Lubrication Patents (Class 74/467)
  • Patent number: 11859709
    Abstract: A motor driven power steering device including a motor and a speed reducer configured to decelerate a rotation speed of the motor, wherein the speed reducer includes a worm gear coupled to a drive shaft of the motor and rotatably installed to a speed reducer housing through a bearing, a worm wheel gear-coupled with the worm gear, and a rotation member mounted between the worm gear and the bearing and configured to circulate a lubrication agent applied between the worm gear and the worm wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventor: Un Jae Jung
  • Patent number: 11753796
    Abstract: A swing drive for rotating a component of a work vehicle. The swing drive has an electric machine rotating an output shaft about a drive axis and having a planetary set disposed beneath the electric machine. The planetary set has a carrier with pinion shafts having oil passageways therethrough. A splash plate is disposed axially between the electric machine and the planetary set to direct lubricating oil from a face of the electric machine to the oil passageways of the pinion shafts and to direct lubricating oil from the face of the electric machine around the oil passageways. A drive gear is driven to rotate about the drive axis by the electric motor via the double planetary set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventor: Randall L. Long
  • Patent number: 11739828
    Abstract: A gear transmission unit, particularly for a motor-vehicle, is provided with a forced lubrication system for lubricating rolling bearings and/or further inner components of the transmission unit. The unit is provided with one or more accessory elements in the form of lubricant distribution boxes. Each distribution box has a hollow body rigidly connected to the casing of the unit adjacent to a respective channel outlet which supplies a flow of lubricant under pressure. The hollow body defines an inner lubricant distribution chamber and has an inlet connected to the channel outlet and two or more outlets connected to further conduits for channels or chambers, for supplying the flow of lubricant under pressure in parallel to various components to be lubricated inside the transmission casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: FCA Italy S.p.A.
    Inventors: Marco Consani, Gianluigi Pregnolato
  • Patent number: 11619210
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to a gearbox system for a wind turbine. The gearbox may have a gearbox housing defining an inner gearbox volume. The gearbox system further comprises at least one reservoir for storing lubricant and a lubricant provision arrangement. In addition, a lubricant return arrangement is provided. Thus, the gearbox system comprises a lubrication cycle, in particular a closed lubrication cycle, wherein lubricant is provided from the reservoir through the lubricant provision arrangement to lubrication locations of the gearbox, and is subsequently returned to the reservoir passing through the lubricant return arrangement. Furthermore, the gearbox system includes an aeration arrangement which is connected to the gearbox volume and which has specifically configured restriction means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
  • Patent number: 11541487
    Abstract: A method for producing a spray channel on a shaft tube, whereby a completed shaft tube can output fluid from within the shaft tube to outside of the shaft tube, the method may include introducing at least one through-opening with a diameter D1?1.5 mm into the shaft tube and arranging at least one additional element in or on the at least one through-opening such that the spray channel is at least partly formed by the at least one additional element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Inventors: Antonio Menonna, Frank Dautel, Almir Zahirovic
  • Patent number: 11519496
    Abstract: A hydraulic control device for an auto transmission may include: an oil pump unit configured to supply oil; a line pressure control unit configured to form line pressure using the oil supplied from the oil pump unit; a lubricating pressure control unit configured to form lubricating pressure using the oil passing through the line pressure control unit; a reducing pressure control unit configured to form reducing pressure using the oil passing through the lubricating pressure control unit; a damper control pressure control unit configured to form damper control pressure using the oil supplied from the oil pump unit; a switch unit configured to supply the lubricating pressure or the reducing pressure to a torque converter; a collection unit configured to collect the lubricating pressure; and a retention unit connected to the switch unit, and configured to retain the lubricating pressure of the torque converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Hyundai Transys Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Seok Park
  • Patent number: 11512681
    Abstract: Provided is a lubrication system for a drive train of a wind turbine including a main oil tank including a lubrication liquid, for lubricating the drive train when the wind turbine has connection to a grid and a main reservoir which is separate from the main oil tank and contains lubrication liquid for the drive train when the wind turbine has no connection to the grid. The main reservoir includes a first reservoir containing a first amount of lubrication liquid for at least a first component of the drive train and a second reservoir including a second amount of lubrication liquid for at least a second component of the drive train. The lubrication system is configured to supply the oil from the main reservoir to the drive train when the wind turbine has no grid connection for creating an oil sump in at least the second component of the drive train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: DWEN GMBH
    Inventor: Andreas Rogg
  • Patent number: 11486486
    Abstract: A transmission includes a bar supporting at least one sensor for measuring an operating parameter of the transmission. The sensor bar is provided with an oil channel for transportation of lubrication oil to at least one component of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: NINGBO GEELY AUTOMOBILE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CO.
    Inventors: Freddy Trinh, Håkan Jacobson, Daniel Haraldsson
  • Patent number: 11466769
    Abstract: A gear unit to be mounted in a vehicle includes a housing for storing oil, a partition disposed inside the housing, and a helical gear. The partition defines first and second oil chambers and has a through-hole allowing the first oil chamber to communicate with the second oil chamber. The helical gear disposed inside the first oil chamber rotates during running of the vehicle and has an angled tooth that draws inner and addendum circles defining a virtual circumferential plane. The through-hole coincides with a portion of the virtual circumferential plane in a direction parallel to a central axis of the helical gear. When the helical gear rotates in conjunction with the running of the vehicle, the oil flows from the second oil chamber into the first oil chamber so that an oil level of the first oil chamber becomes higher than that of the second oil chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuya Kuramoto, Shunsuke Fukamachi, Tadao Inoue
  • Patent number: 11396907
    Abstract: A thrust washer is provided with a ring-shaped portion that surrounds an insertion hole, the thrust washer is provided with a sliding surface and an oil groove configured to allow lubricating oil to flow in, the oil groove is provided with an opening portion configured to allow the lubricating oil to flow in from the insertion hole side in an inner peripheral end side, an outer periphery end side of the ring-shaped portion of at least one of the oil groove is provided with an oil stop wall which is configured to suppress flow of the lubricating oil toward an outer periphery side of the ring-shaped portion, and a sliding area ratio of each of the sliding surfaces to a projection plane in plan view of the ring-shaped portion is provided within a range of from 60% to 85%
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: TPR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaki Ikeda, Shuichirou Hamanaka
  • Patent number: 11371398
    Abstract: An engine is provided with a timing chain cover that covers a side where a timing chain is arranged in a spaced apart manner from the side of the engine. An oil jet extending in an output shaft direction is a hollow member including therein an oil passage. One end portion of the oil jet in the output shaft direction is supported in a hole formed in the engine, and the other end portion of the oil jet extends toward the timing chain cover but does not come into contact with the timing chain cover. A pressing part arranged in a spaced apart manner from the timing chain cover in the output shaft direction is located between the other end portion and the timing chain cover in the output shaft direction, and the pressing part is in contact with the other end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Hirokazu Matsuura, Michihiro Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 11339834
    Abstract: A conveying device is located inside a clutch device to amplify a fluid flow in an axial direction, i.e. parallel to a rotation axis of the clutch device, and hence the fluid flow can be kept sufficiently great even in the moved portions of a fluid line. The conveying device can be used in clutch devices which are arranged as separating clutches in a hybrid module. The conveying device allows even the complicated fluid lines within hybrid modules to be supplied with sufficient fluid at all times. The conveying device may be arranged at least on the first or second clutch side, and hence the quantity of conveyed fluid is dependent on the rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johannes Weis, Steffen Huber, Jens Genter, Andreas Trinkenschuh, Gerold Steinel, Felix Vogel
  • Patent number: 11274741
    Abstract: A pumpless lubrication system for a power transfer assembly equipped with a hypoid gearset having a ring gear and a hollow pinion unit. Lubricant splashed from one of the ring gear and the pinion unit is collected in a collection reservoir and directed through a conduit unit into the hollow pinion unit. The lubricant is delivered to a torque transfer coupling for lubricating and cooling a multi-plate clutch pack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA POWERTRAIN OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Bradley Ketchel, Wade Smith, Ryan Strand, Ryan Shaw
  • Patent number: 11248662
    Abstract: A dual clutch unit includes an outer disk carrier rotationally driven about a rotation axis, first and second inner disk carriers, first and second disk packs for torque transmission between the outer disk carrier and the respective inner disk carrier, wherein the first and second inner disk carriers are arranged rotatably relative to each other about the rotation axis, a central oil supply to supply the first and second disk packs with coolant, a first distributor channel being formed in the first inner disk carrier and comprising a feed opening through which the first distributor channel is fluidly connected to the central oil supply, a second distributor channel being formed in the second inner disk carrier and being fluidly connected to the central oil supply via the first distributor channel, and drain channels being formed in the inner disk carriers to conduct the coolant into the disk packs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: GKN Automotive Limited
    Inventors: Christoph Chatenay, Jan Haupt
  • Patent number: 11242924
    Abstract: Provided herein is an axle assembly, including: a carrier housing defining an interior cavity; a pinion shaft rotatably supported in the carrier housing by at least one bearing; a lubricant channel disposed in the carrier housing, the lubricant channel having a first end in fluid communication with the at least one bearing and a second end in fluid communication with the interior cavity; and a lubricant controller at least partially disposed in the lubricant channel, wherein the lubricant controller includes a lubricant capture portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Dana Heavy Vehicle Systems Group, LLC
    Inventors: Lucas A. Balistreri, Shane T. Smith
  • Patent number: 11174756
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine for an aircraft includes an engine core, a fan and a gearbox which receives an input from a turbine shaft and which outputs drive for the fan for driving the fan at a lower rotational speed than the turbine shaft. The gearbox has a sun gear which is driven by the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft and the sun gear form a spline connection which is lubricated with oil. The turbine shaft has, on its radially inner side, at least one indentation which is suitable for receiving oil, and the turbine shaft has at least one bore which extends from the indentation to the radially outer side of the turbine shaft and which is suitable for transporting oil from the at least one indentation to the radially outer side of the turbine shaft as the turbine shaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Gideon Daniel Venter, Christos Kallianteris
  • Patent number: 11125319
    Abstract: A limited oil displacement system is positioned within a tandem housing of a tandem of a work vehicle. The tandem includes a tandem oil where a chain assembly is at least partially submerged. The limited oil displacement system may include one or more oil displacement unit used for displacing the tandem oil. The oil displacement unit has an upper portion and a lower portion coupled to and positioned under the upper portion. A volume of the upper portion is larger than a volume of the lower portion such that when the tandem of the work vehicle pivots about a lateral axis, the oil displacement unit displaces the tandem oil more than when the tandem of the work vehicle remains horizontally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Prashant Shinde, Steven R. Fliearman, Isaiah Janzen
  • Patent number: 11060601
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a housing defining an oil sump, a differential disposed in the housing, and a thermal-management system. The thermal-management system includes an oil pump in fluid communication with the sump, an oil-to-air heat exchanger external to the housing, and a passive valve assembly. The passive valve assembly has an inlet connected to the pump, a first outlet connected to the heat exchanger, and a second outlet connected to a conduit disposed within the housing. The valve assembly further has a valve movable to a first position in which the inlet and the first outlet are in fluid communication and to a second position in which the inlet and the second outlet are in fluid communication. The valve is configured to be in the first position in response to the oil exceeding a first threshold temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Hassan Farhat, Ravi Gopal
  • Patent number: 10862377
    Abstract: In a grounding structure for a driving unit of a motor-driven vehicle, the grounding structure includes an coupling portion provided to an machine casing and being coupled to a mechanism casing; a coupling portion provided to the mechanism casing and being coupled to the coupling portion of the machine casing; a circumference wall that forms a space by arranging the coupling portion of the machine casing and the coupling portion of the mechanism casing so as to face each other between machine casing and the mechanism casing; a casing hole through which the space communicates with an inside of the mechanism casing; a pressure release hole that releases a pressure of the space by causing the space to communicate with an outside of the mechanism casing; and a grounding object that is disposed in the space and that grounds the rotating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignees: MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA, MITSUBISHI JIDOSHA ENGINEERING KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daizo Ogino, Masahiro Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10746282
    Abstract: A vehicle drive device comprises: a power transmission mechanism transmitting a drive power from a drive power source to a plurality of wheels; a differential gear mechanism provided in the power transmission mechanism and distributing the drive power input from the drive power source to the plurality of wheels; a casing housing the power transmission mechanism; and an oil pump sucking a lubricating oil stored in the casing, and the device drives the oil pump in conjunction with rotation of the differential gear mechanism. In the device, a catch tank storing the lubricating oil is provided in the casing, an introduction path is formed in the casing for introducing the lubricating oil scooped up by the differential gear mechanism during backward running of a vehicle into the catch tank, and a discharge oil passage connected to a discharge port of the oil pump is connected to the catch tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Eiji Ito, Kiyonori Takagi, Kazuki Toya, Yuki Kawamoto, Naoya Jinnai
  • Patent number: 10571012
    Abstract: In a support part lubrication structure for a gear member, in which an oil groove is recessed in either one face of a supported face of the gear member and a support face of a support body that are rotatably slidable relative to each other, the one face is provided with a pair of oil grooves formed from a pair of helical grooves whose helical directions are in opposite directions to each other, and the pair of oil grooves do not intersect each other partway along the oil groove. Accordingly, this enables a screw pump action of the helical oil groove to be exhibited effectively even when a direction of relative rotation of the gear member relative to the support body changes during transmission, thereby enabling parts where the support face and the supported face rotationally slide relative to each other to be efficiently lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunao Okada, Kazunori Ochiai, Syuichi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 10557543
    Abstract: A lubrication structure of a hybrid vehicle includes a gear chamber that houses a planetary gear unit and a differential device, and a motor chamber that houses a rotating electric machine, and is separated from the gear chamber by a partition wall. Lubricating oil stored in a bottom portion of the gear chamber is stirred up through rotation of a final reduction gear of the differential device disposed in a lower portion of the gear chamber, so that the lubricating oil is supplied to the planetary gear unit. One end of a cylindrical output member of the planetary gear unit is rotatably supported by a partition wall via a bearing, and a communication hole that communicates the gear chamber with the motor chamber is provided in an opposed portion of the partition wall which is opposed to a vicinity of an outer peripheral edge of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Hagino
  • Patent number: 10400883
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a gear comprising: gear teeth, a cone wall having an interior surface that forms a chamber, where the gear teeth extend circumferentially from a distal end of the cone wall, a dam that extends radially inward on the interior surface and is axially disposed between the cone wall and the gear teeth, and at least one aperture formed in the cone wall to allow fluid on the interior surface to exit the chamber, where the at least one aperture is located a first distance from the gear teeth along a length of the gear and the dam is located a second distance from the gear teeth along the length of the gear, and where the first distance is greater than the second distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher M. Valva, Christopher T. Anglin
  • Patent number: 10385960
    Abstract: A transmission assembly including a housing, an electric motor, and a baffle is provided. The housing may include first and second drainage channels. The electric motor may be disposed within the housing adjacent the drainage channels and a torque converter. The baffle may be disposed within the housing upon a housing inner surface, and may define an opening to the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may include a baffle flange sized for positioning adjacent the torque converter to minimize contact of oil within the housing to the torque converter. The housing may define first and second partition walls each partially extending over one of the first and second drainage channels. The baffle may further include first and second seal features each disposed at one of two baffle ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dengfu Zhang, Mark Steward, William Riley, Brian Richard Light
  • Patent number: 10309522
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a transfer case includes a pump in fluid communication with a lubricant source and a power transfer assembly, as well as one or more valves positioned along fluid flow paths between the lubricant source and the power transfer assembly. The valves may allow full fluid flow or may restrict fluid flow to various components of the transfer case as conditions warrant. A fluid guide insert may be used to help direct lubricant flow to the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Robert Palazzolo, David F. Haselton
  • Patent number: 10113446
    Abstract: A rotary machine system (1) includes a first rotary machine (4) having a driving shaft (5) capable of being driven about an axis, a second rotary machine (2) having a driven shaft (3) rotatable about the axis and a bearing device (11) slidably supporting the driven shaft (3) on an axial end portion side with a pad surface (37) such that lubricating oil is supplied to the pad surface (37), a coupling unit (6) connecting the driving shaft (5) and the driven shaft (3) to each other such that rotation of the driving shaft (5) is transmitted to the driven shaft (3), and a baffle plate (7) disposed between the bearing device (11) and the coupling unit (6) and separating a space on the bearing device (11) side and a space on the coupling unit (6) side from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Kishi, Tomohiro Masuda
  • Patent number: 9821774
    Abstract: An improved device and method of lubrication for a tongue jack, 5th wheel jack, or other jack or other threaded positioning device. Ports are provided in the inner and outer tubes of the jack. The aligned ports provide access to a lubrication cavity in the jacknut. The lubrication cavity may include a grease fitting such as a zerk fitting. When the ports are in alignment, a grease gun can be inserted easily to the zerk fitting to apply grease to the interior structure of the nut as well as to the threads of the jackscrew. The lubricant may be introduced directly at a region of contact between a screw and the load bearing element. Applicant's test results show that this improved lubrication can increase the life cycle of the jack by more than 100%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventors: Craig Alan Searer, Randall James Clay, David W. Busch
  • Patent number: 9689431
    Abstract: A seal arrangement (1) of an anti-friction bearing, which seal arrangement (1) is inserted between a first bearing part (2) and a second bearing part (4). The seal arrangement includes a seal (6) which is positioned on the rotationally fixed first bearing part by a support element (15) which is enclosed at least on one side by an elastic seal material (16), and which seal (6) includes at least one sealing lip (25, 26). A thrower ring (7), forming a collection chamber (13), of the seal arrangement is assigned to the second rotatable bearing part. To this end, a cylindrical portion (9) of the thrower ring is snapped in an end-side circumferential groove (11) by a flange (5) of the second rotatable bearing part. A radial leg (12) of the thrower ring extends such that it maintains a sealing gap (14) to the seat. Moreover, the seal of the seal arrangement includes elastic sealing lips which are supported on the second bearing part such that they are offset with respect to the thrower ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Wilhelm Walter, Erwin Hartmann, Alexander Happ
  • Patent number: 9568086
    Abstract: A gear has a central ring positioned about an axis, opposing tabs that extend from a first axial side of the central ring, and a shouldered ring that extends from a second axial side of the central ring, the shouldered ring having a lip that extends radially inward toward the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Andrew P. Grosskopf, Aaron M. Finke, Christine Lynn Ooyen
  • Patent number: 9309959
    Abstract: A power transmission device having a shift device in a case; and a pump sucking and discharges oil, including: a gear receiving power from the shift device; a gear shaft with a breather chamber having at least one end side in an axial direction being opened, and attached to the gear; a bearing supporting the gear shaft rotatably relative to the case on the breather chamber one end side; a vent pipe communicating with the breather chamber opening and outside of the case; a passage in the case with an outlet port opening to the case inside, and allowing pump leakage oil to flow from the outlet port; a member receiving flowing from the outlet port of the passage; a passage guiding the leakage oil from the receiving member to the bearing; and a portion suppressing entry of oil thrown up with rotation of the gear into the receiving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ishikawa, Tatsuaki Ito
  • Patent number: 9291212
    Abstract: The invention relates to a clutch assembly of a motor vehicle, in particular a clutch-controlled differential unit, comprising a switchable clutch apparatus that is able to transmit driving power from a drive element on the input side with regard to the clutch device to a drive element on the output side with regard to the clutch device, wherein an oil conveying apparatus is provided for the clutch oiling, which oil conveying apparatus conveys oil of an oil circuit serving the clutch device depending on the operating state. In order to ensure that the lubrication of components arranged on the output side with regard to the clutch device is ensured in operating states in which the oil conveying apparatus does not convey any oil, an oil accumulating device is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Koping AB
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Nett, Christoph Göttert
  • Patent number: 9174612
    Abstract: Embodiments for heating a vehicle driveline are provided. One example method for a vehicle comprises heating a fluid with kinetic vehicle energy in response to a vehicle braking request, and directing the fluid to a driveline component. In this way, kinetic vehicle energy during a vehicle braking event may be used to heat a driveline component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William Charles Ruona, Ross Dykstra Pursifull
  • Patent number: 9121486
    Abstract: A differential gear mechanism constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure can include a differential casing defining first and second output shaft openings. The differential casing can have a case housing portion that defines fluid porting therein. The case housing portion including a hub extending therefrom. The hub can have an inner hub portion and an outer hub portion. The outer hub portion can be stepped down from the inner hub portion. The hub can include a stepped annular face at a transition between the inner and the outer hub portions. A hydraulic transfer bushing can be received by the outer hub of the case housing portion. The hydraulic transfer bushing can define fluid porting therein. The hydraulic transfer bushing can be disposed on the outer hub at a location where the fluid communication porting is fluidly connected to the fluid porting of the case housing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew G. Fox
  • Patent number: 9103432
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply device of a power transmission device includes: a storage portion configured to store lubricating oil; a first rotary member configured to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle and rotated in conjunction with a rotation of the wheel to send the lubricating oil of the storage portion; a second rotary member configured to be disposed above the first rotary member in a vertical direction and connected to the wheel; an oil receiving portion configured to be disposed above the first rotary member and the second rotary member in the vertical direction; a first passage configured to guide the lubricating oil, which is sent by the rotation of the first rotary member, to the oil receiving portion; and a second passage configured to guide the lubricating oil, which is sent by the rotation of the first rotary member, to the second rotary member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruo Isomura, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Kensuke Akimoto
  • Patent number: 9052009
    Abstract: This lubrication system for a differential of a driven axle on an automotive vehicle includes a sump in which is located a crown wheel driven by a pinion, the crown wheel being fast in rotation with a carrier, and a main lubricant tank having an inlet port and at least one outlet port. Rotation of the crown wheel causes lubricant to be transferred from the sump to the main tank via the inlet port, and the outlet port allows the lubricant to pass from the main tank to the sump. The lubrication system includes an auxiliary lubricant tank located in the sump, adapted to be filled in with lubricant by rotation of the crown wheel, and an arrangement to convey lubricant from auxiliary tank to a lubricant needing portion of the differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Thomas Barillot
  • Publication number: 20150097073
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly includes a gearbox housing and a gear located in the housing and rotatable about a central axis. One or more gear shields are fixed in the housing and at least partially surround the gear. The one or more gear shields define a cavity between the gear and the one or more gear shields. The one or more gear shields are configured such that a pumping action is created by the gear rotation to direct gearbox lubricant out of the cavity. A method of scavenging lubricant from a gearbox includes pumping a flow of lubricant circumferentially around a cavity defined between a gear and a gear shield at least partially surrounding the gear via rotation of the gear about a central axis. The flow of lubricant is urged from the cavity into a lubricant outlet. The lubricant is urged through a lubricant channel in an axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Jason DeWitt McPeak, Stephen R. Sammataro, Scott Bradley Poteet, Michael John Orazietti, Jules Gene Kish
  • Patent number: 8997937
    Abstract: The device is configured for moving a fluid within a gearbox. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a base portion coupled to a rotatable member within the gearbox. An inlet portion of the device is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir portion of the gearbox. The device is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid from the inlet portion toward the base portion along an interior surface of a conical portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the device includes a conical portion having an external threaded portion configured to capture a fluid during a rotation of the device. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid captured by the threaded portion along an exterior surface of the conical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Walter West Riley
  • Patent number: 8973458
    Abstract: A gear unit having at least one shaft supported by a bearing in the gear unit housing, the spatial region of a bearing of a shaft situated in a cutout of the gear unit housing being limited at least partially towards the interior of the gear unit by a limiting device, in particular one that has a cutout for a shaft supported in the bearing, the lowest point of the cutout effecting a minimum oil level in the spatial region of the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: SEW-EURODRIVE GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Strauβ, Ingo Schütterle
  • Patent number: 8960362
    Abstract: A drive axle assembly is provided that improves lubrication to the components of the drive axle assembly. As the wheel differential rotates, lubricant is splashed and lubricates bearings and other associated components of the differential assembly. In addition, lubricant is pumped by rotation of the first and second spur gears and is fed to the radial face of a forward bearing through a lubrication passage through a plurality of passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mirko Barbir
  • Publication number: 20150007694
    Abstract: An improved transmission is provided including a splitter shaft having a concentric cavity defined in a distal end thereof and an outer wall surrounding the cavity. The outer wall has an increased thickness in order to reduce failure and fracturing in the outer wall area. A bearing hub adapted for supporting a larger bearing is also provided. The improved transmission may include a system for utilizing existing lubrication lines in order to lubricate a center section of the transmission. The components of the present invention may be provided as part of a kit for retrofitting an existing transmission in order to reduce failures and increase lifespan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: David Horvath
  • Publication number: 20140360743
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a rock drilling machine, a rotating sleeve and a method of lubricating a shank of the rock drilling machine. The rock drilling machine includes a rotatable shank for connecting a drilling tool. The shank is rotated by a rotating sleeve arranged around the shank. Gears are arranged between the shank and the rotating sleeve. The rock drilling machine is provided with a lubricating system for lubricating the gears and also bearings of the rotating sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Timo MUUTTONEN
  • Patent number: 8905193
    Abstract: The device is configured for moving a fluid within a gearbox. In one illustrative embodiment, the device includes a base portion coupled to a rotatable member within the gearbox. An inlet portion of the device is configured to draw the fluid from a reservoir portion of the gearbox. The device is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid from the inlet portion toward the base portion along an interior surface of a conical portion. In another illustrative embodiment, the device includes a conical portion having an external threaded portion configured to capture a fluid during a rotation of the device. In such an embodiment, the threaded portion is configured to utilize a centrifugal force for moving the fluid captured by the threaded portion along an exterior surface of the conical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.
    Inventors: Eric A. Sinusas, Walter West Riley
  • Patent number: 8893568
    Abstract: In a self-lubricating transmission device 1, a compression helical spring 15 is provided to urge an impregnation metal 14 as an impregnation means so as to slidably contact the impregnation metal 14 with pin rollers 7. In combination with a rotational movement of a pinion 6, the pin rollers 7 slide on a lower surface 14d of the impregnation metal 14 to supply a lubrication oil W to the pin rollers 7 so as to automatically lubricate the pinion 6 evenly at the right time for an appropriate amount of the lubrication oil W. This obviates the lubrication oil W being wastefully used, while at the same time, making a lubrication work quick, labor-saving and user-friendly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Kamoseiko Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshitake Katayama
  • Patent number: 8857286
    Abstract: A machine tool transmission system includes a driving assembly, a driven gear and at least one transmission gear, at least two positioning gears and at least two retaining gears. The driving assembly includes an input unit and a driving gear driven by the input unit. The transmission gear, positioning gears and retaining gears have respectively a plurality of transmission teeth, positioning teeth and retaining teeth that include respectively a front end tooth and a rear end tooth connecting to the front end tooth and formed at a thickness greater than that of the front end tooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Luren Precision Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shi-Duang Chen, Tay-Cheng Kuo, Chin-Lung Huang
  • Patent number: 8840509
    Abstract: A fluid supply system is provided for cooling and lubricating a transmission of an automobile, which includes, but is not limited to a cooling channel for cooling the transmission and a lubrication channel for lubricating the transmission. The lubrication channel communicates with the cooling channel via a shift valve. The shift valve is adapted to provide at least a first valve status, by which the cooling channel is connected to the lubrication channel via only one first valve path, and a second valve status, by which the cooling channel is connected to the lubrication channel via at least the first valve path and by which the cooling channel is connected in addition via a second valve path to a bypass channel bypassing the lubrication channel. Since at least two different valve statuses optimized for low and high power are provided, it is possible to reduce unnecessary spin losses over the whole range of applied powers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Frederic Pignard
  • Patent number: 8833193
    Abstract: A gear unit, an oil scraping device being provided on the front of a rotatably supported gear wheel, in particular on a plane area of the front of a gear wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Sew-Eurodrive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Strauβ, Ingo Schütterle
  • Publication number: 20140213405
    Abstract: A power transmission device having a shift device in a case; and a pump sucking and discharges oil, including: a gear receiving power from the shift device; a gear shaft with a breather chamber having at least one end side in an axial direction being opened, and attached to the gear; a bearing supporting the gear shaft rotatably relative to the case on the breather chamber one end side; a vent pipe communicating with the breather chamber opening and outside of the case; a passage in the case with an outlet port opening to the case inside, and allowing pump leakage oil to flow from the outlet port; a member receiving flowing from the outlet port of the passage; a passage guiding the leakage oil from the receiving member to the bearing; and a portion suppressing entry of oil thrown up with rotation of the gear into the receiving member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Ishikawa, Tatsuaki Ito
  • Publication number: 20140165762
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan and a turbine section including a turbine rotor to drive the fan through a gear reduction module. An input shaft downstream of the turbine rotor includes a flexible mount driving the gear reduction. The input shaft is mounted within a bearing module. The gear reduction module has static structure mounted to an engine housing through a flexible mount. Oil is supplied into the gear reduction. An oil tube supplies oil from the gear reduction to the bearing module, and is received within openings in the static structure, and a housing for the bearing module. The oil tube extends through an assembly guide having a guide opening spaced away from an outer periphery of the oil tube. The guide opening is intermediate the openings. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: James B. Coffin
  • Publication number: 20140150589
    Abstract: The splines of a connection between a connecting collar and transmission input shaft includes a main lubrication oil passage extending axially through an input gear in alignment with a blind bore provided in a wall of a compartment containing the input gear and a second gear meshed with the input gear and partially immersed in an oil reservoir defined by a lower region of the compartment. An oil capture recess is located in a wall region above the blind bore and adjacent a roller bearing supporting one side of the input gear. A bypass lubrication oil passage connects the capture recess to the blind bore. An oil transfer tube is carried by a sheet metal cup mounted in a circular recess joining the blind bore and has opposite ends positioned in the main lubrication oil passage and the blind bore. The bypass passage bypasses the roller bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: One John Deere Place
    Inventors: Donald O. Johannsen, Denis J. Roling
  • Patent number: 8727627
    Abstract: A structure (200) for containing a volume of lubricant additive gel (10) which is disposed within a mechanical system, in close proximity to a wear critical surface, and which is configured to provide a release of the contained additives into a flow of lubricant over time or as a function of temperature in a site-specific manner to minimize wear or reduce oil oxidation due to harsh operating conditions. The structure defines a cage or capsule with screen or mesh sides (202) having multiple perforations or openings through which the flow of lubricant may circulate. Within the contained volume of the structure (200), additives are disposed in a gel matrix (10), and are release over time or as a function of temperature, through the perorations or openings, in close operative proximity to wear critical surfaces of the mechanical system such as a bearing assembly or gear arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Ryan D. Evans, Paul J. Shiller, David A. Pierman, Gary L. Doll