External hydraulic pump for motor vehicle transmission

Abstract

This invention pertains to a motor vehicle having a standard drive train including an engine, a torque converter and a transmission, in which the hydraulic fluid required for proper operation of the torque converter and transmission is supplied by an externally mounted, electrically operated pump, with associated fluid storage tank and heat exchanger and requisite fluid circuitry. The torque converter may be offset from the central axis of the engine and transmission, and driven in the offset position by mechanical means, such as a chain or gearing.

1 . In a motor vehicle having an engine, an electrical system including a source of electrical energy, a transmission and a torque converter, said transmission and torque converter being operated and lubricated by pressurized hydraulic fluid, an electrically operated pump located externally of said transmission and torque converter for supplying said pressurized hydraulic fluid to said transmission and torque converter as required for proper operation and lubrication, the hydraulic circuit for said electric pump including a storage tank of sufficient fluid capacity to operate said transmission and torque converter, means for delivering said fluid from said electric pump to said transmission and torque converter, means for returning said fluid from said transmission and torque converter to a heat exchanger to cool said fluid, and means for returning said fluid from said heat exchanger to said storage tank for recirculation to said electric pump and through said transmission and torque converter. 
   
   
       2 . An electrically operated pump and hydraulic circuit as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said transmission is a fully automatic clutchless transmission. 
   
   
       3 . An electrically operated pump and hydraulic circuit as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said transmission is a dual clutch manual-type transmission. 
   
   
       4 . In a motor vehicle having an engine, an electrical system including a source of electrical energy, a transmission and a torque converter offset from the major central axis of said engine and transmission and driven by appropriate mechanical means in said offset position, said transmission and torque converter being operated and lubricated by pressurized hydraulic fluid, an electrically operated pump located externally of said transmission and torque converter for supplying said pressurized hydraulic fluid to said transmission and torque converter as required for proper operation and lubrication, the hydraulic circuit for said electric pump including a storage tank of sufficient fluid capacity to operate said transmission and torque converter, means for delivering said fluid from said electric pump to said transmission and torque converter, means for returning said fluid from said transmission and torque converter to a heat exchanger to cool said fluid, and means for returning said fluid from said heat exchanger to said storage tank for recirculation to said electric pump and through said transmission and torque converter. 
   
   
       5 . An electrically operated pump and hydraulic circuit as claimed in  claim 4 , in which said transmission is a fully automatic clutchless transmission. 
   
   
       6 . An electrically operated pump and hydraulic circuit as claimed in  claim 4 , in which said transmission is a dual clutch manual-type transmission.