ARRANGEMENT FOR COOLING OF OIL IN A GEARBOX FOR A VEHICLE

• US 20090277722A1
• Filed: 09/11/2007
• Published: 11/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Scania CV AB (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Kardos, Zoltan
• Granted Patent: US 8,196,707 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 184/6.120
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 11/08 Arrangements of lubricant coolers in lubrication apparatus F01M
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2003/187 arranged in series
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0413 Controlled cooling or heating of lubricant; Temperature control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0415 Air cooling or ventilation; Heat exchangers; Thermal insulations
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7737 Thermal responsive

Abstract

An arrangement for cooling oil in a gearbox of a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. An oil cooler is fitted in the vehicle close to the gearbox. An oil system circulates oil between the gearbox and the oil cooler. An oil circuit contains a circulating coolant to cool the oil in the oil cooler. A cooling element cools the coolant by air which flows through the cooling element. The cooling element is situated at a location in the vehicle where air at the temperature of the surroundings flows through it. The cooling circuit includes a line to lead the cooled coolant from the cooling element to the oil cooler. The oil in the oil cooler can thus be cooled to a temperature close to the temperature of the surroundings.

Claims

1. An arrangement for cooling oil in a gearbox in a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine, the vehicle having a cooling system operable to cool the combustion engine, the arrangement comprises

an oil cooler, an oil system operable for circulating oil between the gearbox and the oil cooler,

a cooling circuit connected to the cooling system of the vehicle, the cooling circuit containing a circulating coolant operable to be cooled by the vehicle cooling system and to cool the oil in the oil cooler,

a cooling element positioned, configured and operable to cool the coolant by air which flows through the cooling element,

a line connected to lead the cooled coolant from the cooling element to the oil cooler,

a separate air passage in the vehicle through which flows air which is at a temperature of the surroundings, the cooling element is situated in the separate air passage,

the oil cooler is fitted in the vehicle close to the gearbox,

the cooling circuit comprises a line connected to lead coolant from the oil cooler back to the cooling system at a location situated downstream of the combustion engine in the cooling circuit and upstream of a thermostat with respect to the direction of coolant flow in the cooling system.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the cooling circuit comprises a line connected to receive coolant from the combustion engine cooling system at a location in the cooling system situated downstream of a radiator operable to cool the coolant of the cooling system and upstream of the combustion engine with respect to the direction of coolant flow in the cooling system.

3. An arrangement according to claim 1, comprising a fan operable to provide a forced air flow through the separate air passage.