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EP-4341586-B1 - FLUID SPRAYERS FOR POWERTRAINS AND MANUFACTURING METHODS FOR THE SAME

EP4341586B1EP 4341586 B1EP4341586 B1EP 4341586B1EP-4341586-B1

Inventors

  • HOYE, Robert Earl

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20220517

Claims (9)

  1. A fluid sprayer for a powertrain, the fluid sprayer (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) comprising: a unitary body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) including an elongated sidewall (102, 202, 302, 402, 502) , the elongated sidewall (102, 202, 302, 402, 502) including an inner surface that defines a fluid passage (106, 206, 306, 406, 506) in the unitary body, the unitary body extending between a first end (108, 208, 308, 408, 508) and an opposite second end (110, 210, 310, 410, 510); a mounting portion (112, 212, 312, 412, 512) at the first end of the unitary body; and a nozzle (114, 214, 314, 414, 514) proximate to the second end of the unitary body, the fluid passage extending from the mounting portion to the nozzle, characterized in that the nozzle includes a first orifice defined by: a depression (322) in the inner surface of the sidewall; and an elongated opening (136, 326) in the sidewall in fluid communication with the depression, wherein the depression forms a semi-spherical transition from the fluid passage to the elongated opening.
  2. The fluid sprayer of claim 1, wherein the nozzle (114, 214, 314, 414, 514) includes an elongated protrusion (330) extending laterally outwardly from sidewall (102, 202, 302, 402, 502) of the unitary body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504).
  3. The fluid sprayer of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the elongated opening (136, 326) is a slot that extends lengthwise along the elongated protrusion (330)..
  4. The fluid sprayer of any preceding claim, wherein the unitary body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) is straight from the first end (108, 208, 308, 408, 508) to the second end (110, 210, 310, 410, 510).
  5. The fluid sprayer of any preceding claim, wherein the fluid passage (106, 206, 306, 406, 506) is closed by the second end (110, 210, 310, 410, 510) of the unitary body (104, 204, 304, 404, 504).
  6. The fluid sprayer of any preceding claim, wherein the nozzle includes at least the first orifice and a second orifice, and the first orifice is configured to produce a first fluid output and the second orifice is configured to produce a second fluid output that differs from the first fluid output.
  7. The fluid sprayer of claim 6, wherein the first fluid output and the second fluid output are spray patterns selected from: a fan spray pattern, a jet spray pattern, and a drip spray pattern.
  8. The fluid sprayer of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the first fluid output and the second fluid output are different fluid flow rates from the first orifice and the second orifice.
  9. The fluid sprayer any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the first fluid output and the second fluid output are different fluid flow velocities from the first orifice and the second orifice.

Description

The present invention relates generally to powertrains, and more particularly, but not exclusively, to fluid sprayers for the same and manufacturing methods for fluid sprayers. BACKGROUND Fluid sprayers are fundamental to the operation of reliable, well lubricated and cooled components of powertrains. For example, gear sprayers can be used to provide a constant supply of oil, directly or indirectly, to a gear mesh of the powertrain. In another example, piston cooling nozzles can be used to spray oil for piston cooling and lubrication of an internal combustion engine. Traditional approaches to manufacturing fluid sprayers often involve the assembly brazing of multiple individual parts to form the fluid sprayer. Additionally, fluid sprayers may be limited in design to nozzles having a cylinder jet due to manufacturability issues. The cylindrical jetted orifice of such nozzles creates a jet stream of oil that is focused on a localized area, and may provide inadequate fluid distribution when sprayed. EP3486443A1 describes an oil spraying system for use in an engine for spraying directly onto a piston or cylinder wall. The system includes a supply line having at least one nozzle and at least one outlet on the nozzle. The nozzle and/or outlet is configurable to provide a predetermined spray direction or pattern. There are many solutions to directing oil and other fluids to powertrain components. For example, there are indirect means of splashing or misting of neighboring components in oil. Some direct means include machined bores in the engine block or other casting; fluid supply tubes which may need to be vent, swaged, welded, or brazed onto a separate turned piece; and machined grooves and/or channels in components that are directed to the location to be sprayed. However, these solutions also may provide inadequate fluid distribution to the desired locations of the powertrain. Therefore, there remains a substantial need for fluid sprayers of the present invention. For the purposes of clearly, concisely and exactly describing illustrative embodiments of the present invention, the manner, and process of making and using the same, and to enable the practice, making and use of the same, reference will now be made to certain exemplary embodiments, including those illustrated in the figures, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It shall nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby created and that the invention includes and protects such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the exemplary embodiments as would occur to one skilled in the art. SUMMARY According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a fluid sprayer according to claim 1. Preferred features of the present invention are recited in the dependent claims. The present invention includes fluid sprayers for powertrains. The fluid sprayers can distribute oil or other fluid to one or more powertrain components, such as an engine component or a transmission component. In an embodiment, the fluid sprayer includes a unitary body. The unitary body includes a fluid passage therein that extends from an inlet at a first end of the unitary body to a nozzle at or near a second end of the unitary body opposite the first end. The fluid sprayer includes a mounting portion at the first end of the unitary body opposite the second end. The mounting portion is configured to connect the fluid sprayer with a fluid system of the internal combustion engine. The unitary body includes a number of bends between the nozzle and the mounting portion. In an embodiment, the fluid sprayer includes a unitary body with an elongated sidewall forming a fluid passage therein, a mounting portion at a first end of the unitary body, and a nozzle proximate to a second end of the unitary body that is opposite the first end. The fluid passage extends from the mounting portion to the nozzle. The fluid passage is defined by an inner surface of the sidewall. The nozzle is defined by an undercut in the inner surface of the sidewall and an elongated opening in the sidewall in fluid communication with the undercut. In an embodiment, the fluid sprayer includes a unitary body including an elongated sidewall. The elongated sidewall defines a fluid passage in the unitary body. The unitary body extends between a first end and an opposite second end. A mounting portion is at the first end of the unitary body, and a nozzle is proximate to the second end of the unitary body. The fluid passage extends from the mounting portion to the nozzle. The nozzle includes at least a first orifice and a second orifice. The first orifice is configured to produce a first fluid output and the second orifice is configured to produce a second fluid output that differs from the first fluid output In an embodiment, a method of manufacturing the fluid sprayers herein includes depositing a layer of additive material and fusing at least a por