US3847249A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Axle lubrication system
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
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Filing: 1972-08-24
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Granted: 1974-11-12
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Expires: 1992-08-24
Abstract
Abstract A lubricant filter and distribution system for power transmitting gearing as is included in automotive vehicle drive axles in which lubricant centrifugally thrown from the axle differential mechanism is collected in a receptacle from which the lubricant is gravity fed through filters toward each end of the differential mechanism and its bearings whereby the lubricant for the differential mechanism is continuously cleansed of particulate impurities. In one form of the invention, a magnetic particle separator is included.
Inventors
- 👤 L Oehring
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:45
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16N; F16N39/00; F16N39/06; F16H; F16H57/00; F16H57/04; F16H57/042; F16H57/0421; F16H57/048; F16H57/0482; F16H57/0483; F16H48/00; F16H48/06; F16H48/08; F16H57/0402; F16H57/0404
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In combination in an automotive wheel axle assembly having an axle housing, a differential carrier mounted on said housing, a differential mechanism rotatably mounted on said carrier by spaced bearings, and a ring gear secured to the exterior of said differential mechanism and by which said differential mechanism is driven, said housing and said carrier providing an oil sump in the lower portion of said axle assembly in which said ring gear is immersed and a dome over said ring gear against which oil is centrifugally thrown from said ring gear as said differential mechanism is driven, the improvement comprising: a. an open top lubricant receptacle suspended in said housing above said ring gear and beneath said dome to collect lubricant thrown from said ring gear and dripping from said dome said receptacle comprising an elongated trough extending longitudinally of said axle housing, b. said receptacle having at each end of said trough outlets through which collected lubricant can flow by gravity, c. oil filter units interposed in the path of flow from said outlets and having their inlets disposed beneath the open ends of said trough, d. said oil filter units each including a cavity in which separated particles may accumulate without impairing the functioning of the filter unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In combination in an automotive wheel axle assembly having an axle housing, a differential carrier mounted on said housing, a differential mechanism rotatably mounted on said carrier by spaced bearings, and a ring gear secured to the exterior of said differential mechanism and by which said differential mechanism is driven, said housing and said carrier providing an oil sump in the lower portion of said axle assembly in which said ring gear is immersed and a dome over said ring gear against which oil is centrifugally thrown from said ring gear as said differential mechanism is driven, the improvement comprising: a. an open top lubricant receptacle suspended in said housing above said ring gear and beneath said dome to collect lubricant thrown from said ring gear and dripping from said dome said receptacle comprising an elongated trough extending longitudinally of said axle housing, b. said receptacle having at each end of said trough outlets through which collected lubricant can flow by gravity, c. oil filter units interposed in the path of flow from said outlets and having their inlets disposed beneath the open ends of said trough, d. said oil filter units each including a cavity in which separated particles may accumulate without impairing the functioning of the filter unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 further comprising magnetic means disposed in said receptacle to mechanically separate magnetically attractable particles from the lubricant collected in said receptacle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein said filter units are detachably secured to said housing and receptacle and removable for servicing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
The combination defined in claim 3 wherein said filter units are each retained in position by engagement of a flange thereon with a clip secured to the housing dome and by a single screw secured to said trough whereby each of said filter cartridges may be easily removed for replacement or cleaning by removal of said single screw.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein each of said filter units comprises a receptacle the bottom and sidewalls of which are formed of wire mesh.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination defined in claim 1 wherein each of said filter units comprises a radial flow pleated paper filter eleMent.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination in a power transmitting gear box having a housing, gear train means rotatably mounted within said housing by spaced bearings, said housing defining a liquid lubricant sump in the lower portion thereof in the path of movement of at least one member of said gear train means and a dome in the upper portion thereof above said element against which lubricant is centrifugally thrown from said element during movement of the gear train means, the improvement comprising: a. an open top lubricant receptacle comprising an elongated trough suspended in said housing above said element and beneath said dome to collect lubricant thrown from said element and dripping from said dome, b. said trough having an outlet through which collected lubricant can flow by gravity, c. an oil filter unit having an upwardly open inlet positioned in the path of lubricant flow from said trough outlet at a lower level than the outlet of said trough, d. said oil filter unit including a cavity in which separated particles may accumulate without impairing the functioning of the filter unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
179 words
In combination in a power transmitting gear box having a housing, gear train means rotatably mounted within said housing by spaced bearings, said housing defining a liquid lubricant sump in the lower portion thereof in the path of movement of at least one member of said gear train means and a dome in the upper portion thereof above said element against which lubricant is centrifugally thrown from said element during movement of the gear train means, the improvement comprising: a. an open top lubricant receptacle comprising an elongated trough suspended in said housing above said element and beneath said dome to collect lubricant thrown from said element and dripping from said dome, b. said trough having an outlet through which collected lubricant can flow by gravity, c. an oil filter unit having an upwardly open inlet positioned in the path of lubricant flow from said trough outlet at a lower level than the outlet of said trough, d. said oil filter unit including a cavity in which separated particles may accumulate without impairing the functioning of the filter unit.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-11-11 | 1978-05-13 | 1978-11-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-11-11 | 1982-05-13 | 1982-11-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-11-11 | 1986-05-13 | 1986-11-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |