Abstract: A vehicle stalactite passive lubrication system includes a drive unit having an electric motor and a gear. A sump has a sump extension. A lubricant is collected in the sump for gravity flow into the sump extension. A stalactite member is fixed to the drive unit and is positioned above an element to be filled with a fluid, lubricated or cooled. The stalactite member is directed downwardly toward the sump with the lubricant splashed by gear rotation collected on neighboring walls and the stalactite member and directed downwardly by gravity into the sump or target element. The stalactite member includes: a drip edge oriented at an angle to a horizontal plane; and a tip defining an end of the drip edge. The angle is selected to direct the lubricant to discharge off the stalactite member at the tip as a lubricant stream into the sump or target element.

Abstract: A vehicle stalactite passive lubrication system includes a drive unit having an electric motor and a gear. A sump has a sump extension. A lubricant is collected in the sump for gravity flow into the sump extension. A stalactite member is fixed to the drive unit and is positioned above an element to be filled with a fluid, lubricated or cooled. The stalactite member is directed downwardly toward the sump with the lubricant splashed by gear rotation collected on neighboring walls and the stalactite member and directed downwardly by gravity into the sump or target element. The stalactite member includes: a drip edge oriented at an angle to a horizontal plane; and a tip defining an end of the drip edge. The angle is selected to direct the lubricant to discharge off the stalactite member at the tip as a lubricant stream into the sump or target element.

Abstract: A transmission having a pressure controlled vent system, including a vent tube configured to engage a transmission such that a first opening of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an upper portion of a transmission cavity, a second end defining a second opening configured to be in fluid communication with an external atmosphere, and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end. The bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment. A pressure relief valve disposed in-line within the first tube segment and a vacuum relief valve disposed in-line within the second tube segment. The pressure relief valve cooperates with the vacuum relief valve to maintain a predetermined range of pressure differential between the first opening and the second opening. The vent tube may also include a moisture and/or a transmission fluid separator.

Abstract: A fluid management system, or flow control system, for an automotive propulsion system is provided. The system includes a housing defining a sump configured to collect a volume of liquid and gaseous fluid and a pump configured to pump fluid from the sump. The pump defines a pump inlet and a pump outlet. A conduit is in fluid communication with the pump outlet. A passive valve is disposed within the conduit, the conduit defining a conduit outlet downstream of the passive valve, and the conduit further defining an orifice between the pump and the passive valve. The passive valve allows hydraulic fluid to flow past the valve, while substantially preventing air from flowing past the passive valve. The air is instead bled out through the orifice, along with some of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A transmission having a pressure controlled vent system, including a vent tube configured to engage a transmission such that a first opening of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an upper portion of a transmission cavity, a second end defining a second opening configured to be in fluid communication with an external atmosphere, and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end. The bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment. A pressure relief valve disposed in-line within the first tube segment and a vacuum relief valve disposed in-line within the second tube segment. The pressure relief valve cooperates with the vacuum relief valve to maintain a predetermined range of pressure differential between the first opening and the second opening. The vent tube may also include a moisture and/or a transmission fluid separator.

Abstract: A fluid management system, or flow control system, for an automotive propulsion system is provided. The system includes a housing defining a sump configured to collect a volume of liquid and gaseous fluid and a pump configured to pump fluid from the sump. The pump defines a pump inlet and a pump outlet. A conduit is in fluid communication with the pump outlet. A passive valve is disposed within the conduit, the conduit defining a conduit outlet downstream of the passive valve, and the conduit further defining an orifice between the pump and the passive valve. The passive valve allows hydraulic fluid to flow past the valve, while substantially preventing air from flowing past the passive valve. The air is instead bled out through the orifice, along with some of the hydraulic fluid.

Abstract: A torque converter clutch (TCC) release fluid lubrication system for a motor vehicle transmission includes a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a third fluid line. The first fluid line supplies TCC apply fluid to the TCC. The second fluid line receives TCC release fluid from the TCC. And the third fluid line supplies a first lubrication fluid to the transmission. The TCC release fluid and the first lubrication fluid combine into a second lubrication fluid that is fed into the transmission.

Abstract: A variable baffle for controlling a flow of oil at a gear mesh includes a first baffle member fixed proximate to the gear teeth of a first rotating gear. A second baffle member is rotatably connected to the first baffle member. A third baffle member is fixed proximate to a second rotating gear and aligned with the second baffle member when the second baffle member is in a closed position. A rotating member rotatably connects the second baffle member to the first baffle member. The second baffle member is movable away from the closed position to an open position when the force of a fluid expelled from the gear teeth of the first rotating gear exceeds a force applied to the rotating member normally acting to move the second baffle member toward the closed position.

Abstract: A variable baffle for controlling a flow of oil at a gear mesh includes a first baffle member fixed proximate to the gear teeth of a first rotating gear. A second baffle member is rotatably connected to the first baffle member. A third baffle member is fixed proximate to a second rotating gear and aligned with the second baffle member when the second baffle member is in a closed position. A rotating member rotatably connects the second baffle member to the first baffle member. The second baffle member is movable away from the closed position to an open position when the force of a fluid expelled from the gear teeth of the first rotating gear exceeds a force applied to the rotating member normally acting to move the second baffle member toward the closed position.

Abstract: A torque converter clutch (TCC) release fluid lubrication system for a motor vehicle transmission includes a first fluid line, a second fluid line and a third fluid line. The first fluid line supplies TCC apply fluid to the TCC. The second fluid line receives TCC release fluid from the TCC. And the third fluid line supplies a first lubrication fluid to the transmission. The TCC release fluid and the first lubrication fluid combine into a second lubrication fluid that is fed into the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission is provided including a sump at least partially defining a sump volume and operable to contain a fluid. The transmission further includes a hydraulic pump. An inlet tube is disposed at least partially within the fluid and is operable to communicate the fluid from the sump volume to the hydraulic pump. A fluid displacement reservoir defining a reservoir volume and disposed at least partially within the sump volume is also provided. The fluid displacement reservoir is operable to selectively displace or impede the movement of at least a portion of the fluid when the fluid within the transmission is subject to acceleration, such that the amount of the fluid required within the sump volume to maintain the inlet tube disposed within the fluid is reduced. The fluid displacement reservoir is also operable to selectively contain or receive at least a portion of the fluid.

Abstract: A porous insert for a gearbox or transmission which retards fluid motion and flow within the device when it is subjected to rapid acceleration. The insert may be fabricated of any porous material such as open cell plastic foam, a porous ceramic or sintered metal and is shaped to conform to and is installed in a bottom rear region of the transmission housing. The insert retards motion of the fluid during rapid acceleration, preventing pump starvation and permitting a smaller charge of fluid to be placed in the gearbox or transmission.

Abstract: A porous insert for a gearbox or transmission which retards fluid motion and flow within the device when it is subjected to rapid acceleration. The insert may be fabricated of any porous material such as open cell plastic foam, a porous ceramic or sintered metal and is shaped to conform to and is installed in a bottom rear region of the transmission housing. The insert retards motion of the fluid during rapid acceleration, preventing pump starvation and permitting a smaller charge of fluid to be placed in the gearbox or transmission.

Abstract: A transmission is provided including a sump at least partially defining a sump volume and operable to contain a fluid. The transmission further includes a hydraulic pump. An inlet tube is disposed at least partially within the fluid and is operable to communicate the fluid from the sump volume to the hydraulic pump. A fluid displacement reservoir defining a reservoir volume and disposed at least partially within the sump volume is also provided. The fluid displacement reservoir is operable to selectively displace or impede the movement of at least a portion of the fluid when the fluid within the transmission is subject to acceleration, such that the amount of the fluid required within the sump volume to maintain the inlet tube disposed within the fluid is reduced. The fluid displacement reservoir is also operable to selectively contain or receive at least a portion of the fluid.

Abstract: A hydraulic fluid storage apparatus for a transmission has a main sump and a secondary sump. The secondary sump is connected with the main sump through a restricted flow passage. The fluid within the main sump is subjected to centrifugal forces by rotating components within the transmission, such that at high speeds and high levels in the main sump, the restricted passage is closed by a centrifugal dam thereby resulting in fluid storage within the secondary sump. The fluid storage in the secondary sump returning to the main sump when the speed of the rotating components is reduced.

Abstract: A control system that generates one of a normal mode and a hot mode signal to control operation of a transmission includes a calculator that calculates a predicted temperature of a torque converter and a comparator that compares the predicted temperature to a threshold temperature. A timer generates one of the normal mode and the hot mode signals based on the predicted temperature and the threshold temperature.