Lubrication system for a powertrain
OwnerDavid Webster, Ray Matuszak +1inventors
InventorsDavid Webster, Ray Matuszak, Patrick J. Bruener
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The engine/transmission assembly includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a fill hole that fluidly communicates with the first chamber. The first chamber is capable of containing lubricant at a first level, and the second chamber is capable of containing lubricant at a second level. The engine/transmission assembly also includes an opening that is between the first and second chamber and that fluidly communicates with the first and second chamber. The opening is positioned to maintain the first level in the first chamber and raise the second level in the second chamber when lubricant is added to the first chamber through the fill hole, and to maintain these two levels when the engine is running.
Claims23
An engine/transmission assembly comprising:
- a first chamber capable of containing lubricant at a first level when the engine/transmission assembly is at rest;
- a second chamber capable of containing lubricant at a second level when the engine/transmission assembly is at rest;
- a fill hole fluidly communicating with the first chamber;
- and
- an opening in fluid communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, the opening being positioned to substantially maintain the first level in the first chamber when the engine is at rest and raise the lubricant in the second chamber when lubricant is added to the first chamber through the fill hole.
A method of lubricating an engine/transmission assembly having moving parts, the method comprising:
- providing a first chamber containing clutch components;
- providing a second chamber having a crankshaft;
- providing a regulator opening between the first and second chambers;
- drawing a lubricant from the second chamber to lubricate the moving parts;
- returning at least some of the lubricant used to lubricate the moving parts to the first chamber;
- regulating a lubricant level in the first chamber using the regulator opening by overflowing lubricant from the first chamber to the second chamber when the lubricant level in the first chamber reaches a first level.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.