Abstract:
A pump for a transmission, including: a housing with a pneumatic port; and a gear for engaging with a pump hub for a torque converter, wherein the pneumatic port is for introducing compressed air into the housing to restrict rotation of the gear. In an example embodiment, restricting rotation of the gear is to prevent rotation of the gear when the gear is interfaced with the pump hub to rotationally lock the gear with the pump hub. A pump for a transmission, including: a housing; a gear for engaging with a pump hub for a torque converter; and, an element for enabling rotation of the gear in a first rotational direction and locking the gear with respect to rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction. In an example embodiment the element includes a one-way clutch.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/288,507, filed Dec. 21, 2009. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a pump for a transmission configured to facilitate assembly to a pump hub for a torque converter and a method for assembling a pump hub for a torque converter to a transmission pump. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    To install a torque converter into a transmission it is known to align and then engage an input shaft, stator shaft, and pump gear for the transmission to a turbine hub, stator hub, and impeller hub, respectively, for the torque converter. This process can be difficult and time consuming because of the large number of shafts and hubs that must be properly aligned. If the input shaft, stator shaft, or pump gear and the turbine hub, stator hub, or impeller hub are not properly aligned, it is known to rotate one or more of the misaligned elements with respect to each other and then attempt to engage the an input shaft, stator shaft, pump gear, a turbine hub, stator hub, and impeller hub. However, the relative rotation is hindered by the fact that misaligned and engaged elements tend to rotate together due to frictional engagement of the elements during attempted installation. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method for assembling a pump hub for a torque converter with a pump for a transmission, including: introducing compressed air into the pump for the transmission such that rotation of a gear for the pump for the transmission is restricted; and bringing the pump hub and the gear into mating engagement. In an example embodiment, bringing the pump hub and the gear into mating engagement includes engaging a plurality of indentations proximate a distal end of the pump hub with a plurality of protrusions for the gear. In an example embodiment, bringing the pump hub and the gear into mating engagement includes rotating the pump hub to align the pump hub and the gear. 
         [0005]    In an example embodiment, aligning the pump hub and the gear includes aligning a plurality of indentations proximate a distal end of the pump hub with a plurality of protrusions for the gear. In an example embodiment, the pump for the transmission includes at least one opening or line for the intake or expulsion of fluid by the pump and introducing compressed air into the pump includes introducing the compressed air through the at least one opening or line of the pump. In an example embodiment, the pump for the transmission includes a pneumatic port and introducing compressed air into the pump includes introducing the compressed air through the pneumatic port. In an example embodiment, the pump for the transmission is installed on the transmission prior to bringing the pump hub and the gear into mating engagement. 
         [0006]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a method for assembling a pump hub for a torque converter with a pump for a transmission, including: moving the pump for the transmission into engagement with the pump hub; and matingly engaging a gear for the pump for the transmission with the pump hub, such that the gear and the pump hub are rotatable in unison, wherein the pump is not connected to the transmission. In an example embodiment, matingly engaging a gear for the pump with the pump hub includes engaging a plurality of indentations proximate a distal end of the pump hub with a plurality of protrusions for the gear. 
         [0007]    In an example embodiment, matingly engaging a gear for the pump with the pump hub includes rotating the gear to align the pump hub and the gear. In an example embodiment, aligning the pump hub and the gear includes aligning a plurality of indentations proximate a distal end of the pump hub with a plurality of protrusions for the gear. In an example embodiment, the method includes installing the transmission pump on the transmission. 
         [0008]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a pump for a transmission, including: a housing with a pneumatic port; and a gear for engaging with a pump hub for a torque converter, wherein the pneumatic port is for introducing compressed air into the housing to restrict rotation of the gear. In an example embodiment, restricting rotation of the gear is to prevent rotation of the gear when the gear is interfaced with the pump hub to rotationally lock the gear with the pump hub. In an example embodiment, preventing rotation of the gear when the gear is interfaced with the pump hub includes preventing rotation of the gear when the pump hub is interfaced with the gear and the pump hub is rotated. 
         [0009]    According to aspects illustrated herein, there is provided a pump for a transmission, including: a housing; a gear for engaging with a pump hub for a torque converter; and, an element for enabling rotation of the gear in a first rotational direction and locking the gear with respect to rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction. In an example embodiment, the element includes a one-way clutch. In an example embodiment, the housing includes a first surface for engagement with a second surface of the transmission and one of the first or second surfaces includes a plurality of features oriented in the second direction and arranged to engage the other of the first or second surface for relative rotation of the pump hub and the gear in the second rotational direction and to slide over the other of the first or second surface for rotation in the first direction. 
         [0010]    It is a general object of the present invention to provide an assembly, a pump for a transmission, and a method for facilitating connection of a torque converter to a transmission. 
         [0011]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciable from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying drawings and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a cylindrical coordinate system demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an object in the cylindrical coordinate system of  FIG. 1A  demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of an assembly including a torque converter and a pump for a transmission; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a detail of a surface of the pump or transmission shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of an assembly including a torque converter and a pump for a transmission; and, 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate a method for assembling a pump hub for a torque converter with a pump for a transmission. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural elements of the invention. It is to be understood that the invention as claimed is not limited to the disclosed aspects. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0021]    Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of cylindrical coordinate system  80  demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. The present invention is at least partially described within the context of a cylindrical coordinate system. System  80  has a longitudinal axis  81 , used as the reference for the directional and spatial terms that follow. The adjectives “axial,” “radial,” and “circumferential” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis  81 , radius  82  (which is orthogonal to axis  81 ), and circumference  83 , respectively. The adjectives “axial,” “radial” and “circumferential” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes. To clarify the disposition of the various planes, objects  84 ,  85 , and  86  are used. Surface  87  of object  84  forms an axial plane. That is, axis  81  forms a line along the surface. Surface  88  of object  85  forms a radial plane. That is, radius  82  forms a line along the surface. Surface  89  of object  86  forms a circumferential plane. That is, circumference  83  forms a line along the surface. As a further example, axial movement or disposition is parallel to axis  81 , radial movement or disposition is parallel to radius  82 , and circumferential movement or disposition is parallel to circumference  83 . Rotation is with respect to axis  81 . 
         [0023]    The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” are with respect to an orientation parallel to axis  81 , radius  82 , or circumference  83 , respectively. The adverbs “axially,” “radially,” and “circumferentially” also are regarding orientation parallel to respective planes. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of object  90  in cylindrical coordinate system  80  of  FIG. 1A  demonstrating spatial terminology used in the present application. Cylindrical object  90  is representative of a cylindrical object in a cylindrical coordinate system and is not intended to limit the present invention in any manner. Object  90  includes axial surface  91 , radial surface  92 , and circumferential surface  93 . Surface  91  is part of an axial plane, surface  92  is part of a radial plane, and surface  93  is part of a circumferential plane. 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of assembly  100  including torque converter  102  and pump  104  for a transmission. Cover  106  for the torque converter is connected to pump shell  108 , which is in turn connected to pump hub  110 . The pump hub is engaged with gear  112  for pump  104  by any means known in the art. The assembly includes an element for enabling rotation of the gear in a first rotational direction and locking the gear with respect to rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction. 
         [0026]    In an example embodiment, the element is one-way clutch  114 . Clutch  114  can be any one-way clutch known in the art. In one embodiment, clutch  114  is a strut type one-way clutch as is known in the art, for example, as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,978, incorporated by reference herein. Clutch  114  enables rotation of the gear in the first direction and prevents rotation of the gear in the second direction. 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  is a detail of a surface of the pump or transmission shown in  FIG. 2 . Surface  116  for pump  104  and surface  118  for bell housing  122  are in contact. In an example embodiment, surface  116  is for gear  112 . In an example embodiment, one surface  116  or  118  include plurality  123  of features oriented in direction R 2  and arranged to engage the other of surface  116  or  118  for relative rotation of the pump hub and the gear in direction R 2  and to slide over the other of surface  116  or  118  for rotation in direction R 1 . That is, the engagement of features  123  for relative rotation in direction R 2  locks surfaces  116  and  118  together. Features  123  can be any such features known in the art. 
         [0028]    Advantageously, by limiting rotation of the gear to one direction, relative rotation of the gear and the pump hub is facilitated, addressing the problem noted supra regarding the gear and the pump hub rotating together during attempted assembly. For example, if a first attempt at connecting the pump hub and the gear is unsuccessful, for example, the gear and the pump hub are out of alignment, the pump hub can be rotated while still engaged with the gear to bring the gear and the pump hub into alignment. Thus, the assembly process is greatly facilitated, since it is not necessary to completely disengage the pump hub and the gear to adjust alignment. 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of assembly  200  including torque converter  202  and pump  204  for a transmission. Cover  206  for the torque converter is connected to pump shell  208 , which is in turn connected to pump hub  210 . The pump hub is engaged with gear  212  for pump  204  by any means known in the art. Pump  204  is fixed to bell housing  214 . Pump  204  includes port  216 . 
         [0030]    In an example embodiment, port  216  is a pneumatic port, which can be any pneumatic port known in the art. Using pneumatic port  216 , compressed air can be introduced, or injected, into pump  204  prior to assembling torque converter  200  and pump  204 . By injecting compressed air into pump  204 , relative rotation of the gear and the pump hub is facilitated, addressing the problem noted supra regarding the gear and the pump hub rotating together during assembly. For example, if a first attempt at connecting the pump hub and the gear is unsuccessful, for example, the gear and the pump hub are out of alignment, the pump hub can be rotated while still engaged with the gear to bring the gear and the pump hub into alignment. Thus, the assembly process is greatly facilitated, since it is not necessary to completely disengage the pump hub and the gear to adjust alignment. After the pump hub and the gear are matingly engaged, the compressed air can be released and the pump filled with fluid. 
         [0031]    In an example embodiment, port  216  is an opening or line for the intake or expulsion of fluid by the pump, for example, designed to feed fluid from the transmission to the pump. Passage or valve body  216  is used to inject the compressed air into the pump. After the pump hub and the gear are matingly engaged, the compressed air is released and passage or valve body  216  is used to feed fluid to the pump. 
         [0032]    A method for assembling a torque converter and a pump for a transmission using compressed air is as follows. Although the method is presented in a sequence for clarity, no order should be inferred from the sequence unless explicitly stated. In an example embodiment, the method is used with assembly  200 . Pump  204  is connected to bell housing  214  using any means known in the art. Pump  204  is charged with compressed air via port  216 . The pump hub and the gear are brought into mating engagement, for example, by moving one or both of the torque converter or the bell housing. In an example embodiment, the pump hub includes indentations  218  at distal end  220  of the pump hub and the gear includes protrusions  222 , and the indentations and protrusions are brought into mating engagement. For example, protrusions  222  slide into indentions  218  or indentions  218  slide over protrusions  222 . The indentations and protrusions can be any number, configuration, and shape of indentations and protrusions known in the art. Via the mating engaging of the pump hub and the gear, the pump hub and the gear are rotatable in unison. 
         [0033]    In an example embodiment, injecting compressed air into the pump causes the pump gear to rotate to facilitate engagement of the pump hub and gear. 
         [0034]    In some instances, the pump hub and gear are misaligned when the pump hub and the gear are brought into engagement, preventing mating engagement of the pump hub and gear. For example, the protrusions and the indentations are not sufficiently aligned. By charging pump  204  with compressed air, relative rotation of the gear and the pump hub is facilitated by inhibiting or blocking rotation of the gear. Therefore, the pump hub can be rotated, while the gear is rotationally locked by the compressed air, to place the pump hub and gear into better alignment. That is, the locking of the gear enables relative rotation between the pump hub and the gear. After the pump hub and the gear are matingly engaged, the compressed air can be released and the pump filled with fluid. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 5-7  illustrate a method for assembling a pump hub for a torque converter with a pump for a transmission. Although the method is presented in a sequence for clarity, no order should be inferred from the sequence unless explicitly stated. As shown in  FIG. 5 , torque converter  300  with cover  302 , pump shell  304 , and pump hub  306  is initially separate from pump  308  for a transmission (bell housing  310  for the transmission is shown). The cover and pump shell and the pump shell and pump hub are fixedly connected, respectively, so that the cover, the pump shell, and the pump hub are fixed with respect to rotation. 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the pump hub and gear  312  for pump  308  are brought into mating engagement, for example, by moving one or both of the pump hub and gear. In an example embodiment, the pump hub includes indentations  314  at distal end  316  of the pump hub and the gear includes protrusions  318 , and the indentations and protrusions are brought into mating engagement. For example, protrusions  318  slide into indentions  313  or indentions  314  slide over protrusions  318 . The indentations and protrusions can be any number, configuration, and shape of indentations and protrusions known in the art. Via the mating engaging of the pump hub and the gear, the pump hub and the gear are rotatable in unison. 
         [0037]    In some instances, the pump hub and gear are misaligned when the pump hub and the gear are brought into engagement, preventing mating engagement of the pump hub and gear. For example, the protrusions and the indentations are not sufficiently aligned. The pump hub or the gear can be rotated to place the pump hub and gear into better alignment. Since the pump is separate from the transmission and the gear is easily accessible, an initial rotation of the gear and possible iterative rotations of the gear can be quickly and easily implemented to adequately align the pump hub and the gear. For example, the gear can be rotated to align the indentations and the protrusions. Advantageously, by assembling the torque converter and pump for the transmission as separate components, the number of variables, for example, shafts and hubs that must be properly aligned, are reduced and the parts, for example the gear for the transmission pump, can easily be manipulated. 
         [0038]      FIG. 7  illustrates connecting the pump for the transmission to the transmission. In  FIG. 7 , torque converter  300  is connected to pump  308  as described above. Fasteners  320 , which can be any fasteners known in the art, are used to connect pump  308  to the bell housing. 
         [0039]    Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.