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US 10,309,522 B2Granted
Transfer case pump with multiple flow paths to internal components
AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.
InventorsMichael Robert Palazzolo, David F. Haselton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A lubrication system for a transfer case includes a pump in fluid communication with a lubricant source and a power transfer assembly, as well as one or more valves positioned along fluid flow paths between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. The valves may allow full fluid flow or may restrict fluid flow to various components of the transfer case as conditions warrant. A fluid guide insert may be used to help direct lubricant flow to the components.
Claims19
A lubrication system for a transfer case, comprising:
- a pump that is operable to supply a lubricant along at least two fluid flow paths extending from a lubricant source to one or more transfer case components, the pump comprising a pump inlet in fluid communication with the lubricant source and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the one or more transfer case components;
- a node in fluid communication with the pump outlet and configured to divide fluid flow into a first conduit and a second conduit arranged in parallel;
- a power transfer assembly including a first inlet port, a second inlet port located downstream of and in fluid communication with the second conduit, one or more first outlet ports in fluid communication with the first inlet port and one or more second outlet ports in fluid communication with the second inlet port;
- a fluid guide insert disposed within the power transfer assembly and configured to direct the flow of fluid from the first inlet port to the one or more first outlet ports and from the second inlet port to the one or more second outlet ports;
- a first valve disposed along the first conduit extending between the node and the power transfer assembly, the first valve including a first valve inlet, a first valve outlet and a first valve alternative outlet, the first valve outlet and the first valve alternative outlet located upstream and in fluid communication with the first valve inlet, the first valve outlet and the first valve alternative outlet located downstream and in fluid communication with the first inlet port of the power transfer assembly, the first valve being operable between a first state in which fluid flows through the first valve outlet and is not restricted and a second state in which fluid flows through the first valve alternative outlet and is restricted;
- and
- a control that is operable to set the state of the first valve to either the first state or the second state.
4 more elements
A transfer case for a vehicle, comprising:
- a power transfer assembly comprising an input shaft, a primary output shaft, a secondary output shaft, and a transfer clutch that is operable to transfer power from one of the input shaft and the primary output shaft to the secondary output shaft when the transfer clutch is in an engaged position;
- a pump that is operable to supply a lubricant along at least two fluid flow paths extending from a lubricant source to the power transfer assembly, the pump comprising a pump inlet in fluid communication with the lubricant source and a pump outlet in fluid communication with the power transfer assembly;
- a node located upstream of the power transfer assembly and in fluid communication with the pump outlet and configured to divide fluid flow into a first conduit and a second conduit arranged in parallel;
- the primary output shaft including a first inlet port, a second inlet port located downstream of and in fluid communication with the second conduit, one or more first outlet ports in fluid communication with the first inlet port and one or more second outlet ports in fluid communication with the second inlet port;
- a fluid guide insert disposed within the primary output shaft and configured to direct the flow of fluid from the first inlet port to the one or more first outlet ports and from the second inlet port to the one or more second outlet ports;
- a first valve disposed along the first conduit, the first valve including a first valve inlet, a first valve outlet and a first valve alternative outlet, the first valve outlet and the first valve alternative outlet located upstream and in fluid communication with the first valve inlet, the first valve outlet and the first valve alternative outlet located downstream and in fluid communication with the first inlet port of the power transfer assembly, the first valve being operable between a first state in which fluid flows through the first valve outlet and is not restricted and a second state in which fluid flows through the first valve alternative outlet and is restricted;
- and
- a control that is operable to set the state of the first valve to either the first state or the second state.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.