Return-side filter for use in a vehicle transmission

Abstract

A fluid filtration assembly ( 10 ) operable to provide both return-side and supply-side filtration, as, for example, of a fluid entering and leaving a sump ( 14 ) as it circulates in a vehicle transmission ( 12 ). The fluid filtration assembly ( 10 ) broadly comprises a return-side filter ( 18 ) and a supply-side filter ( 20 ). The return-side filter ( 18 ) includes a filter media ( 33 ) operable to filter relatively small particles. Fluid flow through the return-side filter ( 18 ) may be accomplished using any of three described alternative embodiments, including upflow, downflow, and direct feed. The supply-side filter ( 20 ) includes a filter media ( 42 ) for filtering needed fluid as it is drawn back into circulation. The supply-side filter media ( 42 ) is a low restriction filter media operable to filter only relatively large particles, thereby decreasing bottle-neck effects and minimizing pressure drops.

1 . (canceled)  
     
     
         2 . (canceled)  
     
     
         3 . (canceled)  
     
     
         4 . (canceled)  
     
     
         5 . (canceled)  
     
     
         6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . (canceled)  
     
     
         8 . (canceled)  
     
     
         9 . (canceled)  
     
     
         10 . A return-side filter for filtering a return fluid in a vehicle transmission, the return-side filter comprising: 
 a lid having a top surface;    an inlet operable to direct the return fluid into the lid;    a filter media spaced below the top surface and the inlet and at least substantially spanning the lid and operable to filter the return fluid; and    an outlet located below the filter media and operable to release the return fluid.    
     
     
         11 . The return-side filter as set forth in  claim 10 , further including spacers projecting downwardly from the top surface of the lid and operable to space the filter media below the top surface.  
     
     
         12 . The return-side filter as set forth in  claim 10 , further including a pan positioned below the filter media.  
     
     
         13 . The return-side filter as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the outlet comprises a slot in the pan.  
     
     
         14 . A vehicle transmission utilizing a fluid, the vehicle transmission comprising: 
 a sump operable to receive the fluid via a sump inlet;    a return-side filter operable to filter at least a return fluid portion of the fluid, the return-side filter including    a lid having a top surface;    a return-side inlet coupled with the sump inlet and operable to direct the return fluid into the lid;    a filter media spaced below the top surface and the inlet and at least substantially spanning the lid and operable to filter the return fluid; and    an outlet located below the filter media and operable to release the return fluid.    
     
     
         15 . The return-side filter as set forth in  claim 14 , further including a spacers projecting downwardly from the top surface of the lid and operable to space the filter media below the top surface.  
     
     
         16 . The vehicle transmission as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the return fluid is released into the sump.  
     
     
         17 . The return-side filter as set forth in  claim 14 , further including a pan positioned below the filter media.  
     
     
         18 . The return-side filter as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the outlet comprises a slot in the pan.  
     
     
         19 . A fluid filtration assembly for filtering a fluid in a vehicle transmission, the fluid filtration assembly comprising: 
 a return-side inlet operable to receive a return fluid,    a return-side filter media operable to filter the return fluid, and    a return-side outlet operable to release the return fluid directly into a supply-side filter.    
     
     
         20 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return-side outlet are coupled by a flexible hose.  
     
     
         21 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return-side outlet are coupled by a substantially inflexible duct.  
     
     
         22 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the return-side filter media is operable to filter relatively small particulates from the return fluid.  
     
     
         23 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the supply-side filter is operable to filter the return fluid using a supply-side filter media.  
     
     
         24 . A vehicle transmission utilizing a fluid, the vehicle transmission comprising: 
 a sump operable to receive the fluid via a sump inlet and to release the fluid via a sump outlet; and    a fluid filtration assembly located in the sump and operable to filter the fluid, the fluid filtration assembly including    a return-side filter including    a return-side inlet coupled with the sump inlet and operable to receive at least a return fluid portion of the fluid,    a return-side filter media operable to filter the return fluid,    a return-side outlet operable to release the return fluid directly into a supply-side filter.    
     
     
         25 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return-side outlet are coupled by a flexible hose.  
     
     
         26 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return side outlet are coupled by a substantially inflexible duct.  
     
     
         27 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the return-side filter media is operable to filter relatively small particulates from the return fluid.  
     
     
         28 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the supply-side filter is operable to release the return fluid into the sump outlet.  
     
     
         29 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in  claim 24 , wherein the supply-side filter is operable to filter the return fluid using a supply-side filter media prior to releasing the return fluid into the sump outlet.  
     
     
         30 . A method of filtering a fluid in a transmission, the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) receiving at least a return fluid portion of the fluid;    (b) filtering the return fluid using a return-side filter media;    (c) releasing the return fluid;    (d) receiving a supply fluid; and    (e) filtering the supply fluid using a supply-side filter media.    
     
     
         31 . The method as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein step (b) is operable to remove relatively small particulates from the return fluid.  
     
     
         32 . The method as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein step (c) involves releasing the return fluid into a sump.  
     
     
         33 . The method as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein step (d) involves receiving the supply fluid from the sump.  
     
     
         34 . The method as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein the supply fluid comprises the return fluid.  
     
     
         35 . The method as set forth in  claim 30 , wherein step (e) is operable to remove only relatively large particulates from the supply fluid.  
     
     
         36 . (canceled)  
     
     
         37 . (canceled)  
     
     
         38 . (canceled)  
     
     
         39 . (canceled)  
     
     
         40 . (canceled)  
     
     
         41 . (canceled)  
     
     
         42 . (canceled)