What is the function of an oil cooler?

The function of the oil cooler is to cool the lubricating oil and maintain the oil temperature within the normal operating range. On high-power reinforced engines, due to the high heat load, an oil cooler must be installed. When the engine is running, the viscosity of the oil decreases as the temperature increases, reducing the lubrication capacity. Therefore, some engines are equipped with oil coolers, which are used to lower the oil temperature and maintain a certain viscosity of the lubricating oil. The oil cooler is arranged in the circulating oil circuit of the lubrication system. Types of oil coolers 1) Air cooled oil coolers The core of an air cooled oil cooler consists of many cooling pipes and cooling plates. When the car is driving, the hot oil cooler core is cooled by the car's frontal wind. The air-cooled oil cooler requires good ventilation around it, and it is difficult to ensure sufficient ventilation space on ordinary cars, so it is generally rarely used. This type of cooler is mostly used in racing cars because of the high speed and high cooling air volume. 2) The water-cooled oil cooler is placed in the cooling water circuit and uses the temperature of the cooling water to control the temperature of the lubricating oil. When the temperature of the lubricating oil is high, it is cooled by cooling water. When the engine starts, it absorbs heat from the cooling water to quickly increase the temperature of the lubricating oil. The oil cooler is composed of a casing made of aluminum alloy, a front cover, a rear cover, and a copper core tube. In order to enhance cooling, a heat sink is installed outside the pipe. Cooling water flows outside the pipe, while lubricating oil flows inside the pipe, exchanging heat between the two. There is also a structure that allows oil to flow outside the pipe while water flows inside the pipe.