Patent ID: 7261078
Filing Date: 2007-08-28
Classification: F01M

Abstract:
1. A power unit, comprising: an internal combustion engine comprising a crankcase defining a crankcase chamber therein, a crankcase suction port in fluid communication with the crankcase chamber, and at least one cylinder associated with the crankcase; a second unit comprising a second unit case defining a second unit case chamber therein, distinct from the crankcase chamber, a second unit suction port in fluid communication with the second unit case chamber; and a lubrication system for providing an oil supply for use in the internal combustion engine and the second unit, the lubrication system including a lubricant reservoir, a lubricant supply for supplying lubricant from the lubricant reservoir to at least one of the crankcase chamber and the second unit case chamber, a lubricant return for returning lubricant to the lubricant reservoir; and the crankcase chamber being in fluid communication with the second unit case chamber via a transfer system in order to transfer lubricant between the crankcase chamber and the second unit case chamber, the transfer system having a transfer inlet in fluid communication with one of the crankcase suction port and the second unit suction port to pick up lubricant from a corresponding one of the crankcase chamber and the second unit case chamber, and a transfer outlet to deliver lubricant to the other one of the crankcase chamber and the second unit case chamber, the transfer outlet being disposed above the transfer inlet with respect to gravity, and the transfer system further comprising a conduit operatively disposed between the transfer inlet and the transfer outlet in order to transfer the lubricant between the transfer inlet and the transfer outlet; and the lubrication system further including a first pump, the first pump being in fluid communication with the other one of the crankcase suction port and the second unit suction port, the operation of the first pump causing lubricant to be withdrawn from the other one of the crankcase suction port and the second unit suction port, and, via the transfer system, from the one of the crankcase suction port and the second unit suction port.