SPEED REDUCER RECIRCULATING COOLING SYSTEM

• US 3,736,812 A
• Filed: 06/28/1971
• Issued: 06/05/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Edward J. Wellauer
• Original Assignee: Edward J. Wellauer
• Inventors: Wellauer, Edward J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Antonakas, Manuel A.
• Application Number:
  US05/157,205
• Time in Patent Office: 708 Days
• Field of Search: 165/47,106,107 184/14R 74/66A 174/15 310/62,56 336/61,55 55/268,269,267
• US Class Current: 74/606.00A
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0417 Heat exchangers adapted or integrated in the gearing
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0493 Gearings with spur or bevel gears differentials with spur or bevel gears F16H57/0483
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2189 Cooling

Abstract

A closed recirculating air cooling system for a speed reducer having a plurality of gears disposed in a housing which comprises a dirven fan for withdrawing warm air from inside the housing, a cooling network for receiving and cooling the warm air, and duct means for conducting cooled air back into the housing. Provision may also be included for collecting oil entrapped in the air and returning it into the speed reducer housing.

Claims

1. In a speed reducer of the type having a plurality of gears disposed on several shafts in a housing having a lower portion that contains a lubricating fluid, and at least one of said shafts is an input shaft and at least one of said shafts is an output shaft, a closed recirculating cooling system comprising, in combination:

a suction port formed in a wall of the housing of the speed reducer;

suction means mounted to overlie the suction port and draw air out of the housing through the suction port;

enclosure means that fits over the suction means and is hermetically sealed to the housing wall;

external heat exchanging means for cooling air;

first conduit means for conveying air from the enclosure means to the heat exchanger;

second conduit means for conveying air from the heat exchanger into the housing; and

an oil return line that communicates between the heat exchanger and the housing to return condensed oil frOm the heat exchanger into the housing.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the suction means is mounted on one end of the input shaft of the speed reducer and is driven by said input shaft.

3. The combination of claim 1 further including a motor mounted on the enclosure means, and arranged to drive the suction means.