The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 04, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 30, 1994
James L Holman, Wauseon, OH (US);
Dana Corporation, Toledo, OH (US);
Abstract
A lubricant distribution system for a vehicle transmission includes an internal fluid pump which draws lubricant from a sump defined in the transmission housing through an intake tube and a first channel formed in an interior wall of the housing. The lubricant is delivered from the pump through a second channel formed in the interior wall to a first port formed in an outer wall of the housing. A third channel is also formed in the interior wall, extending from a second port formed in the outer wall to an internal passageway formed within the interior wall. The ports may be used to circulate lubricant from the transmission to one or more external devices for conditioning the lubricant. Alternatively, a cover plate secured to the housing may provide direct communication between the two ports. A bypass channel may be formed in the interior wall between the second channel and the third channel. A pressure relief valve disposed in the bypass channel prevents fluid flow therethrough unless the pressure of the lubricant in the second channel exceeds a predetermined value. The various channels are all formed having generally U-shaped cross sections and are closed by a cover plate to define respective fluid passageways. The lubricant passes from the internal passageway to a lubricant discharge tube supported in a bore formed through the interior wall. The lubricant discharge tube includes one or more resilient outwardly extending tabs which provide a bayonet type mounting thereof in the bore. The lubricant discharge tube includes first and second legs having respective pluralities of apertures formed therein. Lubricant sprayed from the apertures falls from the meshing gears and bearings under the influence of gravity and is collected in the sump.