Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TORQUE LIMITED LUBE PUMP FOR POWER TRANSFER DEVICES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to fluid pumps and,
more particularly, to a torque limited fluid pump for use in power
transmission
units of the type installed in motor vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] As is well known, fluid pumps are used in power transmission
units of the type installed in motor vehicles for supplying lubricant to the
rotary
drive components. Such power transmission units typically include manual and
automatic transmissions and transaxles, four-wheel drive transfer cases and
all-
wheel drive power transfer assemblies. In many applications, the lube pump is
a
gerotor pump having an eccentric outer rotor and an inner rotor that is fixed
for
rotation with a drive member such as, for example, a drive shaft. The inner
rotor
has external lobes which are meshed with and eccentrically offset from
internal
lobes formed on the outer rotor. The rotors are rotatably disposed in a
pressure
chamber formed in a pump housing that is non-rotationally fixed within the
power
transmission unit. Rotation of the drive shaft results in the rotors
generating a
pumping action such that fluid is drawn from a sump in the power transmission
unit into a low pressure inlet side of the pressure chamber and is
subsequently
discharged from a high pressure outlet side of the pressure chamber at an
increased fluid pressure. The higher pressure fluid is delivered from the pump
outlet through one or more fluid flow passages to specific locations along the
driven shaft to lubricate rotary components and/or cool frictional components.
One example of a bi-directional gerotor-type lube pump is disclosed in
commonly-owned U.S. Patent No. 6,017,202.
[0003] While gerotor pumps have widespread application in lubrication
systems, several drawbacks result in undesirable compromises in their function
and structure. For example, most conventional gerotor pumps are extremely
inefficient, and are typically incapable of providing adequate lubricant flow
at low
rotary speeds while providing too much lubricant flow at high rotary speeds.
To
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remedy such functional drawbacks, it is known to replace the conventional
gerotor pump with a more expensive variable displacement lube pump or an
electrically-controlled lube pump. Thus, a continuing need exists to develop
alternatives to conventional gerotor lube pumps for use in power transmission
units.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
rotary-driven fluid pump having a torque-limiting mechanism.
[0005] As a further object of the present invention, the fluid pump
includes a pump member driven by a shaft for generating a pumping action
within a pressure chamber and a torque-limiting coupling that is operably
disposed between the pump member and the shaft.
[0006] As a related object of the present invention, the rotary-driven
fluid pump is a gerotor pump having inner and outer rotors while the torque-
limiting coupling is operably disposed between the drive shaft and the inner
rotor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Further objects, features and advantages associated with the
present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed
specification
and the appended claims which, in conjunction with the drawings, set forth the
best mode now contemplated for carrying out the invention. Referring to the
drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a fluid pump constructed
according to the present invention and installed in an exemplary power
transmission unit;
[0009] FIG. 2 is an end view of the fluid pump;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial view taken from FIG. 1 illustrating a
torque-limiting coupling in greater detail;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the fluid pump constructed
according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
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[0012] FIGS. 5A and 5B are end and side views of a torque-limiting
coupling associated with the fluid pump shown in FIG. 4;
[0013] FIGS. 5C and 5D are end and side views of an alternative
construction for the torque-limiting coupling shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of a fluid pump of the present
invention constructed according to another alternative embodiment;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A shown in FIG. 6;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view of a fluid pump constructed
according to a further alternative embodiment of the present invention; and
[0017] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring primarily to FIGS. 1 and 2, the components of a
torque-limited mechanically-driven fluid pump, hereafter referred to as
gerotor
pump 10, are shown. In general, gerotor pump 10 is contemplated for use in
virtually any pump application requiring a supply of fluid to be delivered
from a
sump to a remote location for the purpose of lubricating and/or cooling rotary
components. In general, gerotor pump 10 includes a pump housing assembly
12, a gerotor assembly 14 and a torque-limiting mechanism 16. In the
embodiment shown, gerotor pump 10 is installed within a power transmission
unit 18 having a casing 20 and a shaft 22 that is supported in casing 20 via a
bearing assembly 24 for rotation about a first rotary axis "A". Pump housing
assembly 12 is shown to include a pump housing 26 and a cover plate 28 which
together define a circular pump chamber 30 within which gerotor assembly 14 is
operably disposed. The origin of circular pump chamber 30 is offset from
rotary
axis "A" of shaft 22, as shown by construction line "B" in FIG. 2. Pump
housing
26 is non-rotatably fixed to casing 20 such as, for example, via a plurality
of bolts
32 only one of which is shown.
[0019] Gerotor assembly 14 includes an inner rotor (hereinafter
referred to as pump ring 34) and an outer rotor (hereinafter referred to as
stator
ring 36) that are rotatably disposed in pump chamber 30. Pump ring 34 has a
circular aperture defining an inner wall surface 38 that is coaxially disposed
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relative to shaft 22 for rotation about rotary axis "A" and a contoured outer
peripheral wall surface 40 which defines a series of external lobes 42.
Likewise,
stator ring 36 includes a circular outer wall surface 44 and an inner
peripheral
wall surface 46 which defines a series of internal lobes 48. As seen, outer
wall
surface 44 of stator ring 36 is in sliding engagement with an inner wall
surface 50
of pump chamber 30. In the embodiment shown, pump ring 34 has six external
lobes 42 while stator ring 36 has seven internal lobes 48. Alternative numbers
of
external lobes 42 and internal lobes 48 can be employed to vary the pumping
capacity of pump 10 as long as the number of internal lobes 48 is one greater
than the number of external lobes 42.
[0020] Pump ring 34 is shown in FIG. 2 with its lobes 42 of outer
peripheral surface 40 engaged with various points along inner peripheral wall
surface 46 of stator ring 36 to define a series of pressure chambers
therebetween. Upon rotation of pump ring 34 about rotary axis "A", stator ring
36
is caused to rotate in pump chamber 30 about axis "B" at a reduced speed
relative to the rotary speed of pump ring 34. Such relative and eccentric
rotation
causes a progressive reduction in the volume of the pressure chambers, thereby
generating a pumping action such that fluid is drawn from the sump through an
inlet tube 52. As best seen from FIG. 1, Inlet tube 52 communicates with an
inlet
port 54 formed in pump housing 26 which, in turn, supplies fluid to an inlet
chamber 56 that communicates with pump chamber 30. The pumping action
caused by rotation between pump ring 34 and stator ring 36 within pump
chamber 30 causes the fluid to ultimately be discharged into an annular outlet
chamber 58 formed in pump housing 26 at the higher outlet pressure. Fluid
discharged from outlet chamber 58 is delivered to a central lubrication
passage
60 formed in shaft 22 via a plurality of radial supply bores 62. Central
passage
60 communicates with various rotary elements located downstream of fluid pump
10 such as, for example, bearings, journal sleeves, speed gears and friction
clutch packs via a series of radial lubrication and cooling delivery bores
(not
shown) also formed in shaft 22.
[0021] Referring primarily to FIG. 3, torque-limiting coupling
mechanism 16 is shown to include a drag ring assembly 70 that is operable for
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releaseably coupling pump ring 34 for rotation with shaft 22 using a friction
interface therebetween. Drag ring assembly 70 includes a drag ring 72 and a
drag seal 74. Drag ring 72 includes a flanged tubular sleeve 76 and an annular
friction coupling ring 78. Preferably, sleeve 76 is made from a rigid material
and
has an outer surface 80 permanently secured within aperture 38 for common
rotation with pump ring 34. Likewise, coupling ring 78 is preferably made of a
resilient material and has its outer circumferential edge surface 82
permanently
secured to an inner cylindrical surface 84 of sleeve 76. An inner
circumferential
edge surface 86 of coupling ring 78 is frictionally retained on outer wall
surface
87 of shaft 22. The frictional interface between coupling ring 78 and shaft 22
is
operable to cause pump ring 34 to rotate with shaft 22 without slip
therebetween
until the rotational speed of shaft 22 exceeds a threshold value. Once this
rotary
speed threshold value is exceeded, the torque required to drive pump 10 will
exceed the torque limit of coupling ring 78 and cause it to slip, thereby
causing
relative rotation between shaft 22 and pump ring 34. Drag seal 74 surrounds
coupling ring 78 and is sized to provide a desired compressive clamping force
on
shaft 22 that will be overcome upon shaft 22 exceeding the threshold rotary
speed. Preferably, drag seal 74 is retained in a groove 88 formed in coupling
ring 78.
[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5A and 5B, pump 10 is shown with a
different torque-limiting coupling mechanism 16A that is arranged to
releaseably
couple pump ring 34 of gerotor assembly 14 to shaft 22. In particular, torque-
limiting coupling 16A includes a coupling ring 90 having a circular aperture
with
an inner wall surface 92 fitted on shaft 22 and which is split by a through
slot 94.
A lug 96 extends from coupling ring 90 and is nested with a keyway slot 98
formed in pump ring 34. As seen, coupling ring 90 further includes an oil
channel 100 that is in fluid communication with central passage 60 via one or
more radial supply bores 102. Preferably, the frictional engagement of
coupling
ring 90 with shaft 22 will be controlled by the interference fit between inner
surface 92 of coupling ring 90 and outer surface 87 of shaft 22. This
frictional
interface may be designed to provide different slip conditions based on: the
type
of material used for split coupling ring 90; the optional use of frictional
materials
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on inner wall surface 92 of coupling ring 90; and the use of retaining members
(i.e., clamps, springs, seals, etc.). For example, by adjusting the size,
weight,
and weight distribution of coupling ring 90, the number of retaining members,
and/or the size of oil channel 100, any desired level of shaft torque (based
on its
rotary speed) can be selected to initiate slip between coupling ring 90 and
shaft
22. As seen, a retainer ring 104 surrounds and exerts a compressive load on
coupling ring 90 for providing frictional engagement with shaft 22. A stop
ring
7 06 limits axial movement of coupling ring 90 relative to pump ring 34 while
a
pair of 0-ring seals 108 are seated in grooves 109 formed in coupling ring 90
to
provide a fluid-tight seal between coupling ring 90 and shaft 22 on opposite
sides
of oil channel 100.
[0023] In operation, fluid discharged from pump 10 due to rotation of
shaft 22 is delivered to oil channel 100 via central passage 60 and supply
ports
102. Since most lubrication systems use fixed orifice delivery bores, an
increase
in the fluid pressure is generated in passage 60 as the flow rate through pump
10 increases. The flow rate is governed by the rotary speed of shaft 22 which,
therefore, causes the fluid pressure to increase. This increased fluid
pressure is
delivered to oil channel 100 which then acts to cause radial expansion of
coupling ring 90 due to slot 94. As noted, seals 108 are provided to maintain
fluid pressure within oil channel 100. Once the threshold rotary speed value
is
reached by shaft 22, the centrifugal forces and fluid pressure in channel 100
cause coupling ring 90 and pump ring 90 to slip relative to shaft 22, thereby
limiting the maximum fluid pressure that can be generated by pump 10. FIGS.
5C and 5D are generally similar to FIGS. 5A and 5B except that a coupling ring
90' is shown to have an eccentric outer configuration to provide and
additional
centrifugal effect to its clamping characteristics.
[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates pump 10 equipped with yet another torque-
limiting coupling mechanism 16B arranged for releaseably coupling pump ring 34
to shaft 22. In particular, torque-limiting coupling 16B includes a coupling
ring
110 having a sinsusoidal aperture 112 encircling shaft 22 and which is split
via a
through slot 114. A lug 116 extends from coupling ring 110 and is nested in
keyway slot 98 formed in pump ring 34. As best seen from FIG. 7, the
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sinsusoidal configuration of coupling ring 110 defines a series of oil
chambers
118 separated by radial lugs 120 that engage outer surface 87 of shaft 22. A
radial supply bore 122 provides fluid communication between central passage 60
in shaft 22 and chambers 118 in coupling ring 110. A ball 124 is biased by a
spring 126 into engagement with sinsusoidal aperture 112 within one of
chambers 118. Ball 124 and spring 126 are retained in an enlarged portion of
supply bore 122.
[0025] In operation, fluid discharged from pump 10 due to rotation of
shaft 22 is delivered from central passage 60 to chamber 118 within which ball
124 is disposed via supply bore 122. As the fluid pressure in passage 60
increases with increased rotary speed of shaft 22, the biasing force exerted
by
spring 126 on ball 124 is augmented by the fluid pressure in bore 122, thereby
causing radial expansion of coupling ring 110. Once the threshold rotary speed
value is reached by shaft 22, the frictional interface between lugs 120 and
shaft
surface 87 is overcome so as to permit shaft 22 to rotate relative to coupling
ring
110 and pump ring 34, thereby limiting the maximum fluid pressure generated by
pump 10. Ball 124 rotates with shaft 22 and moves into and out of retention
with
sequential chambers 118 until the speed of shaft 22 is reduced to permit ball
124
to retracted so as to re-establish frictional engagement of coupling ring 110
with
shaft 22.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS, 8 and 9, another embodiment of a
torque-limiting coupling mechanism 16C is shown installed within power
transmission unit 18 in association with fluid pump 10 for releaseably
coupling
pump ring 34 to shaft 22. Torque-limiting coupling 16C includes a friction
sleeve
140 encircling shaft 22 and having a through slot 142 to define a split sleeve
configuration. Sleeve 140 further includes one or more lugs 144 that are
nested
in corresponding keyways 146 formed in pump ring 34. Torque-limiting coupling
16C further includes a drive casing 148 that is fixed for rotation with shaft
22 and
has a pair of radially-inwardly extending spacer lugs 150. Lugs 150 are
arranged to define a pair of force chambers 152A and 152B in conjunction with
sleeve 140. As seen, a pair of arcuate friction shoes 154A and 154B are
retained in corresponding force chambers 152A and 152B. Friction shoe 154A
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has an inner wall surface 156A adapted to be biased into frictional engagement
with an outer wall surface 158 of sleeve 140 via a first plurality of biasing
springs
160A. Springs 160A are retained in retention cavities 162A formed in drive
casing 148. Likewise, friction shoe 154B has an inner wall surface 156B
adapted to be biased into frictional engagement with outer wall surface 158 of
sleeve 140 via a second plurality of biasing springs 160B. Springs 160B are
likewise retained in retention cavities 162B formed in casing 148.
[0027] In operation, springs 160A and 160B cause corresponding
friction shoes 154A and 154B to apply a frictional engagement force on sleeve
140 for causing a clamping force to be applied by sleeve 140 on shaft 22. As
such, sleeve 140 is releaseably coupled for rotation with shaft 22, thereby
releaseably coupling pump ring 34 for rotation with shaft 22. This clamped
engagement of sleeve 140 with shaft 22 is maintained until the rotary speed of
shaft 22 exceeds a threshold value at which point the centrifugal forces
acting on
shoes 154A and 154B oppose and overcome the biasing force of springs 160A
and 160B. As such, sleeve 140 and pump ring 34 begin to slip relative to shaft
22, thereby limiting the fluid pressure generated by pump 10.
[0028] Preferred embodiments have been disclosed to provide those
skilled in the art an understanding of the best mode currently contemplated
for
the operation and construction of the present invention. The invention being
thus described, it will be obvious that various modifications can be made
without
departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention, and all such
modifications as would be considered by those skilled in the art are intended
to
be included within the scope of the following claims.
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