumetric efficiency of the NA engine is less than 100 percent. On the other hand, in a Turbo Charged (TC) engine, the air is drawn into the cylinders by forced induction using a Turbocharger. Hence, more than 100 percent of air can be fed to cylinders, which enable these engines to burn fuel and produce more power than NA engines. Therefore, a TC engine operation produces more heat as compared to an NA engine. As a result, the oil traveling through the oil passages in a TC engine is much hotter in comparison with the oil traveling through the oil passages in an NA engine. Generally, lower oil temperatures prolong the life of an engine. Hence, it is apparent that effective oil cooling mechanism is a must for engines especially in the TC engines.

For effectively cooling in the TC engines, the oil in the oil cooler is used. The oil cooler in an engine performs operations like a heat exchanger and supplies oil at consistent and optimal temperature. The optimum temperature for the oil is generally between 80° to 90° C. In case of failure, that is, the oil cooler does not maintain oil temperature within the limits loses its lubricating property as well as cooling property resulting in engine seizure.

Generally, the oil cooler is sandwiched between a cylinder block and an oil filter. An oil filter holder is mounted on the block first and on the filter holder are mounted the oil cooler and oil filter. Thus, the oil cooler and the oil filter are dependent on each other in terms of mounting. Oil leakage is one of the major disadvantages in this type of mounting system, as it is not possible to provide o-ring for sealing. One more disadvantage is that, to maintain the robustness of oil cooler, the oil cooler is generally made from stainless steel material, which adds more weight compared to other lighter materials. Further, direct mounting of oil cooler on cylinder block in the path of inlet oil gallery makes the oil cooler functioning effective and also lighter material such as aluminum can be used for its construction.

In light of foregoing discussion, it is necessary to develop an oil gallery system to efficiently dissipate heat and overcome the problems stated above.

OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
An objective of the present disclosure is to provide oil gallery system for an engine to efficiently dissipate the heat and cool various parts of the engine.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the disclosure.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an oil gallery system for an engine is provided. The oil gallery system comprising an inlet oil gallery and an outlet oil gallery configured in a cylinder block, a wall configured in between the inlet oil gallery and the outlet gallery to block passage between the oil inlet gallery and the outlet oil gallery; and an oil cooler removably mounted onto the cylinder block with the inlet oil gallery connected to an oil inlet of the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery connected to oil outlet of the oil cooler wherein the oil from the inlet oil gallery passes into the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery to enter an oil filter.

In one embodiment, an oil filter is connected to the outlet gallery at one end and to a hole at a second end.

In one embodiment, the wall is having a thickness ranging from about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a method of manufacturing of an oil gallery system for an engine. The method comprising acts of configuring an inlet oil gallery and an outlet oil gallery in a cylinder block, configuring a wall in between the inlet oil gallery and the outlet gallery to block passage between the oil inlet gallery and the outlet oil gallery; and mounting an oil cooler removably onto the cylinder block with the inlet oil gallery connected to oil inlet of the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery connected to oil outlet of the oil cooler, wherein the oil from the inlet oil gallery passes into the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery to enter an oil filter.

In one embodiment, the inlet oil gallery and the outlet oil gallery are configured by boring the cylinder block to a predetermined distance.

In one embodiment, the wall configured at the passage of the inlet oil gallery and the outlet oil gallery.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides for a vehicle comprising the oil gallery system. The oil gallery system comprising an inlet oil gallery and an outlet oil gallery configured in a cylinder block, a wall configured in between the inlet oil gallery and the outlet gallery to block passage between the oil inlet gallery and the outlet oil gallery; and an oil cooler removably mounted onto the cylinder block with the inlet oil gallery connected to an oil inlet of the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery connected to oil outlet of the oil cooler wherein the oil from the inlet oil gallery passes into the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery to enter an oil filter.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a flow chart showing the process of an oil flow from oil sump to a cylinder block main oil gallery in naturally aspirated (NA) (non-oil cooler design) engine and turbo charged (TC) (oil cooler design) engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figs. 2 to 5 shows a various cross-sectional representations of an oil gallery system and mounting of an oil filter and oil cooler on the cylinder block in TC engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figs. 6 and 7 shows exploded view representations of the oil gallery system and mounting of an oil filter and oil cooler on the cylinder block in TC engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of an oil gallery system and mounting the oil filter on the cylinder block in a NA engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

It is to be noted at this point that all of the above described components, whether alone or in any combination, are claimed as being essential to the disclosure, in particular the details depicted in the drawings and reference numerals in the drawings are as given below.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where ever possible same numerals will be used to refer to the same or like parts.

Referral Numerals:

Reference Number Description
1 Cylinder block
2 Inlet oil gallery
3 Oil inlet
4 Oil outlet
5 Wall/Restriction
6 Oil cooler
7 Oil filter
8 Outlet oil gallery
9 Inlet hole of a cylinder block
100 Oil gallery system

To overcome the problems stated in the background, the present disclosure provides an oil gallery system along with a cooler mounted to the oil gallery system according to one embodiment. The oil cooler is an essential part for an engine to perform efficiently and keep running well, continually even when pushed the maximum limit. Apart from maintaining proper oil temperature of lubricating oil, it is also important to keep the weight of oil cooler to as minimum as possible.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an oil cooler is mounted so that, it allows the oil to sufficiently dissipate the heat. Also, maintaining the dimension is an important aspect, that is, the oil inlet and outlet as too small a size can be restrictive and will cause a drop in oil pressure. The placement of the oil cooler is an important aspect and the best place to install an oil cooler is to mount directly on the cylinder block. Because of this placement the oil cooler can receive maximum amount of airflow, thereby making the oil cooler and operate efficiently. Also, the placement provides several advantages such as, but not limited to, weight saving is due to the use of lighter material for oil cooler construction, preventing reverse flow of oil, reducing additional piping of oil cooler and avoiding oil leakage by use of oil seals.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an oil gallery system for an engine is provided. The oil gallery system comprising an inlet oil gallery and an outlet oil gallery configured in a cylinder block, a wall configured in between the inlet oil gallery and the outlet gallery to block passage between the oil inlet gallery and the outlet oil gallery; and an oil cooler removably mounted onto the cylinder block with the inlet oil gallery connected to an oil inlet of the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery connected to oil outlet of the oil cooler wherein the oil from the inlet oil gallery passes into the oil cooler and the outlet oil gallery to enter an oil filter.

The present invention is described in detail below referring to drawings/figures.

Fig. 1 illustrates a flow chart showing the process of an oil flow from oil sump to a cylinder block (1) through oil gallery system (100) in naturally aspirated (NA) (non-oil cooler design) engine and turbo charged (TC) (oil cooler design) engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The amount of oil that is required for lubrication of parts is stored in the oil sump. When an engine is turned ON, an oil pump which is coupled to the crankshaft gets activated. The oil pump draws out the oil from the oil sump through a short pick up pipe which has an oil strainer at the other end. The oil strainer is a wire mesh that removes some of the larger pieces of debris from the oil.

The oil pump circulates engine oil under pressure to various moving parts for lubrication and cooling, with the aid of inlet oil gallery drilled through the cylinder block (1). The pressurized oil passes through the oil cooler to remove the excess heat from it. The cooled oil is then circulated through the oil filter (7) for further removing the contaminants. The filtered oil reaches various parts in the lubrication circuit through oil passages configured in the oil gallery system (100).

Figs. 2-5 illustrates various schematic cross-sectional representation of an oil gallery system (100) and mounting of an oil filter (7) and an oil cooler (6) on the cylinder block (1) in the turbocharged (TC) engine.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an oil gallery system (100) for an engine is provided. The oil gallery system (100) comprises an inlet oil gallery (2) and an outlet oil gallery (8) configured in a cylinder block (1). A wall (5) is configured in between the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet gallery (8) to block passage between the oil inlet gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8). In one embodiment, the wall (5) is having a thickness ranging from about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm. An oil cooler (6) removably mounted onto the cylinder block (1) with the inlet oil gallery (2) connected to an oil inlet (3) of the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) connected to oil outlet (5) of the oil cooler (6). The oil from the inlet oil gallery (2) passes into the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) to enter oil filter (7). In one embodiment, an oil filter (7) is connected to the outlet gallery (8) at one end and to a hole (9) at a second end. An oil pump (not shown) pressurizes the oil to pass through the inlet oil gallery (2). The oil cooler (6) is mounted directly on the cylinder block (1) such that oil inlet (3) and oil outlet (4) of oil cooler (6) are connected to the two distinct inlet oil galleries. The oil enters the oil cooler (6) from oil inlet (3) and after dissipating the heat returns back to the inlet oil gallery (2) through the oil outlet (4). The oil reaches the oil filter (7) through a hole (8). The filtered oil then moves back to the cylinder block (1) through a hole (9).

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing of an oil gallery system (100) for an engine is provided. The method comprising acts of configuring an inlet oil gallery (2) and an outlet oil gallery (8) in a cylinder block (1), configuring a wall (5) in between the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet gallery (8) to block passage between the oil inlet gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8), and mounting an oil cooler (6) removably onto the cylinder block (1) with the inlet oil gallery (2) connected to oil inlet (3) of the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) connected to oil outlet (5) of the oil cooler (6). The oil from the inlet oil gallery (2) passes into the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) to enter oil filter (7). In one embodiment, the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8) are configured by boring the cylinder block (1) to a predetermined distance, i.e. inlet oil gallery (2) is not drilled across the full length of cylinder block (1). Therefore, it creates a restriction or wall (5) between an oil inlet (3) and an oil outlet (4). Two separate drilling operations are used for this purpose from the opposite sides. In one embodiment, the wall (5) is configured at the passage of the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8).

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle comprising the oil gallery system (100) is provided.

Figs. 6 and 7 shows exploded view representations of the oil gallery system (100) and mounting of the oil filter (7) and the oil cooler (6) on the cylinder block (1) in TC engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The oil cooler (6) and the oil filter (7) are directly mounted onto the cylindrical block (1) to connect with oil gallery system (100). The oil cooler (6) directly mounted on cylinder block (1) provides at least one advantage such as, but not limited to, improved cooling performance of the oil cooler (1), smaller packaging space of the engine due to removal of adaptors, avoiding oil leakage because of providing O-ring at oil inlet and outlet and avoiding additional piping of oil cooler (6) because of direct mounting of oil cooler (6) on the cylinder block (1).

Also, another advantage due to the direct mounting of oil cooler on the cylinder block is that this enables the use of lighter material such as aluminum for the construction which reduces the weight. In one embodiment of the present disclosure the weight reduction is approximately 700 grams per engine. Further, another advantage is avoiding the reverse flow of coolant. This is achieved because the oil inlet (3) may be mounted near to water pump, which is a high pressure zone, and the oil outlet (4) in low pressure zone, the pressure difference across the oil inlet (3) and the oil outlet (4) is high, which helps in avoiding the reverse flow of coolant.

Fig. 8 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional representation of an oil gallery system (100) and mounting the oil filter (7) on the cylinder block (1) in a NA engine, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The cylinder block (1) as shown in the figures 1-7 may be convertible to a NA engine by removing or by not providing a wall/restriction in between the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8). As shown, the oil flows through an inlet oil gallery (2) in the NA engine without the oil cooler (6). Inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8) is drilled throughout the length of the cylinder block (1).The pressurized oil from inlet oil gallery (2) enters the oil filter (7) through the outlet oil gallery (8). The oil after filtration reaches a main oil gallery through a hole (9). The oil cooler (6) is not applicable for NA engine; therefore, the inlet oil gallery (2) in the cylinder block (1) does not have any restriction in between to provide mounting for oil cooler (6).

Advantages
In one embodiment since the oil cooler is directly mounted on cylinder block, it provides an advantage of improved cooling performance of the oil cooler, smaller packaging space of the engine due to removal of adaptors, avoiding oil leakage because of providing O-ring at oil inlet and outlet and avoiding additional piping of oil cooler because of direct mounting of oil cooler on the cylinder block.

In one embodiment, due to the direct mounting of oil cooler on the cylinder block, this enables the use of lighter material such as aluminum for the construction which reduces the weight. In one embodiment, the weight reduction is approximately 700 grams per engine.

In one embodiment, the oil gallery system avoids reverse flow of coolant. This is achieved because the oil cooler inlet (3) is mounted near to water pump, which is a high pressure zone, and the oil cooler outlet (4) in low pressure zone, the pressure difference across the oil cooler inlet (3) and the oil cooler outlet (4) is high, which helps in avoiding the reverse flow of coolant.

In one embodiment, the placement of the oil cooler (6) receives maximum amount of airflow, thereby making the oil cooler (6) and operate efficiently. Also, it provides several advantages such as, but not limited to, weight saving is due to the use of lighter material for oil cooler (6) construction, preventing reverse flow of oil, reducing additional piping of oil cooler (6) and avoiding oil leakage by use of oil seals. Also, the oil gallery system of oil cooler eliminates oil leakage due to direct mounting of oil cooler (6) on the cylinder block (1) in turbocharged (TC) engine variant.

In one embodiment, the wall or restriction is made thinner which reduces the porosity in the oil gallery system thereby reduces leakage that may happen in the oil gallery system.

Equivalents
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.
,CLAIMS:1. An oil gallery system (100) for an engine, comprising:
an inlet oil gallery (2) and an outlet oil gallery (8) configured in a cylinder block (1),
a wall (5) configured in between the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet gallery (8) to block passage between the oil inlet gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8); and
an oil cooler (6) removably mounted onto the cylinder block (1) with the inlet oil gallery (2) connected to an oil inlet (3) of the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) connected to oil outlet (5) of the oil cooler (6) wherein the oil from the inlet oil gallery (2) passes into the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) to enter an oil filter (7).

2. The oil gallery system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an oil filter (7) is connected to the outlet gallery (8) at one end and to a hole (9) at a second end.

3. The oil gallery system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wall (5) is having a thickness ranging from about 3.5 mm to about 4 mm.

4. A method of manufacturing of an oil gallery system (100) for an engine, the method comprising acts of:
configuring an inlet oil gallery (2) and an outlet oil gallery (8) in a cylinder block (1),
configuring a wall (5) in between the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet gallery (8) to block passage between the oil inlet gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8); and
mounting an oil cooler (6) removably onto the cylinder block (1) with the inlet oil gallery (2) connected to oil inlet (3) of the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) connected to oil outlet (5) of the oil cooler (6), wherein the oil from the inlet oil gallery (2) passes into the oil cooler (6) and the outlet oil gallery (8) to enter an oil filter (7).

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8) are configured by boring the cylinder block (1) to a predetermined distance.

6. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wall (5) configured at the passage of the inlet oil gallery (2) and the outlet oil gallery (8).

7. A vehicle comprising the oil gallery system (100) as claimed in claim 1.