Compact oil transfer manifold

Abstract

The present invention relates to a manifold for a vehicle transmission. The manifold defines a plurality of laterally extending channels suitable for simultaneously transferring oil at separate flow rates and pressure signals and may be subdivided to provide a plurality of like defined manifolds. The manifold, formed through an extrusion process, is fittable within or around a transmission shaft.

1 . A vehicle transmission, comprising: 
 a transmission shaft;    a manifold, fittable with respect to said transmission shaft, configured to define a plurality of channels; said channels configured to transfer and substantially sustain separation of a plurality of fluid flows and/or pressure signals and wherein said plurality of channels run parallel with respect to said transmission shaft.    
     
     
         2 . The transmission of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a mechanical seal fittable in at least one of said plurality of channels so as to substantially prevent fluid flow there beyond.    
     
     
         3 . The transmission of  claim 2 , wherein said manifold further defines radially extending apertures configured to transfer fluid therebetween, said radially extending apertures intersecting at least one of said plurality of channels.  
     
     
         4 . The transmission of  claim 3 , wherein said manifold is configured to surround said transmission shaft.  
     
     
         5 . The transmission of  claim 4 , further comprising: 
 a mechanical seal fittable in at least one of said plurality of channels so as to substantially prevent fluid flow there beyond.    
     
     
         6 . The transmission of  claim 5 , wherein said manifold further defines radially extending apertures configured to transfer fluid therebetween, said radially extending apertures intersecting at least one of said plurality of channels.  
     
     
         7 . The transmission of  claim 5 , wherein said manifold is fittable inside said transmission shaft.  
     
     
         8 . The transmission of  claim 7 , wherein said transmission shaft defines radially extending apertures.  
     
     
         9 . The transmission of  claim 7 , wherein said manifold is affixed with respect to said transmission shaft by an elastomeric seal configured to compensate for any differences in thermal expansion coefficients between said transmission shaft and said manifold.  
     
     
         10 . The transmission of  claim 1 , wherein said manifold is composed of extruded structural metal and said channels are formed by an extrusion process.  
     
     
         11 . A shaft for transferring a plurality of fluids or fluid signals in a vehicle transmission, comprising: 
 a structural element integrally configured as a manifold of one length having multiple channels of equal length for transferring respective fluids and wherein the configuration of said channels in said structural element is sufficient to facilitate the transfer of fluids longitudinally in a channel and laterally from a channel.    
     
     
         12 . The shaft of  claim 11 , wherein said structural element is sufficiently long to be subdivideable into a plurality of structural subdivisions forming a plurality of manifolds of shorter length than said one length.  
     
     
         13 . The shaft of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration of said structural element is an extrusion.  
     
     
         14 . The shaft of  claim 12 , wherein said extrusion is structural aluminum.  
     
     
         15 . The shaft of  claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal transfer in a channel is axial and the lateral transfer from a channel is radial.  
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing a manifold suitable for use in a vehicle transmission, comprising: 
 providing an extrusion tool configured in a manner to form a manifold; wherein said extrusion tool defines an outer wall of the manifold and at least one laterally extending channel within the manifold; and    extruding metal through said extrusion tool to form the manifold having a predetermined length.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said extrusion tool is configured to further define an inner wall and wherein said at least one laterally extending channel is defined by at least two bridges as defined by said extrusion tool.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one laterally extending channel is cylindrical.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said at least one laterally extending channel is defined by intersecting at least two bridges as defined by said extrusion tool.