Recirculatory lubrication system for an open gear set
First Claim
1. A recirculatory lubrication system for applying a film of lubricant to an open gear set having a pinion gear and a bull gear in meshing engagement with the pinion gear, the open gear set enclosed by a gear set cover having a lower portion for collecting lubricant therein, comprising:
- (a) a first lubricant reservoir having one lubricant supply port and a lubricant return port;
(b) a first lubricant supply line, said first supply line having a first end in fluid communication with said supply port of said first reservoir and a second end;
(c) a filter assembly, said filter assembly including a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said filter housing in fluid communication with said second end of said first lubricant supply line, said filter housing having at least one filter element positioned therein for removing particles entrained in the lubricant;
(d) a second lubricant supply line, said second supply line having a first end in fluid communication with said outlet of said filter housing and a second end;
(e) a hollow elongated lubricant distribution header having a first end and a second end, said first end of said header in fluid communication with said second end of said second supply line, said header having a plurality of lubricant feed orifices positioned along the length of said header, said feed orifices effective in applying the film of lubricant onto the gear set;
(f) a lubricant return line having a first end and a second end, said first end in fluid communication with the lower portion of the gear set cover and said second end in fluid communication with said lubricant return port of said first reservoir; and
(g) a heater positioned within said reservoir to heat the lubricant within said reservoir.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A recirculatory lubrication system for applying a film of lubricant to an open gear set having a pinion gear and a bull gear in meshing engagement with the pinion gear, the open gear set enclosed by a gear set cover having a lower portion for collecting lubricant therein. The system includes a lubricant reservoir having a supply port and a return port; a first lubricant supply line in fluid communication with the supply port of the reservoir; a filter assembly having a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet in fluid communication with the first lubricant supply line, the filter housing having at least one filter element positioned therein; a second lubricant supply line in fluid communication with the outlet of the filter housing; a hollow elongated lubricant distribution header in fluid communication with the second lubricant supply line, the header having a plurality of lubricant feed orifices positioned along its length for applying a film of lubricant onto the gear set; and a lubricant return line in fluid communication with the lower portion of the gear set cover and the lubricant return port of the reservoir.
34 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A recirculatory lubrication system for applying a film of lubricant to an open gear set having a pinion gear and a bull gear in meshing engagement with the pinion gear, the open gear set enclosed by a gear set cover having a lower portion for collecting lubricant therein, comprising:
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(a) a first lubricant reservoir having one lubricant supply port and a lubricant return port; (b) a first lubricant supply line, said first supply line having a first end in fluid communication with said supply port of said first reservoir and a second end; (c) a filter assembly, said filter assembly including a filter housing having an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said filter housing in fluid communication with said second end of said first lubricant supply line, said filter housing having at least one filter element positioned therein for removing particles entrained in the lubricant; (d) a second lubricant supply line, said second supply line having a first end in fluid communication with said outlet of said filter housing and a second end; (e) a hollow elongated lubricant distribution header having a first end and a second end, said first end of said header in fluid communication with said second end of said second supply line, said header having a plurality of lubricant feed orifices positioned along the length of said header, said feed orifices effective in applying the film of lubricant onto the gear set; (f) a lubricant return line having a first end and a second end, said first end in fluid communication with the lower portion of the gear set cover and said second end in fluid communication with said lubricant return port of said first reservoir; and (g) a heater positioned within said reservoir to heat the lubricant within said reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification