Transmission cooling system

• US 5,678,461 A
• Filed: 01/16/1996
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/16/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Stine, Alan C.
• Primary Examiner(s): LUONG, VINH
• Application Number:
  US08/586,330
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 74/606 R, 74/606 A, 75/161, 184/6.12, 184/6.13, 184/26
• US Class Current: 74/606.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 5/002 Cooling
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 2060/045 for transmissions
• CPC Class Codes: F01P 3/20 Cooling circuits not specific to a single part of engine or machine F01P3/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0413 Controlled cooling or heating of lubricant; Temperature control therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0417 Heat exchangers adapted or integrated in the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19149 with fluid drive
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 Gear casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2189 Cooling

Abstract

A transmission cooling system (10) for a vehicle equipped with an engine (12) having a pressurized liquid cooling system (50). The transmission cooling system includes an oil-to-water-type heat exchanger (40) located in the transmission lubricant sump (36) and fluidly connected in series to the engine cooling system.

Claims

1. A vehicular transmission including a transmission cooling system for use with a vehicular internal combustion engine having an engine cooling system utilizing pressurized engine cooling fluid circulating in an engine cooling fluid circuit, said transmission including an input shaft drivingly connectable to an output shaft by variable ratio transmission gearing contained in a transmission housing defining a lubricant sump for transmission lubricating fluid, said transmission comprising:

a transmission lubricating fluid-to-engine cooling fluid heat exchanger locating in said sump, said heat exchanger including a fluid conduit having an inlet and an outlet for fluid connection to said engine cooling fluid circuit.

2. The transmission of claim 1 wherein said fluid conduit is of serpentine shape.

3. The transmission cooling system of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said transmission gearing rotates in said sump.

4. A vehicular transmission for use with a vehicular internal combustion engine having an engine cooling system utilizing pressurized engine cooling fluid circulating in an engine cooling fluid circuit, said transmission including:

an input shaft drivingly connectable to an output shaft by variable ratio transmission gearing;

a transmission housing containing said gearing and defining a lubricant sump for transmission lubricating fluid; and

a transmission cooling system comprising a transmission lubricating fluid-to-engine cooling fluid heat exchanger locating in said sump, said heat exchanger including a conduit having an inlet and an outlet for fluid connection to said engine cooling fluid circuit.

5. The transmission of claim 4 wherein said conduit is of serpentine shape.

6. The transmission of claim 4 wherein at least a portion of said transmission gearing rotates in said sump.

7. A vehicular transmission, master clutch and engine combination comprising:

an internal combustion engine having an engine cooling system utilizing pressurized engine cooling fluid circulating in an engine cooling fluid circuit including a radiator for engine cooling fluid-to-air heat exchange; and

a friction master clutch for selectively drivingly connecting an output of said engine to a transmission input shaft;

a variable ratio transmission including said transmission input shaft drivingly connectable to a transmission output shaft by variable ratio transmission gearing, a transmission housing containing said gearing and defining a non-pressurized lubricant sump for transmission lubricating fluid, at least a portion of said transmission gearing rotatable in said sump, and a transmission cooling system comprising a transmission lubricating fluid-to-engine cooling fluid heat exchanger locating in said sump, said heat exchanger including a conduit having an inlet and an outlet for fluid connection to said engine cooling fluid circuit.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said conduit is of serpentine shape.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said engine cooling fluid is a water-based liquid and said transmission lubricating fluid is an oil-based liquid.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said conduit is connected in series in said engine cooling circuit.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said vehicle includes a radiator for engine cooling fluid-to-air heat exchange.

12. The combination of claim 7 wherein said conduit is connected in series in said engine cooling circuit.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said vehicle includes a radiator for engine cooling fluid-to-air heat exchange.