US4378711A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Planetary mechanism having a fluid baffle
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1980-09-29
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Granted: 1983-04-05
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Expires: 2000-09-29
Abstract
Abstract A baffle (78) encircles a planetary mechanism (10) having a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22) and a plurality of planet gear elements (24), and is connected to a stationary support (30, 48, 50, 66). The baffle (78) includes wiping means (90) for wiping fluid from one of the elements (18, 20, 22, 24) in response to rotation thereof and directing fluid that would otherwise cause high drag losses radially away from the planetary mechanism (10).
Inventors
- 👤 Steven A. Daniel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:51
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H1/00; F16H1/28; F16H1/46; F16H57/00; F16H57/04; F16H57/042; F16H57/0421; F16H57/048; F16H57/0482; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a planetary mechanism (10) of the type having a stationary support (30,48,50,66), a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22), and a plurality of planet gear elements (24) rotatably mounted on the planet carrier element (22) and in meshing engagement with the sun gear element (20) and the ring gear element (18), the elements (18,20,22,24) being rotatably connected to the stationary support (30,48,50,66), the improvement comprising: a baffle (78) encircling the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and defining with the support (30,48,50,66) an internal chamber (96) and an external chamber (98), the baffle (78) including an opening (86/88) and wiping means (90) for wiping fluid from one of the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and directing fluid from the internal chamber (96) to the external chamber (98) through the opening (86/88) and reducing the fluid level within the internal chamber (96) in response to rotation of the one element (18,20,22,24).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a planetary mechanism (10) of the type having a stationary support (30,48,50,66), a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22), and a plurality of planet gear elements (24) rotatably mounted on the planet carrier element (22) and in meshing engagement with the sun gear element (20) and the ring gear element (18), the elements (18,20,22,24) being rotatably connected to the stationary support (30,48,50,66), the improvement comprising: a baffle (78) encircling the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and defining with the support (30,48,50,66) an internal chamber (96) and an external chamber (98), the baffle (78) including an opening (86/88) and wiping means (90) for wiping fluid from one of the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and directing fluid from the internal chamber (96) to the external chamber (98) through the opening (86/88) and reducing the fluid level within the internal chamber (96) in response to rotation of the one element (18,20,22,24).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 1 wherein the baffle (78) is of sheet material formed into a hollow cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 2 wherein the wiping means (90) includes a radially inwardly extending lip (92/94) located at the opening (86/88).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 2 wherein the support (30,48,50,66) includes piloting seat means (62) for loosely supporting the baffle (78).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 2 wherein the support (30,48,50,66) includes positioning seat means (72) for supporting the baffle (78) at a preselected angular attitude.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 1 including seal means (79) for sealing between the baffle (78) and the support (30,48,50,66).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 1 wherein the baffle (78) is of sheet metal and of hollow cylindrical form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 7 wherein the baffle (78) has opposite peripheral edges and a seal (79) connected to each of the edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
48 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 7 wherein the baffle (78) has another opening (86/88) and the wiping means (90) includes first and second wiping lips (92,94 located at the respective opening (86/88) and being individually effective in a single direction of rotation of the one element (18,20,22,24).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 1 wherein the one element (18, 20, 22, 24) is the ring gear element (18).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 1 wherein the baffle (78) has a passage (80) therethrough and first and second inwardly deformed positioning tangs (82, 84) adjacent the passage (80).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a planetary mechanism (10) of the type having a stationary support (30,48,50,66), a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22), and a plurality of planet gear elements (24) rotatably mounted on the planet carrier element (22) and in meshing engagement with the sun gear element (20) and the ring gear element (18), the elements (18,20,22,24) being rotatably connected to the stationary support (30,48,50,66), the improvement comprising: a baffle (78) encircling the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and defining with the support (30,48,50,66) an internal chamber (96) and an external chamber (98), the baffle (78) including an opening (86/88) therethrough and a lip (92/94) located at the opening (86/88) of a construction sufficient for directing fluid radially away from the planetary mechanism (10) and internal chamber (96) to the external chamber (98) in response to rotation of the ring gear element (18).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a planetary mechanism (10) of the type having a stationary support (30,48,50,66), a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22), and a plurality of planet gear elements (24) rotatably mounted on the planet carrier element (22) and in meshing engagement with the sun gear element (20) and the ring gear element (18), the elements (18,20,22,24) being rotatably connected to the stationary support (30,48,50,66), the improvement comprising: a baffle (78) encircling the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and defining with the support (30,48,50,66) an internal chamber (96) and an external chamber (98), the baffle (78) including an opening (86/88) therethrough and a lip (92/94) located at the opening (86/88) of a construction sufficient for directing fluid radially away from the planetary mechanism (10) and internal chamber (96) to the external chamber (98) in response to rotation of the ring gear element (18).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 12 wherein the baffle (78) is of hollow cylindrical form.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 13 wherein the support (30, 48, 50, 66) includes first and second spaced apart members (30, 66) and the baffle (78) is supported by the spaced apart members (30, 66).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 14 wherein the spaced apart members (30, 66) include means (62, 72, 74) for pilotably and loosely supporting the baffle (78) at a preselected angular attitude.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The planetary mechanism (10) of claim 14 including a pair of seals (79) connected to the baffle (78) and individually sealingly engaging one of the spaced apart members (30,66).
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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) | 1986-04-04 | 1986-10-04 | 1987-04-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-04 | 1990-10-04 | 1991-04-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-04 | 1994-10-04 | 1995-04-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |