Bypass apparatus for automatic transmission fluid cooler and method of use
First Claim
1. A transmission fluid cooler bypass apparatus for use in combination with an transmission fluid cooler for a land vehicle in replacement of an original equipment oil-to-water type transmission fluid cooler having water inlet and water outlet hoses connected thereto for circulating engine coolant therethrough, said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler in fluid communication with integrated fluid circuits within a transmission case of said land vehicle by a pair of original equipment cooler retaining bolts, wherein each of said original equipment cooler retaining bolts include an internal fluid gallery formed therein, said transmission fluid cooler bypass apparatus comprising:
- a pair of fluid chambers rotatably mounted between a transmission fluid cooler and the transmission case, said pair of fluid chambers providing a portion of a transmission fluid pathway from the transmission case to the transmission fluid cooler, and wherein said pair of fluid chambers are configured to receive the original equipment cooler retaining bolts therein in sealing engagement for rotatably mounting said pair of fluid chambers to the transmission case;
said fluid chambers are rotatable about said retaining bolts with respect to the transmission case, anda pair of hose fittings coupled to and in fluid communication with a corresponding respective one of said pair of fluid chambers, wherein one of said pair of hose fittings is a transmission fluid outlet, designed and configured to facilitate the transfer of transmission fluid from one of said pair of fluid chambers to the transmission fluid cooler, and wherein another one of said pair of hose fittings is a transmission fluid inlet, designed and configured to facilitate the transfer of transmission fluid from the transmission fluid cooler to another of said pair of fluid chambers.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An aftermarket ATF cooler bypass apparatus for replacement of an original equipment ATF cooler for VW/AUDI and other similar vehicles. The present cooler bypass apparatus is provided in a service kit comprising a pair of cylindrical ATF chambers, which are mounted on the transmission case in fluid communication with integrated hydraulic pressure and return circuits. The present ATF chambers are provided with hose fittings for attachment of hydraulic lines that deliver ATF to an aftermarket cooler, which is remotely mounted on the vehicle at a suitable location. Conventional hose clamps and a hose coupling are provided in the present kit to interconnect the engine coolant hoses, which are disconnected from the original equipment cooler in a method of the present invention. The present kit also includes new O-ring seals for installation on the original equipment cooler retaining bolts to ensure the hydraulic integrity of the present ATF cooler bypass apparatus.
6 Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A transmission fluid cooler bypass apparatus for use in combination with an transmission fluid cooler for a land vehicle in replacement of an original equipment oil-to-water type transmission fluid cooler having water inlet and water outlet hoses connected thereto for circulating engine coolant therethrough, said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler in fluid communication with integrated fluid circuits within a transmission case of said land vehicle by a pair of original equipment cooler retaining bolts, wherein each of said original equipment cooler retaining bolts include an internal fluid gallery formed therein, said transmission fluid cooler bypass apparatus comprising:
-
a pair of fluid chambers rotatably mounted between a transmission fluid cooler and the transmission case, said pair of fluid chambers providing a portion of a transmission fluid pathway from the transmission case to the transmission fluid cooler, and wherein said pair of fluid chambers are configured to receive the original equipment cooler retaining bolts therein in sealing engagement for rotatably mounting said pair of fluid chambers to the transmission case;
said fluid chambers are rotatable about said retaining bolts with respect to the transmission case, anda pair of hose fittings coupled to and in fluid communication with a corresponding respective one of said pair of fluid chambers, wherein one of said pair of hose fittings is a transmission fluid outlet, designed and configured to facilitate the transfer of transmission fluid from one of said pair of fluid chambers to the transmission fluid cooler, and wherein another one of said pair of hose fittings is a transmission fluid inlet, designed and configured to facilitate the transfer of transmission fluid from the transmission fluid cooler to another of said pair of fluid chambers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A method of bypassing an original equipment oil-to-water type transmission fluid cooler in a land vehicle, said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler being installed in fluid communication with fluid circuits integrally formed in a transmission case of said vehicle, said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler including water inlet and water outlet hoses attached thereto for circulating engine coolant therein, said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler being attached to said transmission case by a pair of original equipment cooler retaining bolts each having a plurality of original equipment a-ring seals installed thereon, wherein said original equipment cooler retaining bolts each include an integral fluid gallery formed therein, said method comprising the steps of:
-
mounting a pair of transmission fluid chambers in place of said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler, the pair of transmission fluid chambers each having a single fluid port extending through a sidewall for the attachment of one of a pair of a hose fittings, wherein each of said pair of fluid chambers is rotatably positioned on one retaining bolt with each fluid chamber being rotatable around said retaining bolt with respect to the transmission case during said mounting, each said retaining bolt provides a fluid path between the transmission and its respective fluid chamber, one of the pair of hose fittings is a transmission fluid outlet, for facilitating the transfer of a transmission fluid from one of the pair of transmission fluid chambers to a transmission fluid cooler, and another of the pair of hose fittings is a transmission fluid inlet, for facilitating the transfer of a transmission fluid from the transmission fluid cooler to another of said pair of transmission fluid chambers; mounting the transmission cooler to the vehicle; and coupling the transmission cooler to the pair of hose fittings to provide for circulation of transmission fluid from said transmission case to the transmission fluid cooler through the pair of transmission fluid chambers, the transmission fluid inlet, and the transmission fluid outlet. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A transmission fluid cooler bypass kit for use in combination with a transmission fluid cooler for a land vehicle in replacement of an original equipment oil-to-water type transmission fluid cooler, said original equipment oil-to-water type transmission cooler in fluid communication with fluid circuits within a transmission case of said land vehicle by a pair of original equipment cooler retaining bolts, wherein each of said original equipment cooler retaining bolts include an internal fluid gallery formed therein, said transmission fluid cooler bypass kit comprising:
-
a pair of fluid chambers configured and dimensioned to receive said original equipment cooler retaining bolts therein for rotation with respect to the transmission case during mounting thereto, wherein said pair of fluid chambers each comprise a chamber member with first end and second ends, the first end configured and dimensioned to sealingly engage the transmission case, and the second end configured and dimensioned to rotatably and sealingly engage the retaining bolt, a central, internal bore extending through said chamber member for receiving said retaining bolt and providing a fluid path, a transverse opening through said chamber member disposed between the first and second ends communicating with said internal bore, and a hose connection cooperating with said opening, and each of said pair of chambers is rotatable about each retaining bolt respectively in order to position said hose connection in functional alignment with transmission fluid lines during installation of a transmission cooler; a plurality of seals for installation on the original equipment cooler retaining bolts; and a plurality of hoses and hose fittings configured to connect said hose barbs to a transmission oil cooler disposed remotely from said chambers. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification