Marine drive gear case lubrication system
US4650430A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 13, 1985 |
| Grant date | Mar 17, 1987 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 13, 2005 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF16H57/0428
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A lubrication and circulation system is provided for a marine drive lower gear case (4). A self-lubricating heat conducting flat thrust washer bearing (26) around the drive shaft (6) has a bottom horizontal surface (30) engaging the top of the pinion gear (10) at the bottom of the drive shaft (6) without needle bearings or roller bearings interposed therebetween. Lubricant frictionally dragged by the top of the pinion gear (10) across the bottom horizontal surface (30) of the thrust bearing washer (26) is diverted along the slants of slots (36 and 38) at an angle to the radius (40) inwardly toward the drive shaft (6) rotating therein. Upper and lower self-lubricating heat conducting sleeve bearings (18 and 20) mount the drive shaft (6) for rotation in the lower gear case (4) without needle bearings or roller bearings therebetween. Each sleeve bearing has a spiral groove (48) in its inner surface (50) in a helical direction driving lubricant upwardly therethrough along the drive shaft (6) as the latter rotates therein. Lubricant is circulated through the thrust washer bearing (26) and the sleeve bearings (18 and 20) to carry heat away from the bearings and substantially increase lon…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.