Controllable Electric Oil Pumps in Heavy Duty Diesel Engines

One way for the OEMs to improve engine and vehicle efficiency is through the reduction of engine parasitic loads. The engine oil pump is one source of parasitic load, and is driving new engine lubrication pump designs. Mechanically driven positive displacement engine oil lubrication pumps have been the standard for over 100 years. A controllable oil pump capable of providing varied flow based on the engine operating conditions is one potential solution. This paper addresses some of the issues and opportunities uncovered during the development of electrically driven oil pumps.