US 5,316,106 A · Lubricant cooling system for a motor vehicle axle

Abstract

In a driven axle assembly (12) for a motor vehicle that includes a differential housing located substantially in the center of the axle and tubes (16, 17) extending laterally from the differential, surrounding axle shafts (20) and opening into a lubricant reservoir (60) in the differential housing, a system for circulating and cooling axle lubricant includes a cover (26) for closing and sealing the housing having an aperture into the housing where a ring gear rotates through the lubricant reservoir. The aperture in the cover opens to a chamber that holds lubricant carried through the aperture by the rotating ring gear. Conduits (72, 74) connected by hydraulic fittings (76, 78) to the chamber have their opposite ends connected to the axle tubes at an outboard location distant from the differential housing. Lubricant flows through the conduits into the axle tubes and back to the housing reservoir, effectively cooling the lubricant without the addition of a pump.

Claims6

Dependent claims

A system for circulating lubricant in an assembly, comprising:

a housing adapted to contain a reservoir of hydraulic lubricant, having a tubular portion extending outward from the reservoir, the tubular portion hydraulically communicating with the reservoir;
an aperture in the housing to permit lubricant circulation;
a chamber located adjacent the aperture, adapted to hold lubricant therein, the chamber located at a first elevation;
a component supported for rotation partially in the lubricant and partially in a portion of the housing located above the lubricant, having means for moving lubricant from the reservoir to the chamber;
and
conduit means having a first end hydraulically connected to the chamber and a second end hydraulically connected to said tubular portion of the housing at a location that is distant from the reservoir and at a second elevation lower than the first elevation, for carrying lubricant from the chamber to the tubular portion of the housing, using gravity to transport lubricant from the first elevation to the second elevation.

3 more elements

A system for circulating lubricant in an axle of a motor vehicle, comprising:

a housing adapted to contain a reservoir of hydraulic lubricant, having a tubular portion extending outward from the reservoir, the tubular portion hydraulically communicating with the reservoir;
an aperture in the housing to permit lubricant circulation;
a chamber located adjacent the aperture, adapted to hold lubricant therein, the chamber located at a first elevation;
an axle differential mechanism including a ring gear supported for rotation partially in the lubricant reservoir and partially in a portion of the housing located above the lubricant reservoir, said ring gear moving lubricant from the reservoir to the chamber as it rotates within the housing;
an axleshaft driveably connected to the differential mechanism, extending along the tubular portion of the housing, rotatably supported on a bearing in the tubular portion;
and
conduit means having a first end hydraulically connected to the chamber and a second end hydraulically connected to said tubular portion of the housing at a location that is distant from the reservoir and at a second elevation lower than the first elevation, for carrying lubricant from the chamber to the tubular portion of the housing, using gravity to transport lubricant from the first elevation to the second elevation.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Lubricant cooling system for a motor vehicle axle

Life of this patent

Lubricant cooling system for a motor vehicle axle

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims6