Method and apparatus for providing a hydraulic transmission pump assembly having a one way clutch
AssigneeBorgWarner Inc.
InventorsWilliam Vukovich, Mark R. Buchanan
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A hydraulic transmission pump assembly adapted to provide fluid under pressure to predetermined components in a transmission including a one-way clutch assembly operatively coupled to the pump and an electric motor operatively coupled to the one-way clutch. The one-way clutch is operatively connected to an engine to provide motive power the pump and the electric motor at engine speeds above a predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission and driving the electric motor to generate electricity. The electric motor is operable to drive the pump at engine speeds below the predetermined level to provide fluid under pressure to the transmission during this operating condition.
Claims20
A hydraulic transmission pump assembly comprising:
- a pump adapted to provide fluid under pressure to predetermined components in a transmission;
- a one-way clutch assembly operatively coupled to said pump;
- and
- an electric motor operatively coupled to said one-way clutch assembly, said one-way clutch assembly having an operative connection to an engine adapted to provide motive power from the engine to said pump and to said electric motor at engine speeds above a predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission and driving said electric motor to generate electricity, said electric motor operable to drive said pump, but not engine, through said one-way clutch, at engine speeds below said predetermined level thereby providing fluid under pressure to the transmission during this operating condition.
A hydraulic transmission pump assembly comprising:
- a one-way clutch assembly adapted to accept and transfer rotational power from both an engine of a motor vehicle and an electrical motor;
- a gerotor pump adapted to accept rotational power from said one-way clutch and provide a volume of pressurized hydraulic fluid to a transmission of a motor vehicle;
- and
- a said electric motor adapted to provide rotational power to said one-way clutch.
A method of providing hydraulic power to an automotive transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a pump which is operatively actuated about a central axis as defined by a power input shaft to the pump;
- providing an electric motor which is electrically connected to the electrical system of an automobile;
- providing a one-way clutch assembly operatively interconnected between the electric motor and the pump;
- and
- controlling the operation of the one-way clutch such that the one-way clutch causes the pump to be driven by the electric motor when the automotive engine is operating below a predetermined RPM and that the one-way clutch causes both the pump and the electric motor to be driven by the power input shaft when the automotive engine is operating above a predetermined RPM such that the electric motor functions as a generator to provide electric power back to the automobile electrical system during specific times of motor vehicle operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.