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:
Oct. 23, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 22, 2005
Brian G. Rowell, Saxtons River, VT (US);
Robert C. Warnke, Spooner, WI (US);
Brian G. Rowell, Saxtons River, VT (US);
Robert C. Warnke, Spooner, WI (US);
Sennax Industries, Inc., Bellows Falls, VT (US);
Abstract
An intermediate shaft assembly for an automotive transmission wherein hydraulic fluid intake ports in the rotating shaft assembly are designed to increase hydraulic fluid flow and improve lubrication to mating components served by the shaft lubrication circuit is disclosed. The hydraulic fluid intake ports are laterally offset from the center plane of the shaft assembly to increase the angle of entry to fluid entering the intake ports and configured to produce a scooping effect within the fluid surrounding the intake ports upon shaft rotation, which substantially increases hydraulic flow into the shaft and counteracts the inhibitory effect of centrifugal force on fluid flow within the ATF intake ports. In addition, the present intermediate shaft assembly includes a flexible transitional diameter to impart axial flexion to the shaft during peak torque events and also provides semicircular spline relief grooves, which reduce areas of stress concentration and potential breakage of the shaft.