Gearing Patents (Class 184/6.12)
  • Patent number: 8746405
    Abstract: A system for lubricating a differential mechanism includes a housing containing a ring gear, a pinion meshing with the ring gear, a sump containing fluid, and a reservoir that receives fluid flung from the ring gear as the ring gear rotates through the sump fluid, and an orifice restricting the flow rate of fluid from the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andreas E. Perakes, Jason C. Marcath, Shaun G. Knowles
  • Patent number: 8739931
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a differential gear unit includes a differential case that rotatably supports side gears and pinions; a differential housing that rotatably supports the differential case via a bearing; and a lubrication hole that leads lubricating oil from a first chamber space formed between the differential case and the differential housing to a second chamber space formed around one drive shaft. A third chamber space is formed inside the differential case. A smallest passage sectional area of a lubricating oil flow path that leads from the second chamber space to the first chamber space via the bearing is smaller than a smallest passage sectional area of the lubrication hole, and a smallest passage sectional area between the second chamber space and the third chamber space and a smallest passage sectional area in the third chamber space are larger than the smallest passage sectional area of the lubrication hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiko Masuda, Masashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8739930
    Abstract: A gearbox for a motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to an input shaft, an output shaft and a plurality of wheel sets for coupling input and output shaft with different transmission ratios and a gear pump, which is arranged to for delivering from a reservoir of the gearbox. The gear pump is an outer gear pump and one of two gears of the gear pump meshing with one another belongs to one of the wheel sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jörg Bönning, Jan Sporleder
  • Patent number: 8733506
    Abstract: A vehicle differential device having a differential case rotatably supported via a bearing by a housing and a drive shaft inserted into the differential case, including an oil sump member on the opposite side of the differential case to the bearing, the oil sump member including an insert hole into which the drive shaft is inserted, and an oil supply channel formed higher than the drive shaft in the vertical direction, wherein at least a portion of the insert hole is formed with a gap between the insertion hole and the drive shaft wider than that on the vertically lower side of the rotational axis of the drive shaft, the oil sump member includes a discharge hole allowing oil to flow out toward the differential case if an oil level of an oil chamber formed between the oil sump member and an oil seal exceeds a predetermined height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoatsu Iwasa, Yoshichika Shimane, Mizuki Imafuku, Yuichi Usui, Hideya Osawa, Yohei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 8733528
    Abstract: The casing of an automatic transmission has been modified by providing a hole through a wall of the casing adjacent the PTO port. The PTO port cover plate has also been modified to provide a curved ridge which functions to direct lubricating fluid, which normally collects in the area of the PTO port, to the lubrication hole. The fluid goes through the hole to the interior of the transmission, wherein grounded clutch plates are continuously lubricated, both when the clutch is engaged and disengaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Inventor: David J. Goerend
  • Publication number: 20140124297
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes a control subsystem operable to selectively communicate lubricant under gas pressure from a pressurized reserve lubricant tank in response to a prolonged reduced-G condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: David L. Motto
  • Patent number: 8714043
    Abstract: An intermediate gear device for a traction drive and/or spur gear drive of an internal combustion engine is provided, having an intermediate gear that has an at least two-track construction with a drive gear and a driven gear, an axle, and a needle bearing by which the intermediate gear is radially mounted on the axle. At least one supporting disk is provided on which the intermediate gear is axially supported, and a duct, that is connectable to the lubricant circuit of the internal combustion engine, to supply lubricant to the needle bearing. The support disk and the axle contact one another at the end faces, the mouth of the lubricant duct that opens toward the needle bearing is formed by one or more recesses on the contact surface of the support disk and/or on the contact surface of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Tully, Peter Solfrank, Werner Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20140116807
    Abstract: A lubricant management system for a vehicle is provided. The lubricant management system includes a housing, a power transmitting component, and a valve. The housing defines a lubricant passage therethrough. The power transmitting component is rotatingly disposed in the housing. The valve is at least partially disposed in the lubricant passage and has a first position and a second position. The valve in the first position militates against a flow of lubricant from a first portion of the housing to a second portion of the housing and the valve in the second position facilitates the flow of lubricant from the first portion of the housing to the second portion of the housing. The lubricant management system varies an amount of lubricant used in a sump of the housing in a simple and cost effective manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Inventors: Perry M. Paielli, Mike Z. Creech
  • Patent number: 8707815
    Abstract: A vehicle having a power generating device and a power transfer device. The power transfer device includes a plurality of gears in a housing within which the plurality of gears rotate. The plurality of gears include a first gear and a second gear, the first gear meshing with the second gear. The housing has a lubrication passage. The housing also has a lubrication slot and/or a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the lubrication passage. The lubrication slot and/or spray nozzle direct the fluid flowing therethrough toward where the first gear and second gear mesh.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Danny G. Voth, George W. Detrick
  • Patent number: 8701834
    Abstract: A mechanical actuator for translating rotational motion to linear motion. The actuator includes a motor, a screw assembly, a bearing assembly, and first and second lubrication systems. The screw assembly includes a housing, a threaded screw shaft disposed within the housing, a nut assembly, and an extension tube. The threaded screw shaft is rotatable by the motor. The nut assembly is arranged to move in either direction along a longitudinal axis of the threaded screw shaft when the threaded screw shaft is in rotational motion, thereby moving the extension tube between an extended position and a retracted position. The bearing assembly is arranged to provide support to at least a portion of a length of the threaded screw shaft. A pathway of the first lubrication system is remote and isolated from a pathway of the second lubrication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nook Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: William Vincent Jacob, Raymond A Karmansky, Nathan Ryan Daniher
  • Publication number: 20140097044
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an additive and a delivery system. During normal operational conditions, the lubricating oil circulating in the transmission system is collected and contained in a secondary oil reservoir to retain a quantity of the lubricating oil for use in an oil-out condition. When an oil-out condition is detected, the additive is injected and mixed with the collected lubricating oil in the secondary oil reservoir or dispersed directly into a power transmission gearbox housing to enhance the characteristics of the lubricating oil and increases the operational time period of the power transmission gearbox during an oil-out condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Clark V. Cooper, Adam R. Glasser, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Patent number: 8684876
    Abstract: A power transmitting component includes a housing having an interior cavity with a sump, a lubricant disposed in the sump, and a component mounted in the housing assembly for rotation about a first axis. The component rotates through the lubricant in the sump to generate a stream of lubricant that is slung from the component as it rotates at a speed in excess of a predetermined speed. The housing includes a deflector that extends into the interior cavity and has a first face having an impingement portion and a first edge adjacent the impingement portion. The impingement portion extends into the stream and deflects a portion of the stream towards the first edge. The first edge disperses the portion of the stream toward selected areas in the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: American Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel G. Corless, Mark A. Harnden, Mark S. Waack
  • Patent number: 8683985
    Abstract: A belted gear assembly for driving a supercharger includes a belt drive assembly for operatively connecting a gear drive assembly to an existing pinion shaft of an engine. The belt drive assembly includes a lower pulley assembly that is operatively connected to the pinion shaft and belted to an upper pulley assembly. The upper pulley assembly is operatively connected to a side gear of the gear drive assembly. The side gear engages an upper gear of the gear drive assembly, which is operatively connected to a lobe of the supercharger. Rotation of the upper gear thereby initiates rotation of the supercharger. The amount of boost provided to the supercharger is readily adjustable by simply changing the lower pulley assembly to adjust the RPM ratio for the supercharger. Each component of the belted gear assembly is isolated and fully self-contained, including a separate lubrication system and collection well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Stephen J. Thomson
  • Patent number: 8678078
    Abstract: Transmission fluid is heated through a heat exchanger effective to transfer heat between transmission fluid of a transmission assembly and an exhaust gas feed stream of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Farzad Samie, Richard W. Carlson, Thomas A. Robertson, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140076662
    Abstract: A helicopter tail rotor gearbox including a housing, an output shaft for connection to a tail rotor rotatably supported in the housing and having an open end therein, an input member rotatably supported in the housing, gearing providing a power transmitting connection between the input member and output shaft, a pitch control shaft for effecting a change in the pitch of the tail rotor, the pitch control shaft being disposed at least partially within the output shaft, rotatable therewith, and movable relative thereto along the rotational axis of the output shaft, an actuating member for effecting axial movement of the pitch control shaft, the actuating member being movable axially of the output shaft but held against rotation therewith, and a bearing assembly positioned in between the pitch control shaft and the actuating member for permitting relative rotation therebetween, wherein the gearbox includes at least one formation for diverting oil, dispersed within the housing in use, towards the open end of the o
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: AGUSTAWESTLAND LIMITED
    Inventor: Paul Terrence Newberry
  • Patent number: 8672093
    Abstract: A wind turbine generator that is capable of completely eliminating heater heating of lubricating-oil piping or that is capable of reducing the number of heater heating locations to the minimum requirement is provided. A wind turbine generator is provided with a lubricating system that circulates lubricating oil (L) in a lubricating-oil storage tank through lubricating-oil piping connected to a lubricating-oil pump, to lubricate a main bearing connected to the lubricating-oil piping by supplying the lubricating oil (L) thereto. This lubricating system is provided with a lubricating-oil recovery line that is formed when the lubricating-oil pump is stopped and in which the lubricating oil (L) falls naturally and is recovered in the lubricating-oil storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasushi Okano
  • Patent number: 8671793
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eckhard Kirchner, Jo Vermeulen, Richard Tamba
  • Patent number: 8672094
    Abstract: The invention relates to a transmission for a motor vehicle having a rotatable transmission element arranged in a first section of the transmission; a store of liquid arranged in a second section of the transmission separate from the first section; a collection device for liquid thrown off by the transmission element having a return passage through which a first portion of the thrown off liquid can be returned to the first transmission section and an outlet to supply a second portion of the thrown off liquid back to the liquid store; and a passage for the liquid which connects the liquid store to the first transmission section and which has a temperature-controlled restrictor element functioning to inhibit the inflow of liquid from the liquid store into the first transmission section when a fluid temperature in the first transmission section falls below a temperature threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Johannes Quehenberger
  • Patent number: 8668612
    Abstract: In a lubrication structure of a differential gear unit, a case has a guide rib that extends over a certain area with respect to a rotation path of a head of a bolt when a ring gear rotates, and that protrudes out from the case toward the head of the bolt. Also, a through-hole that extends in a vertical direction is formed in an upper portion of a hollow supporting portion, and the guide rib has an oil reservoir that curves toward an upper end opening of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiromichi Kimura, Takeshi Kuwahara, Takeshi Kitahata, Tatsuo Obata, Masahiro Tanae
  • Publication number: 20140054114
    Abstract: A lubricating oil supply device of a power transmission device includes: a storage portion configured to store lubricating oil; a first rotary member configured to be connected to a wheel of a vehicle and rotated in conjunction with a rotation of the wheel to send the lubricating oil of the storage portion; a second rotary member configured to be disposed above the first rotary member in a vertical direction and connected to the wheel; an oil receiving portion configured to be disposed above the first rotary member and the second rotary member in the vertical direction; a first passage configured to guide the lubricating oil, which is sent by the rotation of the first rotary member, to the oil receiving portion; and a second passage configured to guide the lubricating oil, which is sent by the rotation of the first rotary member, to the second rotary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Haruo Isomura, Hiroyuki Shioiri, Kensuke Akimoto
  • Patent number: 8657073
    Abstract: A power transmission apparatus is capable of easily passing lubricant toward a seal arranged between a higher shat and an opening of a case of the apparatus. The apparatus includes the higher shaft, i.e., a hollow connecting shaft that faces the outside of the transfer case through the opening of the transfer case. The oil seal is arranged between the hollow shaft and the opening of the transfer case. The hollow shaft meshes, through helical spur gears, with an intermediate transferring shaft that is positioned lower than the hollow shaft. A lubricant guide is arranged to receive lubricant splashed up by the ring gear and helical spur gear of the intermediate shaft and guide the received lubricant toward the oil seal and a ball bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Torque Technology KK
    Inventors: Takayuki Matsumoto, Satoshi Niimura, Tomiaki Ochiai, Koji Iizuka, Akihiro Masubuchi, Mitsuaki Kakuta, Atsushi Kawano, Masahiro Kasahara
  • Publication number: 20140048354
    Abstract: Energy loss in a dip lubrication system is reduced by reducing the immersion depth of the gear within a pool of oil. This can be accomplished by increasing the pressure within the dip lubrication system which effectively reduces the flow rate of the oil so that the oil remains separated from the oil pool for a longer period of time thereby reducing the oil level and the immersion depth of the gear within the oil pool. Alternately, this can be accomplished by substituting a higher density gas for air which has the same effect. In a third embodiment the immersed gear includes wind vanes that direct air against the oil pool creating a trough which effectively reduces the immersion depth of the gear within the oil pool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicants: Imperial Innovations Limited, Ashland Licensing and Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Anant S. Kolekar, Andrew V. Olver, Adam E. Sworski, Frances E. Lockwood
  • Patent number: 8651239
    Abstract: An oil passage structure for a transmission includes a transmission case having a transmission housing chamber for reserving working oil and housing a continuously variable transmission mechanism therein, and a valve housing chamber for reserving the working oil and housing a valve unit therein. Further, the valve housing chamber housing the valve unit is disposed above an oil level in the transmission housing chamber. Furthermore, the valve housing chamber and the transmission housing chamber communicate with each other through a drain port closed with a drain plug. In demounting of the valve unit, the drain plug is pulled out to open the drain port. Hereby, the working oil can be transferred from the valve housing chamber to the transmission housing chamber, and the valve unit can be demounted without draining the working oil from the transmission case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kei Aida
  • Publication number: 20140020984
    Abstract: A transmission system includes a housing having a sump, the housing containing a crown wheel and a pinion. The transmission system further includes an oil reservoir and a pump selectively operable to pump fluid from the oil reservoir to the sump for lubricating the crown wheel. The pump is selectively operable to pump fluid from the sump to the reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Meritor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Gianone, Chiara Cesari, Marco Bassi, Marco Fratelli
  • Patent number: 8622120
    Abstract: A method and a device for influencing the temperature of at least one electromechanical component situated in a motor vehicle, in which a transmission situated in the motor vehicle is cooled by a transmission oil flowing in a transmission cooling circuit. A cooling circuit branch is provided for influencing the temperature of the electromechanical component. The transmission oil also flows in the cooling circuit branch as a heat carrier. The flow rate of the transmission oil in the cooling circuit branch is influenced for influencing the temperature of the electromechanical component as a function of the setpoint operating temperature and/or the actual operating temperature of the electromechanical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Gerundt, Oliver Kaefer
  • Publication number: 20130333508
    Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a continuously variable transmission includes a pressure regulator subsystem, a ratio control subsystem, a torque converter control (TCC) subsystem, a variable lubrication control subsystem, a variator clamping subsystem, and a clutch control subsystem. The variable lubrication control subsystem allows for increased and decreased oil flow to components of the variable transmission based on demand. The pressure regulator subsystem provides binary line pressure control to the lubrication subsystem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Zhe Xie
  • Patent number: 8607664
    Abstract: A porous insert for a gearbox or transmission which retards fluid motion and flow within the device when it is subjected to rapid acceleration. The insert may be fabricated of any porous material such as open cell plastic foam, a porous ceramic or sintered metal and is shaped to conform to and is installed in a bottom rear region of the transmission housing. The insert retards motion of the fluid during rapid acceleration, preventing pump starvation and permitting a smaller charge of fluid to be placed in the gearbox or transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Addison T. Solak, David J. Varda
  • Publication number: 20130327595
    Abstract: A transmission for a wheel loader includes first and second oil accumulating parts, a communication oil path, a horizontal hole and a vertical hole. The first oil accumulating part accumulates scattered lubricating oil. The second oil accumulating part is mounted to an end of an output shaft below the first oil accumulating part, and accumulates the lubricating oil from the first oil accumulating part. The communication oil path allows the first and second oil accumulating parts to communicate with each other. The horizontal hole extending axially is formed in the rotary shaft, and communicates with the second oil accumulating part. The vertical hole communicating with the horizontal hole is formed in the output shaft, and directs the lubricating oil accumulated in the second oil accumulating part to the lubricated part when the output shaft is rotated at a rotational speed lower than a predetermined rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: December 12, 2013
    Inventors: Kyousuke Moriguchi, Hironori Torisu, Eiji Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8602935
    Abstract: A vehicle motive power transmission apparatus includes: a planetary gear device; an oil pump for sucking oil present in an apparatus case; a one-way clutch that transmits normal-direction rotation output of the planetary gear device to the oil pump, but does not transmit reverse-direction rotation output of the planetary gear device to the oil pump; an oil tank which is provided in the apparatus case, and which is provided with a first introduction portion that receives oil that is splashed upward as a gear in the apparatus case rotates in a normal direction, and a second introduction portion that receives oil that is splashed upward as the gear rotates in a reverse direction; and an oil passageway that supplies the planetary gear device with oil present in the oil tank or oil sucked by the oil pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shingo Katoh, Masabumi Nishigaya
  • Patent number: 8602166
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an additive and a delivery system. During normal operational conditions, the lubricating oil circulating in the transmission system is collected and contained in a secondary oil reservoir to retain a quantity of the lubricating oil for use in an oil-out condition. When an oil-out condition is detected, the additive is injected and mixed with the collected lubricating oil in the secondary oil reservoir or dispersed directly into a power transmission gearbox housing to enhance the characteristics of the lubricating oil and increases the operational time period of the power transmission gearbox during an oil-out condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F. Mullen, Clark V. Cooper, Adam R. Glasser, Thomas L. Sbabo
  • Publication number: 20130318940
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Erick Ramos, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Publication number: 20130318939
    Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for supplying lubricant to a gear assembly in a gas turbine engine includes a valve having a valve inlet configured to be coupled to a source of lubricant. A valve outlet is configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The valve is selectively controllable into a plurality of settings for varying an amount of lubricant flowing from the valve inlet to the valve outlet. A bypass is associated with the valve. The bypass has an inlet configured to receive lubricant from the source and an outlet configured to direct lubricant to the gear assembly. The bypass permits at least a selected amount of lubricant to flow to the gear assembly independent of a setting of the valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Erick Ramos, Anthony Spagnoletti
  • Publication number: 20130319006
    Abstract: A lubrication system for a fan drive gear system includes a main lubrication system and an auxiliary lubrication system. The auxiliary lubrication system including a collection channel disposed about the fan drive gear system for collecting expelled lubricant and an auxiliary pump including an inlet receiving lubricant from the collection channel and an outlet in communication with an auxiliary passage. The auxiliary pump supplies lubricant through the auxiliary passages to a bearing passage for communicating lubricant to a bearing. The auxiliary passages include a reservoir after the outlet of the auxiliary pump and before the bearing passage for storing lubricant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventors: Francis Parnin, Paul H. Dolman
  • Patent number: 8590424
    Abstract: An automatic transmission has a transmission casing accommodating a transmission mechanism and a filter case attached to the transmission casing and having an oil filter. The transmission casing has a concave portion with which at least an oil inlet or an oil outlet communicates and an overhanging portion positioned close to the concave portion and extending along a surface of the transmission casing with a clearance provided between the surface and the overhanging portion. The filter case has a case body inserted into the concave portion, a seal member sealing a boundary between an outer circumferential surface of the case body and an inside surface of the concave portion, a first brim portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface and fixed to the surface of the transmission casing, and a second brim portion protruding from the outer circumferential surface and inserted into the clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Jatco Ltd
    Inventors: Akio Nonomura, Takuya Ooishi, Kenji Kojima
  • Patent number: 8579088
    Abstract: A drain plug for a carrier assembly is used to control fluid flow from a reservoir to a sump. The carrier assembly includes a carrier housing with an internal cavity that houses a gear assembly. The sump is located within the internal cavity to lubricate the gear assembly. The reservoir is separated from the sump by a channel. The drain plug is attached to the carrier housing, and extends into the channel, to provide a fluid flow restriction between the reservoir and the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Arvinmeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Robert J. Martin, III, Brian David Hayes
  • Publication number: 20130292209
    Abstract: An arrangement of a transmission (1) and an attachment module (4), in which the transmission (1) has a driveshaft (3) with a central, first axial bore (12) for supplying lubricating oil and the attachment module (4) has a connecting shaft (5) mounted in the housing by at least one roller bearing (6). The driveshaft (3) and the connecting shaft (5) are connected to one another, in a rotationally fixed manner, by a splined connection (8). The supply of lubricating oil for the spline connection (8) and the at least one roller bearing (6) occurs by way of the central, first axial bore (12) of the driveshaft (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Oliver Schell, Rayk Gersten, Maik Kerkhoff
  • Patent number: 8573361
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a rotational shaft oil sealing portion includes a casing, a rotational shaft rotatably retained by the casing, an annular space defined between the casing and the rotational shaft, an annular oil seal retained by the casing at one axial end of the annular space and sealing a clearance between the casing and the rotational shaft, the annular oil seal defining an oil seal chamber at the other axial end of the annular space, an oil supply passage, an oil drain passage, and an oil groove formed at the inner peripheral wall of the casing by cutting away the inner peripheral wall into a crescent shape in a circumferential direction, the oil supply passage communicating with the oil groove at a circumferentially center portion of the oil groove, wherein pressurized lubricating oil is supplied to the oil groove via the oil supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignees: Aisin Ai Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Wakabayashi, Shinji Kitaoka, Toru Inoue, Satoshi Munakata
  • Patent number: 8556039
    Abstract: A system and method for lubricating a key shaft in a compaction machine is disclosed. The compaction machine may include a spline oil cavity and a key shaft in fluid communication with the spline oil cavity. The key shaft may include an axial splined portion and a helical splined portion on an outer surface thereof, a longitudinal lubricating passage extending through a substantial length of the key shaft and a plurality of additional lubricating passages intersecting the longitudinal lubricating passage. The system and method may additionally include lubricating the axial splined portion and the helical splined portion of the key shaft with the lubricating oil drawn from the spline oil cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Marsolek, Nicholas A. Oetken, Nathan L. Mashek, Eric A. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8550214
    Abstract: A machine includes, but is not limited to at least one first shaft, which is mounted so it is rotatable in a housing, a lubricant duct extending in the first shaft along its axis, and at least one lubrication point, which is supplied with lubricant via a supply line comprising the lubricant duct. A section of the supply line runs in a first wall of the housing between an outlet opening of the lubricant duct and the lubrication point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Eckhard Kirchner, Jo Vermeulen, Richard Tamba
  • Publication number: 20130248292
    Abstract: Disclosed are articles, lubrication systems, and methods that sequester lubricant viscosity modifiers via adsorption of the viscosity modifier molecules onto a molecular sieve material at lubricant temperatures below a threshold temperature and release of the viscosity modifier molecules from the molecular sieve material at lubricant temperatures at about the threshold temperature so that the viscosity modifier molecules are in the lubricant at temperatures from about the threshold temperature and higher. In this way, the viscosity modifier molecules are removed from the lubricant at temperatures where the lubricant has sufficient viscosity but released into the lubricant when they can useful increase the lubricant viscosity because it otherwise would be too low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Eric W. Schneider
  • Patent number: 8528697
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Donald G. Maddock
  • Patent number: 8522923
    Abstract: A fluid supply apparatus includes a main passage through which fluid flows, a parallel passage section, and a pressure loss adjusting mechanism. The parallel passage section includes a plurality of passages connected in parallel to the main passage. The parallel passage section includes a selector valve, which changes the number of passages through which fluid passes among the plurality of passages. The pressure loss adjusting mechanism suppresses change in the pressure loss at the parallel passage section associated with change in an operating state of the selector valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Osamu Shimizu, Motoki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8517670
    Abstract: A support assembly for a geared architecture includes an engine static structure. A flex support is secured to the engine static structure and includes a bellow. A support structure is operatively secured to the flex support. A geared architecture is mounted to the support structure. First members are removably secured to one of the engine static structure and the flex support and second members are removably secured to the support structure. The first and second members are circumferentially aligned with one another and spaced apart from one another during a normal operating condition. The first and second members are configured to be engageable with one another during an extreme event to limit axial movement of the geared architecture relative to the engine static structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Coffin, Alessio Pescosolido
  • Patent number: 8517147
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideyuki Imai, Tatsuhiko Goi, Hidenori Arisawa, Motohiko Nishimura
  • Patent number: 8517148
    Abstract: A lubrication system includes an auxiliary lubricant tank 48, a supply conduit 58 extending from a source of lubricant 26 to the auxiliary lubricant tank. A reduced-G bypass line 108 branches from the conduit and enters the auxiliary tank at a first elevation E1. The system also includes an auxiliary tank discharge conduit 116, a portion of which resides within the tank. The resident portion has an opening 122 at least partially at a second elevation E2 higher than the first elevation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: United Techologies Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Portlock, Michael E. McCune, Louis J. Dobek
  • Publication number: 20130213740
    Abstract: A lubricating structure of a transmission is capable of supplying more lubricating oil to the vicinity of one end portion of a shaft, which rotates in a transmission, than lubricating oil supplied to the remaining mechanisms of the transmission. An internal space of the shaft rotating in the transmission has a pipe inserted thereto with a gap provided therebetween, a large-diameter portion having two shaft lubrication holes, a stepped portion, and a small-diameter portion having a shaft lubrication hole. The pipe has a first pipe lubrication hole in communication with the gap and a second pipe lubrication hole in communication with the small-diameter portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventor: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
  • Publication number: 20130213526
    Abstract: A braiding machine is provided comprising a support member, a series of drivers carried by the support member arranged in a circle around a braiding point, a mechanism to rotate adjacent of the drivers in opposite directions, a series of strand supply carrier spindles, and a plurality of cars for mounting of an associated spindle to be driven by the drivers for travel in serpentine intersecting paths in opposite directions around the braiding point. Each of the plurality of cars comprises a unitary central post, a mounting base, and a foot. The post extends from a bottom plane surface of the foot through the foot and the mounting base. The foot and the mounting base are spaced from one another and both provide support to the post.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventor: Simon Arden DeYoung
  • Patent number: 8512192
    Abstract: A lubrication device for a planetary transmission with a plurality of planetary gearsets in which a ring gear carrier, which supports a ring gear of a first planetary gearset, is connected to a planetary gear carrier which supports a plurality of planetary gears of an adjacent, second planetary gearset, and in which a lubricant supply for the planetary gears of the second planetary gearset is provided. To provide an inexpensive, simply designed and reliable lubricant supply to the planetary gears of the web carrier coupled to the ring gear of the other planetary gearset, the ring gear is sealed relative to the ring gear carrier of the first planetary gearset and relative to the planetary gear carrier of the second planetary gearset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Gert Bauknecht
  • Patent number: 8511435
    Abstract: A lubrication system, includes an auxiliary lubricant tank 48 and a supply conduit 58 extending from a source of lubricant 26 and through the auxiliary lubricant tank. A portion of the conduit resides within the tank and has an opening 136 for allowing lubricant transfer between the tank and the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 8499894
    Abstract: A lubrication structure for a multi-speed transmission has a lubrication structure in which a gear shaft is provided with cam guide grooves in an inner cavity thereof. A lubricating oil is introduced into the inner cavity by way of oil feed introducing holes which are bored in one end portion of the gear shaft so as to provide communication between the inside and the outside of the gear shaft. The lubricating oil is led in the axial direction along the inner peripheral surface of the inner cavity by axial oil feed grooves formed by cutting along the inner peripheral surface of the inner cavity in parallel to the cam guide grooves. The lubricating oil is led out to the engagement switch-over mechanism by radial oil feed holes bored in radial directions so as to communicate with the axial oil feed grooves at axial-direction positions where pin members are located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinya Matsumoto, Jun Miyazaki, Hideo Senmyo