Thermally compensated standpipe assembly for automatic transmission oil fill
First Claim
1. In a transmission for a motor vehicle having a housing defining a fluid sump and a mounting bore communicating with the sump, a standpipe assembly comprising:
- a first tube extending from the mounting bore so as to extend into the sump, said first tube defining a first flow passage and a first uniform outer diameter along its length;
a second tube having a first end and a second end supported for sliding movement relative to said first tube and defining a second flow passage which communicates with said first flow passage, said second tube defining a second uniform outer diameter along its entire length;
a threaded drain nut having an outer wall surface defining a mounting diameter adapted for engagement with threads formed in the mounting bore for securing said drain nut to the housing, said mounting diameter being at least equal to said first and second outer diameters, respectively; and
a thermal actuator operable for biasing the second tube in a first direction to vary the position of said second tube relative to said first tube in response to changes in the temperature of fluid in the sump, wherein said thermal actuator engages said first end of said second tube and said threaded drain nut.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A standpipe assembly for installation in the fluid sump of a vehicular transmission includes a two-piece fill pipe, a drain nut, a drain plug and a thermal actuator. The fill pipe includes a first tube having a first end secured in a flow passage formed in the drain nut and a second tube having a first end fitted for bi-directional sliding movement on a second end of the first tube. The drain nut is secured within a mounting bore formed through a housing of the transmission. The drain plug is adapted for threaded retention within the flow passage of the drain nut. The thermal actuator is operable for varying the length of the fill pipe by adjusting the position of the second tube relative to the first tube in response to thermal variations.
22 Citations
16 Claims
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1. In a transmission for a motor vehicle having a housing defining a fluid sump and a mounting bore communicating with the sump, a standpipe assembly comprising:
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a first tube extending from the mounting bore so as to extend into the sump, said first tube defining a first flow passage and a first uniform outer diameter along its length; a second tube having a first end and a second end supported for sliding movement relative to said first tube and defining a second flow passage which communicates with said first flow passage, said second tube defining a second uniform outer diameter along its entire length; a threaded drain nut having an outer wall surface defining a mounting diameter adapted for engagement with threads formed in the mounting bore for securing said drain nut to the housing, said mounting diameter being at least equal to said first and second outer diameters, respectively; and a thermal actuator operable for biasing the second tube in a first direction to vary the position of said second tube relative to said first tube in response to changes in the temperature of fluid in the sump, wherein said thermal actuator engages said first end of said second tube and said threaded drain nut. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a transmission for a motor vehicle having a housing defining a fluid sump and a mounting bore communicating with the sump, a standpipe assembly comprising:
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a first tube extending from the mounting bore so as to extend into the sump, said first tube defining a first flow passage and a first uniform outer diameter along its length; a second tube having a first end and a second end supported for sliding movement relative to said first tube and defining a second flow passage which communicates with said first flow passage, said second tube defining a second uniform outer diameter along its length; a threaded drain nut having an outer wall surface defining a mounting diameter adapted for engagement with threads formed in the mounting bore for securing said drain nut to the housing, said mounting diameter being at least equal to said first and second outer diameters, respectively; and a bimetal spring interposed between said second tube and said threaded drain nut and operable for biasing said second tube in a first direction to vary the position of said second tube relative to said first tube in response to changes in the temperature of fluid in the sump, wherein said bimetal spring engages said first end of said second tube and said threaded drain nut. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification