Bevel gear lubrication and cooling
First Claim
1. A gear system comprising a first gear, a second gear, and means for rotating said first gear at high speeds, wherein said first and second gears each have an axis of rotation, a central web section, and a plurality of teeth, said gears arranged in a bevel gear orientation such that said first gear teeth mesh with said second gear teeth, and rotation of said first gear causes said second gear to rotate therewith, said gear system also including an improved apparatus for lubricating said gears, said apparatus comprising:
- (a) a lubricant supply; and
(b) a nozzle means in fluid communication with said supply, wherein said nozzle means is constructed and arranged to discharge a stream of lubricant directly onto said first gear web section, said gears arranged such that lubricant discharged onto said web section is thrown off said web section due to centrifugal forces while said gears rotate, and strikes said teeth of said second gear prior to the mesh point of said first gear teeth and said second gear teeth.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Lubrication of a pinion and bull gear arranged in a bevel gear orientation is accomplished by discharging a stream of lubricant through a nozzle and onto the surface of the pinion web section. Centrifugal forces due to rotation of the pinion cause the lubricant to spread radially outwardly on the web section surface and to form a film thereon. A portion of the lubricant is thrown off of the pinion as the pinion rotates, and strikes the teeth of the bull gear, thereby lubricating the contact surfaces of the bull gear teeth.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. A gear system comprising a first gear, a second gear, and means for rotating said first gear at high speeds, wherein said first and second gears each have an axis of rotation, a central web section, and a plurality of teeth, said gears arranged in a bevel gear orientation such that said first gear teeth mesh with said second gear teeth, and rotation of said first gear causes said second gear to rotate therewith, said gear system also including an improved apparatus for lubricating said gears, said apparatus comprising:
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(a) a lubricant supply; and (b) a nozzle means in fluid communication with said supply, wherein said nozzle means is constructed and arranged to discharge a stream of lubricant directly onto said first gear web section, said gears arranged such that lubricant discharged onto said web section is thrown off said web section due to centrifugal forces while said gears rotate, and strikes said teeth of said second gear prior to the mesh point of said first gear teeth and said second gear teeth. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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Specification