CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application No. 61/867,769 filed August 20, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The field to which the disclosure generally relates to includes vehicle powertrains.

BACKGROUND

A vehicle may be driven by a powertrain.

SUMMARY OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

One variation may include a product comprising: a pressurized fluid accumulator: wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is constructed and arranged to attached to a stop/start vehicle's engine lubricating oil system; and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is constructed and arranged to lubricate at least one main bearing in the stop/start vehicle's engine prior to a restart of the stop/start vehicle.

Another variation may include a method comprising: providing a pressurized fluid accumulator into a vehicle having a stop/start system: wherein the vehicle includes an engine and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to a lubrication system in the engine; and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is constructed and arranged to pre-lubricate at least one main bearing in the engine during a re-start event.

Another variation may include a product comprising: a pressurized fluid accumulator, wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator comprises a pressure chamber; a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is operatively connected to the pressure chamber; a solenoid, wherein the solenoid is operatively connected to the pressurized fluid accumulator; and wherein the solenoid is constructed and arranged to assist the pressurized fluid accumulator to achieve quick fluid pressure. Other illustrative variations within the scope of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while disclosing variations of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Select examples of variations within the scope of the invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a vehicle schematic including a pressurized fluid accumulator according to a number of variations.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of an accumulator and a solenoid according to a number of variations.

FIG. 3 illustrates an engine schematic including a lubrication system and a pressurized fluid accumulator according to a number of variations.

FIG. 4 illustrates an engine schematic including a lubrication system and a pressurized fluid accumulator according to a number of variations.

FIG. 5 illustrates an engine schematic including a lubrication system and a pressurized fluid accumulator according to a number of variations.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a solenoid according to a number of variations.

FIG. 7 illustrates an engine schematic including a lubrication system, a pressurized fluid accumulator, and a solenoid according to a number of variations. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE VARIATIONS

The following description of the variations is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention, its application, or uses. In any of a number of variations, a vehicle may include a "Stop/Start" system which may automatically shut down a vehicle's engine when it is idle and may restart the engine as soon as the accelerator is engaged or the brake or clutch is released which may reduce the amount of time that the engine spends idling. The "Stop/Start" system may reduce the amount of fuel that a vehicle may consume when, for example, but not limited to, a vehicle may be subject to starting and stopping frequently while in traffic or stopping for traffic lights.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in any of a number of variations, a Stop/Start vehicle 20 may include an engine 22 which may be connected to a starter 24, a belt driven alternator/starter 26 and a transmission 28. The starter 24 may be used to turn on or start a vehicle's engine 22. Additionally, a belt driven alternator / starter 26 may be connected to the engine 22 which may reduce a vehicle's 20 fuel consumption. The belt driven alternator/starter 26 may be attached to a battery 30 of any of a number of variations.

The transmission 28 may include, but is not limited to, a pump 32, a torque converter 34, a clutch 36, and a plurality of gears 38 which may drive the wheels 40 of a vehicle. The mechanical pump 32 which may be adjacent the engine 22 may be used to circulate oil (not illustrated) through the transmission 28 and/or its cooling system (not illustrated). The torque converter 34 may be adjacent the mechanical pump 32 and may be used to transfer power from the engine 22 to the driveline. The clutch 36 may control the transmission of power from the engine 22 to the plurality of gears 38. The plurality of gears 38 may drive the vehicle wheels 40.

Referring again to FIG. 1 , in any of a number of variations, a pressurized fluid accumulator 44 may be used in conjunction with an engine's mechanical oil pump 60 to lubricate the engine 22.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, in any of a number of variations, an engine 22 may include a plurality of pistons 46 which may drive a crankshaft 48. Each piston 46 may be encompassed by a cylinder wall 50. A piston pin 52 may be used to attach the piston 46 to the connecting rod 54 which may be attached to a connecting rod bearing 56. The connecting rod bearing 56 may be adjacent one or more main bearings 58 which may hold a crankshaft 48 in place during rotation. In any of a number of variations, the engine 22 may require lubrication which may improve performance and which may reduce fatigue on the engine components including, but not limited to, one or more main bearings 58, the crankshaft 48, one or more crankshaft bearings 49, one or more pistons 46, and one or more connecting rods 56. In any of a number of variations, an engine 22 may include a lubrication system 72, 74, 76 which may utilize a mechanical pump 60 for example, but not limited to, a splash and force feed system 72, a force feed system 74, or a full force feed system 76.

In any of a number of variations, a splash and force feed system 72, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 3, may comprise one or more dippers 78 and an oil pump 60. The one or more dippers 78 may be attached to one or more connecting rods 54 which may scoop oil 62 from the oil pan 80 and throw the oil 62 onto the crankshaft 48 which may then lubricate the surrounding engine components, including, but not limited to, one or more pistons 46, one or more piston pins 52, and the cylinder walls 50. The mechanical oil pump 60 may lubricate various engine components including, but not limited to, one or more main bearings 58 and one or more crankshaft bearings 49 by dispersing oil 62 through one or more passages 64, which may be under pressure from the mechanical pump 60.

In any of a number of variations, a force feed system 74, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 4, may comprise a mechanical oil pump 60 which may deliver oil 62 to various engine components including, but not limited to, one or more main bearings 58, the crankshaft 48, the one or more pistons 46, and one or more connecting rod bearings 56 by dispersing oil 62 through one or more oil passages 64 which may be under pressure from the mechanical oil pump 60.

In any of a number of variations, a full force feed system 76, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 5, may comprise a mechanical pump 60 which may lubricate various engine components including, but not limited to, one or more main bearings 58, one or more rod bearings 56, one or more crankshaft bearings 49, one or more pistons 46, one or more piston pins 52, and valve mechanisms (not illustrated), through one or more oil passages 64 which may be under pressure from the mechanical pump 60. In any of a number of variations, a pressurized fluid accumulator 44 may be used in conjunction with an engine's lubrication system's 72, 74, 76 mechanical oil pump 60 which may help to further lubricate the main bearings 58 of the engine 22, prior to re-start. This may prevent or reduce main bearing 58 failures due to increased amounts of re-starts. The pressurized fluid accumulator 44 may be attached to the oil passage 64 upstream of the mechanical oil pump 60.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, in any of a number of variations, the pressurized fluid accumulator 44 may include a pressure chamber 66 which may be attached to a pressure sensor 68. The pressurized fluid accumulator 44 may be attached to a solenoid 70, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 6, which may be used to control the flow of oil 62 from the pressurized fluid accumulator 44. In a number of variations, the solenoid 70 may be located downstream of the oil pump 60, and the pressure sensor 68 may be located downstream of the solenoid 70, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 7. The solenoid 70 may be used to assist the pressurized fluid accumulator 44 to achieve quick fluid pressure for lubrication of the engine 22. Any number of solenoids 70 may be used including, but not limited to, a high flowing/low leaking solenoid valve such as the Eco-Launch™ Solenoid Valve. An Eco- Launch™ solenoid valve may comprise an accumulator or bottle of pressurized oil and a solenoid valve that may control the flow of oil from the accumulator 44. The Eco-Launch™ Solenoid valve may have low leakage which may allow the Eco-Launch™ Solenoid valve to maintain sufficient pressure and volume in the accumulator in a "stop" event. The solenoid 70 may include a body 82 which may be any of a number of shapes including, but not limited to, a cylindrical shape, a variation of which is illustrated in FIG. 6. The solenoid 70 may also include a nozzle 84 which may be any of a number of shapes including, but not limited to, a cylindrical shape. The solenoid 70 may also include one or more attachment plates 86.

The following description of variants is only illustrative of components, elements, acts, products and methods considered to be within the scope of the invention and are not in any way intended to limit such scope by what is specifically disclosed or not expressly set forth. The components, elements, acts, products and methods as described herein may be combined and rearranged other than as expressly described herein and still are considered to be within the scope of the invention. Variation 1 may include a product comprising: a pressurized fluid accumulator: wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is constructed and arranged to attached to a stop/start vehicle's engine lubricating oil system; and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is constructed and arranged to lubricate at least one main bearing in the stop/start vehicle's engine prior to a restart of the stop/start vehicle.

Variation 2 may include a product as set forth in Variation 1 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to a pressure sensor and a solenoid; and wherein the solenoid controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid accumulator.

Variation 3 may include a product as set forth in Variation 2 wherein the solenoid is a high flowing/low leaking solenoid valve.

Variation 4 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 1 - 3 further comprising a stop/start vehicle, and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to a stop/start vehicle's engine lubricating oil system.

Variation 5 may include a product as set forth in Variation 4 wherein the engine's lubricating system includes a mechanical pump and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is located upstream of the mechanical pump.

Variation 6 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 4- 5 wherein the engine's lubricating system is a combination splash and force feed system.

Variation 7 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 4- 5 wherein the engine's lubricating system is a force feed system.

Variation 8 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 4- 5 wherein the engine's lubricating system is a full force feed system.

Variation 9 may include a product as set forth in Variation 5 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator and the mechanical oil pump work in conjunction to pre lubricate at least one main bearing in the stop/start vehicle's engine prior to a restart of the vehicle.

Variation 10 may include a product comprising: a stop/start vehicle, wherein the stop/start vehicle comprises an engine and a pressurized fluid accumulator; and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to the engine. Variation 1 1 may include a product as set forth in Variation 10 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is operatively connected to a mechanical pump in the engine.

Variation 12 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 10-1 1 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is operatively connected to a pressure sensor and a solenoid; and wherein the solenoid controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid accumulator.

Variation 13 may include a product as set forth in Variation 12 wherein the solenoid is a high flowing/low leaking solenoid valve.

Variation 14 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations

10-13 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to a lubrication system in the engine and is constructed and arranged to work in conjunction with a mechanical oil pump to pre lubricate at least one main bearing in the stop/start vehicle engine prior to a restart of the vehicle.

Variation 15 may include a method comprising: providing a pressurized fluid accumulator into a vehicle having a stop/start system: wherein the vehicle includes an engine and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to a lubrication system in the engine; and wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is constructed and arranged to pre-lubricate at least one main bearing in the engine during a re-start event.

Variation 16 may include a method as set forth in Variation 15 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is attached to a pressure sensor and a solenoid; and wherein the solenoid controls the flow of fluid from the pressurized fluid accumulator.

Variation 17 may include a method as set forth in Variation 16 wherein the solenoid is a high flowing/low leaking solenoid valve.

Variation 18 may include a product comprising: a pressurized fluid accumulator, wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator comprises a pressure chamber; a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is operatively connected to the pressure chamber; a solenoid, wherein the solenoid is operatively connected to the pressurized fluid accumulator; and wherein the solenoid is constructed and arranged to assist the pressurized fluid accumulator to achieve quick fluid pressure. Variation 19 may include a product as set forth in Variation 18 wherein the pressurized fluid accumulator is operatively connected to an engine lubrication system.

Variation 20 may include a product as set forth in any of Variations 18-19 wherein the solenoid is a high flowing/low leaking solenoid valve.

The above description of select variations within the scope of the invention is merely illustrative in nature and, thus, variations or variants thereof are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.