Lubricant Cooling Device Patents (Class 184/104.3)
  • Patent number: 12158115
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine including: a combustor arranged to combust a fuel; and a fuel management system arranged to provide the fuel to the combustor, wherein the fuel management system includes two fuel-oil heat exchangers through which oil and fuel flow, which are arranged to transfer heat between the oil and fuel and include primary and secondary fuel-oil heat exchangers; a fuel pump arranged to deliver the fuel to the combustor, wherein the fuel pump is located between the heat exchangers; and a recirculation valve located downstream of the primary heat exchanger, the recirculation valve arranged to allow a controlled amount of fuel which has passed through the primary heat exchanger to be returned to the inlet. The method includes selecting one or more fuels such that the calorific value of the fuel provided to the gas turbine engine is at least 43.5 MJ/kg.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W Bemment, Alastair G Hobday, Benjamin J Keeler, Christopher P Madden, Andrea Minelli, Andrew T Smith, Peter Swann, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11994072
    Abstract: A method of operating a gas turbine engine is disclosed, the gas turbine engine comprising an engine core comprising a combustor arranged to burn a fuel; a turbine, the turbine comprising a plurality of turbine blades; a compressor arranged to be used as a source of cooling air for the turbine blades; and an inducer arranged to accelerate and direct the cooling air onto the turbine blades and comprising a plurality of airflow passageways and a modulating valve arranged to control cooling air flow into a subset of the passageways; and a fuel management system arranged to provide the fuel to the combustor, the fuel having a sulphur content of less than 30 ppm. The fuel management system comprises two fuel-oil heat exchangers through which oil and the fuel flow. The method comprises using the modulating valve to adjust the cooling air flow based on turbine inlet temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Craig W Bemment, Benjamin J Keeler, Christopher P Madden, Andrea Minelli, Peter Swann, Martin K Yates
  • Patent number: 11073042
    Abstract: A self-cooling fluid storage container includes a reservoir to store a fluid at a level that allows for an air space above the fluid. The fluid enters the reservoir. A fluid conduit receives the fluid at a fluid input opening to an internal fluid conduit that extends upward towards the air space. A heat exchanger portion extends sufficiently near the air space to provide a thermal exchange with the air space. The heat exchanger receives fluid to provide a cooling of the air space. The internal fluid conduit continues extending downward from the air space to a fluid output opening for distribution to a system that uses the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Adam Kempers
  • Patent number: 10995847
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a cooling device connected to components of a motor vehicle. The cooling device influencing a fluid flow moving past the vehicle components. In one example, a system may include a cooling device positioned below an oil sump. The cooling device may feature an apparatus such that a fluid flows between the apparatus and oil sump. The cooling device may also be positioned below a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Bernhard Gralka
  • Patent number: 10859150
    Abstract: A device for cooling a transmission unit having front cooling fins and rear cooling fins includes a front air guiding blade and a rear air guiding blade. The front air guiding blade is configured to guide air from the underbody flow to the front cooling fins. The rear air guiding blade is configured to guide air from the underbody flow to the rear cooling fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Benno Dahl, Thomas Wolf
  • Patent number: 10690234
    Abstract: An electric vehicle may include a powertrain including an axle having a first drive wheel and a second drive wheel, a first motor and a first gearbox operatively coupled to the first drive wheel, and a second motor and a second gearbox operatively coupled to the second drive wheel. The electric vehicle may also include a radiator including coolant, and an oil manifold including first and second oil inlets, first and second oil outlets, first and second coolant inlets, and at least one coolant outlet. The oil manifold may be fluidly connected to the first and second gearboxes, the first and second motors, and to the radiator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Proterra Inc.
    Inventors: Robert F. Oury, Jr., Matthew D. Simonini
  • Patent number: 10352240
    Abstract: A gas turbine is provided including a rotor which includes a rotor portion of a fluid bearing for rotatably supporting the rotor, a radially outer stator portion, a radially inner stator portion including a stator portion of the fluid bearing, a compressor air passage extending between the radially outer stator portion and the radially inner stator portion, and an annular gap between the rotor and the radially inner stator portion partially forming an annular air passage in communication with the compressor air passage, wherein along a flow direction of air flowing within the annular air passage a radius of the air passage decreases in a first portion and then increases in a second portion. Further a method for operating a gas turbine is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Richard James, Philip Twell
  • Patent number: 10179478
    Abstract: An axle assembly for a drive device for the road wheels of a vehicle includes: a stationary housing having a housing interior at least partially filled with a lubricating liquid; axle housings connected to the stationary housing and configured to permit axles of the vehicle to pass towards the road wheels; a venting bore in one of the axle housings configured to allow pressurized air to escape from the stationary housing; and at least one rib sized and positioned in the housing interior of the stationary housing so as to prevent migration of the lubricating liquid out of the venting bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Manuel Bauer, Rudolf Neumüller, Paul Lenz, Peter Haselberger, Horst Sigl, Daniel Dudek, Matthias Kobler, Daniela Wagner, Rainer Hildebrand, Stefan Brachmeier
  • Patent number: 10113483
    Abstract: A sump housing apparatus for a gas turbine engine includes: an annular body; and a plurality of service tubes arrayed around the body, each service tube having a proximal end intersecting the body and an opposed distal end, each service tube having an inner port communicating with an interior of the body; wherein the body and at least one of the service tubes are part of a monolithic whole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Alan Manteiga, Jordan Tesorero, Emilio Eramo, Michael D. Miller
  • Patent number: 9382870
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided having two mating components. The mating components include an engine and an engine front cover. A fastening boss is formed on at least one of the two mating components and configured to receive a threaded fastener to join the two mating components. A compression boss extends from a first of the two mating components to contact a second of the two mating components. The compression boss is dimensioned relative to the fastening boss to create compressive loading in the compression boss when the threaded fastener is tightened to join the mating components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Thomas Reinhart, Chad Strimpel, JonCarlo Mancini
  • Patent number: 9334945
    Abstract: An axle assembly having a differential gear set is provided. The axle assembly includes a housing cover having a first surface. A housing is provided having an interior portion sized to receive the differential gear set. The housing includes an end with a second surface, the second surface sized and shaped to engage the first surface. The end has an opening that extends from the second surface into the interior portion. The housing further includes a cavity formed in the second surface, the cavity defining a labyrinth passageway that fluidly couples the interior portion and an ambient environment, at least a portion of the passageway being defined by the housing cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Smakal, Laurie B. Davenport, John Dinovski
  • Patent number: 8944023
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having a configuration adapted to match the mounting configuration of the oil passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The manifold has an oil outlet port directed to a remotely mounted oil cooler. The manifold also has a water passage having a configuration that is adapted to match the mounting configuration of the water passages of the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger. The water passage causes the entirety of the flow of water to be discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine where it is circulated by the water pump through the water cooling passages in the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8887688
    Abstract: An oil distribution and cooling system for diesel engines of the design represented by the 6.4L POWER STROKE® engine. The stock oil cooler and cover are removed and a manifold is positioned in place of the removed stock oil cooler and cover. The block has oil in, oil out, coolant in and coolant out ports which align with those on the engine. Coolant is directed to an adapter plate and a relocated oil cooler which may be the removed cooler or a replacement, preferably of the oil-to-air type. Oil to be filtered and cooled is directed through the manifold to a filter and then to the cooler. Cool, clean oil is returned to the manifold for distribution to various engine locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8833333
    Abstract: An aftermarket modification for diesel engines that operate in cold environments particularly those using an air-to-liquid oil cooler. Engine oil can be routed to a filter and if the oil has not reached the desired operating temperature, a bypass module having a temperature element directs the oil past the cooler to return to the engine. Once the desired oil temperature is reached, the thermostatic element closes to direct oil through the cooler. A pressure bypass element can be incorporated into the bypass module. If the pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the cooler exceeds a set point, a portion of the oil bypasses the cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventors: Kennieth Neal, Gene Neal
  • Patent number: 8720408
    Abstract: An oil distribution system for a vehicle diesel engine having a replacement oil cooler block which directs oil to a remote oil filter block. Filtered oil is routed across the supply passage of a thermostat to an oil-to-air oil cooler. Oil from the cooler is directed via a return passage to the oil cooler block for distribution to the engine. The thermostat will bypass oil directly to the return passage when the oil temperature is below a preset level. The system may be an OEM system or a retrofit modification to existing engines. The system may include multiple oil-to-air heat exchangers and may be adapted to retain existing components such as a stock oil-to-coolant oil cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Inventors: Kennieth Neal, Gene Neal
  • Patent number: 8696394
    Abstract: A marine propulsion system comprises an internal combustion engine, a cooling circuit carrying cooling fluid that cools the internal combustion engine, a sump holding oil that drains from the internal combustion engine, and a heat exchanger receiving the cooling fluid. The oil that drains from the internal combustion engine to the sump passes through and is cooled by the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg D. Langenfeld, Ryan G. Bonde, Scott G. Ahlswede
  • Patent number: 8678078
    Abstract: Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Richard W. Carlson, Thomas A. Robertson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8635771
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine an engine oil supply outlet located in a horizontal plan includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having an oil outlet port directed to a remote oil cooler and a bypass water passage providing an un-branched flow of water, whereby the flow of oil is directed to a remote oil cooler and the entirety of the flow of water in the bypass water passage is discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine without passing through an oil cooling or water cooling heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8505512
    Abstract: A method of modifying the oil cooling system of a diesel engine an engine oil supply outlet located in a horizontal plan includes the steps of removing the original equipment liquid-to-liquid heat exchanger and installing a manifold having an oil outlet port directed to a remote oil cooler and a bypass water passage providing an un-branched flow of water, whereby the flow of oil is directed to a remote oil cooler and the entirety of the flow of water in the bypass water passage is discharged back to the water cooling system of the engine without passing through an oil cooling or water cooling heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8469083
    Abstract: A heat exchanger for cooling a liquid has an inlet and an outlet for a liquid to be cooled. A bypass is provided that bypasses the heat exchanger. A valve controls flow of liquid into the heat exchanger or into the bypass. The valve has a valve seat, a valve cone, and at least one spring made of a shape memory material. The at least one spring counteracts a liquid pressure existing in the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Mann+Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Herbert Jainek, Alexander Wöll
  • Patent number: 8375917
    Abstract: An engine oil cooling system having a manifold which replaces the conventional OEM oil cooler. The manifold receives hot oil from the engine and directs the oil to a filter and then to a liquid-to-air heat exchanger. The cooled, filtered oil is returned to the engine via the manifold. Particulate filtration may be achieved in the manifold at a cleanable filter screen. Provision is made for installation of various monitoring sensors, a check valve between the manifold and filter and a bleed valve in the manifold. The system may also include a by-pass which will direct oil around the heat exchanger if the oil is below a prescribed temperature or if the oil pressure differential between the inlet and outlet of the cooler is greater than a setting of a control relief valve. The system may also include provision for heating the oil using engine coolant during initial start-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Inventors: Gene Neal, Kennieth Neal
  • Patent number: 8347845
    Abstract: In an engine oil filter system in which: a filter-attachment base is joined to one side surface of an engine; and an oil filter which filters lubricating oil supplied to the engine from an oil pump is attached to the filter-attachment base, an oil cooler for cooling down the lubricating oil transferred between the engine and the oil filter is formed integrally with the filter-attachment base. Accordingly, it is possible to provide an inexpensive engine oil filter system which includes an oil cooler constituted by utilizing a filter-attachment base, and which thus eliminates the need to modify an oil filter and also the need to form, on an engine, an attachment portion to which the oil cooler is exclusively attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Ogawa, Kentaro Sugimura, Hiroaki Hasebe, Kouhei Arakawa
  • Patent number: 7621251
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed that includes a chassis, a traction device adapted to contact the ground and propel the chassis and an engine supported by chassis and providing power to traction device. The engine includes a housing, a lubricant, and an engine component external of the engine housing. The housing includes a first lubricant inlet passage, a first lubricant outlet passage, a second lubricant inlet passage, and a second lubricant outlet passage. The vehicle has a first configuration in which first the lubricant outlet passage provides lubricant to the external engine component, the first lubricant inlet passage receives the lubricant from engine component, the second lubricant outlet passage is blocked with a plug, and the second lubricant inlet passage is blocked with a plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Courant, Michael R. Trihey
  • Patent number: 7594757
    Abstract: Machine with bearing lubrication, including a housing (2) and a rotor (5) which is provided on a shaft (6), provided in a rotatable manner in the above-mentioned housing (2) by way of oil-lubricated bearings (7). Inside the housing (2), lubrication ducts (14) to supply and discharge oil to and from the bearings (7), and cooling channels (21, 15) to supply and discharge a cooling agent, are provided. The cooling channels (21, 15) open opposite to the shaft (6), in a place between the rotor (5) and a bearing (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Airpower, Naamloze Vennootschap
    Inventor: Ken Gustaaf Helena Verhaegen
  • Publication number: 20090139473
    Abstract: A fluid cooler for cooling a fluid, such as oil, associated with an engine of a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a housing for mounting to a portion of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the housing is tubular in shape. First and second vents for air flow are formed in the housing. In one embodiment, the first vent is for air intake and is located in a first end cap of the housing, while the second vent is for air exhaust, is located in a second end cap and has a cross sectional area approximately equal to a cross sectional area of the first vent. Within the housing, a fluid passageway exists for containing a flow path of the fluid associated with the engine. A fan moves air past the fluid passageway. By the design of the cooler and its mounting orientation on the vehicle, in a preferred embodiment, substantially no air passes through the housing when the fan is not operating regardless of whether the vehicle is moving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: George Erik McMillan
  • Publication number: 20090120387
    Abstract: An engine includes an engine block with at least one cylinder, configured for a piston to be provided therein. A wet liner is provided in the cylinder such that a gap is defined between the wet liner and the cylinder. The engine block defines a coolant inlet to transport a coolant to the gap, a coolant chamber, a coolant outlet to transport the coolant from the gap to the chamber, and a supply opening to transport the coolant from the chamber to an exhaust gas recirculation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Seung Dong Moon
  • Publication number: 20090038580
    Abstract: An oil cooler for an internal combustion engine, including a housing having at least one channel for receiving oil from an engine's oil reservoir and for returning the oil to the reservoir, and means for facilitating heat dissipation from the circulated oil to the environment. The oil cooler further includes a coupling for connecting the housing to a receiver for an oil filter cover so that the coupling replaces the oil filter cover and exchanges oil with the engine's reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: IRP,LLC
    Inventor: Ian Hamilton
  • Publication number: 20080236537
    Abstract: An electric motor is cooled by an air flow without restricting the degree of freedom in the arrangement of an oil cooler and an oil filter by utilizing a front face of a front portion of an engine body to arrange the electric motor. The engine includes an oil cooler, an oil filter, and an starter motor for driving a crankshaft to rotate. The oil cooler and the starter motor are disposed on a front face, which is directed in an advancing direction of the vehicle, of a front portion of a lower block which forms an engine body. The oil filter is attached to an attachment seat provided on a side face of the front portion which is directed in the sideward direction. A communication oil path for communicating the oil cooler and the oil filter with each other is provided in the inside of the front portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Koji TERADA, Shinya Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 7261080
    Abstract: An oil cooling system of an air-cooled engine for cooling the oil reserved in a crankcase of the engine comprises a base plate assembled to the crankcase, an overlapping plate assembled to the base plate; an oil filter supported in the overlapping plate; and radiation fins formed on the base plate and the overlapping plate, wherein the base plate includes an inlet port for receiving the engine oil discharged from an oil pump of the engine, an outlet groove for outputting the engine oil and a first passage groove connecting the inlet port and the outlet groove, the overlapping plate includes an inlet groove opposed to the inlet port, an outlet port opposed to the outlet groove and a second passage groove opposed to the first passage groove to form an oil passage together with the first passage groove, and the base plate and the overlapping plate having through-holes where the filter outlet of the oil filter passes through for the connection with the crankcase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mitsugi Chonan, Toshiyuki Matsushima
  • Patent number: 7243632
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a small four-stroke gasoline engine with oil mist lubrication. The lubrication oil way of the engine includes a crankshaft chamber B, a camshaft chamber C, an upper rocker arm chamber D and a condensation chamber E. The camshaft chamber C communicates with the upper rocker arm chamber D via a tappet cavity 13. The upper rocker arm chamber D communicates with the condensation chamber E. An oil mist chamber A is surrounded by an upper case body 3 and a lower case body 4 at the side of the crankshaft chamber B, the bottom of the oil mist chamber A communicates with the crankshaft chamber B. An oilsplash impeller 2 is fixed on a crankshaft, which extends into the oil mist chamber A. An oil way 12 is provided on the upper case body 3 between the oil mist chamber A and the camshaft chamber C. An oil return way 15 is provided on a cylinder head assembly 5. An oil return way 14 is provided on the upper case body 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventor: Ji-Rong No Hu
  • Patent number: 7051840
    Abstract: In a power unit comprising an engine (13) and an HST (24) which are formed into an integral body, a lubricating oil for use in the engine and an operating oil of the HST (24) are commonized. After being cooled, the common oil is fed from the side of the engine (13) to the HST (24). Such arrangement suppresses the drop in viscosity of the common oil and prevents the drop in efficiency and the occurrence of seizing on the side of the HST (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss-Daikin Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tani
  • 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: 6938605
    Abstract: An oil cooling system to provide enhanced thermal control for internal combustion engines wherein the oil cooling system of the present invention works in conjunction with the standard oil lubrication circuit and typical liquid coolant system of an engine to maintain the engine temperature in a constant range even when operated in an environment with extreme thermal conditions for a prolonged period of time. The present invention detects when the oil temperature has exceeded a pre-determined range and sends the oil to a radiator with heat sinks and a fan for extracting the heat therefrom and dissipating it before recycling it back to the oil sump where it serves to lubricate and cool the heat-generating components it comes in contact with.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Osama Othman Mostaeen Al-Khateeb
  • Patent number: 6871628
    Abstract: A fluid cooling arrangement for a motorcycle including a fluid cooler with an outer housing and an inner plate. The outer housing includes an outer face and an inner face. The inner plate is mounted to the inner face of the outer housing. A continuous fluid passage is defined between the inner face and the inner plate, and the fluid passage extends between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid cooler mounted to a primary drive of a motorcycle. The primary drive connects an output shaft of the engine with an input shaft of a transmission. The fluid inlet is in fluid communication with a source of heated fluid from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Inventor: Jason Tauer
  • 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: 6811686
    Abstract: Apparatus of unitary construction and including an oil filter support, an oil cooler and an oil filter is employed to filter and cool engine oil, the oil passing along a serpentine path in the oil cooler after being filtered and before being returned to the motorcycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Inventor: Tony Sorce
  • 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: 6502630
    Abstract: A convectively-cooled hydraulic fluid tank system comprises a hydraulic fluid tank and a fluid cooler incorporated into the hydraulic fluid tank. The fluid cooler includes a vortex chamber having a wall made of a heat conductive material. An inlet is provided to direct incoming pressurized hydraulic fluid tangentially onto the inner surface of the vortex chamber wall to create a swirled flow of hydraulic fluid against the inner surface of the wall. A cooling structure extends from an exterior surface of the vortex chamber wall to promote heat dissipation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Ian Alexander MacFarlane, Keith Martin Morgan, Thomas Francis Haslam-Jones, Nigel Walters, Jean Omer Gagnon
  • Patent number: 6488003
    Abstract: Oil cooler for cooling lubricant oil in an internal combustion engine that has a cooling element (3) that is arranged in the sump (2) of the engine and has an essentially rectangular plate with longitudinal coolant channels (4) over the major portion of its extent. The channels are joined with coolant inlet and outlet tubes (11, 16), which have connections (11a, 16a) on the outside of the sump for connection to an engine coolant system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Volvo Car Corporation
    Inventor: Jan Karlsson
  • Patent number: 6478080
    Abstract: A fluid cooling device carrying cooling fins thereon also carries a plurality of series of plates one above the other. Each of the series of plates is composed of an upper and a lower plate which are in spaced relationship with one another. The space between the upper and lower plates of each of said series of plates define a channel therewithin which is connected to the corresponding channels in each of the series of plates with all of said channels being also connected to inlet and outlet openings. The portions of each of the plates within each of the channels defined therein carrying projecting baffles therewithin which are adapted to cause turbulence in the fluid to be cooled which passes through said channels from the inlet opening to the outlet opening of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Standard Motor Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Archibald E. Pinto
  • Patent number: 6474405
    Abstract: A refrigerant fluid is placed within a driveline component, and in particular an axle housing. This refrigerant fluid is received within a sealed reservoir such that it is sealed from the typical lubricant in the driveline component. The lubricant heats the refrigerant through a housing such that the refrigerant vaporizes within the driveline component housing, thus cooling the lubricant. The vaporized refrigerant travels to a cooling chamber mounted remotely from the reservoir. The cooled refrigerant is cooled to a liquid state, and then returned to the reservoir. Preferably the cooling chamber is positioned on the vehicle frame vertically above the driveline component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Dale K. Bell, Ronald N. Brissette, Christopher S. Keeney, Dennis A. Kramer, Jack R. McKenzie, Brian J. Mueller
  • Patent number: 6457564
    Abstract: A lubrication system for supplying a portion of the engine lubricant to one or more gear devices driven thereby and return to the engine independent of whether the gear devices are being driven at the time. Thus even when the engine is idling engine lubricant is circulated through the gear devices to maintain the temperature of the lubricant circulating through the gear devices within a relatively narrow temperature range. Also, the lubricant level within the gear devices will be maintained without the need for inspection of the gear devices as long as the engine lubricant level is regularly checked and maintained either manually or automatically. Further, by changing the engine lubricant at regular service intervals or using an automated lubricant change system, the quality and level of the lubricant in the gear devices is also maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: The Lubrizol Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus-Werner Damm, Fredrick P. Boyle
  • Patent number: 6418887
    Abstract: An outboard motor contains a four-cycle engine. The engine includes a lubricant supply system that recirculates lubricant through the engine to lubricate the moving components of the internal combustion engine. The lubricant supply system includes a lubricant cooler. The lubricant cooler is selectively bypassed by lubricant and/or coolant to maintain the proper operating temperature range for the lubricant, depending upon the lubricant temperature and/or the coolant temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yutaka Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6263962
    Abstract: An oil cooler is fixed to an engine via an installation stay provided around an outer periphery of the oil cooler. Thus, the load applied to a core portion is reduced, and the load is dispersed on entire portion of the oil cooler. Thus, the respective stresses applied to respective portions of the oil cooler are very small, and a deformation of the core portion is prevented. Furthermore, since the respective stresses on any portion of the oil cooler is reduced, it is possible to make the oil cooler with aluminum whose strength is lower than that of iron. Furthermore, since the thickness of the installation stay can be reduced, difference in the thermal expansion quantity caused by difference in coefficients of linear expansion of the bolt and the installation stay is significantly reduced, and the loose bolt of the bolt caused by difference in coefficients of linear expansion is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Komoda, Shinichi Hamada, Yasutoshi Yamanaka
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6216772
    Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for treating liquid lubricant in a supply of lubricant such as a gearbox including a filter, an inlet for supplying the lubricant to one side of the filter, and through the filter into a cavity, a lubricant cooler downstream pf the cavity so that the lubricant can pass from the cavity through the lubricant cooler for cooling, an outlet for the treated lubricant, a connector for transporting the lubricant from the lubricant cooler to the outlet, with the connector being disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagnar AB
    Inventor: Stig-Erik Johannesson
  • Patent number: 6202736
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission fluid cooler for enhancing the cooling of transmission fluid in a vehicle transmission. The vehicle transmission fluid cooler includes a perimeter mounting flange for mounting to the housing of the transmission. The perimeter mounting flange defines a hole for fluidly communicating with the access opening of the transmission when said perimeter mounting flange is mounted to the transmission housing. A body portion has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall. The peripheral wall extends upward from a periphery of the bottom wall such that an interior surface of the peripheral wall defines an interior of said body portion. The perimeter wall has a terminal end opposite the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventor: Verlyn R. Fast
  • Patent number: 6182748
    Abstract: A plate heat exchanger includes a plurality of spaced plates secured together to form a stack having a plurality of fluid flow channels and a first plurality of passages. The channels are divided into at least first and second groups, the channels in the first group spaced from one another by the channels in second group. Each passage in the first plurality of passages extends between adjacent plates through one of the channels in the second group of channels. Each successive passage in the first plurality of passages is in fluid communication with successive channels in the first group of channels, and is offset from each preceding passage in the first plurality of passages such that fluid flowing through the first group of channels and the first plurality of passages follows a serpentine pattern through the stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Modine Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Viktor Brost, Martin Kehr