Planetary gear transmission systems or components – With lubricaton – For differential planetary gearing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-10-09
Marmor, Charles A (Department: 3681)
Planetary gear transmission systems or components
With lubricaton
For differential planetary gearing
C184S006120, C184S013100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06299561
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to devices for controlling the level of gear lubricant in a gear housing as a function of the speed of the gear.
Drive axles and transmissions typically have several gear sets that are splash lubricated from an oil sump, or reservoir. As the gears turn in the oil, the gears and bearings are coated with the circulating oil. At high speeds, the gears are essentially pumping the oil creating a force corresponding to energy, or shear, losses in the fluid. Energy losses result in lower fuel economy for the vehicle. Lowering the volume of fluid in the gear housing would minimize losses. However, a lower level would be insufficient at lower speeds to properly lubricate and cool the components.
Devices have been proposed for lubricating a power transmission system and adjusting for speed. One such device uses an active mechanical pump driven by the power transmission system and which has an oil reservoir for storing oil. As the speed of the transmission system increases, oil stored at the bottom of the transmission casing is splashed into the oil reservoir thereby decreasing the amount of oil in the casing. When the speed of the transmission decreases, the mechanical pump pumps the oil from the oil reservoir into the casing to insure proper lubrication of the power transmission. This device, however, is an active mechanical device adding cost and reliability concerns to the manufacture of the automotive vehicle.
Thus, there exists a need for an inexpensive, yet reliable device for minimizing shear losses in the lubricating oil in a gear housing without jeopardizing the components at low speed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A device for controlling a level of lubricant in a gear housing of a vehicle having a sealed interior portion containing the gear lubricant therein is disclosed. In one disclosed embodiment, the gear and housing is an axle and axle housing. The axle housing has a ring gear rotatably mounted therein that rotates through the lubricant. At least one wall is secured to a bottom portion of the sealed interior portion. The wall defines a first and second space, and the ring gear rotates in the first space and displaces the lubricant over the wall into the second space as the ring gear rotates at high speeds. The wall has an opening of a predetermined size that allows the lubricant to flow back into the first space at a rate greater than the displacement rate at low speeds and less than the displacement rate at high speeds.
In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a second wall secured to the bottom portion of the sealed interior portion and defines a third space. The ring gear rotates in the first space between the first and second walls and displaces the lubricant over the first wall and second walls into the second and third spaces as the ring gear rotates at high speeds. The second wall has a similar opening as the first wall for allowing the lubricant to flow back into the third space at a rate greater than the displacement rate at low speeds and less than the displacement rate at high speeds.
The walls may have a gate valve secured thereto that is coupled to a controller. The controller automatically controls the gate valves to open and close at the openings in order to control the flow of the lubricant from the second and third spaces back into the first space. The gate valve may be a solenoid-actuated valve that is actuated via a switch coupled between the controller and the valve. The valve controller may be speed dependent. Furthermore, a temperature sensor is disposed in the bottom portion of the sealed interior portion for sensing a temperature of the lubricant for use in controlling the gate valves.
In a second embodiment, the gear and housing is a transmission. The wall and valve structure such as disclosed above is used here also.
These and other features of the present invention can be understood from the following specification and drawings.
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Bell Dale
Brissette Ronald N.
Keeney Christopher S.
Kramer Dennis A.
McKenzie Jack R.
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Ho Ha
Marmor Charles A
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems LLC
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