Gearing Patents (Class 184/6.12)
  • Patent number: 7789200
    Abstract: A sump housing for scavenging lubricant is disclosed herein. The sump housing includes an outer wall defining a chamber. A lubricated structure operable to rotate can be disposed within the sump housing. The sump housing also includes an out-take for lubricant scavenging. The out-take extends across a chordal arc of the chamber. The out-take includes an upstream first portion of the outer wall diverging away from the chordal arc at a first rate. The out-take also includes a downstream second portion of the outer wall opposite the first portion. The second portion diverges away from the chordal arc toward the first portion at a second rate greater than said first rate to define a blunt wall facing the first portion for reducing the likelihood that windage will limit lubricant scavenging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: John Munson
  • Patent number: 7789201
    Abstract: The invention relates to a gear unit, in particular for foundation engineering devices, comprising a gear housing and a pressure device for changing an internal pressure present in the gear housing. For a precise pressure balance to the environmental pressure it is intended that an active setting device is arranged which can be controlled by a control device in order to change the internal pressure. The invention further relates to a method for pressure balance related thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Bauer Maschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Maximilian Arzberger
  • Patent number: 7779725
    Abstract: A pump housing assembly includes a bearing cage assembly for supporting an input axle and a pump for communicating pressurized lubricant from a sump to specific driveline components. The pump housing assembly is installed to a gear housing that includes a gear assembly for driving axles supported within an axle housing. An input shaft is supported on a first end by the bearing cage within the pump housing assembly. The pump housing includes an inlet that communicates with oil contained within a sump of the gear housing. A rotor pump is driven by rotation of the input shaft to pump oil from the sump into passages defined within the input shaft. The passage within the input shaft communicates lubricant with the desired driveline components at a desired pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Dale Eschenburg
  • Patent number: 7779727
    Abstract: A power unit case for a power unit, including an internal combustion engine and a transmission, makes it possible to enhance the lubrication of a desired meshing portion of a group of transmission gears, while reducing the size of the engine. In the power unit case, a main shaft is arranged above a space between a crankshaft and a counter shaft arranged at a position substantially horizontally behind the crankshaft. A gear-ratio selecting member is arranged above a group of transmission gears on the counter shaft whose upper portion rotates toward a meshing portion between groups of transmission gears, and a lubricating projection that projects downwardly is formed in the transmission case above each of the transmission gears on the counter shaft and at a location on a ceiling surface of the transmission case where the gear-ratio selecting member is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hodaka Mukouhara, Tensei Hayashi, Eiko Shiozaki
  • 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: 20100200335
    Abstract: A method for oiling the axial stops (10) on components (6, 17, 18) fixed on a shaft (1), provided for loose wheels (2, 3) arranged on the shaft. According to the method, oiling of the axial stops (10) occurs by supplying oil through an axially extending bore or oil duct (5) of the shaft (1) and through grooves (11, 12) formed on the axial stop (10) with the grooves being in fluid flow connection with the oil duct (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Jan-Peter Konig, Michael Drabek, Harald Klose
  • Patent number: 7766126
    Abstract: An integral stand tube for regulating fluid level within a transmission is provided. The stand tube includes an upper opening, at least one lower opening, and an internal volume defined by at least one internal passage for directing fluid from a valve body-side of a transmission to a main sump located on a gear-side of the transmission. The lower opening is operatively connected to a thermal valve assembly and a fluid passage formed in the transmission case between the auxiliary sump of the valve body-side and the main sump of the gear-side. Fluid passing from auxiliary sump to main sump bypasses dynamic transmission components to thereby minimize fluid aeration due to contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Berger, Steven A. Coleman, Derril A. Loe, Bradley A. Buczkowski
  • Patent number: 7757815
    Abstract: A method for sampling lubricant from a lubrication system including a pump for pumping lubricant between a reservoir and a sump. The method includes removing a filter from the pump, replacing the filter with a sampling device having a fluid passage, channeling lubricant returned from the sump to the pump into the fluid passage, and discharging lubricant from the pump by discharging lubricant from the fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Terry Allen Craig
  • Patent number: 7757816
    Abstract: A transmission has a lubricant pump which is arranged in the interior of a transmission housing and which includes a rotor rotationally fixedly connected to a transmission shaft in a pump housing, with the pump housing being rotationally fixedly connected to the transmission housing and being sealed with respect to a cylindrical sealing surface of the transmission housing, and with the lubricant pump pumping into a pressure chamber which surrounds the transmission shaft and which is sealed with respect to the transmission shaft. To achieve a good seal and centration of the pump housing, the pump housing is sealed by means of a resilient ring with respect to the cylindrical sealing surface of the transmission housing, with the ring being received by an outer peripheral groove of the pump housing with radial clearance so that the pump housing can adjust itself in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Andreas Bar, August Kriebernegg, Günter Weber
  • Patent number: 7753173
    Abstract: A power divider for motor vehicles includes a housing, a primary shaft and a secondary shaft, wherein a friction clutch having an outer part that is rigidly connected to the primary shaft, and an inner part, derives torque from the primary shaft and delivers the torque to the secondary shaft by means of the inner part and a displacement drive. To ensure a sufficient supply of lubrication oil under all conditions, an oil reservoir, which at least partially surrounds the ramp ring, is fixed in the housing between the coupling and the displacement drive. The base of the oil reservoir comprises at least one opening, which is adjacent to the upper part of the periphery of the ramp ring, and the oil reservoir has at least one guiding device that extends into the centrifugal area of the displacement drive, through which the centrifuged lubrication oil is received in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Drivetrain AG & Co KG
    Inventors: Franz Gratzer, Markus Kraxner, Mario Vockenhuber
  • Patent number: 7748499
    Abstract: A lubrication flow control mechanism for a power transmission includes a bearing member and a spring biasing the bearing member in a direction. The bearing member and the spring cooperate to sufficiently restrict flow past the bearing to cause increased fluid flow to a lubrication-requiring member located downstream of the bearing. A method of limiting lubrication flow in a transmission is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Ted T. Selever, William J. Crecelius
  • Patent number: 7743888
    Abstract: In a driveline for a motor vehicle that includes an automatic transmission having an output shaft that drives a transfer case, an oil sump located in the transfer case, a pump supplied with fluid from the first sump, delivers fluid to a lubrication circuit in the transmission, a second sump supplies fluid to the inlet of a second pump, whose output supplies a second lubrication circuit located in the transfer case. Both of the hydraulic pumps are continually driveably connected to a set of the vehicle's drive wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Timothy Allen, Steven Thomas
  • Publication number: 20100140019
    Abstract: This invention provides a lubricating system for a gear train including: a lubricating oil supply port configured to supply a lubricating oil in a direction vertical to both axes of a pair of gears and toward a mesh point at which the pair of gears are meshed with each other; a shroud configured to cover at least teeth of the pair of gears so as to form a flow passage of the lubricating oil between the pair of gears and the shroud; and a pair of discharge ports respectively configured to discharge the lubricating oil from the flow passage. The pair of discharge ports are respectively positioned at two portions of the shroud respectively opposed to the mesh point across respective axes of the pair of gears.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hideyuki Imai, Tatsuhiko Goi, Hidenori Arisawa, Motohiko Nishimura
  • Publication number: 20100140020
    Abstract: A lubricant circulation pump (46) which is driven by an electric motor (47) is provided in the course of a circulation path (41A, 41B) for circulating lubricant oil to a wheel mounting case (19) which is rotated together with a rear wheel (7). Turning on and off the lubricant circulation pump is controlled according to rotational speed of the rear wheel. When lubricant oil in the wheel mounting case sticks on inner peripheral surfaces thereof under the influence of centrifugal force as a result of the increased vehicle speed, the electric motor is turned off to suspend operation of the lubricant circulation pump. Consequently, the lubricant circulation pump does not suck lubricant oil in the wheel mounting case through an inlet opening (42A) of an intake pipe (42), thereby preventing the lubricant circulation pump from being put in a dry idling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI CONSTRUCTION MACHINERY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takayoshi Murahashi
  • Publication number: 20100132504
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid transmission with two motor/generators, one being “on-axis” and sharing an axis of rotation with an input and output shaft of the transmission, and another being “off-axis” with a distinct axis of rotation from that of the first motor/generator. The transmission is adapted for cooling and lubricating the off-axis motor/generator, and includes a case at least partially defining a manifold. A transmission cover is mounted to the case such that the off-axis motor/generator is retained therebetween. The transmission cover at least partially defines an oil passage. The manifold is adapted to transfer oil onto a bearing device so that the bearing device is lubricated. Oil is also transferred through the oil passage and onto a torque transfer device such that the torque transfer device is lubricated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Kent A. Miller, Henryk Sowul
  • 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: 7699584
    Abstract: Actuator for adjusting pitch angle of a rotor blade of a wind turbine rotatably mounted on a rotor hub, comprising a first drive element connectable with the rotor blade, a second drive element in meshing engagement with said first drive element, a lubricating device for lubricating the two drive elements and lubrication controller. A rotor with a rotor hub, on which at least one rotor blade is rotatably mounted, with actuator adjustable pitch angle. A wind turbine comprising such rotor and such actuator. Selective lubrication of zero teeth of the gear stage of the actuator considers the rotary position of the drive elements of the gear stage with respect to each other. The lubricating device includes a lubricant passage to selectively supply portion of first drive element and/or portion of second drive element meshing therewith depending on engagement position of drive elements or rotary position of rotor blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Liebherr-Werk Biberach GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Mollhagen
  • Patent number: 7694780
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a pump arrangement for use in a gear box housing. The interior surface of the gear box housing has a collection wall arranged in the interior surface of the housing. A shaft is rotatably disposed through the gear box housing and has a longitudinal bore extending through the shaft that provides a lubrication delivery arrangement for distributing lubricant through the gear box housing. A pump housing circumscribes the shaft and has a discharge cavity connected to the longitudinal bore. Additionally, the pump housing has an inlet port for receiving lubrication from the collection wall. Contained within the pump housing is a pump member that has an impeller face and helical threaded surface that pressurizes and introduces the lubricant into the lubricant delivery arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Hans R. Beels van Heemstede, Christopher E. Blair, Charles E. Johnson, Jr., Wayne E. Wyant, Bryan C. Wright
  • Patent number: 7686727
    Abstract: A lubrication system is provided for a planetary gear train. The system includes an oil supply that disperses oil to a thrust bearing. The thrust bearing purges the oil radially outward. A strategically placed molded cavity collects and channels the oil from the thrust bearing into the planet bearings. Features in a planet gear carrier and a planet gear face washer can form the oil flow path. The washer can have a further feature for expelling the oil after the planet bearings are lubricated. By using the planet gear end face washer, this arrangement allows for the cavity to be cast rather than machined to thereby reduce the cost of increasing the flow of oil into the planet bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Hammill
  • Patent number: 7686728
    Abstract: The invention relates to the mechanical adapter assembly of the transmission line for a motor vehicle. The mechanical adapter includes shafts rotatably guided by different bearings and couplings for driving said different shafts. The mechanical adapter also includes a differential carrier, which is used in the form of a crankcase containing the oil for lubricating the different bearings and couplings and provided with a front aperture. A front plate integrates a pump and makes it possible to close said front aperture of the differential support. Additionally, an attached pipe section supplies the oil from said front plate to the differential support and interacts with additional fixtures to the front plate and the differential carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Frédéri Imbert
  • Patent number: 7686137
    Abstract: There is provided an oil separating structure of an automatic transmission, which makes it difficult for an oil strainer of an oil pump to draw oil containing air bubbles. A baffle plate base separates a space around the oil strainer and a space around a driven sprocket as well as a final gear, and therefore, oil containing air bubbles formed as a result of agitation by the driven sprocket, chain, and final gear does not flow directly into the oil strainer. As a result, the oil strainer is unlikely to draw oil containing air bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: JATCO Ltd
    Inventors: Masakazu Tominaga, Tsutomu Saitou, Hiromi Taguchi, Yasuhiko Kunii
  • Patent number: 7673539
    Abstract: An arrangement and method for removing a shaft from a gearbox housing without having to totally disassemble the housing. The gear box has an aperture in the housing. The aperture is used to gain access to the retaining ring that locks the shaft within the housing. Once the retaining ring is removed, the shaft may then slide out of the housing. A plug member is used to cover the aperture when it is not necessary to remove the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Knox, Christopher E. Blair
  • Publication number: 20100052442
    Abstract: A generator system is disclosed. The generator system includes an input gear, a gear train coupled to the input gear, and a clutch associated with the input gear, wherein the clutch is exposed to the gear train.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Satish Dattatraya Savant
  • 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: 20100038473
    Abstract: To improve the damping of vibrations in aircraft propeller drives, the invention discloses an aircraft propeller drive comprising a propeller, a motor and a drive train between the propeller and the motor. The drive train of the aircraft propeller drive has a torsional vibration damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Heinz-Dieter Schneider, Dieter Voigt
  • Publication number: 20100041505
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes an auxiliary lubrication pump that lubricates gear components positioned within an internal cavity of a carrier housing. A differential gear assembly is positioned within the internal cavity to rotate about an axis. The auxiliary lubrication pump includes a first gear that is driven by the differential gear assembly about the axis and a second gear that is driven by the first gear. The first and second gears of the auxiliary lubrication pump cooperate to direct and control lubrication with the carrier housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Brian D. Hayes, Robert J. Martin, III
  • Publication number: 20100038174
    Abstract: The invention is a device for controlling the temperature and thus the viscosity of the lubricating fluid in a rear axle or differential. A first embodiment of the device comprehends a curved bi-metal strip or plate disposed proximate the ring gear and closely conforming to it. The strip extends about the periphery of the ring gear in the direction of rotation of the gear when the vehicle is moving forward. As the temperature of the lubricating fluid increases or decreases, the bi-metal strip or plate moves to direct a larger or smaller flow of the lubricating fluid toward the housing through which heat is transferred to the atmosphere. In another embodiment, a bi-metal baffle disposed adjacent the ring gear includes a plurality of flaps which open upon a rise in lubricating fluid temperature and direct more fluid to the housing to assist heat dissipation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Donald G. Maddock
  • Patent number: 7662059
    Abstract: A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20100032242
    Abstract: A pressure relief device for a gear box which is disposed in the gear box and comprises a body, a blocking member and a spring. The body is defined with a penetrating hole. The spring pushes the blocking member and makes it seal the penetrating hole. When the pressure rises since the temperature therein is risen, and when the gas pressure in the gear box is larger than the force of the spring, the gas can push the blocking member and compress the spring, and then discharge from the penetrating hole of the body, thus reducing the pressure and the temperature of the gear box.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Chung-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 7654251
    Abstract: A centrifugal supercharger includes a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber. An impeller in the compressor chamber is mounted to a shaft that extends into the transmission chamber. The impeller shaft is drivingly connected to a power input shaft by intermeshing gears provided on the shafts. A portion of the transmission chamber defines a fluid reservoir in which lubrication fluid is held. The intermeshing gears, as well as the bearing assemblies supporting the shafts, are located outside the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber. A rotatable fluid-propelling element partly submerged in the lubrication fluid contained within the reservoir portion ensures that sufficient but not excessive lubrication fluid is supplied to the intermeshing gears and the bearing assemblies. A dedicated lubricant reserve system ensures that the required operating level of fluid is provided to, and maintained in, the reservoir portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Accessible Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel W. Jones, Glennon J. Roderique
  • Publication number: 20100018808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the oil supply device of an automatic planetary transmission, comprising a main oil pump (HP), which is mechanically drivably connected to the drive shaft of an internal combustion engine (VM), and an auxiliary oil pump (ZP) that may be driven via a controllable electric motor, the automatic transmission (ATG) being part of a parallel hybrid powertrain of a motor vehicle having an input shaft (5), which may be connected via a separating clutch (K) to the drive shaft (2) of the internal combustion engine (VM) and is permanently drivably connected to the rotor (4) of an electric machine (EM).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Oliver GLOGE
  • Publication number: 20100018807
    Abstract: A lubrication device for a gearbox during operation with a plurality of gearwheel pairs in constant engagement. The lubrication device has a plurality of respective nozzles for oil supply from an oil pump to the gearwheel pairs by means of a pump from an oil source. To save pump power, a controllable valve, which adjusts the oil supply to the gearwheel pairs in accordance with a varying load upon the various mutually engaging gearwheels, is provided for each nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Johan Grenfeldt, Kenneth Hagberg
  • Publication number: 20100007151
    Abstract: A gearbox including a gear-train including an input and an output and a rotating conduit internally traversing the gear-train is provided. The rotating conduit is configured to receive lubrication fluid from one or more components downstream of the rotating conduit and deliver lubrication fluid to one or more components upstream of the rotating conduit. The components downstream of the rotating conduit rotate at a different speed than components upstream of the rotating conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert John Ciszak, Keith Marsden, Timothy Kuzma
  • Patent number: 7644572
    Abstract: A turbine combustion chamber is provided with deflectors on the cold side generating vortices in a secondary gas flow into the chamber, thereby confining the flame front under variable operating conditions and cooling the chamber walls. The high-speed cantilever shaft has a longitudinal duct and an array of fine orifices in the wall of the shaft for directing pressurized oil jets that impinge on the shaft bearings with little relative speed to increasing wetting of the bearing components. Oil is supplied to the duct by means of a positive-displacement pump directly driven by the output shaft. The pump output pressure is monitored to signal the end of the start-up sequence when the turbine reaches sufficient speed. The turbo-engine further includes devices for decoupling vibrations between the three systems thereof, including a loosely-mounted removable spline pivotable at both ends for coupling the high-speed shaft to the step-down gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Mandolin Financial Properties Inc.
    Inventor: Gustavo Francisco Labala
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090277722
    Abstract: An arrangement for cooling oil in a gearbox of a vehicle which is powered by a combustion engine. An oil cooler is fitted in the vehicle close to the gearbox. An oil system circulates oil between the gearbox and the oil cooler. An oil circuit contains a circulating coolant to cool the oil in the oil cooler. A cooling element cools the coolant by air which flows through the cooling element. The cooling element is situated at a location in the vehicle where air at the temperature of the surroundings flows through it. The cooling circuit includes a line to lead the cooled coolant from the cooling element to the oil cooler. The oil in the oil cooler can thus be cooled to a temperature close to the temperature of the surroundings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Zoltan Kardos
  • Patent number: 7608005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planet carrier (1) with planet pins (2) that are supported in at least one wall section (10) of the planet carrier (1), the planet carrier (1) having at least one axial bearing (6) supported on the wall section (10), with the axial bearing (6) being supported on the wall section (10) by means of at least one axial disc (9), the planet carrier (1) furthermore having at least one lubricating oil feed (11) overlapping the planet pins (2) to the planet pins (2), with the lubricating oil feed (11) having at least one oil retaining disc (13, 22) located on the planet carrier (1) and thus overlapping the lubrication openings (12) to the hollow planet pins (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Norbert Metten, Ramon Jurjanz, Thorsten Biermann
  • Patent number: 7604558
    Abstract: A piston operating a first clutch is disposed between a first drum accommodating the first clutch and a second drum accommodating a second clutch, and an oil reservoir storing lubricating oil that has lubricated the first clutch is provided on an inner cylindrical surface of a skirt portion of the piston. Barriers having different inner diameters are provided to the axial front and rear of the oil reservoir. When the second clutch is disengaged such that the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the oil reservoir increases, the lubricating oil overflows the barrier having the smaller inner diameter, and thus flows to the second clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin A W Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoya Okada, Katsuhisa Ishii, Minoru Todo, Hirofumi Ota, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda
  • Publication number: 20090250128
    Abstract: A selector valve selects between the supply of a primary pressure supply and a secondary pressure supply to a downstream use. The selector valve moves between a first position at which it supplies fluid from a primary line to the use, and a second position at which it supplies fluid only from a secondary line to the use. The selector valves moves through an intermediate position at which fluid is supplied from both supplies to the use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Floyd Richard Emmons
  • 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: 20090211850
    Abstract: An automatic transmission lubrication control system includes a modulating, spring biased spool valve and feedback circuit. One end of the spool valve is supplied with line pressure hydraulic fluid. The valve spool modulates a flow of lubricating hydraulic fluid from the cooler and its position is determined by a force balance between the line pressure, the regulated fluid output pressure to the lubrication system and the force of the biasing spring. In a reduced lubrication state, a signal from a transmission control module opens a solenoid valve to provide high pressure fluid to a three way check valve which closes the feedback circuit and applies high pressure fluid to the opposite end of the valve spool. This action moves the valve spool to a travel limit, closing off flow from the cooler. Hydraulic fluid from the torque converter feed is then routed to the lubrication system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: STEVEN P. MOORMAN
  • Publication number: 20090191060
    Abstract: A wind turbine is provided having a gearbox containing a lubrication medium, a pump for circulating the lubrication medium. and a gearbox lubrication suction pipe for transporting the lubrication medium from the gearbox to the pump. A heater is in thermal connection to, at least a portion of, the gearbox lubrication suction pipe. This heater is used to heat the lubrication medium contained within the gearbox lubrication suction pipe to a temperature where damage to the pump is avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Bharat S. Bagepalli, Edwin Hidding, Stephan Klumper, Eric A. Baker, Holger Grunwaldt, Michael J. Burkett
  • Patent number: 7562756
    Abstract: A clutch drum for a multi-plate clutch in an automatic transmission is provided at an inner periphery thereof with splines by which friction plates are engaged. Each of the splines has a tooth tip having two circumferential ends. Only one of the circumferential ends of the tooth tip has a curved surface. The splines of the clutch drum may be formed by form rolling using a tooth forming tool including a tooth root. The tooth root may have a circumferentially leading end and a circumferentially trailing end in a rotational direction, with only the circumferentially leading end having a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Hirofumi Nakagomi
  • Publication number: 20090173579
    Abstract: A limited slip differential transmission of the closed type in which a pressurized lubricant is fed to the rotating gears and a series of limited slip clutch plates. The clutch plates are engaged by pressurized control fluid. A valve assembly having a spool valve is responsive to engagement pressure to permit discharge of a portion of pressurized fluid from the clutch plates to a sump chamber and the transmission to purge debris that may have accumulated in the clutch plates. The spool valve is arranged so that fluid is passed only during an intermediate movement of the valve to minimize any pressure loss from the lubricating fluid for the transmission and limited slip clutches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventor: Thomas Hung Vu
  • Publication number: 20090159370
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a lubricating system for a dual splined hollow shaft. A fluid dam is formed circumferentially within the hollow shaft to control the lubrication of the dual splines. The fluid dam includes a pair of sidewalls extending radially inward from the inner wall of the hollow shaft to a height defined by a top wall. A channel formed through the pair of sidewalls permits the movement of lubricant between splines of the hollow shaft. An egress port extends from the top wall of the dam through the outer wall of the hollow shaft to permit lubricant to exit the hollow shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Scott Maners, David Russell Bockmiller
  • Publication number: 20090139800
    Abstract: A pump system for use in a transmission includes a first pump, a second pump, and a sump. A first fluid passage connects an inlet of the first pump to a sump filter connected to the sump. A second fluid passage connects an inlet of the second pump to the sump filter of the sump. A third fluid passage connects the inlet of the first pump with the inlet of the second pump. A bypass outlet is in communication with the third fluid passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert E. Rhein, Todd A. Frerichs
  • Publication number: 20090139799
    Abstract: A gearbox includes a plurality of gear sets disposed within a gearbox housing. Each gear set includes at least two gears meshing with one another. Each gear includes one or more dimpled surfaces configured to hold lubricant for providing lubrication between the gears meshing with one another. A plurality of bearings is provided to support the plurality of gear sets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Mayank Tiwari, Prasad Raman Joshi, Nikhil Subhashchandra Tambe, Mandyam Rangayan Sridhar, Harith Vadari, Hombe Gowda
  • Patent number: 7537537
    Abstract: A planetary gear wheel construction with one or several planet wheels which are bearing-mounted on a planet carrier, which is provided in a rotating manner in a housing, and an oil lubrication formed of an oil supply via a ring-shaped channel in the housing formed of a ring-shaped groove and a distribution element turning along with the planet carrier which is rotatably held in the groove, and which is provided with a passage to connect the oil channel to an oil channel in the planet carrier which opens at a planet wheel. The distribution element is coupled to the planet carrier by a loose connection which makes it possible to transmit the rotational movement of the planet carrier to the distribution element, and the oil channel in the planet carrier is connected to the passage in the distribution element by a flexible or moving oil pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventors: Wim Martha Victor Smet, Warren Gregory Smook
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20090129956
    Abstract: A compressor system comprising a compressor (e.g., rotary screw compressor) a gearbox and a lubrication system for providing lubrication to the compressor and the gearbox is disclosed. The compressor and the gearbox are provided in operational association with one another within a compressor housing. The compressor system further comprises a gear pump for lubricating the gearbox and a compressor oil circuit for lubricating the compressor from a lubricant source within the lubrication system. The lubrication system further includes at least two lubricant feeds, with one feed connecting the gear pump and one feed connecting the compressor oil circuit. Upon activation of the gear pump and/or the compressor oil circuit, lubricant from the lubricant source is encouraged to flow through the associated lubricant feed for distribution to the associated portion of the compressor system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Picouet