Variable resistance control of a gear train oil pump

Abstract

An apparatus and method for controlling a flow of oil. The apparatus and method includes a gear train having at least two gears engaged in meshed contact with each other, an inlet port for receiving a supply of oil to the gear train, an outlet port for providing an exit path for the oil from the gear train, a variable valve located at one of the inlet and outlet ports, and a controller electrically connected to the variable valve for operating the valve to control the flow of oil through the gear train.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for controlling a flow of oil, comprising: 
 a gear train having at least two gears engaged in meshed contact with each other;    an inlet port for receiving a supply of oil to the gear train;    an outlet port for providing an exit path for the oil from the gear train;    a variable valve located at one of the inlet and outlet ports; and    a controller electrically connected to the variable valve for operating the valve to control the flow of oil through the gear train.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 1 , further including an other variable valve located at an other one of the inlet and outlet ports.  
     
     
         3 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the controller is electrically connected to the other variable valve and is further adapted for operating the other variable valve to further control the flow of oil through the gear train.  
     
     
         4 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further adapted for selectively controlling at least one of the variable valve and the other variable valve.  
     
     
         5 . An apparatus for controlling a flow of oil, comprising: 
 a gear train having a plurality of gears engaged in meshed contact with each other;    an inlet port for receiving a supply of oil to the gear train;    an outlet port for providing an exit path for the oil from the gear train;    a variable inlet valve located at the inlet port; and    a controller electrically connected to the variable inlet valve for operating the valve to control the flow of oil into the gear train.    
     
     
         6 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 5 , further including a variable outlet valve located at the outlet port.  
     
     
         7 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the controller is electrically connected to the variable outlet valve and is further adapted for operating the variable outlet valve to control the flow of oil out of the gear train.  
     
     
         8 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 6 , further including: 
 an other outlet port for providing an other exit path for the oil from the gear train; and    an other variable outlet valve located at the other outlet port.    
     
     
         9 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the controller is electrically connected to each of the variable outlet valve and the other variable outlet valve and is adapted for selectively controlling at least one of the variable inlet valve, the variable outlet valve, and the other variable outlet valve.  
     
     
         10 . A method for controlling a flow of oil through a gear train having at least two gears engaged in meshed contact with each other, an inlet port to the gear train, and an outlet port from the gear train, including the steps of: 
 determining a condition associated with the gear train; and    controlling the flow of oil through at least one of the inlet and outlet ports as a function of the condition.    
     
     
         11 . A method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein determining a condition includes the step of determining a condition associated with a load on the gear train.  
     
     
         12 . A method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein determining a condition includes the step of determining a condition associated with a speed of rotation of the gear train.  
     
     
         13 . A method, as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein controlling the flow of oil includes at least one of the steps of: 
 restricting a flow of oil into the inlet port to restrict an amount of oil to the gear train; and    restricting a flow of oil from the outlet port to increase an oil pressure at the gear train.    
     
     
         14 . An apparatus for controlling a flow of oil through a gear train drivably connected to a machine, comprising: 
 at least one inlet port for receiving a supply of oil to the gear train;    at least one outlet port for providing a corresponding at least one exit path for the oil from the gear train;    at least one variable valve located at a select at least one inlet and outlet port; and    a controller electrically connected to each variable valve for selectively operating each variable valve to control the flow of oil through the gear train.    
     
     
         15 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the machine is an internal combustion engine.  
     
     
         16 . An apparatus, as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the gear train includes a plurality of gears associated with a transfer of power generated by the engine.  
     
     
         17 . A method for controlling an amount of noise being generated by a gear train having at least one inlet port, at least one outlet port, and a supply of oil passing through the gear train from the inlet port to the outlet port, including the steps of: 
 determining a condition associated with the noise being generated by the gear train; and    restricting a flow of oil through at least one of the inlet and outlet ports as a function of the condition.