Patent ID: 6092628
Filing Date: 2000-07-25
Classification: F16H,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for controlling temperature of fluid in a differential assembly, comprising:a differential housing having a number of sidewalls which collectively define an internal component chamber, wherein (i) said internal component chamber has a differential sump located therein, and (ii) said differential sump has a sump input port defined therein;a first operational pressure source which advances fluid from said internal component chamber of said differential housing;a diverter valve which receives fluid advanced by said first operational pressure source from said internal component chamber, said diverter valve having a cold fluid output port and a hot fluid output port;a heating fluid return line interposed between said cold fluid output port of said diverter valve and said sump input port of said differential sump; anda cooling fluid return line interposed between said hot fluid output port of said diverter valve and a housing input port of said differential housing,wherein said diverter valve is selectively operable between (i) a heating position in which fluid advanced by said first operational fluid source is diverted to said differential sump of said differential housing via said heating fluid return line, and (ii) a cooling position in which fluid advanced by said first operational fluid source is diverted to contact said number of sidewalls of said differential housing via said cooling fluid return line.