Split-pressure Dual Pump Hydraulic Fluid Supply System For A Multi-speed Transmission And Method - Patent 8128377

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Split-pressure Dual Pump Hydraulic Fluid Supply System For A Multi-speed Transmission And Method - Patent 8128377 Powered By Docstoc
Description: The present invention relates to hydraulic fluid control systems, namely oil supply systems for multi-speed transmissions having dual pumps working in unison and controlled by a regulating valve.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Automotive and commercial vehicles include a powertrain that is comprised of an engine, a multi-speed transmission, and a differential or final drive. The multi-speed power transmission requires a supply of pressurized fluid to properlyoperate. The pressurized fluid may be used for such functions as cooling, lubrication, and torque converter operation. It is well known that the lubricating and cooling capabilities of transmission oil systems greatly impact the reliability anddurability of the transmission. Additionally, multi-speed power transmissions require the hydraulic system to provide controlled engagement and disengagement, on a desired schedule, of the various torque transmitting mechanisms that operate to establishthe speed ratios within the internal gear arrangement. Transmissions are traditionally supplied with hydraulic fluid by a wet sump (i.e., single-pump, internal reservoir), cascading oil system, which is separate from the engine oil system. The fluid is typically stored in a main reservoir or mainsump volume where it is introduced to a pickup or inlet tube for communication to the single hydraulic pump. The pump operates to pressurize the fluid for subsequent communication to the transmission. It is well known to utilize one or more fixed displacement (or "PF", according to industry custom) pumps in multi-speed transmissions. A PF pump can generate relatively instantaneous pressure and flow to a hydraulic circuit when the circuit isopened due to the positive displacement characteristic of PF type pumps. A high-pressure PF pump serves a number of important roles. First, high oil pressure has traditionally been required to maintain torque converter charge pressure, which is the torque converter oil inlet pressure at the ce