Multiple path fluid flow architecture for transmission cooling and lubrication
First Claim
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1. A transmission cooling and lubrication system comprising:
- a cooler channel adapted to transmit transmission fluid therethrough such that the heat generated by the transmission during the operation thereof is absorbed by the transmission fluid to cool the transmission;
a first path in fluid communication with said cooler channel wherein said first path is adapted to receive a first portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the cooler channel;
a lubrication channel in fluid communication with said first path wherein said lubrication channel is adapted to receive said first portion of the transmission fluid to lubricate the transmission; and
a second path in fluid communication with said cooler channel wherein said second path is adapted to receive a second portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the cooler channel;
wherein a first flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said cooler channel to cool the transmission is greater than a second flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said lubrication channel to lubricate the transmission such that a cooling capacity of the transmission cooling and lubrication system is increased without reducing the efficiency of the transmission.
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Abstract
The apparatus of the present invention provides a multiple path fluid flow architecture for cooling and lubricating an automatic transmission. More precisely, the apparatus of the present invention is adapted provide a first flow rate of transmission fluid to meet the transmission cooling requirements, and a second reduced flow rate of transmission fluid adapted to meet the transmission lubrication requirements. In this manner, a high flow rate may be provided to cool the transmission and a reduced flow rate may be provided to lubricate the transmission such that the cooling capacity of the system is increased without reducing the efficiency of the transmission.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A transmission cooling and lubrication system comprising:
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a cooler channel adapted to transmit transmission fluid therethrough such that the heat generated by the transmission during the operation thereof is absorbed by the transmission fluid to cool the transmission;
a first path in fluid communication with said cooler channel wherein said first path is adapted to receive a first portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the cooler channel;
a lubrication channel in fluid communication with said first path wherein said lubrication channel is adapted to receive said first portion of the transmission fluid to lubricate the transmission; and
a second path in fluid communication with said cooler channel wherein said second path is adapted to receive a second portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the cooler channel;
wherein a first flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said cooler channel to cool the transmission is greater than a second flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said lubrication channel to lubricate the transmission such that a cooling capacity of the transmission cooling and lubrication system is increased without reducing the efficiency of the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A transmission cooling and lubrication system comprising:
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a sump;
a pump adapted to draw transmission fluid from the sump;
a cooler channel in fluid communication with the pump and adapted to receive transmission fluid therefrom such that the heat generated by the transmission during the operation thereof is absorbed by the transmission fluid to cool the transmission;
a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the cooler channel adapted to cool the transmission fluid;
a first path in fluid communication with said heat exchanger wherein said first path is adapted to receive a first portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the heat exchanger;
a lubrication channel in fluid communication with said first path wherein said lubrication channel is adapted to receive said first portion of the transmission fluid to lubricate the transmission; and
a second path in fluid communication with said heat exchanger wherein said second path is adapted to receive a second portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the heat exchanger;
wherein a first flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said cooler channel to cool the transmission is greater than a second flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said lubrication channel to lubricate the transmission such that a cooling capacity of the transmission cooling and lubrication system is increased without reducing the efficiency of the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A transmission cooling and lubrication system comprising:
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a sump;
a pump adapted to draw transmission fluid from the sump;
a cooler channel in fluid communication with the pump and adapted to receive transmission fluid therefrom such that the heat generated by the transmission during the operation thereof is absorbed by the transmission fluid to cool the transmission;
a heat exchanger in fluid communication with the cooler channel adapted to cool the transmission fluid;
a first path in fluid communication with said heat exchanger wherein said first path is adapted to receive a first portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the heat exchanger;
a flow balance orifice in fluid communication with said first path;
a lubrication channel in fluid communication with said flow balance orifice, wherein said lubrication channel is adapted to receive said first portion of the transmission fluid from the heat exchanger to lubricate the transmission;
a second path in fluid communication with said heat exchanger wherein said second path is adapted to receive a second portion of the transmission fluid exiting from the heat exchanger; and
a leak orifice in fluid communication with said second path and said sump;
wherein a first flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said cooler channel to cool the transmission is greater than a second flow rate of transmission fluid provided through said lubrication channel to lubricate the transmission such that a cooling capacity of the transmission cooling and lubrication system is increased without reducing the efficiency of the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification