Ventilation device for transmissions with lubricant comprising water

Abstract

A ventilation device for transmissions with lubricant comprising water, the device being disposed above the transmission ( 1 ) and being connected thereto by way of a line ( 10 ) and comprising a pressure equalization opening ( 13 ) that leads to the surrounding environment, is to operate without loss of evaporating water to the environment. To this end, the device comprises at least one container ( 17 ) designed as a condenser for evaporated water rising through the line ( 10 ), the container being provided with a cooling element for dissipating heat ( 15 ), the condensate passing from said container ( 17 ) back to the transmission ( 1 ). In one variant, two containers containing a fluid are described which communicate with one another by way of a U-shaped channel.

1 . A ventilation device for transmissions with a lubricant containing water, said ventilation device being connected to the transmission ( 1 ) via a line ( 10 ;  110 ) and having a pressure equalization opening ( 13 ;  113 ) which leads to the environment, wherein the ventilation device comprises at least one container ( 17 ;  21 ,  22 ;  117 ) formed as a condenser for evaporated water flowing thereto through the line ( 10 ;  110 ), said container ( 17 ;  21 ,  22 ;  117 ) being provided for this purpose with means for dissipating heat ( 15 ;  16 ;  32 ;  33 ;  115 ), wherein the condensate passes from said container ( 17 ;  21 ,  22 ;  117 ) back into the transmission ( 1 ). 
     
     
         2 . The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for dissipating heat is a group of pipes ( 15 ) mounted inside the at least one container ( 17 ) and flown through by a suitable cooling agent. 
     
     
         3 . The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for dissipating heat are cooling ribs ( 16 ) arranged at the outside of the one container ( 17 ;  21 ,  22 ). 
     
     
         4 . The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the line ( 10 ) continuously rises, so that it also serves as a line for returning condensed water. 
     
     
         5 . The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein the line ( 110 ) leading to the container ( 117 ) immerges into the container deeply enough for its opening ( 123 ) to be below the level of liquid ( 130 ) present in the container ( 117 ). 
     
     
         6 . The ventilation device according to  claim 1 , wherein it is formed by two containers ( 21 ,  22 ) containing a liquid, wherein the deepest points ( 25 ,  26 ) of the two containers ( 21 ,  22 ) communicate with one another via a U-shaped duct ( 27 ), wherein the line ( 10 ) opens into the one container ( 21 ) and the other container ( 22 ) has the pressure equalizer opening ( 34 ). 
     
     
         7 . The ventilation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the level ( 30 ,  31 ) of the liquid in the initial state reaches up to the orifice ( 23 ) of the line ( 10 ). 
     
     
         8 . The ventilation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the liquid in the U-shaped duct ( 27 ) and between the levels ( 30 ,  31 ) is water. 
     
     
         9 . The ventilation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the liquid in the U-shaped duct ( 27 ) and between the levels ( 30 ,  31 ) in whole or in part is an agent lowering the freezing point, for example, glycol. 
     
     
         10 . The ventilation device according to  claim 6 , wherein the space filled with liquid is filled with a porous material ( 32 ) of high thermal conductivity. 
     
     
         11 . The ventilation device according to  claim 9 , wherein the porous material ( 32 ) is stainless steel wool.