Patent Abstract:
Pressure actuated oil jets have long been used to cool the underside of the pistons in such reciprocating engines. The present disclosure is a fluid jet for providing fluid under pressure to a desired location. The fluid jet comprises a valve body, at least one fluid passage extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body, a fluid pressure actuated valve element located within the valve body and moveable longitudinally therein between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and a sleeve extending inwardly within said valve body, wherein said valve element is retained within said sleeve when oil pressure drops below a predetermined threshold.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/314,953, entitled “FLUID JET WITH NOISE REDUCING SLEEVE”, filed on Dec. 21, 2005 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/637,968 filed on Dec. 21, 2004, which are each incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to fluid jets for providing fluid under pressure to a desired location, and more particularly, to a fluid jet having a noise reducing portion to prevent “knocking.” 
     BACKGROUND 
     The pistons of gasoline engines, diesel engines, and high performance engines become easily overheated during operation. Pressure actuated oil jets have long been used to cool the underside of the pistons in such reciprocating engines. Such oil jets are often mounted in a bore on the underside of the engine block and receive oil under pressure from an oil gallery. These oil jets also incorporate a check valve to supply oil to the oil jet when a predetermined oil pressure is achieved and also prevent siphoning off of needed oil pressure during low oil pressure conditions. 
     Oil jets spray oil into cooling channels on the underside of the pistons, cooling the piston crowns and surrounding cylinder wall by absorbing heat (thus lowering combustion chamber temperatures). This occurs while the engine is running. This practice reduces piston temperatures, which helps the engine develop more power and assists in lubricating the piston and cylinder wall to increase durability. The extra oil layer on the cylinder bores and reciprocating components also minimizes noise that typically emanates from these components. The optimum operating temperatures also enhance the life of the critical engine parts and reduce maintenance costs. 
     There are two standard types of pressure actuated oil jets used in the industry, each comprising a two-part configuration. As shown in  FIG. 1 , typical pressure actuated oil jets comprise a two-piece construction comprising an oil jet body  10  and an oil jet valve  12 . The oil jet body  10  comprises a main body  14  having a valve aperture  16  at one end and a bolt-receiving aperture  18  at the other end. Extending from the sides of the main body  14  are two nozzles  20  that are in fluid communication with the interior of the valve aperture  16 . 
     The valve  12  generally comprises a tubular sleeve  22  having a threaded exterior portion  24  and a pair of oil exiting apertures  26 . The sleeve  22  is further connected to an oversized head  28  at one end. Therefore, in assembly of the typical two-piece oil jet assembly, the valve  12  is inserted within the valve aperture  16  until the oil exiting apertures  26  of the valve  12  line up with the nozzles  20 . The threaded portion  24  of the valve  12  threadedly engages a threaded bore in the lower portion of the engine block that transfers oil under pressure from the oil gallery to the valve  12 . 
     There are generally two valve constructions used in the industry to handle pressure actuation: a ball valve construction (shown in  FIG. 1A ) and a piston valve construction (shown in  FIG. 1B ). While both constructions are further described below, it should be understood that for simplicity, like elements are identified by like numbers. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the ball valve  30  comprises a tubular sleeve  32  connected at one end to an oversized head  40 . The sleeve further includes a pair of oil exiting apertures  36  which communicate with the nozzles of the oil jet body when the ball valve is placed within the valve body  10 . A bore  38  extends through the head  40  and sleeve  32  as a passage for oil entering the ball valve  30 . At the end opposite the head  40 , the bore  38  tapers to create a seat  42  that communicates with an oil entrance opening  44 . 
     A spring  46  is held within the bore  38  and urges a ball  48  against the seat  42  to create a valve-closed position. A cap  50  is placed over the bore  38  at the head  40  to retain the spring  46  within the sleeve  32 . When the oil pressure is above a predetermined value, oil under pressure passes through the oil entrance opening  44  to overcome the spring force and depress the ball  48  against the spring  46  thereby creating a valve open position. The oil under pressure enters the bore  38  and exits the oil exiting openings  36  as indicated by the arrows X and Y of  FIG. 2 . The oil exiting apertures  36  are in fluid communication with the nozzles in the separate body  10  that direct oil to the pistons. When the oil pressure falls below a predetermined value, the spring  46  urges the ball  48  against the seat  42  to prevent a siphoning off of oil pressure and creates a valve-closed position. 
     A particular disadvantage with the ball valve construction is that the ball  48  flutters, oscillates, or vacillates at low or transitional oil pressure. When the oil pressure in the oil jet is not great enough to overcome the spring force and depress the ball  48  against the spring  46 , the ball  48  flutters in place. This flutter causes a noise that is audible to the operator and/or the passenger of the vehicle into which the oil jet is installed. Additionally, when the oil pressure falls below a predetermined value, the spring  46  urges the ball  48  against the seat  42 . This causes the ball  48  to “knock” against the seat  42 , again, causing a noise audible to the operator and or the passenger of the vehicle into which the oil jet is installed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the second oil jet configuration comprises a piston valve construction. The piston valve  52  comprises a tubular sleeve  32  connected at one end to an oversized head  40 . The sleeve  32  further includes a pair of oil exiting apertures  36  at its lower end which communicate with the nozzles of the separate oil jet body  10 . A bore  38  extends through the head  40  and sleeve  32  as a passage for oil entering the piston valve  52 . At the end opposite the head  40  and below the oil exiting apertures  36 , the bore  38  tapers to create a seat  42  that communicates with an oil entrance opening  44 . 
     A spring  46  is held within the bore  38  and urges a piston  54  against the seat  42  to create a valve-closed position. A cap  50  is placed over the bore  38  at the head  40  to retain the spring  46  within the sleeve  32 . When the oil pressure is above a predetermined value, oil under pressure passes through the oil entrance opening  44  to overcome the spring force and depress the piston  54  and reveal the oil exiting apertures  36  thereby creating a valve open position. The oil under pressure enters the bore  38  and exits the oil exiting openings  36  as indicated by the arrows Y and X of  FIG. 3 . The oil exiting openings  36  are in fluid communication with the nozzles in the separate body  10  that direct oil to the pistons. When the oil pressure falls below a predetermined value, the spring  46  urges the piston  54  against the seat  42  to prevent a siphoning off of oil pressure and creates a valve-closed position. 
     The piston valve construction suffers from the similar disadvantage, although not as severally, as the ball valve construction. The piston  54  can flutter at low or transitional oil pressure. When the oil pressure in the oil jet is not great enough to overcome the spring force and depress the spring  54  against the spring  46 , the piston  54  can flutter in place. This flutter causes a noise that is audible to the operator and/or the passenger of the vehicle into which the oil jet is installed. Additionally, when the oil pressure falls below a predetermined value, the spring  46  urges the piston  54  against the seat  42 . This causes the piston  54  to “knock” against the seat  42 , again, causing a noise audible to the operator and or the passenger of the vehicle into which the oil jet is installed. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the art to create a fluid jet that operates in a quieter manner and does not flutter at low or transitional oil pressures or knock against the seat when oil pressure drops and the spring urges the ball or piston against the seat. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention provides a fluid jet. The fluid jet comprises a valve body, at least one fluid passage extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body, a fluid pressure actuated valve element located within the valve body and moveable longitudinally therein between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and a sleeve extending inwardly within said valve body, wherein said valve element is retained within said sleeve when oil pressure drops below a predetermined threshold. 
     In another embodiment, a fluid jet comprises a valve body, a valve element-retaining region extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body, at least one fluid passage extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body and in fluid communication with at least a portion of the valve element-retaining region, at least one fluid-exiting aperture through the valve body in fluid communication with the at least one fluid passage, a fluid pressure actuated valve element located within the valve element-retaining region and moveable longitudinally therealong between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and a sleeve extending inwardly within the valve body to allow the valve element to float within the sleeve at low and transitional pressures and to prevent the valve element from knocking as pressure drops. 
     In yet another embodiment, a fluid jet comprises a valve body, a valve element-retaining region extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body, at least one fluid passage extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body and in fluid communication with at least a portion of the valve element-retaining region, at least one fluid-exiting aperture through the valve body in fluid communication with the at least one fluid passage, a fluid pressure actuated valve element located within the valve element-retaining region and moveable longitudinally therealong between a valve open position and a valve closed position, and cap connected to the valve body, the cap having a sleeve extending inwardly within the valve body to allow the valve element to float within the sleeve at low and transitional pressures and to prevent the valve element from knocking as pressure drops. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The operation of the present invention may be better understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the following illustrations, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a prior art oil jet valve and oil jet body prior to assembly. 
         FIG. 1A  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art oil jet valve of a ball-type check valve; 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of a prior art oil jet valve of the piston valve type; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 1B ; 
         FIG. 4  is perspective view of an embodiment of a oil jet of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an oil jet; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the oil jet of  FIG. 5  without the cap so as to show details within the valve element-retaining region. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is directed to certain embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that nothing in the following description of these embodiments should limit the scope of the invention to the embodiments shown and described. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4-6 , and as best shown in  FIG. 5 , an oil jet, generally designated as  98  utilizes a valve body  100  having an integral valve element-retaining region  112 . Enclosed within the valve element-retaining region  112  is a spring biased valve element  115  retained therein by a cap  120  connected to the valve body  100 . A nozzle  122  is connected to the valve body  100  so as to direct oil under pressure to a desired location. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the valve body  100  is a die cast, one-piece component that can be manufactured from powdered metal due to its relatively low cost and ease of use. The valve body  100  has an integrally formed valve element-retaining region  112 , at least one fluid passage  114  in fluid communication with the valve element-retaining region  112 , and at least one fluid-exiting aperture  102  extending through the valve body  100  in fluid communication with the at least one fluid passage  114 . As shown in the drawings, the valve body  100  utilizes a pair of fluid passages  114  in fluid communication with the valve element-retaining region  112  and a pair of fluid-exiting apertures  102  in fluid communication with the associated fluid passages  114 . Alternatively, the valve body  100  may utilize one or any other number of fluid passages in fluid communication with the valve element-retaining region  112 . Additionally and in the alternative, one or any number of fluid-exiting apertures may be used. 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 4 , the valve element-retaining region  112  extends longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body  100  for preventing the valve element  115  from vacillating within the valve body  100  when the oil pressure in the valve-retaining region  112  has overcome the spring force. This further prevents fluid aeration and cavitation during a valve-open position. In the present embodiment, a pair of confronting walls  110  extending longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body  100  and integral therewith defines the valve element-retaining region  112 . The walls  110  extend inwardly within the cavity  104  to define the valve element-retaining region  112 . As shown, at least a portion of the surface of the walls  110  are semi-circular in shape so as to retain the valve element ball or piston, as the case may be, generally between the retaining region orifice and its base when the oil pressure has overcome the spring force. However, other wall configurations could be utilized to prevent the valve element  115  from vacillating within the valve body  100 . 
     The fluid passages  114  extend longitudinally within at least a portion of the valve body  100  and are in fluid communication with at least a portion of the valve element-retaining region  112 . In the present embodiment, the oil passages  114  are at least partially defined by the walls  110 . More specifically, the oil passages  114  are located opposite each other about the valve retaining region  112  and are each in fluid communication with the valve retaining region  112  longitudinally therealong. However, it should be clear that numerous other positions and configurations for the oil passages could be utilized while still being within the scope of the present invention. 
     Fluid-exiting apertures  102  extend through the valve body  100  in fluid communication with the oil passages  114 . Nozzles  122 , described in greater detail below, will be connected to the oil-exiting apertures  102  to divert oil under pressure to the desired location. The valve body  100  may also have a mounting tab  106  having an aperture  108  through which a mounting bolt (not shown) can connect the oil jet  98  to the underside of an engine block (not shown). 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , a fluid pressure actuated valve element  115  is placed within the valve element-retaining region  112  and is moveable longitudinally therealong between a valve-open position and a valve-closed position ( FIG. 5  shows a valve closed position). The present embodiment utilizes an inline, ball-type check valve. However, other types of valves could be used. The valve element  115  of the present embodiment is a ball  118 , although other elements may be utilized, such as a piston. The ball  118  is biased into a valve-closed position by a compression spring  116  located within the valve element-retaining region  112 . 
     A cap  120 , having a fluid-entering aperture  124  therethrough, is coaxially connected to the valve body  100  relative to valve element-retaining region  112  so as to retain the ball  118  and spring  116  within the valve element-retaining region  112 . The cap  120  further includes a sleeve  135 . The sleeve  135  may either be integrally formed with the cap  120 , or it can be connected therewith through an additional process, e.g., welding, fastening, etc. The sleeve  135  further includes walls  140  that extend inwardly within the cavity  104 . In the present embodiment, the surface of the walls  140  are semi-circular in shape so as to retain the valve element ball or piston, as the case may be, generally between the walls  140  when the oil pressure is not sufficient to overcome the force of the spring  116  or the oil pressure has dropped and the spring  116  urges the ball  118  against the seat. This allows the valve element  115  to float within the sleeve  135  at low and transitional pressures and prevents the valve element  115  from knocking against the underside of the cap  120  as the pressure drops. It should be noted that while the cap  120  is shown in cross-section in  FIG. 5 , it is removed in  FIG. 6  for the purpose of showing additional detail. 
     For operation, the oil jet  98  is connected to the engine block with a mounting bolt through the mounting aperture  108  in the mounting tab  106 . The nozzles  122  are positioned so as to provide oil to a desired location. Oil under pressure is supplied to the oil jet  98  typically through an oil line (not shown) that is connected to the oil jet valve body  100  along perimeter  130 . Oil under pressure is then drawn from an oil reservoir (not shown) through an oil pump (not shown) to the cap aperture  124 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , when the oil pressure is above a predetermined value, oil under pressure overcomes the spring force and depresses the ball  118  within the valve element-retaining region  112  to a valve-open position. With the ball  118  no longer in its resting valve-closed position seated on the underside of the cap aperture  124 , oil is permitted to flow through the cap aperture  124 , into the valve element-retaining region  112 , and around and over the ball  118  and into the oil passages  114 . Oil under pressure passes through the oil passages  114  and through the oil-exiting apertures  102  to the nozzle  122 . Oil under pressure is sprayed from the nozzle  122  upon the desired location, e.g. the pistons. 
     The ball  118  is forced into a valve-open position as long as the oil pressure is maintained above the predetermined value. When the oil pressure falls below the predetermined value, the spring  116  urges the ball  118  to a valve-closed position and seats the ball  118  against the underside of the cap aperture  124  to prevent a siphoning off of oil pressure. In particular as the pressure drops, the ball  118  comes into contact with the walls  140  of the sleeve  135  of the cap  120  and softly contacts the underside of the cap aperture  124 . This prevents the ball  118  from “knocking” against the underside of the cap aperture  124 , thus reducing the noise the oil jet  98  produces during operation. 
     The valve element-retaining region  112  permits the ball  118  to move longitudinally therein between a valve-closed position and a valve-open position while restraining the ball  118  from vacillating and causing aeration and cavitation of the oil. Therefore, the ball  118  cannot vacillate within the cavity  104  in response to the flow of oil over and around the ball  118 . Further, the walls  140  of the sleeve  135  of the cap  120  prevent the ball  118  from vacillating, oscillating or fluttering during low and transitional oil pressures. In particular, when the oil pressure is not sufficient enough to overcome the force of the spring  116  some pressure is present, the ball  118  can flutter or oscillate in place. The walls  140  are sized so as to prevent the ball  118  from oscillating or fluttering. During this period, the ball  118  floats within the sleeve  135  because there is not sufficient room for it to be moved anyway but longitudinally. This reduces the noise created during operation of the oil jet  98 . 
     Although the embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detailed description, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the invention described herein is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the claims hereafter.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5