Oil Temperature Gauges
performance curves showing heat rejection capacity
If the OEM chooses to use a transmission/converter
color coded converter outlet temperature gauge,
the following requirements and recommendations
apply:
Green - Safe zone is below 99 °C (210 °F)
Yellow - Caution zone is 99 °C (210 °F) to 121 °C
(250 °F)
The following requirement applies:
Red - Warning above 121 °C (250 °F)
If the OEM chooses to use a transmission color
coded sump temperature gauge, the following
recommendations and requirements apply:
Green - Safe below 90 °C (194 °F)
Yellow - Caution between 90 °C (194 °F) and 99 °C
(210 °F)
The following requirement applies:
Red - Warning zone above 99 °C (210 °F)
NOTICE
Operators may use the Yellow zone on an
intermittent basis for short time intervals. Operation
above the Red line for short periods of time can result
in damage to the oil and the transmission.
Oil Cooler Selection
The design of the transmission oil cooler circuit is
the responsibility of the OEM. The circuit must be
designed to maintain a continuous sump temperature
less than or equal to 96 °C (205 °F). Caterpillar
recommends using a liquid/liquid cooler where the
transmission oil is cooled by engine coolant which
also passes through a liquid/air radiator cooler.
OEM's may choose to use Caterpillar transmission oil
coolers or use the existing or locally supplied coolers.
A cooling analysis and cooling system checkout
based on vehicle ambients, applications, and specific
engine and transmission ratings is required on all
unique installations. Caterpillar's concern is that
the OEM provide adequate transmission cooling
to keep the transmission oil below the specified
temperature limits. Heat rejection tables for each
engine combination are in the appendix.
60
The oil cooler manufacturer needs to supply cooler
and pressure drop to verify that cooling requirements
can be met. The performance curves must be derived
from test data (not calculated estimates) to insure
adequate cooler system results. OEM's can consult
transmission application engineers for questions
regarding the cooler system design or cooling system
tests through the Application Support Center.
Transmission Oil Coolers and Design
Guidelines
Automatic transmissions generate heat due to
converter slippage, charging pump losses, and
friction in rotating components. The transmission fluid
absorbs this heat, and an oil cooler is required to
dissipate the heat. Keeping the oil cool maintains the
oils lubricating properties, allows the transmission
to perform properly, and extends the life of the
transmission components. The engine coolant
(antifreeze) and the transmission fluid (TDTO) absorb
the heat generated by the engine and transmission.
The two fluids carry the heat to a heat exchanger
(radiator or cooler) where the oil or antifreeze can
be cooled. Caterpillar recommends using a liquid
to liquid cooler where transmission oil is cooled by
engine coolant in a counter-flow heat exchanger. The
engine coolant then passes through a liquid to air
radiator cooler.
The following must be considered in order to properly
size the transmission cooler: transmission planetary
heat load, engine power and torque capability,
ambient temperatures, and frequency and duration
of converter drive operation in an application.
Generally speaking, the heat rejection from a power
shift transmission in torque converter drive at 70
percent efficiency does not exceed a heat load
equivalent to 30 percent of the engines gross output
horsepower. Most applications require a cooler heat
rejection capability of approximately 20 percent of
engines gross output horsepower. Heat rejection
equivalent to 10-15 percent of engines gross output
horsepower is appropriate for a few applications
when the transmission operates in the lockup clutch
mode most of the time. Fracturing applications
require a cooler heat rejection capability of
approximately 10 to 15 percent of engines gross
output horsepower. Customers usually prefer some
surplus heat rejection capability.