Lubrication system with prolonged loss of lubricant operation
First Claim
1. A lubrication system to lubricate moving components comprising:
- a housing defining a hot oil sump and a cold oil sump;
a heat exchanger system;
an external lubrication communication system to communicate a lubricating oil from said hot oil sump to said cold oil sump though said heat exchanger system;
an internal lubrication communication system to communicate the lubricating oil from said cold oil sump to the moving components;
a breather valve in communication with said housing, said breather valve in communication with said housing and atmospheric pressure; and
a controller to selectively close said breather valve and seal said housing from atmospheric pressure in response to a loss of lubricant condition indicated by a pressure sensor such that said external lubrication communication system develops a negative pressure within said housing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lubrication system includes an external pump system which pumps air out of the housing and develop negative pressure therein in response to a loss of lubrication condition. The negative pressure operates as an air lock to minimize or prevent lubricating oil loss from the housing while an internal lubrication system continues to distribute lubricating oil—which although now increasing in temperature—still operates to lubricate the gearbox components. For further ballistic tolerance, the housing is a compound housing that reduces or closes the penetration and further minimizes lubricating oil and negative pressure loss. The housing may be still further hardened by an armor layer.
43 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A lubrication system to lubricate moving components comprising:
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a housing defining a hot oil sump and a cold oil sump; a heat exchanger system; an external lubrication communication system to communicate a lubricating oil from said hot oil sump to said cold oil sump though said heat exchanger system; an internal lubrication communication system to communicate the lubricating oil from said cold oil sump to the moving components; a breather valve in communication with said housing, said breather valve in communication with said housing and atmospheric pressure; and a controller to selectively close said breather valve and seal said housing from atmospheric pressure in response to a loss of lubricant condition indicated by a pressure sensor such that said external lubrication communication system develops a negative pressure within said housing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A lubrication system to lubricate moving components comprising:
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a housing defining a hot oil sump and a cold oil sump; a breather valve in communication with said housing and atmospheric pressure; and a controller to selectively close said breather valve and seal said housing from atmospheric pressure in response to a loss of lubricant condition indicated by a pressure sensor such that a negative pressure within said housing is developed. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification