Lubrication arrangement for timing chain and cylinder head
A combustion engine is provided that includes at least one oil distribution mechanism for distributing lubrication oil to the engine.
1. A combustion engine, comprising:
a crankcase defining a journal area and an oil sump;
a cylinder communicating with the crankcase;
a cam chain chamber discrete from the crankcase;
a crankshaft journalled in the journal area of the crankcase, with a first end extending into the cam chain chamber and a second end extending through the crankcase;
a piston positioned in the cylinder;
a head above the cylinder having at least one camshaft therein operating valves in the head;
a first gear positioned on the crankshaft first end and positioned in the cam chain chamber;
a second gear positioned on an end of the cam;
a chain entrained around the first and second gear; and
an oil distribution member for distributing oil in the oil sump onto the cam chain for delivering lubrication oil to the head.
2. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the oil distribution member is positioned adjacent the first gear.
3. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the first gear is provided in a gear set positioned on the crankshaft first end, further comprising a third gear in meshing engagement with the gear set, and the oil distribution member is positioned intermediate the first and third gears.
4. The combustion engine of claim 1 , further comprising a port communicating between the crankcase and the cam chain chamber; and a valve allowing the flow of blow by gases, compressed gases and oil into the cam chain chamber when the piston is moving from a top dead center position to a bottom dead center position.
5. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the camshaft operates on bearings in the heads.
6. The combustion engine of claim 5 , wherein the bearings are roller bearings.
7. The combustion engine of claim 1 , further comprising an oil distribution member within the head to deliver oil to the cam lobes.
8. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the oil distribution member is positioned in the cam chain chamber.
9. The combustion engine of claim 8 , wherein the oil distribution member is positioned to collect oil from the first gear and to distribute the oil onto the cam chain.
10. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the oil distribution member includes a flange coupled to a wall of the engine.
11. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the oil distribution member is in a fixed position relative to the crankcase.
12. The combustion engine of claim 1 , wherein the oil distribution member is decoupled from rotation of the first and second gears.
13. A combustion engine, comprising:
a crankcase defining a journal area and an oil sump;
a cylinder communicating with the crankcase;
a cam chain chamber discrete from the crankcase;
a crankshaft journalled in the journal area of the crankcase, with a first end extending into the cam chain chamber and a second end extending through the crankcase;
a piston positioned in the cylinder;
a head above the cylinder having at least one camshaft therein operating valves in the head;
a first gear positioned on the crankshaft first end and positioned in the cam chain chamber;
a second gear positioned on an end of the cam;
a chain entrained around the first and second gear; and
an oil distribution member within the head to deliver oil to the cam lobes.
14. The combustion engine of claim 13 , wherein the oil distribution member is positioned adjacent the second gear.
15. The combustion engine of claim 13 , wherein the oil distribution member comprises a tray positioned adjacent to the second gear which collects oil from the second gear.
16. The combustion engine of claim 15 , wherein the tray includes at least one opening adjacent to cam lobes on the camshaft.
17. The combustion engine of claim 15 , wherein the tray includes a window positioned adjacent to the second gear allowing oil to enter the tray from the rotating chain.
18. A combustion engine, comprising:
a crankcase defining a journal area and an oil sump;
a cylinder communicating with the crankcase;
a crankshaft journalled in the journal area of the crankcase, the crankshaft having a first end and a second end;
a piston positioned in the cylinder;
a head above the cylinder having a camshaft therein operating at least one valve in the head;
a first gear positioned on the first end of the crankshaft;
a second gear positioned on an end of the cam;
a chain entrained around the first gear and the second gear; and
a tray positioned within the head to collect oil from the chain and to deliver the collected oil to the camshaft, wherein the tray includes a floor portion configured to collect the oil from the chain.
19. The combustion engine of claim 18 , wherein the tray is positioned adjacent the second gear.
20. The combustion engine of claim 18 , wherein the tray includes an opening positioned adjacent to the second gear allowing oil to enter the tray from the rotating chain.
21. The combustion engine of claim 18 , wherein the camshaft includes a cam lobe, and the tray distributes the collected oil onto the cam lobe.
22. The combustion engine of claim 21 , wherein the tray includes at least one opening adjacent to the cam lobe on the camshaft for distributing the oil onto the cam lobe.