Heat pipe cooler for differential assembly
First Claim
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1. An axle assembly for a motor vehicle, said axle assembly comprising:
- an axle housing provided with a supply of liquid lubricant;
a cover removably secured to said housing; and
at least one a sealed heat transfer pipe mounted to said cover and, said heat transfer pipe including an heat-receiving zone, a heat-emitting zone and a heat transfer fluid that flows there between, wherein said fluid being evaporated in said heat-receiving zone and condensed in said heat-emitting zone to promote heat transfer between said lubricant and an external environment;
wherein said heat-receiving zone is at least partially immersed in said lubricant when said cover is secured to said housing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an apparatus to regulate and control the temperature of a differential axle assembly. A heat pipe is inserted though the axle housing with a portion submersed in axle lubricant. Cooling fins are preferably disposed on the heat pipe both in the submersed region of the heat pipe and a portion external the housing. The heat pipe is preferably secured to and substantially accommodated by a removable cover plate which is in turn secured to the housing. The heat pipe includes an evaporative working fluid to promote heat transfer between the lubricant and external environment.
33 Citations
15 Claims
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1. An axle assembly for a motor vehicle, said axle assembly comprising:
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an axle housing provided with a supply of liquid lubricant;
a cover removably secured to said housing; and
at least one a sealed heat transfer pipe mounted to said cover and, said heat transfer pipe including an heat-receiving zone, a heat-emitting zone and a heat transfer fluid that flows there between, wherein said fluid being evaporated in said heat-receiving zone and condensed in said heat-emitting zone to promote heat transfer between said lubricant and an external environment;
wherein said heat-receiving zone is at least partially immersed in said lubricant when said cover is secured to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An axle assembly for a motor vehicle, said axle assembly comprising:
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an axle housing containing gears to facilitate differential rotation between a pair of driven output gears, said housing containing a pool of liquid lubricant;
a cover removably secured to said housing to provide access to said gears within said housing; and
at least one a substantially sealed heat transfer pipe fixed to said cover and removable therewith relative to said housing, said heat transfer pipe including a heat-receiving zone, a heat-emitting zone and a working fluid, wherein said working fluid is evaporated in said heat-receiving zone and condensed in said heat-emitting zone to promote heat transfer between said lubricant and an external environment;
wherein said heat-receiving zone is at least partially immersed in said lubricant when said cover is secured to said housing. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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11. The assembly according to claim 19, said heat pipe extends external said housing to said external environment and said heat pipe further including a second set of common heat dissipating fins disposed proximate said heat-emitting zone in said external environment.
Specification