# US 10,309,522 B2 · Transfer case pump with multiple flow paths to internal components > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,522 B2 - Document ID: US10309522B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/412,601 - Filed: 2017-01-23 - Published: 2018-07-26 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-23 - Assignees: BorgWarner Inc. - Applicants: BorgWarner Inc. - Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo; David F. Haselton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309522B2 ## CPC - F16H 57/0435: {Pressure control for supplying lubricant; Circuits or valves therefor} - B60K 17/02: characterised by arrangement, location, or kind of clutch - B60K 17/344: having a transfer gear - B60K 17/348: having differential means for driving one set of wheels, e.g. the front, at one speed and the other set, e.g. the rear, at a different speed (B60K17/346 takes precedence) - B60K 17/35: including arrangements for suppressing or influencing the power transfer, e.g. viscous clutches - B60K 23/08: for changing number of driven wheels {, for switching from driving one axle to driving two or more axles (B60K17/3515 takes precedence)} - F16H 37/065: {with a plurality of driving or driven shafts (F16H37/0806 takes precedence)} - F16H 57/043: {within rotary parts, e.g. axial channels or radial openings in shafts} - B60Y 2306/03: Lubrication - F16H 57/0473: {Friction devices, e.g. clutches or brakes} - F16H 57/0486: {with fixed gear ratio (axle or inter-axle differentials F16H57/0483)} - F16H 57/05: of chains - F16H: GEARING - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lubrication system of claim 1 wherein the power transfer assembly includes a primary output shaft having a bore, the first and second outlet ports are positioned along the primary output shaft, and the fluid guide insert is located within the bore. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The lubrication system of claim 2 wherein the fluid guide insert comprises: a center element defining an interior space in fluid communication with the second inlet port and the second outlet ports, and the center element and the primary output shaft define an annular space in fluid communication with the first inlet port and the first outlet ports. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The lubrication system of claim 3 wherein the fluid guide insert further comprises: at least one fluid guide insert outlet port extending from the center element and in sealing engagement with the shaft, each fluid guide insert outlet port in fluid communication with a second outlet port. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lubrication system of claim 1, wherein the first valve alternative outlet is in fluid communication with a restriction disposed along the first conduit extending between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The lubrication system of claim 1 further comprising: a second valve disposed along the second conduit extending between the node and the power transfer assembly, the second valve including a second valve inlet, a second valve outlet and an second valve alternative outlet, the second valve outlet and the second valve alternative outlet located upstream and in fluid communication with the second valve inlet, the second valve outlet and the second valve alternative outlet located downstream and in fluid communication with the second inlet port of the power transfer assembly, the second valve being operable between a first state in which fluid flow s through the second valve outlet and is not restricted and a second state in which fluid flows through the second valve alternative outlet and is restricted; and a second valve control that is operable to set the state of the second valve to either the first state or the second state. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The lubrication system of claim 6, wherein: the second valve alternative outlet is in fluid communication with a second restriction disposed along the second conduit extending between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The lubrication system of claim 6 further comprising: a third valve disposed along the oil feed conduit extending between the lubricant source and the pump, the third valve including a third valve inlet, a third valve outlet and an third valve alternative outlet, the third valve outlet and the third valve alternative outlet located upstream and in fluid communication with the third valve inlet, the third valve outlet and the third valve alternative outlet located downstream and in fluid communication with the pump, the third valve being operable between a first state in which fluid flow is not restricted and a second state in which fluid flow is restricted; and a third valve control that is operable to set the state of the third valve to either the first state or the second state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The lubrication system of claim 8, wherein: the third valve alternative outlet is in fluid communication with a third restriction disposed along the oil feed conduit extending between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The lubrication system of claim 8, wherein the third valve comprises a third valve air inlet in fluid communication with a vent, and the vent is configured to direct airflow from the third valve air inlet to a third valve alternative outlet that is in fluid communication with the pump. ### Claim 11 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The transfer case of claim 11 wherein the fluid guide insert comprises: a center element defining an interior space in fluid communication with the second inlet port and the second outlet ports, and the center element and the primary output shaft define an annular space in fluid communication with the first inlet port and the first outlet ports. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The transfer case of claim 12 wherein the fluid guide insert further comprises: at least one fluid guide insert outlet port extending from the center element and in sealing engagement with the shaft, each fluid guide insert outlet port in fluid communication with a second outlet port. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The transfer case of claim 11, wherein the first valve alternative outlet is in fluid communication with a restriction disposed along the first conduit extending between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The transfer case of claim 11 further comprising: a second valve disposed along the second conduit extending between the node and the power transfer assembly, the second valve including a second valve inlet, a second valve outlet and an second valve alternative outlet, the second valve outlet and the second valve alternative outlet located upstream and in fluid communication with the second valve inlet, the second valve outlet and the second valve alternative outlet located downstream and in fluid communication with the second inlet port of the power transfer assembly, the second valve being operable between a first state in which fluid flow s through the second valve outlet and is not restricted and a second state in which fluid flows through the second valve alternative outlet and is restricted; and a second valve control that is operable to set the state of the second valve to either the first state or the second state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The transfer case of claim 15, wherein: the second valve alternative outlet is in fluid communication with a second restriction disposed along the second conduit extending between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The transfer case of claim 15 further comprising: a third valve disposed along the oil feed conduit extending between the lubricant source and the pump, the third valve including a third valve inlet, a third valve outlet and an third valve alternative outlet, the third valve outlet and the third valve alternative outlet located upstream and in fluid communication with the third valve inlet, the third valve outlet and the third valve alternative outlet located downstream and in fluid communication with the pump, the third valve being operable between a first state in which fluid flow is not restricted and a second state in which fluid flow is restricted; and a third valve control that is operable to set the state of the third valve to either the first state or the second state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The transfer case of claim 17, wherein: the third valve alternative outlet is in fluid communication with a third restriction disposed along the oil feed conduit extending between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The transfer case of claim 17, wherein the third valve comprises a third valve air inlet in fluid communication with a vent, and the vent is configured to direct airflow from the third valve air inlet to a third valve alternative outlet that is in fluid communication with the pump.