Lubricant Heating And/or Cooling Device Patents (Class 184/104.1)
  • Publication number: 20120275837
    Abstract: A lubricant coating device related to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a lubricant supply unit 12 which supplies a lubricant 11 onto an outer peripheral surface of an image carrier 1 that is driven to rotate and a lubricant smoothing unit 13 which is disposed on the downstream side in a rotating direction of the image carrier 1 of the lubricant supply unit 12 and smoothes the lubricant 11 supplied onto the outer peripheral surface. In the lubricant coating device, the lubricant smoothing unit 13 rotates while being in surface contact with the outer peripheral surface of the image carrier 1 and thereby smoothes the lubricant 11 supplied onto the image carrier 1 by the lubricant supply unit 12.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ryoei IKARI, Seiko ITAGAKI, Kazutoshi KOBAYASHI, Shunichi TAKAYA, Tatsuya FURUTA
  • Patent number: 8257024
    Abstract: An exemplary geared turbomachine fluid delivery system includes a first fluid path configured to communicate fluid from a supply to a gear system of a geared turbomachine, and a second fluid path configured to communicate fluid from the supply to the gear system. The fluid introduced to the gear system by the first fluid path is cooler than that the fluid introduced to the gear system by the second fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kathleen R. Phillips, Thomas G. Phillips, Ethan K. Stearns, Federico Papa
  • Patent number: 8251851
    Abstract: An auxiliary oil pumping system for an automatic transmission includes an auxiliary oil pump, the auxiliary oil pump being separate from an internal oil pump of the transmission but connected to an oil circuit of the automatic transmission to circulate oil in the system. An oil pump motor is connected to the auxiliary oil pump and selectively connectable to a power source for driving the auxiliary oil pump when a vehicle engine is off and the internal oil pump is not operating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ATI Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Beattie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8230835
    Abstract: Emergency lubrication systems and methods for an engine are provided. One system includes a primary lubrication system including a de-aeration oil tank configured to store de-aerated oil until the oil is de-aerated, a first oil supply line configured to provide de-aerated oil to the engine, and a first valve configured to control the flow of oil through the primary lubrication system. The system further includes a secondary lubrication system including a second valve coupled to the de-aeration oil tank and configured to control the flow of oil through the secondary lubrication system, and a second oil supply line coupled to the engine and to the de-aeration oil tank via the second valve. One method includes the steps of detecting a predetermined event in the engine, preventing the aerated oil from entering the primary lubrication system, and using the aerated oil in the secondary lubrication system to lubricate the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Gibson, John Hogan, John D. Robinson, Mike O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20110286844
    Abstract: A lubricant heating mechanism is provided with a tank accumulating therein lubricant; a lubricant pump; a heater provided in the tank to heat the lubricant; and a baffle plate at least partially covering the heater. The tank is provided with a suction port drawing out the lubricant from the tank to the lubricant pump. The baffle plate is provided to convect the heated lubricant toward the suction port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Kazufumi Takayanagi
  • Patent number: 7997385
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a machine tool in which appropriate warm-up operation can be performed. Unnecessary warm-up operation before machining is not carried out and damage of bearings caused by the warm-up operation is prevented. A controlling unit stores data of a supply amount of lubricant to bearings and a rotation speed of a main spindle in a memory unit as time-series data. When rotation of the main spindle is started, the time-series data stored in the memory unit is used to calculate an amount of remaining lubricant in the bearings and determination of necessity of warm-up operation is made based upon the stored data. A rotation speed at a start-up time of the main spindle is controlled according to the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Okuma Corporation
    Inventor: Naomitsu Yanohara
  • Patent number: 7975805
    Abstract: A system for lubricating a lubrication target located within a refrigerated atmosphere. The system includes a lubricant source, a pressurized air source, and at least one pneumatically-activated pump in connection with the lubricant and air sources. The pump output is connected to a conduit that terminates at a spray nozzle for delivering the lubricant to the target in a controlled fashion. Pressurized air may be used to better control the lubricant delivery. The temperature of the lubricant and air flowing through the conduits is regulated so that the fluids will flow predictably at very cold temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Oil-Rite Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Wech
  • Patent number: 7918203
    Abstract: A motor oil heating system for a vehicle comprising one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells; one or more heaters thermally coupled to the motor oil, wherein the solar panels are electrically coupled to the heaters and power the heaters based on a voltage generated by the solar panel such that the heaters warm the engine oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Richard D Sposato
  • Patent number: 7823754
    Abstract: A saw blade lubricating apparatus has a barrel with an outlet at one end thereof, a drive cooperative with the barrel for extruding wax outwardly of the outlet of the barrel, a dispenser block connected by a conduit to the barrel and having a wax inlet and a wax outlet, and a valve positioned in or on the dispenser block. The valve is selectively movable between a first position allowing wax flow between the wax inlet and the wax outlet and a second position blocking wax flow between the wax inlet and the wax outlet. A saw blade can be positioned adjacent to the wax outlet of the dispenser block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Inventor: Robert W. Tilley
  • Patent number: 7703577
    Abstract: A door hinge lubricator includes a tube, a wicking material and at least one attachment device. At least one lubrication opening is formed through a wall of the tube. Each lubrication opening could be a hole or a slot. The wicking material is inserted into an inner perimeter of the tube. The wicking material is saturated with a lubricant, such as oil. Each end of the tube is sealed with an end plug or the like. The at least one attachment device is preferably attached substantially in-line with the at least one lubrication opening. It is preferable to place the single attachment device on each end of the tube. The door hinge lubricator is attached to one of the hinge plates, adjacent the hinge pin. Lubricant will be wicked into the joints between the opposing hinge plates. After a door hinge stops squeaking, the door hinge lubricator may be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventors: Marco J. Zach, Jon A. DeBoer
  • Patent number: 7665513
    Abstract: A heat exchanger structure of an automatic transmission stabilizing a temperature of oil is provided. A heat exchanger structure of an automatic transmission includes an automatic transmission, a first heat exchanger provided on an upstream side and a second heat exchanger provided on a downstream side, each capable of cooling oil ejected from the automatic transmission, and a thermo valve capable of supplying oil subject to heat exchange by at least one of first and second heat exchangers to the automatic transmission. When a temperature of the oil is relatively low, the thermo valve supplies oil passed through the first heat exchanger to the automatic transmission and shuts off a flow of oil from the second heat exchanger to the automatic transmission. When a temperature of the oil is relatively high, the thermo valve supplies oil passed through first and second heat exchangers to the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20090087320
    Abstract: In an oil-cooled air compressor for controlling a temperature of a lubricant by changing a flow rate of a cooling medium supplied to a heat exchanger for the lubricant, for obtaining an energy saving effect by variable control of the flow rate of the cooling medium and preventing securely a condensed water from occurring in a compressor unit even when an exhaust duct is arranged inappropriately, a lubricant flow rate adjustor is arranged to measure a temperature of the lubricant and decreasing a flow rate of the lubricant supplied to the heat exchanger so that the lubricant temperature becomes T1 to satisfy T0>T1?TD when T0 is a control temperature of the lubricant and TD is a condensed water occurrence critical temperature at which a condensed water occurs in the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Inventors: Hideharu TANAKA, Masahiko Takano, Akihiro Nagasaka
  • Publication number: 20080314572
    Abstract: An oil cooler for an engine or other lubricated mechanism includes a connector through which the oil cooler is connected to an oil supply passage and a return oil passage in an engine crankcase or other supply source. The connector includes a seal face to which inlet and outlet passages from the cooler are connected with oil supply and return passages in a connected mechanism. A continually open oil bypass is provided by forming a groove or slot in the seal face of the oil cooler extending between the inlet and outlet passages of the oil cooler and forming the cooler oil bypass. Alternatively, a bypass may be formed by a slot in a mating engine or mechanism connector connecting with the supply and return oil passages. Using a perimeter gasket between mating connectors can increase the bypass oil flow by the area of the clearance within the gasket opening created by the thickness of the gasket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: DANIEL J. HOMMES
  • Patent number: 7458414
    Abstract: Improvement, in hydraulic systems, such as for vehicle transmissions and the like, in the form of a hydraulic reservoir with integrated heat exchanger having fluid supply/return and fluid return ports, including a central section, having inner and outer shell portions with a first gap therebetween, the outer shell being provided with a plurality of radially-spaced, external cooling fins, longitudinally-directed for the length of the central section; the ends of the latter being closed off via respective bottom and top cap portions, thereby defining a central fluid cavity, the top cap portion having spaced outer and inner cap portions, with a second gap therebetween, with a fluid inlet port, in the outer cap portion, directing incoming fluid from the second gap into and through the entire length of the first gap before entering the central fluid cavity, thereby maximizing heat transfer from the fluid via the plurality of cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew H. Simon
  • Publication number: 20080109129
    Abstract: The start control of the invention repeatedly performs a start-up process for a start of an oil pump, which pressure feeds the flow of oil in a motor cooling system, at the timings of rise in either of motor temperatures by every 10° C. from a preset initial starting temperature. This arrangement heightens the potential for a successful start-up of the oil pump even when the oil flow has a high viscosity due to a relatively low outside air temperature Tout. In the event of a failed start-up of the oil pump by repetition of the start-up process, the start control specifies the occurrence of an abnormality in the oil pump or in the power supply to the oil pump at the outside air temperature of not lower than a preset reference temperature, while not specifying the occurrence of an abnormality in the oil pump or in the power supply to the oil pump at the outside air temperature of lower than the preset reference temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventors: Eiji Yanagida, Tetsuhiro Tsuchie
  • Publication number: 20080041664
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for a centrifugal pump of the type having a bearing housing for maintaining the lubrication of a plurality of pump shaft rolling element bearings. The system includes a lubricant reservoir forming a volume, and having at least one supply port for supplying lubricant to the bearing housing, and at least one return port for returning lubricant to the lubricant reservoir. A lubricant recirculation pump has at least one supply stage and at least one suction stage. A connector is provided between the supply port of the reservoir and the suction stage of the lubricant recirculation pump for the supply of lubricant to the suction stage of the recirculation pump. A connector is also provided for interconnecting the supply stage of the lubricant recirculation pump to the bearing housing for the delivery of lubricant to the bearing housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Inventors: Robert J. Visintainer, Robert A. Courtwright
  • Patent number: 7261223
    Abstract: A saw blade lubricating apparatus has a barrel with an outlet at one end thereof, a drive cooperative with the barrel for extruding wax outwardly of the outlet of the barrel, a dispenser block connected by a conduit to the barrel and having a wax inlet and a wax outlet, and a valve positioned in or on the dispenser block. The valve is selectively movable between a first position allowing wax flow between the wax inlet and the wax outlet and a second position blocking wax flow between the wax inlet and the wax outlet. A saw blade can be positioned adjacent to the wax outlet of the dispenser block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Inventor: Robert W. Tilley
  • Patent number: 6997238
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly comprising a casing defining a cavity for housing gears of an engine-driven apparatus, the casing having at least one substantially flat exterior surface for receiving a cooler plate, and a cooler plate mounted to the casing at the substantially flat exterior surface, the cooler plate isolated from the cavity by the flat exterior surface, the cooler plate having a channel for receiving a liquid for cooling the casing and at least one port in communication with the channel. At least one further embodiment includes a gearbox assembly where the channel is aligned with the exterior surface for supplying liquid in contact with the surface. The invention also includes a cooler plate for attachment at a closed exterior surface of a gearbox in order to supply cooling liquid in contact with the gearbox surface to cool the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: W.S. Darley & Co.
    Inventors: Michael C. Ruthy, Douglas W. Seitz
  • Patent number: 6994150
    Abstract: An integrated engine guard oil cooler is mounted to a motorcycle. The cooler is a hollow tube having an inlet, an outlet, a plurality of cross-sectional restrictions in its interior, and a plurality of radial cooling fins on its exterior. The tube has a shape such that, when the inlet and the outlet are mounted on opposite sides of the lower frame of a motorcycle, the tube extends outwardly from each side of the frame, then extends upwardly, and then extends inwardly to join and form an enclosed passageway. When the inlet and the outlet communicate with the oil reservoir of the engine, oil flows through the tube with successive pressure increases and pressure decreases as it passes the cross-sectional restrictions and heat from the oil is transferred to the ambient air through the radial cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Inventor: Steven C. Kline
  • Patent number: 6913438
    Abstract: A circulating lubrication system for a centrifugal pump, or other rotating equipment utilizing an oil sump, is disclosed. The lubrication system includes an external reservoir located distant from the main lubrication chamber, so that lubricating fluid from the main misting chamber is forced out of the main chamber, cooled and cleaned (i.e. filtered) in the external reservoir, and thereafter fed back into the main lubricating chamber. In such a manner, the lubrication system maintains substantially clean, cool, and moisture free lubricating fluid in the main misting chamber and reduces the required downtime of the device. Thus, the life span of the device is lengthened while at the same time production is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Environamics
    Inventor: Robert E. Rockwood
  • Patent number: 6899074
    Abstract: Method and arrangement for providing a temperature regulating system (1) in a vehicle. The system includes an hydraulic arrangement (6) that is adapted to provide components intended for rotation belonging to a gearbox (5) of the vehicle and at least one of the axles (2, 3) of the vehicle with hydraulic oil from the same container (7). The system also has an arrangement (22) for regulating the temperature of the oil in the hydraulic arrangement (6) via a heat exchanger unit (21). The temperature regulating arrangement (22) is also adapted to cool the engine (4) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Volvo Construction Equipment Components AB
    Inventor: Sven-Ake Carlsson
  • Patent number: 6871726
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a frame and an axle assembly coupled to the frame. The axle assembly includes a first axle shaft and a first axle housing, with the first axle shaft disposed substantially within the first axle housing; a first wheel coupled to the first axle assembly; an axle lubricating fluid disposed within the first axle housing; and a first axle cooling device disposed within the first axle housing, in contact with at least a portion of the lubricating fluid, and including a first coil. Also disclosed is a method of cooling an axle assembly of a work vehicle. The method includes steps of removing heat from the lubricating fluid by placing the lubricating fluid in contact with the outer surface of a coil, and removing the heat from the inner surface of the coil by circulating the cooling fluid through the passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: CNH America LLC
    Inventors: Edward L. Coyle, Donnell L. Dunn
  • Patent number: 6830096
    Abstract: An apparatus to regulate and control the temperature of an axle assembly for a vehicle. A heat pipe is inserted though the axle housing cover, the heat pipe travels the length of the cover. Near the lower region of the carrier and beneath the lubricating fluid level, the heat pipe bends to continue in the horizontal direction. Disposed about the terminal end of the heat pipe below the lubricating fluid line are a series of cooling fins. Heat generated within the lubricating fluid that is heated during operation conduit is dissipated via the cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Fett, Timothy William Runstadler, David Allen Krueger, Michael L. Dougherty
  • Patent number: 6810999
    Abstract: A thin coating of a solution containing a low surface energy material is applied on the inner surface of tubing of a condenser or an evaporator of an air conditioning system. The solution is run through the tubing of the heat exchanger and drained. After drying, a monomolecular layer of the low surface energy material in solution remains on the inner surface of the tubing. A polymer with a lower surface energy and chemical and thermal resistance is employed, such as silane, fluorocarbons, polyetheretherketon (PEEK) and polysulfone. The thin coating of the lower surface energy material in solution prevents lubricating oil from the compressor which mixes with the refrigerant from wetting over the inner surface of the tubing, encouraging the formation of oil droplets. By preventing the build up of lubricating oil, heat transfer is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: James William Otter
  • Patent number: 6695047
    Abstract: A temperature control system includes an enclosure having a plurality of adjoining walls. At least one inlet is disposed within at least one of the walls. The at least one inlet has an electrically controlled inlet fan associated with it. A plurality of outlet louver assemblies are disposed within at least an other wall and include a plurality of moveable louvers. An actuator is coupled with each outlet louver assembly to move the plurality of moveable louvers. An ambient air sensor is disposed within the enclosure for sensing the ambient temperature within the enclosure and providing an output signal which is conducted to an electrical processing circuit. Alternatively, the ambient air sensor may be located without the enclosure. Temperature sensors are also coupled with the engine, charge air and transmission cooler for sensing their respective temperatures and providing output signals which are conducted to the electrical processing circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventor: Jon P. Brocksopp
  • Patent number: 6591896
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a transmission fluid heat exchanger which is external to an engine radiator, an in-line with respect to radiator hose coupled to the engine radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis Hansen
  • Publication number: 20030029678
    Abstract: A thin coating of a solution containing a low surface energy material is applied on the inner surface of tubing of a condenser or an evaporator of an air conditioning system. The solution is run through the tubing of the heat exchanger and drained. After drying, a monomolecular layer of the low surface energy material in solution remains on the inner surface of the tubing. A polymer with a lower surface energy and chemical and thermal resistance is employed, such as silane, fluorocarbons, polyetheretherketon (PEEK) and polysulfone. The thin coating of the lower surface energy material in solution prevents lubricating oil from the compressor which mixes with the refrigerant from wetting over the inner surface of the tubing, encouraging the formation of oil droplets. By preventing the build up of lubricating oil, heat transfer is improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: James William Otter
  • Publication number: 20030006023
    Abstract: An oil cooler for an internal combustion engine includes an oil circuit and a cooling circuit arranged in a housing with inlet opening and outlet openings. The housing has a generally annular, C-shaped structure which forms a central, axial cylindrical bore and a radially extending slot. The housing is attached to an annular plate. The bore may receive engine components, such as shafts and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Applicant: Deere & Company, a Delaware corporation.
    Inventors: Scott A. Hudson, Gerald Werner
  • Patent number: 6264003
    Abstract: A bearing system includes a lubricant circulation apparatus to provide a continuous supply of a cooled lubricant fluid to a bearing device. The bearing device may be a hydrodynamic sleeve bearing having a bearing housing defining a sump for maintaining lubricant fluid therein. The bearing sump is in fluid communication with a reservoir which maintains a supply of lubricant. A pump communicates with the reservoir to draw a desired quantity of lubricant fluid therefrom and deliver it to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses an existing source of air from an operative pump motor to increase the air circulation through the cooling fins of the heat exchanger. The cooled lubricant is thereafter delivered to the bearing inlet and provides a cooler operating environment for the bearing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Reliance Electric Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Qimin Dong, Jack Young
  • Publication number: 20010003312
    Abstract: A transmission fluid cooling system includes a cooler-bypass unit having a banjo bolt relief valve. The banjo bolt relief valve includes a head portion and a body portion. A relief valve is incorporated into the body portion. A valve seat is formed between the head portion and body portion. A ball is biased against the valve seat toward the head portion by a spring within the body portion. When the transmission fluid is cool and viscous, pressure buildup in the head portion overcomes the spring bias of the ball against the valve seat, permitting the flow of transmission fluid through the cooler-bypass unit, bypassing the transmission fluid cooling unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 1998
    Publication date: June 14, 2001
    Inventor: RICHARD V. SPIEGEL