Splash lubrication

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An early Sabb engine that would have used splash lubrication. SABB diesel Norsk traktor og motormuseum Stokke.jpg
An early Sabb engine that would have used splash lubrication.
The centre con-rod has a spade for splash lubrication. Bielle.jpg
The centre con-rod has a spade for splash lubrication.

Splash lubrication is a rudimentary form of lubrication found in early engines. [1] Such engines could be external combustion engines (such as stationary steam engines), or internal combustion engines (such as petrol, diesel or paraffin engines). [2]

Contents

Description

An engine that uses splash lubrication requires neither oil pump nor oil filter. Splash lubrication is an antique system whereby scoops on the big-ends of the connecting rods dip into the oil sump and splash the lubricant upwards towards the cylinders, creating an oil mist which settles into droplets. The oil droplets then pass through drillings to the bearings and thereby lubricate the moving parts. [3] Provided that the bearing is a ball bearing or a roller bearing, splash lubrication would usually be sufficient; however, plain bearings typically need a pressure feed to maintain the oil film, loss of which leads to overheating and seizure.

The splash lubrication system has simplicity, reliability, and cheapness within its virtues. [4] However, splash lubrication can work only on very low-revving engines, as otherwise the sump oil would become a frothy mousse. The Norwegian firm, Sabb Motor, produced a number of small marine diesel engines, mostly single-cylinder or twin-cylinder units, that used splash lubrication.

Modern use of splash lubrication

Splash lubrication is still used in modern engines and mechanisms, [5] [6] such as:

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motor oil</span> Lubricant used for lubrication of internal combustion engines

Motor oil, engine oil, or engine lubricant is any one of various substances used for the lubrication of internal combustion engines. They typically consist of base oils enhanced with various additives, particularly antiwear additives, detergents, dispersants, and, for multi-grade oils, viscosity index improvers. The main function of motor oil is to reduce friction and wear on moving parts and to clean the engine from sludge and varnish (detergents). It also neutralizes acids that originate from fuel and from oxidation of the lubricant (detergents), improves the sealing of piston rings, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bearing (mechanical)</span> Mechanism to constrain relative movement to the desired motion and reduce friction

A bearing is a machine element that constrains relative motion to only the desired motion and reduces friction between moving parts. The design of the bearing may, for example, provide for free linear movement of the moving part or for free rotation around a fixed axis; or, it may prevent a motion by controlling the vectors of normal forces that bear on the moving parts. Most bearings facilitate the desired motion by minimizing friction. Bearings are classified broadly according to the type of operation, the motions allowed, or the directions of the loads (forces) applied to the parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lubrication</span> The presence of a material to reduce friction between two surfaces.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Connecting rod</span> Piston engine component which connects the piston to the crankshaft

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References

  1. "What is Splash Lubrication - Learn How Engine Lubrication Happens". blockerandwallace.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  2. Kumar, Er. Amrit (2020-06-25). "Different Types of Lubrication System in Detail [Notes & PDF]". themechanicalengineering.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  3. Bloom, Leah (2024-01-08). "What is Splash Lubrication? (with pictures)". About Mechanics. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  4. "Pros & cons of splash lubrication".[ dead link ]
  5. Johanson, Eric (2017-03-02). "Splash and Pressure Lubrication Systems in Piston Compressors". The Compressed Air Blog. Retrieved 2024-02-13.
  6. Adenwala, Noaman (2018-09-13). "Lubrication System: Petroil, Splash, Pressure, Semi-Pressure, Sump [PDF]". dizz.com. Retrieved 2024-02-13.