Lubrication system and method of lubricating an internal-combustion engine
First Claim
1. A gearbox for a transmission including a shaft adapted to extend through the gearbox, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, a gear coupled to the shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis, a sliding sleeve coupled to the shaft to rotate with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, the sliding sleeve being adapted to move axially along the shaft, and a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve, the gearshift fork being movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis to move the sliding sleeve axially along the shaft, the gearbox comprising:
- a wall defining a cavity, the wall adapted to at least partially enclose the transmission;
a duct extending through the wall, the duct adapted to be in fluid communication with a supply of lubricant and with the cavity, the duct adapted to direct the lubricant onto at least one of the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork; and
a rib extending from the wall into the cavity and adapted to direct the lubricant from the duct onto at least one the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and method for lubricating an internal-combustion engine includes a shaft extending through a gearbox, a gear and a sliding sleeve coupled to rotate with the shaft and adapted to move axially along the shaft, a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve and moveable parallel to the shaft, a rib in the gearbox adjacent the shaft, and a duct extending into the gearbox. The duct preferably directs a lubricant onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. Preferably, the rib directs the lubricant from the duct onto the gearshift fork and the sliding sleeve. In an alternative embodiment, at least some of the lubricant flung from the shaft, gear, and sliding sleeve contacts the rib and is directed onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork. Further preferably, a projection extends from the rib to direct the lubricant onto the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork.
15 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A gearbox for a transmission including a shaft adapted to extend through the gearbox, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, a gear coupled to the shaft to rotate about the longitudinal axis, a sliding sleeve coupled to the shaft to rotate with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, the sliding sleeve being adapted to move axially along the shaft, and a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve, the gearshift fork being movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis to move the sliding sleeve axially along the shaft, the gearbox comprising:
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a wall defining a cavity, the wall adapted to at least partially enclose the transmission;
a duct extending through the wall, the duct adapted to be in fluid communication with a supply of lubricant and with the cavity, the duct adapted to direct the lubricant onto at least one of the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork; and
a rib extending from the wall into the cavity and adapted to direct the lubricant from the duct onto at least one the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A gearbox for a transmission including a shaft adapted to extend through the gearbox, the shaft having a longitudinal axis, a gear coupled to the shaft to rotate with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, a sliding sleeve coupled to the shaft to rotate with the shaft about the longitudinal axis, the sliding sleeve being adapted to move axially along the shaft, and a gearshift fork in mating engagement with the sliding sleeve, the gearshift fork being movable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis to move the sliding sleeve axially along the shaft, the gearbox comprising:
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a wall defining a cavity, the wall adapted to at least partially enclose the transmission; and
a rib extending from the wall into the cavity, the rib adapted so that at least some of a lubricant flung from the shaft, the gear, and the sliding sleeve contacts the rib, the rib being adapted to direct the lubricant onto at least one of the sliding sleeve and the gearshift fork. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A gearbox including a housing having a top and a bottom, the gearbox comprising:
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a first shaft including a first gear and a second gear;
a first sliding sleeve rotatably coupled to the first shaft and slidable between a first position in which the first sliding sleeve couples the first gear to the first shaft for rotation, and a second position in which the first sliding sleeve couples the second gear to the first shaft for rotation;
a second shaft including a third gear and a fourth gear, the second shaft horizontally spaced from the first shaft such that the first shaft and the second shaft are disposed substantially at the same elevation;
a second sliding sleeve rotatably coupled to the second shaft and slidable between a first position in which the second sliding sleeve couples the third gear to the second shaft for rotation, and a second position in which the second sliding sleeve couples the fourth gear to the second shaft for rotation;
a first rib extending from the top surface of the housing and positioned substantially above the first shaft; and
a second rib spaced apart from the first rib and extending from the top surface of the housing and positioned substantially above the second shaft. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A gearbox housing for a gearbox that includes a first shaft and a second shaft spaced a substantially horizontal distance from the first shaft, the gearbox housing comprising:
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an outer wall defining a top surface and a cavity, the outer wall substantially enclosing a cavity, the outer wall adapted to at least partially support the first shaft and the second shaft substantially within the cavity;
a duct extending through the wall, the duct adapted to provide fluid communication between a supply of lubricant and the cavity;
a first rib extending from the top surface into the cavity; and
a second rib spaced apart from the first rib and extending from the top surface into the cavity.
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Specification