Lubrication – Systems – With lubricant treatment means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-24
2001-05-08
Lorence, Richard M. (Department: 3681)
Lubrication
Systems
With lubricant treatment means
C184S006120, C074S60600R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227333
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a transmission housing, or more specifically, to a transmission housing having an intermediate wall with an integral pump assembly.
Transmissions have lubrication systems that circulate lubricating fluid within the transmission housing to various transmission components to reduce the friction of those components and lower the temperature of the transmission. The lubrication system may be discussed in terms of three main portions: the collection system, the distribution system, and the pump which draws fluid from the collection system and moves it through the distribution system.
Typically, these three portions utilize many separate components which adds cost to the transmission. For example, prior art lubrication systems utilize pump assemblies that have a separate housing which are attached as a separate unit to a portion of the housing, such as the intermediate wall between a main and auxiliary portion of the housing. The pumps have an inlet chamber that is in fluid communication with the sump via oil collection passages and an outlet chamber in fluid communication with the distribution system via oil distribution passages. Often these passages are formed by tubes that are supported by the housing externally of the intermediate wall. Therefore, what is needed is a pump assembly and oil passages that are integral with the transmission housing so that the pump housing and other components may be eliminated while still achieving a robust lubrication system design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
The present invention provides a transmission having an integral lubrication system for delivering lubricating fluid to transmission components. The central portion of the lubrication system is conveniently located within the intermediate wall of the housing. The housing has an opening and inlet and outlet ports in fluid communication with the opening. A pumping assembly having inlet and outlet rotors is disposed within the opening for moving the fluid from the inlet port to the outlet port. A pump cover is attached to the intermediate wall over the opening and the rotors. An inlet and outlet chamber is defined within the opening by the pump cover and space between the inner and outer rotors. The inlet and outlet chambers are in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports, respectively, so the pump may draw the fluid from the inlet port into the inlet chamber and then expel the fluid into the outlet chamber and to the outlet port.
The intermediate wall also contains integrally formed inlet and main feed passageways. The inlet passageway interconnects the inlet chamber and a sump, which stores the fluid, and provides fluid communication between them. The main feed passageway interconnects the outlet chamber and a distribution system that delivers the fluid to a plurality of transmission components within the housing.
Accordingly, the above described invention provides a lubrication system that eliminates many of the components of the prior art by integrally forming lubrication system components within the intermediate wall.
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Garrett Peggy M.
Picone Kenneth T.
Scheib Patrick L.
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Lorence Richard M.
Pang Roger
ZF Meritor LLC
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