Eaton Corporation

John S Steurer

Paul R Peterson

Robert B Craft

Douglas C Gooch

Lloyd A Waling

An apparatus and system for venting a transmission (10) is disclosed which provides a transmission breather (12) which allows pressure equalization between the interior and exterior of the transmission while reducing or eliminating fluid expulsion from the transmission. The breather includes a standpipe (18), a bowl (20) having a first end (70) secured to the standpipe and at least one aperture (80), a shroud (22) secured to the standpipe, and a filter (90) disposed between the bowl and the standpipe. The standpipe has a first end (30), a second end (32) and an intermediate portion (34) extending axially between the first and second ends. The second end of the standpipe has at least one surface (46) for transmitting torque to the standpipe to enable the breather to be top drivable to facilitate installation and removal of the breather with the transmission. The intermediate portion has an axially extending central passage (60) and at least one radially extending passage (64). The shroud restricts the entry of external contaminants into the transmission through the breather. Air, transmission fluid, mist, and vapor flow through the passages of the standpipe and through the filter which captures the fluid, mist and vapor while allowing filtered air to be vented to the environment through the at least one aperture. The filter facilitates coalescence of the transmission fluid which is returned to the transmission via the passages in the standpipe.

Apparatus and system for venting a transmission

A lubrication system for an automatic transmission clutch assembly having a drive and driven rotary member rotatable by a common axis with a clutch element therebetween for connecting and disconnecting the members. The drive member has an internal passageway formed therein for feeding the lubricant to the clutch member. The passageway has a section which is radially spaced from the axis of rotation and as a seat formed therein for cooperating with the rotationally speed sensitive valve oriented in the first passageway. Below first rotational speed, the lubricant pressure maintains the valve against the seat restricting the flow of lubricant to the clutch element. When the driven member is rotated above the first rotational speed. Centrifugal force biases the valve off the seat, allowing lubricant to be supplied to the clutch element. Preferably, a second lubrication passageway is provided having a seat in an internal valve which selectively supplies a lubricant to the clutch element at a second higher rotational speed. In order to further reduce disengaged clutch drag at idle, a speed sensitive piston retract spring is provided to increase piston travel at low engine speeds while maintaining minimum travel at off idle operation.

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Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

John S Steurer