Transmission pressure controlled vent system

Abstract

A transmission having a pressure controlled vent system, including a vent tube configured to engage a transmission such that a first opening of the vent tube is in fluid communication with an upper portion of a transmission cavity, a second end defining a second opening configured to be in fluid communication with an external atmosphere, and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end. The bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment. A pressure relief valve disposed in-line within the first tube segment and a vacuum relief valve disposed in-line within the second tube segment. The pressure relief valve cooperates with the vacuum relief valve to maintain a predetermined range of pressure differential between the first opening and the second opening. The vent tube may also include a moisture and/or a transmission fluid separator.

Claims

1. A gearbox of a motor vehicle having a pressure controlled vent system, the gearbox comprising: a transmission housing defining an internal cavity, wherein the transmission housing is sealed to prevent fluid communication between the internal cavity and an external atmosphere; a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an upper portion of the internal cavity, wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to vent a transmission air within the upper portion of the internal cavity to an external atmosphere when a predetermined pressure differential between the internal cavity and atmosphere is exceeded; a vacuum relief valve in fluid communication with the upper portion of the internal cavity, wherein the vacuum relief valve is configured to vent an external air into the internal cavity when a predetermined vacuum differential between the internal cavity and the external atmosphere is exceeded; and a vent tube having: a first end defining a first opening in fluid communication with the upper portion of the internal cavity; a second end defining a second opening in fluid communication with the external atmosphere; and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment, wherein the pressure relief valve is disposed in-line with the first tube segment and the vacuum relief valve is disposed in-line with the second tube segment.

2. The gearbox of claim 1, wherein one of the pressure relief valve and the vacuum relief valve includes an elastomer valve member configured to open when the predetermined pressure or vacuum differential between the internal cavity and atmosphere is exceeded.

3. The gearbox of claim 2, wherein the predetermined pressure differential is less than the pressure differential that would cause an external seal of the transmission housing to deflect outward allowing leakage of the transmission fluid to the external atmosphere; and wherein the predetermined vacuum differential is less than the vacuum differential that would cause the seals to deflect inward allowing leakage of external air into the internal cavity of the transmission housing.

4. The gearbox of claim 1, further comprising an oil separator disposed in-line with the vent tube between the bifurcated portion and the first end, wherein the oil separator include a twining wall defining a tortuous path configured to condense a transmission fluid vapor contained in the transmission air being vented to the external atmosphere and redirect the condensed transmission fluid back into the internal cavity.

5. The gearbox of claim 4, wherein the oil separator is defined in a portion of the transmission housing proximal to an upper portion of the internal cavity, and includes a twining wall defining a tortuous path extending from the internal cavity to the first opening.

6. The gearbox of claim 5, wherein the oil separator includes an external drain configured to convey a condensed transmission fluid back to the internal cavity.

7. The gearbox of claim 1, further comprising a moisture trap in fluid communication with the second tube opening, wherein the moisture trap is configured to condense a water vapor entering the vent tube from the external atmosphere and to re-evaporate the condensed water vapor.

8. The gearbox of claim 7, wherein the moisture trap includes: a moisture trap housing comprising a dry-air opening in fluid communication with the second opening of the vent tube, an interior surface defining an interior volume, and a lid portion having a moisture tube extending into the interior volume, wherein the moisture tube is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere; an evaporator cup concentrically disposed within the interior volume and spaced from the interior surface of the moisture trap housing, wherein the evaporator cup includes an inward tapered lid defining a circumferential opening surrounding the moisture tube; and an annular passageway defined between the evaporator cup and the interior surface of the moisture trap housing.

9. The gearbox of claim 8, wherein the moisture trap includes a cap disposed over the moisture trap housing such that the cap cooperates with the lid portion of the moisture trap housing to define an external air passageway in fluid communication with the moisture tube.

10. A transmission having a pressure controlled vent system, comprising: a transmission housing defining an internal cavity, wherein the transmission is sealed to prevent fluid communication between the internal cavity and an external atmosphere; a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with an upper portion of the internal cavity, wherein the pressure relief valve is configured to vent a transmission air within the upper portion of the internal cavity to an external atmosphere when a predetermined pressure differential between the internal cavity and atmosphere is exceeded; a vacuum relief valve in fluid communication with the upper portion of the internal cavity, wherein the vacuum relief valve is configured to vent an external air into the internal cavity when a predetermined vacuum differential between the internal cavity and the external atmosphere is exceeded; a vent tube having: a first end defining a first opening in fluid communication with the upper portion of the internal cavity; a second end defining a second opening in fluid communication with the external atmosphere; and a bifurcated portion between the first end and the second end, wherein the bifurcated portion includes a first tube segment and a second tube segment in parallel with the first tube segment, wherein the pressure relief valve is disposed in-line with the first tube segment and the vacuum relief valve is disposed in-line with the second tube segment; and a moisture trap in fluid communication with the second tube opening, wherein the moisture trap is configured to condense a water vapor entering the vent tube from the external atmosphere and to re-evaporate the condensed water vapor, wherein the moisture trap includes: a moisture trap housing comprising a dry-air opening in fluid communication with the second opening of the vent tube, an interior surface defining an interior volume, and a lid portion having a moisture tube extending into the interior volume, wherein the moisture tube is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere; an evaporator cup concentrically disposed within the interior volume and spaced from the interior surface of the moisture trap housing, wherein the evaporator cup includes an inward tapered lid defining a circumferential opening surrounding the moisture tube; and an annular passageway defined between the evaporator cup and the interior surface of the moisture trap housing.

11. The transmission of claim 10, further comprising an oil separator disposed in-line with the vent tube between the bifurcated portion and the first end, wherein the oil separator include a twining wall defining a tortuous path configured to condense a transmission fluid vapor contained in the transmission air being vented to the external atmosphere and redirect the condensed transmission fluid back into the internal cavity.

12. The transmission of claim 11, wherein the oil separator is defined in a portion of the transmission housing proximal to an upper portion of the internal cavity, and includes a twining wall defining a tortuous path extending from the internal cavity to the first opening.

13. The transmission of claim 12, wherein the oil separator includes an external drain configured to convey a condensed transmission fluid back to the internal cavity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

(2) FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a transmission having a pressure controlled vent system according to an exemplary embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a diagram illustration of the pressure controlled vent system according to an exemplary embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a diagram illustration of an alternative embodiment of the pressure controlled vent system;

(5) FIG. 4 is diagram illustration of a partial cross-sectional view, taken along section line 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing an alternative embodiment of an oil separator located in the transmission housing; and

(6) FIG. 5 is a diagram illustration of a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a moisture trap according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. The illustrated embodiments are disclosed with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular features. The specific structural and functional details disclosed are not intended to be interpreted as limiting, but as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art as to how to practice the disclosed concepts.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a partial perspective view of a transmission for a motor vehicle, indicated generally by reference numeral 100. The transmission 100 includes a transmission housing 102 defining an internal cavity 103. Disposed in the internal cavity 103 are internal working components such as gear sets (not shown) and a transmission fluid 104 for providing lubrication and cooling for the working components.

(9) The transmission 100 includes a pressure controlled vent system, indicated generally by reference numeral 106, engaged to the transmission housing 102. The pressure controlled vent system 106 includes a vent tube 108, a pressure relief valve 110, a vacuum relief valve 112 in parallel with the pressure relieve valve 110, a moisture trap 114, and an oil separator 116 on the opposite end of the moisture trap 114. The pressure controlled vent system 106 is configured to minimize the venting cycles, also known as breathing, of the transmission 100 to maintain a differential in pressure between the interior cavity of the transmission 100 and the external atmosphere within a predetermined pressure differential limit and a predetermined vacuum differential level limit. A pressure differential means a positive pressure measured in the internal cavity 103 relative to the external atmosphere, the unit of measurement is (+) PSIG (pounds per square inch gauge). A vacuum differential means a negative pressure measured in the internal cavity 103 relative to the external atmosphere, the unit of measurement is () PSIG.

(10) When the transmission 100 is in operating mode, the temperature of the transmission fluid 104 rises due to the internal friction of the working components within the transmission housing 102 and dynamics of the transmission fluid 104 flowing through the transmission 100. The increase in temperature causes the transmission fluid 104, internal working components, and transmission air within the transmission housing 102 to expand, resulting in an increase in pressure within the internal cavity 103. The transmission air is mostly a mixture of air, moisture, and transmission fluid vapors. The temperature of the transmission fluid 104 may also decrease in normal operating mode resulting in decrease of pressure within the internal cavity 103, resulting in a partial vacuum, within the internal cavity 103. A number of conditions can cause the temperature within the transmission housing 102 to decrease after having been elevated in temperature, such as exposure to water while driving through a puddle or fording across a small stream. Another is the gradual decrease in temperature that occurs when the vehicle is idled or parked. The pressure controlled vent system 106 is configured to maintain the pressure/vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere to be within a predetermined range to limit the number of cycles of venting without undue stress on the various seals of the transmission 100.

(11) FIG. 2 shows a diagram illustration of the pressure controlled vent system 106 having a vent tube 108 with in-line parallel pressure and vacuum relief valves 110, 112. The vent tube 108 includes a first end 118 and a second end 120 opposite of the first end 118. The first end 118 of the vent tube 108 defines a first opening 122. The first end 118 engages the transmission housing such that the first opening 122 is in fluid communication with an upper portion of the internal cavity 103 above as surface level (L) of the transmission fluid 104 within the transmission housing 102. The second end 120 of the fluid tube 108 defines a second opening 124 and is in fluid communication with the external atmosphere. A portion of the vent tube 108 proximal to the first end 118 is bifurcated into a first tube segment 126 and a second tube segment 128. The first and second tube segments 126, 128 are rejoined proximal to the second end 120 of the vent tube 108. The pressure relief valve 110 is disposed in-line with the first tube segment 126 and the vacuum relief valve 112 is disposed in-line with the second tube segment 128.

(12) The transmission air settles in the internal cavity 103 above the surface level (L) of the transmission fluid 104. Typically the level of the transmission fluid 104 is higher when the transmission 100 is in a non-operating mode than when the transmission 100 is in an operating mode. However, it is foreseeable that for certain transmission designs or transmission orientations within a vehicle, the level of the transmission fluid 104 could be higher within the transmission housing 102 when the transmission 100 is in an operating mode than when the transmission 100 is in a non-operating mode. Thus it is preferable that the first opening 122 of the fluid tube 108 is in fluid communication with the interior cavity 103 of the transmission 100 at a location above the maximum level (L) of the transmission fluid 104 regardless if the transmission 100 is in either operating or non-operating modes.

(13) The pressure relief valve 110 cooperates with the vacuum relief valve 112 to provide selective fluid communication between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere in order to maintain a predetermined range of pressure/vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere pressure. The pressure relief valve 110 and the vacuum relief valve 112 are located in parallel between the first end 118 and the second end 120 of the vent tube 108. The pressure relief valve 110 is configured to relieve a pressure within the internal cavity 103 by venting the transmission air within the internal cavity 103 to the external atmosphere when a predetermined pressure differential between the internal cavity 103 and atmosphere is exceeded. The vacuum relief valve 112 is configured to relieve a vacuum within the internal cavity 103 by venting external air into the internal cavity 103 when a predetermined vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere is exceeded.

(14) Still referring to FIG. 2, an example of a mechanically activated pressure relief valve 110 include a valve body 130A defining a valve cavity 132A in which a spherical member 134A seals a valve port 136A in fluid communication with the valve cavity 132A. The spherical member 134A is urged against the valve port 136A by a biasing member 138A, such as a compression spring 138A. The biasing member 138A includes a spring rate that allows the spherical member 134A to move away from the valve port 136A, thus opening the valve port 136A, when a predetermined pressure differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere is exceeded. The opening of the valve port 136A allows the transmission air to vent to the external atmosphere. The spherical member 134A returns to seal the valve port 136A once the pressure differential drops below the predetermined value.

(15) Similarly, an example of a mechanically activated vacuumed relief valve 112 include a valve body 1306 having a valve cavity 1326 in which a spherical member 134B seals a valve port 136B in fluid communication with the external atmosphere 132B. The spherical member 134B is urged against the valve port 136B by a biasing member 138B. The biasing member 138B includes a spring rate that allows the spherical member 134B to move away from the valve port 136B, thus opening the valve port 136B, when a predetermined vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere is exceeded. The opening of the valve port 136B allows the external air to vent to the internal cavity 103. The spherical member 134B returns to seal the valve port 136B once the vacuum differential drops below the predetermined value.

(16) FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a parallel pressure relief valve 110 and vacuum relief valve 112 for the pressure controlled vent system 106. The pressure relief valve 110 includes a valve body 130A defining a flow passageway 140A. An elastomer one-way valve member 142A is disposed within the flow passageway 140A and is normally in a closed state to seal the flow passageway 140A until a predetermined pressure differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere is exceeded. The elastomer includes a resiliency that when the pressure differential is exceed, the elastomer one-way valve member 142A opens to relieve the pressure within the internal cavity 103 by venting the transmission air within the internal cavity 103 to the external atmosphere.

(17) Similarly, the vacuum relief valve 112 an elastomer one-way valve member 142B disposed within a flow passageway 140B and is normally in a closed state to seal the flow passageway 140B until a predetermined vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and the external atmosphere is exceeded. The elastomer includes a resiliency that when the vacuum differential is exceed, the elastomer one-way valve member 142B opens to relieve the vacuum within the internal cavity 103 by venting the external air into the internal cavity 103. The elastomer valves may be formed of a natural rubber or synthetic polymer. Examples of elastomer valves includes, but are not limited to, flapper valves, duckbill valves, and slit membrane valves, which are configured to open between a range of 2 to 8 PSIG of pressure/vacuum differential.

(18) Referring to both FIGS. 2 and 3, an embodiment of an oil separator 116 is disposed in-line with the vent tube 108 between the first end 118 and the set of pressure and vacuum relief valves 110, 112, 110, 112. The oil separator 116 includes a twining wall 144 defining a tortuous path 146 fluidly connecting the internal cavity 103 of the transmission 100 with the set of parallel pressure and vacuum relief valves 110, 112, 110, 112. As the pressure relief valve opens 110, 110, a portion of the transmission air within the pressurized internal cavity 103 passes through the tortuous path 146 of the oil separator 116. As microscopic droplets of transmission fluid collides with the wall, the droplets coalesce with other droplets forming larger droplets and falls back into the internal cavity 103 under the force of gravity; thus separating the transmission fluid from the outgoing transmission air.

(19) FIG. 4 shows cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of an oil separator 116, indicated generally by reference number 116. In this alternative embodiment, the oil trap separator 116 includes a torturous path 146 defined in a portion of the transmission housing 102. The tortuous path 146 extends from a lower elevation to a higher elevation, with respect to the direction of gravity, fluidly connecting the internal cavity 103 with the first open end 122 of the vent tube 108. The oil trap separator 116 also includes an internal drain 148 that conveys the coalesced transmission fluid 104 back to the internal cavity 103.

(20) FIG. 5 shows a diagram illustration of a cross-sectional view of an exemplary moisture trap 114. The moisture trap 114 includes a moisture trap housing 150 defining a dry-air opening 152 in fluid communication with the second opening 124 of the vent tube 108. The moisture trap housing 150 further includes an interior surface 154 defining an interior volume 156 and a lid portion 158 defining a moisture tube 160 extending inward toward the interior volume 156. An evaporator cup 162 is concentrically disposed within the interior volume 156 and spaced from the interior surface 154 of moisture trap housing 150. An annular passageway 164 is defined between the evaporator cup 162 and the interior surface 154 of the moisture trap housing 150. The evaporator cup 162 includes a conical lid 166 tapering inward toward the center of the evaporator cup 162. The conical lid 166 defines a circumferential opening 168 surrounding the moisture tube 160. A moisture trap cap 170 is disposed over the moisture trap housing 150 such that the cap 170 cooperates with the lid portion 158 of the moisture trap housing 150 to define an external air passageway 168 in fluid communication with the moisture tube 160.

(21) When the vacuum valve 112, 112 is open, an airflow of external air is drawn into the moisture trap 114 through the external air passageway 168 defined between the cap 170 and the moisture trap housing 150. The airflow is drawn downward through the moisture tube 160 into the evaporator cup 162. The airflow is deflected by the conical lid 166 and exits the evaporator cup 162 through the circumferential opening 168 and flows through the annular passageway 164 exiting the dry-air opening 152 to the internal cavity 103. As the airflow swirlingly changes direction within the evaporator cup 162, the swirling action causes the micro-droplets of water to collide and coalesce. As the droplets of water grows in size, the weight of the droplet settles within the evaporator cup 162 as standing water (W). Once the vacuum relief valve 112 is closed, the standing water (W) within the evaporator cup 162 is eventually evaporated back into the atmosphere. The evaporation of standing water (W) in the evaporator cup 162 is assisted by the warmer transmission air exiting the internal cavity 103 of the transmission housing 102 when the pressure relief valve 110 is open.

(22) The range of pressure/vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and atmosphere is predetermined to minimize the number of air exchanges between the internal cavity 103 and external atmosphere to extend the life of the transmission 100 by avoiding transmission fluid 104 loss and exposure of external contaminates. The predetermined range of pressure/vacuum differential includes a maximum pressures differential and a maximum vacuum differential with respect to the internal cavity 103.

(23) It is preferable that the maximum pressure differential is less than the pressure differential that would cause the seals of the transmission cases to deflect outward thus allowing for the leak of transmission fluid 104. It is further preferable that the maximum vacuum differential is less than the vacuum differential that would cause the seals to deflect inward thus allowing for the leak of air and contaminants into the internal cavity 103 of the transmission housing. In other words, it is preferred that the predetermined range of pressure differential is within a range within the operating condition of the transmission such that the transmission fluid 104 is not expelled through the various seals of the transmission 100 when the internal cavity 103 is under pressure and that the various seals of the transmission 100 do not implode when the internal cavity 103 operates under a vacuum.

(24) An example of a preferred predetermined range of pressure differential between the internal cavity 103 and external atmosphere for a typical transmission 100 may be (8 to 2) PSIG to (+2 to +8) PSGI, preferably 4 PSIG to +4 PSIG. It should be appreciated that the preferred range for a particular type of transmission 100 may be determined based on experimental testing to determine the maximum pressure and maximum vacuum differential between the internal cavity 103 and atmosphere during normal operating conditions before integrity of the transmission 100 seals are compromised. While a transmission 100 has been described, it should be appreciated that the disclosure may be applicable to that of a sealed gearbox such as, including but not limited, to a front or rear differential unit, transfer case, and power take-off unit.

(25) The description of the present disclosure is merely exemplary in nature and variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.