TRANSMISSION LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND APPARATUS

• US 20160025205A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 01/28/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: SMITH, Timothy Scott, JACKSON, Graeme Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 9,970,527 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0412 Cooling or heating; Control of temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/042 Guidance of lubricant
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0436 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0452 Oil pans
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/046 Oil-mist or spray lubrication

Abstract

A manifold for distributing lubricant in a transmission includes an inlet supply nozzle for receiving transmission lubricant, and a main body in fluid communication with the supply nozzle. The main body defines a channel having open side. The manifold also includes a cover connected to the main body at the open side that creates a fluid seal along an edge of the channel. A first port extends from the main body for dispersing lubricant in a solid stream spray pattern onto traction components of the transmission. A second port extends from the main body for dispersing lubricant in a fan spray pattern onto traction components of the transmission. The manifold also includes an exhaust nozzle to discharge lubricant from the manifold for recirculation within the transmission.

Claims

1. A manifold for distributing lubricant in a transmission comprising:

an inlet supply nozzle for receiving transmission lubricant;

a main body in fluid communication with the supply nozzle and defining a channel having open side along the channel;

a substantially flat cover connected to the main body at the open side that creates a fluid seal with the channel;

a plurality of outlet ports extending from the main body for dispersing lubricant from the channel across traction components of the transmission; and

an exhaust nozzle that discharges lubricant from the manifold for recirculation within the transmission.

2. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the plurality of outlet ports includes a combination of different orifice types including a solid stream spray pattern orifice and a fan spray pattern orifice.

3. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the main body defines a groove at each of an opposing pair of edges along the open side to receive the cover, and wherein the cover includes a rib that creates the fluid seal when joined to the groove.

4. The manifold of claim 1 further comprising an integral annular retaining rib disposed about each of the supply nozzle and the exhaust nozzle wherein each annular protrusion respectively creates a fluid seal with a supply tube or a circulation component of the transmission.

5. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the cover is affixed to the main body by one of adhesion welding, laser welding, or vibration welding.

6. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the manifold is mounted to disperse lubricant at an upper portion of an internal cavity of a transmission to allow the lubricant to flow downwardly across the traction components towards a sump.

7. The manifold of claim 1 wherein the main body and the cover are molded from a polyamide plastic.

8. A manifold for distributing lubricant in a transmission comprising:

an inlet supply nozzle for receiving transmission lubricant;

a main body in fluid communication with the supply nozzle and defining a channel having open side;

a cover connected to the main body at the open side that creates a fluid seal along an edge of the channel;

a first port extending from the main body for dispersing lubricant in a solid stream spray pattern onto traction components of the transmission;

a second port extending from the main body for dispersing lubricant in a fan spray pattern onto traction components of the transmission; and

an exhaust nozzle to discharge lubricant from the manifold for recirculation within the transmission.

9. The manifold of claim 8 wherein the main body defines a groove at each of an opposing pair of edges along the open side to receive the cover, and wherein the cover includes a rib that creates the fluid seal upon insertion into the groove.

10. The manifold of claim 8 wherein the first port and the second port are integrally formed with the main body as a single unitary member.

11. The manifold of claim 8 wherein the cover is affixed to the main body by one of adhesion welding, laser welding, or vibration welding.

12. The manifold of claim 8 wherein the manifold is mounted to disperse lubricant at an upper portion of an internal cavity of a transmission to allow the lubricant to flow downwardly across the traction components towards a sump.

13. The manifold of claim 8 further comprising a mounting feature integrally formed with the main body to secure the manifold to an inner portion of a transmission case.

14. A transmission lubrication distribution system comprising:

a sump for collecting lubricant;

a pump that draws lubricant from the sump;

a first manifold in fluid flow communication with the pump that includes a plurality of ports that disperse lubricant onto transmission traction components and an exhaust nozzle that discharges lubricant; and

a second manifold in fluid communication with the exhaust nozzle of the first manifold that includes a plurality of ports that disperse lubricant onto transmission traction components and an exhaust nozzle that directs lubricant to the sump for recirculation.

15. The transmission lubrication distribution system of claim 14 wherein the each of the first manifold and the second manifold includes a combination of different orifice types including a solid stream spray pattern orifice and a fan spray pattern orifice.

16. The transmission lubrication distribution system of claim 14 wherein the first manifold is elongate and arranged in a generally horizontal orientation, and wherein the second manifold is elongate and arranged in a generally vertical orientation.

17. The transmission lubrication distribution system of claim 14 wherein lubricant directed from the exhaust nozzle of the second manifold cycles through a cooling system prior to being received at the sump for recirculation.

18. The transmission lubrication distribution system of claim 14 wherein the exhaust nozzle of the first manifold defines an annular rib that creates a fluid seal at a connection to the second manifold.