Transmission Charge Oil Pressurization Using Compressed Gas Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle transmission systems rely on continuously operating pumps for actuation, leading to inefficiencies, excessive fuel consumption, and heat generation due to intermittent actuation needs.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic-hydraulic system utilizing a compressible gas accumulator to pressurize a secondary fluid, which is then used to operate the transmission, eliminating the need for a separate pump by storing energy in compressed gas and using it to facilitate shifting operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a continuously operating pump is used to pressurize transmission fluid, then the transmission can be reliably actuated, but energy consumption increases and heat is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission actuation reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces continuous pump operation with periodic actuation of a pump only when pressure is needed for shifting operations. The control system activates the pump intermittently based on sensor feedback, creating a periodic action pattern that reduces energy consumption while maintaining transmission actuation reliability when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-pressurizes the transmission fluid accumulator to a selected pressure before shifting operations are needed. This preliminary action stores energy in the pressurized fluid, eliminating the need for continuous pumping and reducing energy consumption during normal operation while ensuring immediate availability of pressurized fluid when shifting is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Stress or pressure

If a continuously operating pump is used to pressurize transmission fluid, then adequate pressure is maintained, but fuel consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission fluid pressureVSAvoidfuel consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The pump operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when transmission fluid pressure needs to be restored or increased. This periodic operation significantly reduces fuel consumption while maintaining adequate pressure levels through the combination of pump cycling and the pressure storage capability of the hydraulic system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the transmission's own hydraulic pressure to perform work and then recovers/stores that pressure for future use. The accumulator stores pressurized fluid that can be reused for subsequent shifting operations, creating a self-sustaining pressure management system that minimizes fuel consumption while maintaining adequate pressure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Stress or pressure

If a continuously operating pump is used to pressurize transmission fluid, then consistent pressure is provided, but heat is generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransmission fluid pressure consistencyVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

By operating the pump periodically rather than continuously, the system reduces the total time the pump is running, thereby reducing heat generation from pump operation. The accumulator maintains consistent pressure between pump cycles, ensuring pressure consistency is preserved even with intermittent pumping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and stores pressurized fluid in an accumulator during periods when high pressure is not needed, separating the pressure generation function from continuous operation. This allows the pump to run only when necessary, reducing heat generation while the accumulator maintains consistent pressure availability for transmission operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces energy losses, minimizes fuel consumption, and prevents heat generation by using stored energy from compressed gas to perform transmission shifting operations, enhancing operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The accumulator may contain a gas that is compressible in response the pressurized first fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompressible gas expansion: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

compressing a gas in an accumulator to a selected pressure with a first fluid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas compression: Compression

Implementation Method 3

pressurizing a second fluid with the compressed gas; applying the pressurized second fluid to the transmission

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure transmission: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentUS11867285B2Systems and methods for pressurizing transmission charge oil

Publication Date: 2024.01.09 DEERE & CO

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a machine using energy stored in a compress gas are disclosed. Energy stored in the compressed gas may be used to pressurize a fluid, such as transmission fluid, and the pressurized fluid may be used to effectuate an operation of the machine, such as a transmission, and the operation of the machine may involve shifting of a transmission. The gas may be compressed with another fluid that is different from the fluid used to operate the machine, and the two fluid may be prevented from being mixed together.