US6293263B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Compact supercharger with improved lubrication
Assignee: Vortech Engineering Inc
•
Filing: 1999-11-01
•
Granted: 2001-09-25
•
Expires: 2019-11-01
Abstract
Abstract A compact supercharger having a drive portion, and an atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger. The drive portion has a drive gear with teeth and an outer circumference and a driven gear with teeth and an outer circumference, drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing races, and a gear case with an inner chamber with a back wall, a front wall, perimeter walls having a swale formed thereon. The drive gear is larger than the driven gear and is position below the driven gear. Drive gear bearing mounting recesses receive the drive gear bearing races, and driven gear bearing mounting recesses receive the driven gear bearing races. An oil/air mist inlet is formed in the gear case, and oil/air mist channels are in communication with the oil/air mist inlet and the driven gear bearing races. A splitter with passageways is located near a bottom of the gear case in the vicinity of an oil outlet. The outer circumference of the drive gear is in close proximity to the perimeter walls of the inner chamber and an upper face of the separator portion. During rotation of the drive gear, oil/air mist will be expelled against the perimeter wall portion to aid in separating the air from the oil, the oil will travel down the swale, through the passageways of the splitter, and exit through the oil outlet, thereby preventing windage of the oil in the gear case and assisting in power draining of oil from the gear case.
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Middlebrook
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:52
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/20; F02; F02B; F02B39/00; F02B39/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, and a drive portion, the drive portion comprising: a drive gear having an outer circumference and a driven gear having an outer circumference, the drive gear adapted to engage with the driven gear, the driven gear having a driven gear shaft adapted to connect to the compressor wheel, and the drive gear having a drive gear shaft adapted to rotate the drive gear; drive gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the drive gear shaft and drive gear and driven gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the driven gear shaft and driven gear; and a gear case having an inner chamber with a back wall, a front wall, perimeter walls, drive gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the drive gear bearing races, driven gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the driven gear bearing races, at least one oil inlet in the gear case to receive oil, and oil channels in communication with the at least one oil inlet and the driven gear bearing races, and at least one oil outlet on the gear case, wherein the outer circumference of the drive gear located in the gear case is in close proximity to at least portions of the perimeter walls of the inner chamber; and two splitters, each extending from portions of the perimeter side wall, each having a raised face with a lip portion, the raised face and lip being in close proximity with a portion of the outer circumference of the drive gear, each splitter having a channel extending generally below the lip, which channel communicates with one of two oil outlets, wherein the two splitters are spaced apart, wherein during rotation of the drive gear, oil will be expelled against the perimeter wall portion, travel down the perimeter walls and exit through the at least one oil outlet, thereby reducing windage of the oil in the gear case and assisting in power draining of oil from the gear case.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, and a drive portion, the drive portion comprising: a drive gear having an outer circumference and a driven gear having an outer circumference, the drive gear adapted to engage with the driven gear, the driven gear having a driven gear shaft adapted to connect to the compressor wheel, and the drive gear having a drive gear shaft adapted to rotate the drive gear; drive gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the drive gear shaft and drive gear and driven gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the driven gear shaft and driven gear; and a gear case having an inner chamber with a back wall, a front wall, perimeter walls, drive gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the drive gear bearing races, driven gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the driven gear bearing races, at least one oil inlet in the gear case to receive oil, and oil channels in communication with the at least one oil inlet and the driven gear bearing races, and at least one oil outlet on the gear case, wherein the outer circumference of the drive gear located in the gear case is in close proximity to at least portions of the perimeter walls of the inner chamber; and two splitters, each extending from portions of the perimeter side wall, each having a raised face with a lip portion, the raised face and lip being in close proximity with a portion of the outer circumference of the drive gear, each splitter having a channel extending generally below the lip, which channel communicates with one of two oil outlets, wherein the two splitters are spaced apart, wherein during rotation of the drive gear, oil will be expelled against the perimeter wall portion, travel down the perimeter walls and exit through the at least one oil outlet, thereby reducing windage of the oil in the gear case and assisting in power draining of oil from the gear case.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , further comprising at least one splitter located in the gear case in the vicinity of the at least one oil outlet, the at least one splitter having a face in close proximity to the outer circumference of the drive gear, and at least one passageway communicating with the at least one oil outlet.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The compact supercharger of claim 2 , wherein the perimeter sidewall has a swale formed along at least a portion thereof in regions of sidewall near outer circumference of drive gear.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compact supercharger of claim 3 , wherein the swale extends at least partially into the passageway of the splitter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compact supercharger of claim 3 , wherein an additional groove is formed in at least a portion of the swale.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , wherein the drive gear has a larger circumference than the driven gear and is located in the inner chamber of the gear case below the driven gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , wherein a slot is formed on a bottom of the drive gear bearing mounting recesses for oil drainage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , wherein the gear case comprises a back portion and a cover portion, and one oil inlet is formed in the back portion and one oil inlet is formed in the cover portion, and the oil channels communicate with each other, and oil is delivered to one of the oil inlets with the other oil inlet being plugged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , wherein the driven gear and driven gear bearing races are adapted to splash oil onto the drive gear and drive gear bearing races.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The compact supercharger of claim 9 , wherein the pressurized air for the atomizer is supplied from the volute of the supercharger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , further comprising an atomizer for mixing lubricating oil and pressurized air to generate an oil/air mist which is fed into one of the oil inlets.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
The compact supercharger of claim 11 , wherein the atomizer comprises an oil inlet end, at least one jet, at least one downstream channel, and at least one pressurized air aperture formed in the downstream channel through which pressurized air is supplied to form an oil/air mist that exits an oil/air mist outlet end.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
The compact supercharger of claim 11 , wherein the atomizer comprises an air supply portion with a central air supply channel and at least one air/oil mist channel in communication therewith, an oil supply portion with a central oil supply channel and at least one transverse channel, and at least one jet with an orifice, the orifice of the at least one jet extending into the air/oil mist channel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
48 words
The compact supercharger of claim 11 , wherein the action of mist/oil mist being expelled against the perimeter wall causes oil to be separated from the oil/air mist, and the pressurized air aids in expelling oil out of the at least one oil outlet in the gear case.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The compact supercharger of claim 1 , further comprising bearing cups for receiving the drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing races, the bearing cups being incorporated in the gear case, and being formed of material having similar thermal expansion characteristics as the drive gear bearing races, and the driven gear bearing races, respectively.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compact supercharger of claim 15 , wherein pairs of bearing cups are joined together with struts to form unitary inserts.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
The compact supercharger of claim 16 , wherein the inserts are formed of ferrous material, and are cast into the gear case which is made of a different material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
199 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, a drive portion, and an atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger, the supercharger comprising: the atomizer being for mixing lubricating oil and pressurized air to create an oil/air mist; and a gear case for the supercharger adapted to accommodate gears and bearing means, the gear case having at least one inlet for the oil/air mist from the atomizer, channels communicating between the at least one inlet therethrough and the bearing means, and at least one oil outlet for draining oil from the gear case, wherein the bearing means comprise driven gear bearing races positioned in driven gear bearing mounting recesses, the driven gear bearing races rotatably carrying a shaft with a driven gear and adapted to connect to the compressor, a drive gear and drive gear bearing races positioned in drive gear bearing race recesses of the supercharger, and wherein the channels communicate with the driven gear bearing races to provide direct lubrication of the driven bearing races by oil/air mist, and oil is supplied to the drive gear and drive gear bearing races by being splashed from the driven gear bearing races and driven gear.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
199 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, a drive portion, and an atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger, the supercharger comprising: the atomizer being for mixing lubricating oil and pressurized air to create an oil/air mist; and a gear case for the supercharger adapted to accommodate gears and bearing means, the gear case having at least one inlet for the oil/air mist from the atomizer, channels communicating between the at least one inlet therethrough and the bearing means, and at least one oil outlet for draining oil from the gear case, wherein the bearing means comprise driven gear bearing races positioned in driven gear bearing mounting recesses, the driven gear bearing races rotatably carrying a shaft with a driven gear and adapted to connect to the compressor, a drive gear and drive gear bearing races positioned in drive gear bearing race recesses of the supercharger, and wherein the channels communicate with the driven gear bearing races to provide direct lubrication of the driven bearing races by oil/air mist, and oil is supplied to the drive gear and drive gear bearing races by being splashed from the driven gear bearing races and driven gear.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
The compact supercharger of claim 18 , wherein the atomizer comprises an oil inlet end, an oil jet, a downstream channel, and at least one pressurized air aperture formed in the downstream channel through which pressurized air is supplied to generate an oil/air mist that exits an oil/air mist outlet end.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
The compact supercharger of claim 18 , wherein the atomizer comprises an air supply portion with a central air supply channel and at least one air/oil mist channel in communication therewith, an oil supply portion with a central oil supply channel and at least one transverse channel, and at least one jet with an orifice, the orifice of the at least one jet extending into the air/oil mist channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compact supercharger of claim 18 , wherein the pressurized air for the atomizer is derived from the volute of the supercharger and fed to the atomizer via a hose.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
94 words
The compact supercharger of claim 18 , wherein the gear case comprises a base portion with a first oil/air mist inlet, and a cover portion with a second oil/air mist inlet, and wherein the channels comprise tunnels formed in the base portion and cover portion of gear case, the tunnels being in communication with each other, the first and second oil/air mist inlets, and the driven gear bearing races, and wherein the atomizer is connected to one of the two oil/air mist inlets, and the oil/air mist inlet not receiving the atomizer is plugged.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
185 words
The compact supercharger of claim 18 , wherein the gears comprises a drive gear having teeth and an outer circumference and a driven gear having teeth and an outer circumference, wherein the bearing means comprises drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing races, wherein the gear case has an inner chamber with drive gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the driven gear bearing races, the inner chamber further having a back wall, a front wall, perimeter walls, the perimeter walls having a swale formed along at least a portion of the perimeter walls in the vicinity of the drive gear, wherein the outer circumference of the drive gear is in close proximity to at least portions of the perimeter walls of the inner chamber, wherein during rotation of the drive gear, oil will be expelled against the perimeter wall portion, travel down the swale, and exit through the oil outlet, thereby reducing windage of the oil in the gear case and assisting in power draining of oil from the gear case.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
The compact supercharger of claim 23 , further comprising a splitter located near a bottom of the gear case in the vicinity of the oil outlet, the splitter having leading edges in close proximity to the outer circumference of the drive gear, and passageway communicating with the oil outlet.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The compact supercharger of claim 23 , further comprising a groove formed in at least a portion of the swale.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The compact supercharger of claim 23 , wherein the driven gear has a smaller circumference and is located in the gear case above the drive gear.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
224 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, a drive portion, and an atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger, the drive portion comprising: a drive gear having teeth and an outer circumference and a driven gear having teeth and an outer circumference, the driven gear having a shaft adapted to connect to the compressor wheel; drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing races; and a gear case having back portion with a back wall, perimeter sidewalls, and a lower portion, and a cover portion, the drive gear having a larger diameter than the driven gear and being located in the gear case below the driven gear, drive gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the drive gear bearing races, driven gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the driven gear bearing races, at least one oil/air inlet in the gear case to receive engine oil, and oil/air mist channels in communication with the at least one oil inlet and the driven gear bearing races, at least one oil outlet in the gear case, and at least one splitter located in the vicinity of the at least one oil outlet, the splitter having a curved upper face in close proximity to the outer circumference of the drive gear, and at least one passageway communicating with the at least one oil outlet.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
224 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, a drive portion, and an atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger, the drive portion comprising: a drive gear having teeth and an outer circumference and a driven gear having teeth and an outer circumference, the driven gear having a shaft adapted to connect to the compressor wheel; drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing races; and a gear case having back portion with a back wall, perimeter sidewalls, and a lower portion, and a cover portion, the drive gear having a larger diameter than the driven gear and being located in the gear case below the driven gear, drive gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the drive gear bearing races, driven gear bearing mounting recesses to receive the driven gear bearing races, at least one oil/air inlet in the gear case to receive engine oil, and oil/air mist channels in communication with the at least one oil inlet and the driven gear bearing races, at least one oil outlet in the gear case, and at least one splitter located in the vicinity of the at least one oil outlet, the splitter having a curved upper face in close proximity to the outer circumference of the drive gear, and at least one passageway communicating with the at least one oil outlet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The compact supercharger of claim 27 , wherein the perimeter sidewall has a swale formed along at least a portion thereof in regions of sidewall near outer circumference of drive gear.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compact supercharger of claim 28 , wherein an additional groove is formed in at least a portion of the swale.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
76 words
The compact supercharger of claim 27 , wherein the supercharger comprises two splitters, extending from portions of the perimeter side wall, each having a raised face with a lip portion, the raised face and lip being in close proximity with a portion of the outer circumference of the drive gear, each splitter having a channel extending generally below the lip, which channel communicates with one of two oil outlets, wherein the two splitters are spaced apart.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
70 words
The compact supercharger of claim 27 , wherein a slot is formed on a bottom of the drive gear bearing mounting recesses for oil drainage, and one oil inlet is formed in the back portion and one oil inlet is formed in the cover portion, and the oil channels communicate with each other, and oil is delivered to one of the oil inlets with the other oil inlet being plugged.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The compact supercharger of claim 27 , further comprising bearing cups for receiving the drive gear bearing races and driven gear bearing races, the bearing cups being incorporated in the gear case, and being formed of material having similar thermal expansion characteristics as the drive gear bearings races, and the driven gear bearing races, respectively.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
21 words
The compact supercharger of claim 32 , wherein pairs of bearing cups are joined together with struts to form unitary inserts.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The compact supercharger of claim 33 , wherein the inserts are formed of ferrous material, and are cast into the gear case which is made of a different material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
60 words
The compact supercharger of claim 27 , wherein the atomizer comprises an oil inlet end, at least one jet, at least one downstream channel, and at least one pressurized air aperture formed in the downstream channel through which pressurized air is supplied from the volute of the supercharger to generate an oil/air mist that exits an oil/air mist outlet end.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
69 words
The compact supercharger of claim 27 , wherein the atomizer comprises an air supply portion with a central air supply channel and at least one air/oil mist channel in communication therewith, an oil supply portion with a central oil supply channel and at least one transverse channel, and at least one jet with an orifice, the orifice of the at least one jet extending into the air/oil mist channel.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
131 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel,and a drive portion, the drive portion comprising: a drive gear with a drive shaft and a driven gear with a driven gear shaft; drive gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the drive gear shaft and drive gear and driven gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the driven gear shaft and driven gear; and a gear case having an inner chamber with a back wall, a front wall, perimeter walls; and unitary inserts having bearing cups for receiving the drive gear bearing races and bearing cups for the driven gear bearing races, the unitary inserts being incorporated in the gear case and being formed of material having similar thermal expansion characteristics as the drive gear bearing races and the driven gear bearing races.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
131 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel,and a drive portion, the drive portion comprising: a drive gear with a drive shaft and a driven gear with a driven gear shaft; drive gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the drive gear shaft and drive gear and driven gear bearing races for rotatably supporting the driven gear shaft and driven gear; and a gear case having an inner chamber with a back wall, a front wall, perimeter walls; and unitary inserts having bearing cups for receiving the drive gear bearing races and bearing cups for the driven gear bearing races, the unitary inserts being incorporated in the gear case and being formed of material having similar thermal expansion characteristics as the drive gear bearing races and the driven gear bearing races.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
38 words
The compact supercharger of claim 37 , wherein in the unitary inserts, the bearing cups for receiving the drive gear bearing races and the bearing cups for receiving the driven gear bearing races are joined together with struts.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compact supercharger of claim 37 , wherein the unitary inserts are formed of ferrous material, and are cast into the gear case which is made of a dissimilar material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
181 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, a drive portion, and a modular atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger, the supercharger comprising: a modular atomizer for mixing lubricating oil and pressurized air to create an oil/air mist, the modular atomizer having an air supply portion with a central air supply channel and a plurality of air/oil mist channels in communication therewith, an oil supply portion with a central oil supply channel and an equal plurality of transverse channels, and an equal plurality of jets with orifices formed therethrough, the jets placed in and extending into but not blocking the air/oil mist channels, the air supply portion and the oil supply portion being detachably affixed together with the jets placed therebetween; and a gear case for the supercharger adapted to accommodate gears and bearing means, the gear case having at least one inlet for the oil/air mist from the atomizer, channels communicating between the at least one inlet therethrough and the bearing means, and at least one oil outlet for draining oil from the gear case.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
181 words
A compact supercharger having a volute, a compressor wheel, a drive portion, and a modular atomizer for providing a lubricating oil/air mist to the supercharger, the supercharger comprising: a modular atomizer for mixing lubricating oil and pressurized air to create an oil/air mist, the modular atomizer having an air supply portion with a central air supply channel and a plurality of air/oil mist channels in communication therewith, an oil supply portion with a central oil supply channel and an equal plurality of transverse channels, and an equal plurality of jets with orifices formed therethrough, the jets placed in and extending into but not blocking the air/oil mist channels, the air supply portion and the oil supply portion being detachably affixed together with the jets placed therebetween; and a gear case for the supercharger adapted to accommodate gears and bearing means, the gear case having at least one inlet for the oil/air mist from the atomizer, channels communicating between the at least one inlet therethrough and the bearing means, and at least one oil outlet for draining oil from the gear case.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compact supercharger of claim 40 , wherein each jet has a filter cap that fits over a distal end of the jet to prevent the orifice from becoming blocked.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
30 words
The compact supercharger of claim 40 , wherein air supply portion and the oil supply portion are held together and attached to the gear case of the supercharger with bolts.
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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) | 2004-09-24 | 2005-03-26 | 2005-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-09-24 | 2009-03-26 | 2009-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-09-24 | 2013-03-26 | 2013-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |