Patent ID: 6394058
Filing Date: 2002-05-28
Classification: F01M,F02B,F02F

Abstract:
An internal-combustion engine for motorcycles, the internal-combustion engine comprising a crankshaft arranged in a crankcase and connected by way of connecting rods to pistons arranged so as to be movable in cylinders, an oil sump which is situated below the crankcase and from which the lubricating oil is conveyed to the consumer devices by way of an oil pump, and means for returning the lubricating oil from the consumer devices to the oil sump, characterized in that, in order to separate the oil taken up in particular by the crankshaft (24), a part of the crankcase (10) adjacent to the crankshaft (24) has a wall portion (26a to d) which extends parallel to the axis of rotation of the crankshaft (24) and the outline of which is adapted to the enveloping curves of the crankshaft webs (27, 28) and the connecting rods (20, 22), the internal-combustion engine further comprising an oil-separating chamber (34) provided with return openings (30, 32, 36) to the oil sump (12) and arranged behind the wall portion (26) as viewed in the direction of rotation of the crankshaft (24), and wherein the oil separating chamber (34) is connected by way of an oil-return opening (36) to a lateral chamber (38) of the crankcase (10) in which a rotor (46) of a generator (40) secured to the crankshaft flange is situated, and further return openings (42, 44) in the lateral chamber (38) lead to the oil sump (12), wherein the return of the oil to the oil sump (12) is assisted by the rotation of the rotor (46).