Patent ID: 7150249

Claim:
An internal combustion engine comprising a lubrication system arranged to lubricate at least a portion of the engine with lubricant, the lubrication system having a lubrication pump that periodically pressurizes the lubricant toward the portion of the engine, at least one sensor configured to sense either an engine speed or an engine load of the engine, and a control device configured to control the lubrication pump, the control device is also configured to determine a frequency of periodic pressurization based upon a signal from the sensor, the control device configured to set a pressurizing time of the lubrication pump to a period of time shorter than the maximum period of time that is capable to be set for the lubrication pump at the determined frequency, when the signal from the sensor indicates that the engine speed is within a range of engine speeds less than a preset engine speed or the engine load is within a range of engine loads less than a preset engine load.