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US 8,025,081 B2Granted
Fluid transfer insert
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsFredrick R. Poskie, Scott H. Wittkopp, Elizabeth I. Wooden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A shaft assembly includes a fluid transfer insert located within a bore of a shaft. The fluid transfer insert seals to the shaft and includes at least one fluid channel that communicates between a plurality of fluid ports located in the shaft. The fluid channel is defined by an outer surface of the fluid transfer insert.
Claims15
A shaft assembly comprising:
- a shaft having an inner surface that defines a bore, the bore defining an axis, wherein the shaft has a first fluid port that communicates a fluid to the bore and a second fluid port that communicates the fluid from the bore, wherein the first fluid port is located a distance along the axis from the second fluid port;
- and
- a fluid transfer insert located within the bore and coaxial with the axis, the fluid transfer insert having an outer surface sealingly engaged with the inner surface of the shaft, the outer surface having a first end wall, a second end wall, and a pair of side walls that extend into the fluid transfer insert to define a fluid channel having a length at least greater than the distance between the first fluid port and the second fluid port, the fluid channel parallel to the axis and in communication with the first fluid port and the second fluid port;
- and
- wherein the fluid communicates from the first fluid port through the fluid channel to the second fluid port.
2 more elements
A fluid transfer insert for communicating fluid between a plurality of fluid ports in a shaft assembly, the fluid transfer insert comprising:
- a cylindrical outer surface sealingly engaged with the shaft assembly, the outer surface having a plurality of fluid channels each defined by a bottom surface, a pair of end walls that extend into the fluid transfer insert, and a pair of side walls that extend into the fluid transfer insert, wherein each of the fluid channels is in fluid communication with at least a pair of fluid ports in the shaft assembly;
- an inner surface that defines a central passage coaxial with the shaft and defines a fluid port that communicates with the central passage and with a fluid port in the shaft assembly;
- a first end that defines an opening that communicates with the central passage and at least one of the fluid ports in the shaft assembly;
- a second end that includes a radial flange for abutting the shaft assembly;
- and
- a protuberance that extends out from the radial flange for engaging the shaft assembly in order to prevent the fluid transfer insert from rotating relative to the shaft assembly;
- and
- wherein fluid flow communicates from one of the fluid ports in the shaft assembly, through one of the fluid channels and central passage, to another of the fluid ports in the shaft assembly.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.