Compact oil transfer manifold
The present invention relates to a manifold for a vehicle transmission. The manifold defines a plurality of laterally extending channels suitable for simultaneously transferring oil at separate flow rates and pressure signals and may be subdivided to provide a plurality of like defined manifolds. The manifold, formed through an extrusion process, is fittable within or around a transmission shaft.
The present invention relates to a manifold that defines a plurality of channels fittable with respect to a transmission shaft and configured to transfer and substantially sustain separation of a plurality of fluid flows and/or pressure signals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn general, manual or automatic vehicle transmissions include a number of devices that require the controlled transference of oil or other hydraulic fluid for operation. A list of such devices includes hydraulically controlled clutch assemblies, planetary carrier gear sets and even electric motors as utilized in electrically variable transmissions. Typically, hydraulic fluid is transferred at a controlled pressure from the transmission sump by a pump or pressure supply line through a labyrinth of transmission shafts, gears and other structural components to the designated area. For example, some front wheel drive transmissions commonly pass another shaft through a center shaft with oil transfer channels. Similarly, in rear-wheel drive transmissions, it is common to pass oil through an input or output shaft. The performance requirements for new transmissions can place greater demands on the structural components of the transmission to adequately support the controlled transference of oil without increasing the packaging space required for the transmission.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, what is needed is a compact oil transfer manifold fittable with respect to the other structural components of the transmission and configured to transfer and substantially sustain separation of a plurality of fluid flows and/or pressure signals. The present invention relates to a manifold fittable with respect to a transmission shaft and operable to simultaneously transfer a plurality of fluids at variable pressures.
The manifold defines a plurality of channels running parallel with respect to the transmission shaft.
In one embodiment, a mechanical seal is fittable in at least one of the plurality of channels so as to substantially prevent the flow of fluid there beyond. The manifold further defines radially extending apertures, intersecting at least one of the plurality of channels, configured to transfer fluid therebetween.
The manifold being fittable with respect to the transmission shaft, may variably be configured to surround the transmission shaft or fit inside the transmission shaft. When the manifold is configured to fit within the transmission shaft it may be affixed thereto with an elastomeric seal.
Moreover, the manifold may be composed of an extruded structural metal.
More specifically, the present invention involves a vehicle transmission with a manifold configured to define a plurality of channels configured to transfer and substantially sustain separation of a plurality of fluid flows and/or pressure signals.
Also included with the present invention is a method of manufacturing a manifold suitable for use in a vehicle transmission. The method includes providing an extrusion tool configured in a manner to form a manifold and extruding structural metal through the extrusion tool to a predetermined length. The extrusion tool defines an outer wall of the manifold and at least one laterally extending channel within the manifold.
This invention is also a shaft for transferring a plurality of fluids or fluid signals in a vehicle transmission which comprises a structural element integrally configured as a manifold of one length having multiple channels of equal length for transferring respective fluids. The configuration of the channels in the structural element is sufficient to facilitate the transfer of fluids longitudinally in a channel and laterally from a channel.
The structural element is formed sufficiently long so as to be subdividable into a plurality of structural subdivisions forming a plurality of manifolds of shorter length than the length of the manifold.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention may be implemented, by way of example, with a power transmission of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,116 to Ordo et al. which is commonly owned with the present application and hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Accordingly, the transmission shaft shown in
Referring to the drawings,
More specifically, the present invention relates to manifold 10 fittable around or within the transmission shaft 12 as shown in
Referring to
In another embodiment of the present invention shown in
The manifold 10″ may also be configured to fit inside the transmission shaft as shown in
Also included with the present invention is a method of manufacturing a transmission manifold. The method includes providing an extrusion tool 40, as shown in
The foregoing method results in a shaft for transferring a plurality of fluids or fluid signals in a vehicle transmission which comprises a structural element integrally configured as a manifold of one length having multiple channels of equal length for transferring respective fluids. The configuration of the channels in the structural element is sufficient to facilitate the transfer of fluids longitudinally in a channel and laterally from a channel.
Other materials and processes may be used to form the manifold. Extruded aluminum is a good choice, but steel, bronze or plastics cold be implemented, depending upon the circumstances, and powdered metal sintering or casting are optional processes.
While the best modes for carrying out the invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A vehicle transmission, comprising:
- a transmission shaft;
- a manifold, fittable with respect to said transmission shaft, configured to define a plurality of channels; said channels configured to transfer and substantially sustain separation of a plurality of fluid flows and/or pressure signals and wherein said plurality of channels run parallel with respect to said transmission shaft.
2. The transmission of claim 1, further comprising:
- a mechanical seal fittable in at least one of said plurality of channels so as to substantially prevent fluid flow there beyond.
3. The transmission of claim 2, wherein said manifold further defines radially extending apertures configured to transfer fluid therebetween, said radially extending apertures intersecting at least one of said plurality of channels.
4. The transmission of claim 3, wherein said manifold is configured to surround said transmission shaft.
5. The transmission of claim 4, further comprising:
- a mechanical seal fittable in at least one of said plurality of channels so as to substantially prevent fluid flow there beyond.
6. The transmission of claim 5, wherein said manifold further defines radially extending apertures configured to transfer fluid therebetween, said radially extending apertures intersecting at least one of said plurality of channels.
7. The transmission of claim 5, wherein said manifold is fittable inside said transmission shaft.
8. The transmission of claim 7, wherein said transmission shaft defines radially extending apertures.
9. The transmission of claim 7, wherein said manifold is affixed with respect to said transmission shaft by an elastomeric seal configured to compensate for any differences in thermal expansion coefficients between said transmission shaft and said manifold.
10. The transmission of claim 1, wherein said manifold is composed of extruded structural metal and said channels are formed by an extrusion process.
11. A shaft for transferring a plurality of fluids or fluid signals in a vehicle transmission, comprising:
- a structural element integrally configured as a manifold of one length having multiple channels of equal length for transferring respective fluids and wherein the configuration of said channels in said structural element is sufficient to facilitate the transfer of fluids longitudinally in a channel and laterally from a channel.
12. The shaft of claim 11, wherein said structural element is sufficiently long to be subdivideable into a plurality of structural subdivisions forming a plurality of manifolds of shorter length than said one length.
13. The shaft of claim 12, wherein the configuration of said structural element is an extrusion.
14. The shaft of claim 12, wherein said extrusion is structural aluminum.
15. The shaft of claim 11, wherein the longitudinal transfer in a channel is axial and the lateral transfer from a channel is radial.
16. A method of manufacturing a manifold suitable for use in a vehicle transmission, comprising:
- providing an extrusion tool configured in a manner to form a manifold; wherein said extrusion tool defines an outer wall of the manifold and at least one laterally extending channel within the manifold; and
- extruding metal through said extrusion tool to form the manifold having a predetermined length.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said extrusion tool is configured to further define an inner wall and wherein said at least one laterally extending channel is defined by at least two bridges as defined by said extrusion tool.
18. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one laterally extending channel is cylindrical.
19. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one laterally extending channel is defined by intersecting at least two bridges as defined by said extrusion tool.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 23, 2005
Publication Date: Apr 19, 2007
Inventors: Joel Maguire (Northville, MI), Craig Ross (Ypsilanti, MI)
Application Number: 11/233,849
International Classification: F16L 9/18 (20060101);