Disk Pack Cooling via Axial Flow and Spring Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Heat-producing components in transmission assemblies, such as brake and clutch packs, face challenges in receiving adequate cooling fluid due to tight packaging and spatial constraints, which inhibits effective heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A disk pack cooling arrangement featuring alternating plates with annular channels and springs that apply a separating force to form flow channels for cooling fluid to reach heat-producing components, enhancing thermal performance and lubrication distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If transmission components are tightly packaged to reduce size, then device complexity and space are reduced, but cooling fluid delivery to heat-producing components is inhibited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces axial flow paths through the disk pack structure, transitioning from traditional radial cooling approaches. Cooling fluid is delivered axially through the alternating friction disks and separator plates, utilizing the axial dimension to bypass the radial space constraints imposed by tight packaging. This dimensional shift enables effective cooling fluid delivery despite the compact radial footprint of the transmission assembly.
2Temperature
If cooling fluid flow paths are increased to improve cooling, then heat dissipation is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator plates in the disk pack serve multiple functions: they mechanically separate friction disks to enable engagement/disengagement, and simultaneously serve as cooling fluid distribution elements with integrated flow paths. This multi-functionality allows the cooling system to be embedded within the existing clutch/brake pack structure without adding separate cooling components, thereby enhancing heat dissipation while avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling fluid delivery system is merged with the friction disk and separator plate assembly. The separator plates are designed with cooling fluid passages that are integral to the disk pack structure, combining the mechanical function of separator plates with the thermal management function of cooling channels into a single integrated component system.
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
The solution effectively delivers cooling fluid to heat-producing components, improving thermal performance and extending the operational lifespan of transmission components by ensuring thorough heat dissipation and lubrication.
Implementation Method 1
One or more annular springs are disposed about an associated friction disk in an associated annular channel. The springs are configured to apply a separating force to the separator plates and to form flow channels for cooling fluid to reach the friction disks from the annular channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A disk pack cooling arrangement has a disk pack with alternating first and second plates in which one or more first plates are configured to couple to a first machine component and one or more second plates are configured to couple to a second machine component that is rotatable with respect to the first machine component. Each first plate is of a radial dimension less than each second plate so that one or more annular channels exist radially outward of each first plate. One or more annular springs are disposed in an associated annular channel. Each spring is configured to apply a separating force to at least one second plate and to form one or more flow channels for cooling fluid to reach each first plate from an associated annular channel.