Dry sump mechanical transmission

• US 5,279,391 A
• Filed: 02/03/1993
• Issued: 01/18/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Original Assignee: Eaton Corp. (Wisconsin) (Eaton Corporation PLC.)
• Inventors: Ward, Harold R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Denion, Thomas E.
• Application Number:
  US08/013,267
• Time in Patent Office: 349 Days
• Field of Search: 184/6.12, 184/27.1, 184/26, 184/31, 475/159, 74/467, 74/468
• US Class Current: 184/6.12
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 1/12 Closed-circuit lubricating systems not provided for in groups F01M1/02 - F01M1/10
• CPC Class Codes: F01M 2001/126 Dry-sumps
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0404 Lubricant filters
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0434 relating to lubrication supply, e.g. pumps arrangement of pumps F16H57/0441; Pressure control grooves with pumping effect for supplying lubricant F16H57/0428; generation and variation of line pressure for transmission control F16H61/0021
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0456 Lubrication by injection; Injection nozzles or tubes therefor oil mist or spray lubrication F16H57/0458
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/0493 Gearings with spur or bevel gears differentials with spur or bevel gears F16H57/0483
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19991 Lubrication

Abstract

An improved lubrication system for a vehicular mechanical transmission (10) is provided. The transmission gearing (22-34) rotates in a dry sump (11) in the housing (12) and a reservoir (40) provides a sump of lubricant (42) below the level of the gearing. A pump (44) pumps lubricant from the reservoir through a filter (48) and into a distribution manifold (50) for filtered lubrication of the bearings (20) and/or other transmission elements.

Claims

1. A lubrication supply system for a vehicular mechanical change gear transmission (10) comprising a transmission housing (12) defining a cavity (11) in which transmission gearing (22-34) driven by an input shaft rotates, said housing including a bottom wall (12A) generally parallel to an axis (36) of said input shaft defining a bottom of said cavity said gearing defining one or more gears fixed for rotation on a shaft (16) having an axis (18) generally parallel to the axis (36) of said input shaft and defining a lowest transmission gearing in said housing, said lubrication system characterized by:

a lubricant reservoir (42) located below said bottom wall and in fluid communication with said cavity for collecting lubrication within said transmission,

a pump (44) located within said reservoir, driven by said input shaft and having an inlet 46 communicating with said reservoir and an outlet (52) communicating with a lubricant distribution manifold (50) for distributing lubrication within said housing;

a filter (48) connected in series between said outlet (52) and said manifold (50) whereby all lubricant pumped by said pump (44) to said manifold (50) passes through said filter (48) and

said transmission being provided with a known volume of lubricant, all of said lubricant receivable in said reservoir and cavity below the level of the lowest transmission gearing whereby none of said transmission gearing rotates in a lubricant sump.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said pump is driven by a gear (56) constantly meshed with one of said gears (24) comprising said transmission gearing.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said filter (48) includes a removable cover member (58) accessible from the exterior of said housing and said reservoir.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein said filter (48) includes a removable cover member (58) accessible from the exterior of said housing and said reservoir.