×

Dual purpose automatic transmission oil pan

  • US 4,995,971 A
  • Filed: 08/07/1989
  • Issued: 02/26/1991
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1989
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
Patent Images

1. An oil pan in combination with an automatic transmission of a vehicle utilizing oil including a transmission case adapted for movement with the vehicle in predetermined angular orientations when negotiating normal grades and having spaced oil drain openings, a filter cartridge having an inlet port, and a plurality of valve body components, said filter cartridge and valve body components defining a lower surface, the oil pan comprising:

  • a unitary member having a basewall and sidewalls adapted to be secured to the transmission case to cover the filter cartridge and valve body components;

    said basewall being spaced from the lower surface and contoured to correspond to the shape of said lower surface, said basewall having a sump portion located intermediate the spaced drain openings, said sump portion adapted to receive the inlet port of the filter cartridge;

    a first drainback channel defined in the basewall and extending from the one of said drain openings to the sump;

    a second drainback channel defined in the basewall and extending from the other of said drain openings to the sump;

    said first and second drainback channels being spaced further from said lower surface than said basewall, said first and second drainback channels open into said sump in a manner to form a confluence region therewith so that oil flowing through the first and second drainback channels drains onto a surface of the sump; and

    said sump portion being spaced further from said lower surface than both of said first and second drainback channels and cooperating with said drainback channels to maintain said inlet port submerged when said unitary member is secured to the transmission case.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×