Fluid retention and filtration element for a hydraulic transfer case

A lubrication and hydraulic actuation system for a transfer case, comprising:

• a pump;
• a pump sump formed in the transfer case, and having an opening in communication with an interior of the transfer case;
• and
• a fluid retention element disposed in the opening of the pump sump and having at least one baffle structure to allow fluids to enter the pump sump through the fluid retention element and restrain fluids from exiting the pump sump through the fluid retention element, wherein the fluid retention element has a first end, a second end, and a connecting portion formed at the first end and disposed in the opening of the pump sump, wherein the fluid retention element has a fluid inlet formed at the first end to allow fluid to enter the fluid retention element from the interior of the transfer case, wherein the at least one baffle structure is disposed in the fluid inlet of the fluid retention element to define an obstructed flow path to an interior space of the fluid retention element, wherein the at least one baffle structure includes a first transverse wall that partially obstructs the interior space of the fluid retention element at the fluid inlet, and a second transverse wall that partially obstructs the interior space of the fluid retention element at the fluid inlet.

A lubrication and hydraulic actuation system for a transfer case, comprising:

• a pump;
• a pump sump formed in the transfer case, and having an opening in communication with an interior of the transfer case;
• and
• a fluid retention element disposed in the opening of the pump sump and having at least one baffle structure to allow fluids to enter the pump sump through the fluid retention element and restrain fluids from exiting the pump sump through the fluid retention element, wherein the fluid retention element has a first end, a second end, and a connecting portion formed at the first end and disposed in the opening of the pump sump, wherein the fluid retention element has a fluid inlet formed at the first end to allow fluid to enter the fluid retention element from the interior of the transfer case, wherein the at least one baffle structure is disposed in the fluid inlet of the fluid retention element to define an obstructed flow path to an interior space of the fluid retention element, wherein the fluid retention element has one or more outlet ports that are positioned between the first end and the second end of the fluid retention element to allow fluid to flow from the interior space of the fluid retention element to the pump sump, wherein the one or more outlet ports of the fluid retention element are spaced from the second end of the fluid retention element to allow debris to settle in the interior space of the fluid retention element.

A lubrication and hydraulic actuation system for a transfer case, comprising:

• a pump;
• a pump sump formed in the transfer case, and having an opening in communication with an interior of the transfer case;
• and
• a fluid retention element having a first end and a second end, a connecting portion formed at the first end and disposed in the opening of the pump sump, a fluid inlet formed at the first end to allow fluid to enter the fluid retention element from the interior of the transfer case, at least one baffle structure disposed in the fluid inlet to define an obstructed flow path to an interior space of the fluid retention element, a closed end surface at the second end of the fluid retention element, and one or more outlet ports that are positioned between the first end and the second end of the fluid retention element to allow fluid to flow from the interior space of the fluid retention element to the pump sump, wherein the at least one baffle structure includes a first transverse wall that partially obstructs the interior space of the fluid retention element at the fluid inlet, and a second transverse wall that partially obstructs the interior space of the fluid retention element at the fluid inlet.