US3637049A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Continuous, self-pumping lubrications system for splined shafts
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1970-03-03
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-03-03
Abstract
Abstract A lubrication system for a splined shaft is described in which rotation of the shaft produces a continuous pumping action of the lubricant through the splines. A central bore is formed in the stub shaft. A hollow tube of smaller diameter than the bore is positioned in the bore forming an annular passage between the tube and the shaft bore. Radial holes at opposite ends of the shaft communicate between the exterior of the shaft and the annulus to provide a return path for the oil. Rotation of the shaft and the radial holes produce a pumping action which pumps the lubricant through the tube and the splines and back into the annular return passage and out the other radial hole to produce continuous pumping of the oil through the shaft splines.
Inventors
- 👤 John L Butterfield
- 👤 George E Brissey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:18
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H57/00; F16H57/04; F16H57/042; F16H57/043; F16H57/0434; F16N; F16N7/00; F16N7/36; F16N21/00; F16N2210/00; F16N2210/12; F16N2270/00; F16N2270/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
196 words
In a self-lubricated spline shaft arrangement, the combination comprising, a. a shaft having at least one splined portion engaging a corresponding splined portion on a member mating with the shaft, b. an oil inlet passage extending axially along said shaft, c. means defining an annular oil return passage extending along said shaft, d. first radial oil hole means at one end of said shaft communicating between the exterior of the shaft and the annular oil return passage, e. second radial oil hole means at the other end of said shaft communicating between the exterior of saiD shaft and the annular oil return passage, said first and second radial oil hole means having different radii whereby rotation of said shaft produces a positive pumping action and oil flows along the inlet passage (to the exterior of the shaft and back through the annular passage through the oil holes) through the splined portion of the shaft and through one of said radial oil passage means to said annular oil return passage in a direction from the oil passage having the smaller radius to the oil passage means having the larger radius thereby forcing oil through the shaft splines.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
196 words
In a self-lubricated spline shaft arrangement, the combination comprising, a. a shaft having at least one splined portion engaging a corresponding splined portion on a member mating with the shaft, b. an oil inlet passage extending axially along said shaft, c. means defining an annular oil return passage extending along said shaft, d. first radial oil hole means at one end of said shaft communicating between the exterior of the shaft and the annular oil return passage, e. second radial oil hole means at the other end of said shaft communicating between the exterior of saiD shaft and the annular oil return passage, said first and second radial oil hole means having different radii whereby rotation of said shaft produces a positive pumping action and oil flows along the inlet passage (to the exterior of the shaft and back through the annular passage through the oil holes) through the splined portion of the shaft and through one of said radial oil passage means to said annular oil return passage in a direction from the oil passage having the smaller radius to the oil passage means having the larger radius thereby forcing oil through the shaft splines.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 1 wherein one of said radial oil hole means is located adjacent to the splined portion to enhance flow of the oil through the splined portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each of said radial oil hole means includes a plurality of oil holes.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 1 including an enclosure means at one end of said shaft whereby said oil passes through said oil inlet passage and into said enclosure means through the splined portion of the shaft and through one of said radial oil hole means to said annular passage.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 1 in which said shaft has an axial bore extending therethrough, tube means positioned in said bore, the ends of said tube means being attached to the walls of said tube means to define a central oil inlet passage and said annular oil return passage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 1 including oil-sealing means between the exterior of said shaft adjacent the splined portion and the member mating with said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said sealing means consists of at least one O-ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The shaft arrangement according to claim 1 comprising a shaft having spline portions at opposite ends thereof, said first and second radial oil hole means being positioned adjacent to said splined portions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |