Heat transfer system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10738667-B2
Application number	US-201715803152-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 3, 2017
Priority date	Nov 3, 2017
Publication date	Aug 11, 2020
Grant date	Aug 11, 2020

Abstract

A heat transfer system for a vehicle including an axle assembly having a carrier housing. A sump defined by the carrier housing contains a fluid lubricant. The heat transfer system further includes a heat exchanger having one or more electrically conductive elements. The electrically conductive elements are at least partially disposed within the carrier housing. Additionally, an electrical power source is in electrical connection with the heat exchanger.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A heat transfer system for a vehicle, comprising:
an axle assembly having a carrier housing, wherein said carrier housing defines a sump;
a fluid lubricant at least partially disposed within said sump;
one or more first pinion bearings and/or one or more second pinion bearings providing rotational support for a pinion shaft and a pinion gear;
a lubricant conduit having an inlet portion and an outlet portion;
wherein said inlet portion of said lubricant conduit extends inward from an inner surface of said carrier housing into a body portion of said carrier housing;
wherein said outlet portion of said lubricant conduit is disposed proximate said one or more first pinion gear bearings and/or said one or more second pinion gear bearings;

a heat exchanger, wherein at least a portion of said heat exchanger is disposed within said lubricant conduit in said body portion of said carrier housing; and
an electrical power source, wherein said electrical power source is in electrical communication with said heat exchanger.

2. The heat transfer system of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said outlet portion of said lubricant conduit is interposed between said one or more first pinion bearings and said one or more second pinion bearings.

3. The heat transfer system of claim 2 , wherein said heating element comprises a folded tubular geometry.

4. The heat transfer system of claim 1 , wherein said inlet portion of said lubrication conduit has a lubricant catch to collect an amount of fluid lubricant to be delivered to said lubricant conduit.

5. The heat transfer system of claim 4 , wherein said induction heater is coupled with a rearward portion of said carrier housing.

6. The heat transfer system of claim 1 , wherein said heat exchanger comprises an induction coil at least partially disposed in a potting material.

7. The heat transfer system of claim 6 , wherein said potting material of said heat exchanger comprises a ceramic material.

8. The heat transfer system of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of said potting material of said heat exchanger is sealingly engaged with at least a portion of said lubricant channel and/or at least a portion of a lubricant catch of said lubricant channel.

9. The heat transfer system of claim 6 , wherein said wherein said heat exchanger has a hollow interior portion therein having a size and shape to receive an amount of fluid lubricant therein.

10. The heat transfer system of claim 9 , wherein said hollow interior portion of said heat exchanger has a size and shape to receive at least a portion of a tube conduit therein.

11. The heat transfer system of claim 10 , wherein said tube conduit of said heat exchanger generates an amount of heat based on an amount of electrical current supplied to said induction coil of said heat exchanger; and
wherein said heat generated by said tube conduit is transferred to said fluid lubricant passing therethrough.

12. The heat transfer system of claim 1 , wherein said electrical power source comprises a regenerative braking apparatus and/or a solar panel.

13. The heat transfer system of claim 1 , wherein said axle assembly is coupled with an at least partially electric vehicle; and
wherein said electrical power source comprises a motor-generator.

14. The heat transfer system of claim 1 , wherein said lubricant conduit and/or said lubricant catch has a heat exchanger receiving portion having a size and shape to receive at least a portion of said heat exchanger therein;
wherein said heat exchanger receiving portion comprises a raised platform portion and a recessed portion; and
wherein said recessed portion of said heat exchanger receiving portion has a wall portion providing a positive stop for said heat exchanged when inserted within said heat exchanger receiving portion.

Assignees

• Dana Heavy Vehicle Sys Group

Inventors

• Slesinski Steven G
• Trost Harry W

Classifications

• F16H57/0409 Primary

  characterised by increasing efficiency, e.g. by reducing splash losses · CPC title

• F16H57/0417

  Heat exchangers adapted or integrated in the gearing · CPC title

• F16H57/0457

  Splash lubrication · CPC title

• F16H57/0483

  Axle or inter-axle differentials · CPC title

• F01M2011/0025

  with heat exchangers · CPC title