Return-side filter for use in a vehicle transmission
A fluid filtration assembly ( 10 ) operable to provide both return-side and supply-side filtration, as, for example, of a fluid entering and leaving a sump ( 14 ) as it circulates in a vehicle transmission ( 12 ). The fluid filtration assembly ( 10 ) broadly comprises a return-side filter ( 18 ) and a supply-side filter ( 20 ). The return-side filter ( 18 ) includes a filter media ( 33 ) operable to filter relatively small particles. Fluid flow through the return-side filter ( 18 ) may be accomplished using any of three described alternative embodiments, including upflow, downflow, and direct feed. The supply-side filter ( 20 ) includes a filter media ( 42 ) for filtering needed fluid as it is drawn back into circulation. The supply-side filter media ( 42 ) is a low restriction filter media operable to filter only relatively large particles, thereby decreasing bottle-neck effects and minimizing pressure drops.
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10 . A return-side filter for filtering a return fluid in a vehicle transmission, the return-side filter comprising:
a lid having a top surface;
an inlet operable to direct the return fluid into the lid;
a filter media spaced below the top surface and the inlet and at least substantially spanning the lid and operable to filter the return fluid; and
an outlet located below the filter media and operable to release the return fluid.
11 . The return-side filter as set forth in claim 10 , further including spacers projecting downwardly from the top surface of the lid and operable to space the filter media below the top surface.
12 . The return-side filter as set forth in claim 10 , further including a pan positioned below the filter media.
13 . The return-side filter as set forth in claim 12 , wherein the outlet comprises a slot in the pan.
14 . A vehicle transmission utilizing a fluid, the vehicle transmission comprising:
a sump operable to receive the fluid via a sump inlet;
a return-side filter operable to filter at least a return fluid portion of the fluid, the return-side filter including
a lid having a top surface;
a return-side inlet coupled with the sump inlet and operable to direct the return fluid into the lid;
a filter media spaced below the top surface and the inlet and at least substantially spanning the lid and operable to filter the return fluid; and
an outlet located below the filter media and operable to release the return fluid.
15 . The return-side filter as set forth in claim 14 , further including a spacers projecting downwardly from the top surface of the lid and operable to space the filter media below the top surface.
16 . The vehicle transmission as set forth in claim 14 , wherein the return fluid is released into the sump.
17 . The return-side filter as set forth in claim 14 , further including a pan positioned below the filter media.
18 . The return-side filter as set forth in claim 17 , wherein the outlet comprises a slot in the pan.
19 . A fluid filtration assembly for filtering a fluid in a vehicle transmission, the fluid filtration assembly comprising:
a return-side inlet operable to receive a return fluid,
a return-side filter media operable to filter the return fluid, and
a return-side outlet operable to release the return fluid directly into a supply-side filter.
20 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return-side outlet are coupled by a flexible hose.
21 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return-side outlet are coupled by a substantially inflexible duct.
22 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the return-side filter media is operable to filter relatively small particulates from the return fluid.
23 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 19 , wherein the supply-side filter is operable to filter the return fluid using a supply-side filter media.
24 . A vehicle transmission utilizing a fluid, the vehicle transmission comprising:
a sump operable to receive the fluid via a sump inlet and to release the fluid via a sump outlet; and
a fluid filtration assembly located in the sump and operable to filter the fluid, the fluid filtration assembly including
a return-side filter including
a return-side inlet coupled with the sump inlet and operable to receive at least a return fluid portion of the fluid,
a return-side filter media operable to filter the return fluid,
a return-side outlet operable to release the return fluid directly into a supply-side filter.
25 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return-side outlet are coupled by a flexible hose.
26 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the supply-side inlet and the return side outlet are coupled by a substantially inflexible duct.
27 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the return-side filter media is operable to filter relatively small particulates from the return fluid.
28 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the supply-side filter is operable to release the return fluid into the sump outlet.
29 . The fluid filtration assembly as set forth in claim 24 , wherein the supply-side filter is operable to filter the return fluid using a supply-side filter media prior to releasing the return fluid into the sump outlet.
30 . A method of filtering a fluid in a transmission, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) receiving at least a return fluid portion of the fluid;
(b) filtering the return fluid using a return-side filter media;
(c) releasing the return fluid;
(d) receiving a supply fluid; and
(e) filtering the supply fluid using a supply-side filter media.
31 . The method as set forth in claim 30 , wherein step (b) is operable to remove relatively small particulates from the return fluid.
32 . The method as set forth in claim 30 , wherein step (c) involves releasing the return fluid into a sump.
33 . The method as set forth in claim 32 , wherein step (d) involves receiving the supply fluid from the sump.
34 . The method as set forth in claim 30 , wherein the supply fluid comprises the return fluid.
35 . The method as set forth in claim 30 , wherein step (e) is operable to remove only relatively large particulates from the supply fluid.
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