Lubrication Patents (Class 74/467)
  • Patent number: 8021259
    Abstract: An axle assembly that includes a housing assembly, a lubricant and a differential assembly. The housing assembly defines a differential cavity with a lubricant sump into which the liquid lubricant is received. The differential assembly is mounted in the differential cavity for rotation about a rotational axis and includes a differential case, a ring gear, a gear set and an oil shield. The differential case has a body, which defines a gear cavity into which the gear set is received, and a flange that is coupled to the body and includes a flange face. The ring gear is coupled to the flange. The oil shield is coupled for rotation to the differential case and covers a least a radially outward portion of the circumferentially discontinuous features so that they do not directly contact the liquid lubricant in the lubricant sump when the differential assembly rotates about the rotational axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J Hilker, Kevin R Beutler
  • Publication number: 20110192245
    Abstract: A lubricant oil supplying apparatus (1-1) provided for a power transmission apparatus (1) having an accumulating part (9), a rotating member (7) rotating interlockingly with rotation of a drive wheel to feed a lubricant oil in the accumulating part, and an oil receiving part (8) disposed above in the vertical direction than the rotating member, and supplying the lubricant oil to the oil receiving part, in which a passage member (10) for guiding the lubricant oil fed by the rotating member to the oil receiving part is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Shioiri, Tadashi Yamada, Haruo Isomura
  • Publication number: 20110179897
    Abstract: A machine has a shaft rotatable in at least one lubricated bearing. A lubricant duct for lubricating the bearing extends along the first shaft. A turbine, having blades engaging radially in the lubricant duct and oriented warped to the axis of the first shaft, is situated in the lubricant duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Eckhard KIRCHNER, Jo VERMEULEN, Richard TAMBA
  • Patent number: 7984791
    Abstract: An oil discharge structure of a baffle plate for discharging oil from a space of a gear side to a space of a transmission side with a space-saving design is provided. A slit is formed in a side face plate facing a final gear of a case side baffle plate to discharge the oil from an oil volume X in the circumference of the final gear to an oil volume Y stored in a clearance between the case side baffle plate and the transmission case, and in a clearance between the housing side baffle plate and the housing. This provides a compact structure that is not larger in a radial direction of the final gear and discharges the oil in the oil volume X.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Hiromi Taguchi, Hitoshi Suzuki, Katsuyoshi Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7980788
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction machine comprising a transmission, at least one hydraulic drive and a hydraulic circuit for supplying the hydraulic drive with hydraulic fluid, wherein at least one lubrication line is branched off from the hydraulic circuit, by means of which the transmission can be supplied with hydraulic fluid as a lubricant. The invention is characterized in that a dosing device is provided on the lubrication line, with which the supply of lubricant can be changed depending on an operating condition of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Franz Seraph Hoess
  • Patent number: 7967713
    Abstract: A planetary gear set lubricating unit which supplies oil from inside a component adjacent the planetary gear set, via a radial bore and an oil catcher, axially through a bore of a planetary gear bolt to planetary gear bearings. The oil catcher forms a ring-shaped chamber, which can be filled with lubricant, and is arranged beside the planetary carrier approximately over the reference diameter of the planetary bolt. The oil catcher has outlet pipes extending axially to direct oil in the chamber. The oil catcher has ovular radial protrusions arranged such that a maximum radial dimension is close to the bolts and a minimum radial dimension is arranged between adjacent planetary bolts. The radially inner edge of the axial bore of the planetary bolts is radially located between the minimum and maximum dimensions of the protrusions. The chamber is delimited by a cover plate and a gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Paul Granderath, Hagen Dopfert, Christian Ruhl
  • Publication number: 20110146437
    Abstract: A gearing having a shaft that projects from the gear interior into the environment, the shaft being sealed with the aid of at least one contactless seal, and the opening of the contactless seal, which is oriented toward the interior of the gearing, i.e., the spatial region of the gearing that contains the lubricating oil, being disposed above the lubricating oil level that comes about when the gearing is not in operation, a tin piece being disposed between the opening and the gear-tooth piece situated closest to this opening and generating lubricating oil waves and/or lubricating oil foam from the lubricating oil bath.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Inventors: Tobias Schwan, Jürgen Megerle, Alexander Hüttinger
  • Publication number: 20110150655
    Abstract: A lubrication system (1) for a gear system (2) of a wind turbine is disclosed. The lubrication system (1) comprises a first reservoir (3) and a second reservoir (4) adapted to contain lubricant. It further comprises pump means (5, 15, 18) arranged to supply lubricant from the first reservoir (3) to the second reservoir (4) during normal operation, and a distribution system (8) fluidly connected between the first reservoir (3) and the gear system (2) in such a manner that lubricant can be supplied to the gear system (2) from the first reservoir (3) via the distribution system (8) during normal operation. The lubrication system (1) further comprises valve means (10, 12, 23) being shiftable between a first position and a second position. In the first position a flow of lubricant from the second reservoir (4) towards the gear system (2) or the first reservoir (3) is prevented, and in the second position it is allowed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Poul Torben Tietze, Thomas Korsgaard Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7963186
    Abstract: A gear box assembly as used in an inverted portal axle or transfer case includes a drive gear and at least one driven gear in meshing engagement with the drive gear at a contact point. A gear housing closely surrounds portions of an outer circumference of the drive and driven gears to form a baffle area. The gear housing includes an discharge orifice that is located near the contact point and a fluid gallery that extends from the discharge orifice to other locations within the gear housing. As the drive gear drives the driven gear, fluid is pumped into the discharge orifice and through the fluid gallery to fluid outlets positioned at desired locations to lubricate other gear box components. Radial inlets with elongated chamfers and stator vanes can be formed within the gear housing to draw air ingested during pumping away from the discharge orifice. Additionally, a bypass loop can be used to scavenge unwanted air ingested into meshing gear teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Brian David Hayes, Lawrence Doyle Brill
  • Patent number: 7958969
    Abstract: A transfer device for a vehicle includes a casing, a cylindrical input shaft supported by the casing, a first end of the input shaft engaging with a driveshaft, an output shaft supported on an internal surface of a second end of the input shaft and engaging with the second end of the input shaft, the output shaft including an oil passage formed therein in an axial direction, and a lubrication fluid supply passage supplying a lubrication fluid from the casing to the oil passage. The lubrication fluid supply passage includes an inner fluid tight chamber annularly formed with an external surface of the output shaft and an internal surface of the input shaft, a first passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and the oil passage, and a second passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and an external surface of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Aisin Ai Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toru Inoue, Satoshi Munakata
  • Publication number: 20110126655
    Abstract: A transmission oil control is provided for a motor vehicle transmission comprises at least one oil line adapted to lubricate a transmission gear assigned to the oil line. The oil line can be opened and/or at least throttled by means of a throttle element. A gearshift element is provided for a gear shift device. The engaged transmission gear can be represented through the gearshift element. The throttle element is connected to the gearshift element in such a manner that for the engaged transmission gear, the associated oil line can be opened and/or that the oil line can at least be throttled for another engaged transmission gear. Since the lubricating oil flow for the transmission gears which are not engaged can be automatically reduced, the total lubricating oil flow can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: Eckhard KIRCHNER
  • Patent number: 7905326
    Abstract: A wave reduction gear (5) is disposed inside a device case (2) of a rotating table device (1). Lubrication oil is sprayed from an oil supply channel (22), which is formed in the device case (2), toward an oil supply hole (22) formed in a cup-shaped flexible externally toothed gear (12). A wave bearing (19) disposed in the interior is lubricated via the oil supply hole (21). Lubricating oil that has entered into the flexible externally toothed gear (12) is forcibly suctioned to the exterior via an oil recovery channel (23) that is formed in the device case (2). Accordingly, it will be possible to prevent oil from being suctioned due to the negative pressure state in the interior of the flexible externally toothed gear accompanying the high-speed rotation, and regions of the wave bearing (19) can be reliably lubricated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Harmonic Drive Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Hiroki Hanaoka, Hiroshi Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20110034312
    Abstract: A gear apparatus for a solid-bowl screw centrifuge. The centrifuge includes a drum and a screw, both of which drum and screw are configured to be driven and the screw is further configured to be driven at a different rotational speed relative to the drum. The gear apparatus is connected between one or more drive motors and the screw and the drum. The gear apparatus is continuously filled with a lubricant and includes a hollow drive shaft having at least one hollow channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: GEA WESTFALIA SEPARATOR GMBH
    Inventors: Wilhelm Ostkamp, Richard Bauer
  • Patent number: 7861827
    Abstract: A bearing oil supply assembly includes (a) a plate member with opposed first and second sides, the plate member having a first bore formed in the first side which is adapted to receive a first bearing; (b) an annular manifold attached to the plate member such that the plate member and the manifold cooperatively define an annular oil gallery; and (c) a plurality of passages formed in the manifold, the passages cooperating with the plate member to define a plurality of generally axially-directed pathways in fluid communication with the first bore and the oil gallery. The passages are substantially evenly spaced around the circumference of the manifold. The oil supply assembly may be used to supply oil to two bearings carrying separate shafts running at different speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Henry Madge, Jeremy Clayton Plummer
  • Publication number: 20100319486
    Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle is provided with a plurality of gears supported on shaft members rotatably supported in a case to extend in an axial direction, first and second large-diameter gears soaked at lower parts thereof in lubrication oil stored in a lubrication oil storage region formed at a lower portion of the case for scooping upward lubrication oil during rotations, and first and second receivers arranged to extend in the axial direction of the shaft members for collecting the upwardly scooped lubrication oils to supply the same to parts to be lubricated. The first and large-diameter gears are arranged respectively on one and the other end sides of the plurality of gears in the axial direction. Other gears of the plurality of gears except for the first and second large-diameter gears are formed to diameters that hardly agitate the lubrication oil in the lubrication oil storage region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Aisin Al Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki KAWAMOTO, Norio Kayukawa, Takuya Yoshimi, Toshiya Uematsu, Hiroyuki Kato, Shiro Ogami, Yuichi Fukuhara
  • Publication number: 20100307275
    Abstract: A main shaft for a transmission or a countershaft for a transmission shall be constructed in an especially light-weight manner. The transmission of high torques, such as is the case for the main shaft or countershaft for a transmission, is problematic when the base body of the shaft consists of a fiber composite material. A metal element (20, 22) is now laminated into the base body, and a gearwheel (28, 30) can then be connected to this metal element (20, 22) in a force-fit manner, so that high torques can be transmitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: DAIMLER AG
    Inventors: Andreas Kopf, Alexander Weidler
  • Patent number: 7845470
    Abstract: A lubricating device for gear trains (10), especially for wind power stations, includes at least two gear stages (16,18) that are disposed next to each other and are effectively interconnected, and a lubricant circuit (20) into which at least one filter unit (26) is mounted. To prevent stagnant resting zones for the lubricant from being created within the gear train housing including the gear stages, while ensuring that the entire lubricant that circulates in the gear stages is fed to the filter unit to be drawn off and filtered within predefined periods of time, the lubricant circulating inside the lubricant circuit (20) is discharged at one gear stage (18), is drawn off through the filter unit, and can then be fed to the other gear stage (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Hydac Filtertechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Smolong, Roland Herber, Armin Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7841449
    Abstract: A lubrication structure of a transmission includes a gear chamber having an internal space storing lubricating oil, in which chamber a pressure is raised to a prescribed pressure, a gear chamber having an internal space communicating to the internal space through a communicating hole and attaining a pressure lower than the prescribed pressure, and an oil catch tank provided in the internal space at a position directly under the communicating hole and receiving the lubricating oil that flows into the internal space from the internal space through the communicating hole. With such a structure, a lubrication structure for a transmission capable of holding an oil level at a proper level with a simplified structure can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuaki Nakamura, Hiromichi Kimura, Kazuyuki Watanabe, Terufumi Miyazaki, Daisuke Kusamoto
  • Publication number: 20100282013
    Abstract: In a gear train in which a gear case encases a first gear meshing with a second gear having a diameter smaller than that of the first gear, a sufficient amount of lubricant is normally supplied to the upper second gear. As a result, it is possible to provide a lubrication structure of a gear train encased in a gear case designed to prevent occurrence of problems such as poor lubrication and seizure of a gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akihiko Fujimoto, Kazunari Okabe
  • Publication number: 20100236859
    Abstract: There provided a lubricant composition that without any excess increase of the steering torque of an electric power steering apparatus and without any generation of sliding noise, reduces rattling sound thereby excel in the effect of noise reduction in automobile compartment, and is capable of favorably sustaining the above effect even when continuously used in high-temperature environment for a prolonged period of time; a speed reduction gear using the lubricant composition; and an electric power steering apparatus. The lubricant composition includes buffer particles of a polyurethane resin synthesized by reacting a polycarbonate polyol, cross-linking agent having three or more active hydrogen groups per molecule and a polyisocyanate. The speed reduction gear (50) is filled with the lubricant composition. The electric power steering apparatus incorporates the speed reduction gear therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kouji Kitahata, Naoki Uchida, Mitsuo Yoneda, Hiroaki Oka, Tomotaka Nakagawa, Masahiro Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100236347
    Abstract: In a gear transmission apparatus including a shared gear in which two rows of internal teeth are formed on an inner circumference of a common gear main body so as to be adjacent to each other in an axial direction, the internal teeth of each of the rows are meshed with an external gear to configure a transmission mechanism for each of the rows, the internal teeth of each of the rows are inclined with respect to the axial direction such that each of inner end portions thereof in the axial direction is further deviated to a normal rotation direction, which is a rotation direction in which a frequency in use of the shared gear is high, than each of outer end portions in the axial direction, oil drainage holes are provided between the internal teeth, and oil drainage grooves are provided on bottom lands of the internal teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hiroki Kuwamoto, Toshihiro Hirao, Masato Terashima, Akiyuki Suzuki, Yusuke Nemoto, Kazuya Fujita, Akira Nakata
  • Patent number: 7775338
    Abstract: A vehicle control device includes an actual drag torque calculating unit, which calculates the drag torque of a power transfer mechanism. A lubricating oil flow rate calculating unit determines the flow rate of lubricating oil according to the actual torque, and a reference drag torque calculating unit calculates a reference drag torque. In addition, a reference lubricating oil flow rate calculating unit calculates a reference lubricating oil flow rate according to the reference drag torque. A correction rate calculating unit then calculates a correction value corresponding to the rate of correction of the lubricating oil flow rate according to the lubricating oil flow rate and reference lubricating oil flow rate. A flow rate correction unit outputs a drive signal to an actuator which controls a lubrication oil flow rate according to the correction rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yoshida, Tetsuo Matsumura, Kentaro Shishido
  • Publication number: 20100151981
    Abstract: A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Chip Hartinger, Steve A. Frait, James T. Gooden
  • Publication number: 20100101351
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a transmission having a housing, having a first drive output shaft, having a second drive output shaft and having a clutch system for distributing a torque between the drive output shafts. At least two transmission components are operatively connected between the drive output shafts and generate lubricating oil pressure. A separate tube extends within the housing from the at least two transmission components to the clutch system in order to supply lubricating oil to the clutch system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: Magna Powertain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Alois Lafer, Mario Vockenhuber, Juergen Schranz
  • Publication number: 20100101352
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lubricating pinion, particularly for a lubricating device, for the application of a lubricant pumped, for example, through a lubricant pipeline by a lubricating pump from a reservoir onto at least one gear wheel or the like. The lubricant pinion has an external tooth system onto which at least one lubricant outlet discharges. The lubricant pinion is constructed from at least two lubricant pinion parts which can be connected to one another along a preferably radial parting plane. At least one lubricant channel, which can be connected to the at least one lubricant outlet, extends in the parting plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: LINCOLN GMBH
    Inventors: Zdravko Paluncic, Andreas Schoenfeld
  • Patent number: 7694601
    Abstract: A housing of a gear device houses a plurality of gears and a lubricant. On at least one side surface of at least one gear selected from the plurality of gears, an extended projection is provided. On a side surface of the housing facing the side surface of the selected gear, an extended projection is provided. The extended projection of the selected gear and the extended projection of the housing extend in a direction crossing the circumferential direction of the selected gear. When viewed along an axial direction of the selected gear, according to rotation of the selected gear, the extended projection of the selected gear and the extended projection of the housing partially face each other in the axial direction of the selected gear and form facing portions. A lubricant holding portion capable of holding the lubricant is formed between the facing portion of the extended projection of the selected gear and the facing portion of the extended projection of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuya Murakami
  • Patent number: 7665513
    Abstract: A heat exchanger structure of an automatic transmission stabilizing a temperature of oil is provided. A heat exchanger structure of an automatic transmission includes an automatic transmission, a first heat exchanger provided on an upstream side and a second heat exchanger provided on a downstream side, each capable of cooling oil ejected from the automatic transmission, and a thermo valve capable of supplying oil subject to heat exchange by at least one of first and second heat exchangers to the automatic transmission. When a temperature of the oil is relatively low, the thermo valve supplies oil passed through the first heat exchanger to the automatic transmission and shuts off a flow of oil from the second heat exchanger to the automatic transmission. When a temperature of the oil is relatively high, the thermo valve supplies oil passed through first and second heat exchangers to the automatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazumichi Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20100011896
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a converter case storing a torque converter, a transmission case storing a transmission mechanism, the transmission case connecting to the converter case at a front thereof and having a rear wall portion to close an end at a rear thereof, a lubricating-oil introduction passage provided at the converter case to introduce lubricating oil, a rear-side lubricating-oil supply passage provided at the rear wall portion to supply the lubricating oil to the transmission mechanism, a lubricating-oil supply pipe extending toward the rear wall portion in the transmission case, an upstream end of which connects to the lubricating-oil introduction passage and a downstream end of which connects to the rear-side lubricating-oil supply passage, wherein the lubricating-oil supply pipe is supported between the converter case and the rear wall portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuhiko IWASAKI, Masako SHINOHARA
  • Patent number: 7624660
    Abstract: An automatic transmission according to the invention includes: a hydraulic pressure supply unit which is disposed, together with a gear train, inside a case and switches a shift state (gear ratio) of the gear train based on a supply of hydraulic pressure from hydraulic fluid; a control unit which is disposed in the case and detachably connected to the hydraulic pressure supply unit, and electrically controls the hydraulic pressure supply unit; and a storage portion which is provided in the case and temporarily stores hydraulic fluid supplied to the gear train, and cools the control unit by the stored hydraulic fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Morise
  • Patent number: 7601095
    Abstract: A vehicle has an engine, an accelerator for controlling the rotary speed of the engine, an axle and a multi-speed transmission for transmitting power from the engine to the axle. The multi-speed transmission includes an odd-numbered speed drive train for an odd-numbered speed level, a first clutch for the odd-numbered speed drive train, an even-numbered speed drive train for an even-numbered speed level, and a second clutch for the even-numbered speed drive train. In correspondence to operation of the accelerator and an actual speed of the axle, either the odd-numbered speed drive train or the even-numbered speed drive train is selected so as to transmit power from the engine to the axle. A shift-up or shift-down timing between the odd-numbered speed level and the even-numbered speed level relative to variation of the actual speed of the axle is changed according to detection of a tilt angle of the vehicle or a weight of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Tomoyuki Ebihara, Hideki Kanenobu, Kazunari Koga
  • Patent number: 7597642
    Abstract: A differential pinion gear has a curved interior surface, defining a hole for a pinion shaft to be disposed therein. The hole is narrower at the center and wider at the ends. The interior surface may have a radius of curvature at the center of the hole that is larger than the radius of curvature at each of the ends of the hole. The hole may also include a chamfered portion at each end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dongwon Kim
  • Patent number: 7587955
    Abstract: A lubricating unit for rolling element tracks of a linear system includes a lubricating element housing in which a receiving space for a lubricating element is formed, the lubricating element housing is mountable on a movable element of the linear system using a plurality of latch elements fixed in position relative to the lubricating unit housing, the movable element is movably guided via the rolling of rolling elements along a guide element, which defines an axis of the linear system, the latch elements extend in the axial direction away from one axial end of the lubricating unit toward the movable element, and each latch element includes a bearing surface facing the lubricating element housing for engaging with a matching bearing surface, which is fixed in position relative to the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Vierheilig, Harald Maiss, Michael Scholz
  • Patent number: 7585244
    Abstract: A sun pinion cover for an electric motor driven, off-highway vehicle transmission is provided wherein the transmission defines a hub assembly cavity and a transmission opening and wherein the transmission includes a reduction gear set having a low-speed pinion and at least one low-speed planet, wherein the reduction gear set is disposed adjacent the transmission opening. The sun pinion cover includes a cover body which defines a first lubricant port, a second lubricant port and a lubricant conduction channel which communicates the first lubricant port with the second lubricant port, such that when the cover body is attached to the transmission, the first lubricant port is disposed adjacent the low-speed pinion and the low-speed planet and the second lubricant port is disposed adjacent the hub assembly cavity to allow for a lubricant flow between the low-speed pinion, the low-speed planet and the hub assembly cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Augusto Xavier Jurado, Richard E. Rzepka
  • Publication number: 20090188338
    Abstract: A gear train assembly includes a first gear, a second gear, a first lubricant receiver, and a second lubricant receiver. The first gear meshes with the second gear at an engagement portion. The first lubricant receiver is configured to catch lubricant from the first gear before the engagement portion. The second lubricant receiver is configured to catch lubricant from the first gear after the engagement portion. A minimum distance between the second lubricant receiver and the first gear is less than a minimum distance between the first lubricant receiver and the first gear. An image forming apparatus for forming an image includes the gear train assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventor: Yuichi HIROSE
  • Publication number: 20090165586
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device mounted on a vehicle for transmitting power from a power generating source to an axle through a gear train accommodated in a case, including: a lubricating pump that is accommodated in the case and which is driven by the power generating source and is capable of supplying a lubricating medium to an element to be lubricated; a lubricating medium storage portion that stores the lubricating medium; a lowermost gear that is located at a lowest position in the case, and which scoops up the lubricating medium in an inner bottom of the case toward a center of the case during normal rotation of the axle without guiding the lubricating medium along an inner wall surface of the case; a partition wall; and a lubrication flow path that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear to a predetermined element to be lubricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michihiro Ariga, Syoichi SAYO, Ryoji Habuchi
  • Publication number: 20090165587
    Abstract: A vehicle power transmission device mounted on a vehicle for transmitting power from a power generating source to an axle through a gear train accommodated in a case, including: a lubricating pump that is driven by the power generating source and is capable of supplying a lubricating medium to an element to be lubricated; a lubricating medium storage portion that stores the lubricating medium; a lowermost gear that is located at a lowest position in the case; a topmost gear that is located at a highest position in the case; a lubrication flow path that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear and carried by the gear train to a predetermined element to be lubricated; and a guide portion that guides the lubricating medium scooped up by the lowermost gear and carried by the gear train to an inlet of the lubrication flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicants: AISIN AW CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Michihiro Ariga, Syoichi Sayo, Ryoji Habuchi
  • Publication number: 20090165588
    Abstract: Since lubricating oil is injected to a tooth of a small-diameter helical gear immediately before meshing begins, the injected lubricating oil can be captured between the small-diameter helical gear and a large-diameter helical gear and successively flow along meshing tooth surfaces. Therefore, lubrication of the tooth surface and cooling of the tooth surface can be simultaneously performed with an appropriate quantity of lubricating oil to enable a reduction in tooth surface wear and a longer gear life. Moreover, a lubricating oil film formed on the tooth surface makes it possible to prevent direct contact between the tooth surfaces of both the small-diameter helical gear and the large-diameter helical gear. Since a covered tooth surface effect is also obtained, the occurrence of pitching and scoring can be suppressed. By injecting lubricating oil directly to the small-diameter helical gear, which has a small heat capacity, a cooling effect thus obtained can suppress a temperature increase of the small gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN AW CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takahiro YASUDA, Tatsuo KUBOTA
  • Patent number: 7536930
    Abstract: A reduction gear unit capable of reducing vibrations caused by gear rattle, while permitting some degree of backlash in a pair of gears, is provided. A reduction gear unit is so configured that a pinion shaft and a main gear shaft are disposed in parallel to each other, and a pinion 1 mounted on the pinion shaft and a main gear 2 mounted on the main gear shaft are arranged to mesh with each other, so as to transmit a rotation of the pinion shaft to the main gear shaft, and includes a housing 11 that encloses the pinion 1 and the main gear 2, where the housing 11 has an inner surface whose width, in a cross section perpendicular to an axial direction of the pinion shaft and the main gear shaft, perpendicular to an imaginary line that connects centers of the pinion shaft and the main gear shaft evenly increases from a pinion side toward a main gear side between ends of arcuate regions respectively enclosing the main gear and the pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Kuroumaru, Shirou Nakano, Katsutoshi Nishizaki
  • Patent number: 7513172
    Abstract: A transmission apparatus includes a casing provided with shafts therein, a rotational member positioned in the casing at an end portion in an axial direction of the shafts, the rotational member being configured to lift up a lubricating oil so as to supply the lubricating oil to a part that is different from the end portion inside the casing, and an oil passage provided along the axis line direction of the shafts, the oil passage configured to receive the lubricating oil lifted up by the rotational member at a first end portion in a longitudinal direction of the oil passage and to supply the lubricating oil through a second end portion in the longitudinal direction of the oil passage to a part inside the casing placed far away from the rotational member, the oil passage being integrally formed with the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin AI Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yohei Takahashi, Takafumi Yamada, Yasuhiro Nitta, Seiji Usami, Akihiko Ikeda, Daisuke Ido
  • Publication number: 20090078075
    Abstract: A system for gearing, the system comprising a toothed wheel mounted on a shaft, the wheel being pierced by channels fed with lubricant, each channel opening out to the toothed periphery of the wheel. Said wheel is mounted on an end portion of the shaft, so as to be capable of being rotated by said shaft, said end portion being hollow so as to present an inside chamber, said chamber opening out to the end of the shaft via an orifice. Said channels communicate with said chamber. The system includes an injector for injecting lubricant into the chamber, the injector being situated outside the chamber and facing said orifice in such a manner as to inject the lubricant through said orifice, the lubricant penetrating into and flowing along the channels to the toothed periphery of the wheel under the effect of centrifugal force associated with rotation of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: HISPANO-SUIZA
    Inventor: Alain VASSAUX
  • Publication number: 20080276743
    Abstract: A drive gear includes a plurality of internal radial channels extending between the axial bore and the periphery of the gear, and an axial bore includes a lubricant distribution structure therein to provide lubrication where the teeth of the drive gear mesh with the teeth of a gear driven by the drive gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventors: Gordon O. Salmela, Joseph A. Creonte
  • Patent number: 7445574
    Abstract: An axle assembly including a differential gear set having a ring gear. The axle assembly includes a carrier assembly housing that contains the differential gear set and an arcuate fence disposed adjacent to the ring gear that connects to the carrier assembly housing. A moveable plate slidingly connects to the arcuate fence. The moveable plate has an open position, a closed position and a plurality of positions therebetween. The closed position is closer to the ring gear than the open position. The arcuate fence and/or the moveable plate may reduce churning of the lubrication to increase the cooling efficacy of the lubrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank C. Weith
  • Publication number: 20080245172
    Abstract: A wave reduction gear (5) is disposed inside a device case (2) of a rotating table device (1). Lubrication oil is sprayed from an oil supply channel (22), which is formed in the device case (2), toward an oil supply hole (22) formed in a cup-shaped flexible externally toothed gear (12). A wave bearing (19) disposed in the interior is lubricated via the oil supply hole (21). Lubricating oil that has entered into the flexible externally toothed gear (12) is forcibly suctioned to the exterior via an oil recovery channel (23) that is formed in the device case (2). Accordingly, it will be possible to prevent oil from being suctioned due to the negative pressure state in the interior of the flexible externally toothed gear accompanying the high-speed rotation, and regions of the wave bearing (19) can be reliably lubricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihide Kiyosawa, Hiroki Hanaoka, Hiroshi Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7428949
    Abstract: The invention describes an arrangement of lubricating grease inside the housing of a gear unit with rotatable components, particularly the gear unit of a jack. It also describes a grease pouch for receiving lubricating grease and a method for lubricating the gear unit with lubricating grease. Since the gear units are often not transported in their installed position, oil that has separated from the lubricating grease may leak from any gearbox openings. Thus, one of the objects of the invention was to provide an arrangement of lubricating grease in the housing of a gear unit, which on the one hand provides lubrication of the gear unit so that it is ready for operation in its delivery condition and on the other hand effectively prevents the oil separated from the lubricating grease from leaking prior to initial startup. This object is attained by enclosing the lubricating grease within at least one grease pouch prior to initial startup of the gear unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Jost-Werke GmbH
    Inventors: Jose Algüera, Gerald Müller
  • Patent number: 7421921
    Abstract: A parallel axes type automatic transmission including a first input shaft having m or more (m is an integer not less than 2) wet multiplate clutches and drive gears rotatably mounted, a second input shaft having n or more (n is an integer greater than m and not less than 3) wet multiplate clutches and drive gears rotatably mounted, and a third input shaft having m or less wet multiplate clutches and drive gears rotatably mounted. The automatic transmission further includes an output shaft having a fixed final drive gear and a plurality of fixed driven gears. The first, second, and third input shafts are arranged at different levels so that the second input shaft is arranged at the highest level, the first input shaft is arranged at the middle level, and the third input shaft is arranged at the lowest level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Kimura, Motoo Takeda, Yoshimichi Tsubata
  • Patent number: 7416504
    Abstract: In an off-highway vehicle having an electric propulsion system which includes a motorized wheel, a traction motor and a transmission for transmitting power from the traction motor to the motorized wheel, wherein the transmission comprises a reduction stage, a low speed sun pinion defining a sun pinion cavity and a thrust washer, wherein the thrust washer includes a first surface portion movably associated with the low speed sun pinion via a thrust washer retainer and wherein the thrust washer is movably associated with the reduction stage via a lubrication plug is provided, wherein the lubrication plug includes a first plug portion having a radially extending portion movably associated with a second surface portion of the thrust washer and a second plug portion having a second plug portion structure which defines a plug cavity having a plug cavity inlet and at least one plug cavity outlet disposed adjacent at least a portion of the thrust washer, wherein the plug cavity inlet is disposed to communicate the su
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Augusto Xavier Jurado
  • Publication number: 20080184834
    Abstract: A machine tool gear mechanism (1) such as a spindle gear mechanism, transmits torque from an output shaft (3) of the gear mechanism directly to a spindle (6). The mechanism includes a rotary passage (14) as a device for delivering coolants, emulsions, oils or air between the output shaft (3) or the motor and the spindle (6). The rotary passage (14) is integrated in the spindle (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Harald Eckert
  • Publication number: 20080178698
    Abstract: A shaft antiseizing type sprocket in which seizing liable to occur in the contact portion between the sprocket and the sprocket shaft is completely avoided for a long period of use. Effecting replacement is possible without use of a special-purpose removing tool or a fixing tool with a rotating body. The shaft antiseizing type sprocket has a boss portion which is integrally molded with a sprocket tooth portion. The boss has a shaft bore, the inner circumferential surface of which is adapted to be fixed to a sprocket shaft. A solid lubricant is embedded in the boss portion, and is disposed in a partially exposed state toward the shaft bore inner circumferential surface of the boss portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Koji TANAKA
  • Publication number: 20080168854
    Abstract: A reduction gear in which an engaging surface of gear teeth is processed so that grease for lubricating the engaging surface is sufficiently supplied over the entire of the engaging surface, thereby reducing the friction caused on the engaging surface, and increasing the durability of the gear teeth is provided. In a reduction gear which includes a worm made of metal and a worm wheel having gear teeth which engage with the worm, wherein at least the gear teeth of the worm wheel are made of synthetic resin, and in which an engaging surface of the gear teeth is lubricated by grease, the engaging surface has over an entire surface a plurality of grease reservoir grooves formed along a sliding line of the engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventor: Toshiyuki Iwano
  • Patent number: 7374507
    Abstract: A differential assembly includes a housing defining a space containing a volume of hydraulic fluid, the housing including interior surfaces. A gear that rotates in the housing includes surfaces that pass through the fluid as the gear rotates and on which the fluid is carried to the interior surfaces of the housing. A bearing located in the housing is supplied with fluid from a fluid path that hydraulically connects the interior surfaces and the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Rex Randall Corless, Gerald Stephen Szczepanski, William Riley