Dual function axle thermal management system
AssigneeDana Canada Corporation
InventorsIhab Edward Gerges, Dario Bettio, Michael J.R. Bardeleben
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, a differential, and method for maintaining temperature of a fluid circulating in a housing enclosing a gear system, contains a first heat exchanger positioned interior the housing. A first insulation layer is coupled to the housing and having a face in complete contact with the housing. A second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough, wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through said heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.
Claims22
A system for warming and/or cooling a fluid circulating in a housing enclosing
- a gear system for a power and torque transfer unit, the system comprising:
- a first heat exchanger coupled to the housing for warming and/or cooling the fluid circulating in the housing, the first heat exchanger having:
- a tubular member having spaced apart walls defining a fluid passageway therebetween for the flow of a first heat exchanger fluid through the heat exchanger;
- a primary heat transfer surface defined by one of said spaced apart walls of the tubular member;
- an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with said fluid passageway for inletting and discharging said first heat exchange fluid into said heat exchanger from exterior the housing;
- a first insulation layer operatively coupled to the housing for insulating the fluid circulating in the housing, the first insulation layer having a first face and an opposing second face, with the entire first face being in contact with the housing;
- and
- a second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough;
- wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.
A differential unit for an automotive vehicle, comprising:
- a gear system for transmitting torque and rotation to wheels of the automotive vehicle, the gear system comprising at least a ring gear and a pinion gear, the ring gear and pinion gear arranged in meshing relationship for rotational movement;
- a housing enclosing said gear system;
- a first heat exchanger coupled to the housing for warming and/or cooling the fluid circulating in the housing, the first heat exchanger having:
- a tubular member having spaced apart walls defining a fluid passageway therebetween for the flow of a first heat exchanger fluid through the heat exchanger;
- a primary heat transfer surface defined by one of said spaced apart walls of the tubular member;
- an inlet port and an outlet port in fluid communication with said fluid passageway for inletting and discharging said first heat exchange fluid into said heat exchanger from exterior the housing;
- a first insulation layer operatively coupled to the housing for insulating the fluid circulating in the housing, the first insulation layer having a first face and an opposing second face, with the entire first face being in contact with the housing;
- and
- a second fluid passageway formed between the outer surface of the gear and the primary heat transfer surface for the flow of the fluid circulating within the housing therethrough;
- wherein the fluid is brought into heat transfer relationship with the first heat exchange fluid flowing through the first heat exchanger by means of rotation of the gear system.
A method for maintaining the temperature by warming and/or cooling of a fluid circulating in a housing of a component of an automotive vehicle enclosing a gear system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing at least a first heat exchanger in the housing, the at least one heat exchanger defining a first fluid passageway between spaced apart walls and forming a second fluid passageway between the outer surface of the gear and one of said walls of said at least one heat exchanger;
- supplying a first heat exchange fluid to said first fluid passageway of said at least one heat exchanger;
- a first insulation layer coupled to the housing, the first insulation layer having a first face and an opposing second face, with the entire first face being in contact with the housing;
- bringing a second heat exchange fluid into heat transfer relationship with said first heat exchange fluid in said at least one heat exchanger in said second fluid passageways through operation and/or rotation of said gear system within said housing;
- wherein said second heat exchange fluid is a fluid circulating within the housing of the component of the automotive vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.