US6439208B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Centrifugal supercharger having lubricating slinger
Assignee: Accessible Technologies Inc
•
Filing: 2000-09-22
•
Granted: 2002-08-27
•
Expires: 2020-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A centrifugal supercharger includes a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber. An impeller in the compressor chamber is mounted to a shaft that extends into the transmission chamber. The impeller shaft is drivingly connected to a power input shaft by intermeshing gears provided on the shafts. A portion of the transmission chamber defines a fluid reservoir in which lubrication fluid is held. The intermeshing gears, as well as the bearing assemblies supporting the shafts, are located outside the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber. A rotatable fluid-propelling element partly submerged in the lubrication fluid contained within the reservoir portion ensures that sufficient but not excessive lubrication fluid is supplied to the intermeshing gears and the bearing assemblies. It is particularly believed that rotation of the partly submerged fluid propelling element causes lubrication fluid to be propelled to the intermeshing gears and lubrication fluid displaced from the gears is directed to the bearing assemblies. The supercharger may alternatively include an intermediate shaft and gears drivingly connecting the impeller shaft to the input shaft, wherein the low speed gear fixed to the input shaft is partly submerged in the lubricant reservoir and serves as the lubricant slinging element.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel W. Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:24
CPC Classifications
F; F04; F04D; F04D29/00; F04D29/06; F04D29/063; F02; F02B; F02B33/00; F02B33/32; F02B33/34; F02B33/40; F02B39/00; F02B39/02; F02B39/04; F04D25/00; F04D25/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19991
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 70
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion; lubrication fluid contained entirely within the transmission chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
103 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion; lubrication fluid contained entirely within the transmission chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 1 , said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the power source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 , each of said shafts being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies that are located within the transmission chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 3 , said pair of bearing assemblies being said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 2 , said transmission including a drive gear fixed relative to the input shaft and a driven gear provided on the impeller shaft, said gears being located within the transmission chamber and drivingly connected so that power from the input shaft is transferred to the impeller shaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 1 , said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 6 , said transmission including a plurality of intermeshing gears, said fluid-propelling element including circumferential teeth that intermesh with one of the gears of the transmission so that rotation of the one gear effects rotation of the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 7 , p 1 said fluid-propelling element presenting opposite sides and including a plurality of projections extending from at least one of the sides.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 1 , said fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber being positioned below said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung upwardly to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 9 , said transmission chamber being generally teardrop-shaped in cross-section, with the fluid reservoir portion being wider in cross-section than any other portion of the transmission chamber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 1 , said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies, said case presenting multiple pairs of opposed aligned mounting sockets, with the bearing assemblies being received in respective mounting sockets of one of the pairs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
182 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including a rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element comprising a wheel that includes a hub and an outer tire fixed to the hub, said tire engaging the member so that rotation of the member effects rotation of the wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
182 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including a rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element comprising a wheel that includes a hub and an outer tire fixed to the hub, said tire engaging the member so that rotation of the member effects rotation of the wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion; lubrication fluid contained entirely within the transmission chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion; lubrication fluid contained entirely within the transmission chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 13 , said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the engine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 14 , each of said shafts being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies that are located within the transmission chamber.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 15 , said pair of bearing assemblies being said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 14 , said transmission including a drive gear fixed relative to the input shaft and a driven gear provided on the impeller shaft, said gears being located within the transmission chamber and drivingly connected so that power from the input shaft is transferred to the impeller shaft.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 13 , said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 18 , said transmission including a plurality of intermeshing gears, said fluid-propelling element including circumferential teeth that intermesh with one of the gears of the transmission so that rotation of the one gear effects rotation of the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 19 , said fluid-propelling element presenting opposite sides and including a plurality of projections extending from at least one of the sides.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
70 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 13 , said fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber being positioned below said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung upwardly to said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 21 , said transmission chamber being generally teardrop-shaped in cross-section, with the fluid reservoir portion being wider in cross-section than any other portion of the transmission chamber.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 13 , said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies, said case presenting multiple pairs of opposed aligned mounting sockets, with the bearing assemblies being received in respective mounting sockets of one of the pairs.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including a rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element comprising a wheel that includes a hub and an outer tire fixed to the hub, said tire engaging the member so that rotation of the member effects rotation of the wheel.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
214 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a fluid-propelling element operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber to said at least part of the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being rotatable and located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the fluid-propelling element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including a rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element comprising a wheel that includes a hub and an outer tire fixed to the hub, said tire engaging the member so that rotation of the member effects rotation of the wheel.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
173 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; and a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof, said transmission including a rotatable element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the power source, said transmission further including an intermediate shaft drivingly connected between the impeller and input shafts.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
173 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; and a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof, said transmission including a rotatable element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the power source, said transmission further including an intermediate shaft drivingly connected between the impeller and input shafts.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 25 , each of said shafts being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies that are located within the transmission chamber.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
56 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 26 , said transmission including a drive gear fixed relative to the input shaft, a driven gear provided on the impeller shaft, and intermediate gears each provided on the intermediate shaft and intermeshing with a respective one of the drive and driven gears, said drive gear being said element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
26 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 27 , said shaft, bearings therefor, and driven and intermediate gears being said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 26 , said pair of bearing assemblies being said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and an inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; and a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof, said transmission including a rotatable element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the engine, said transmission further including an intermediate shaft drivingly connected between the impeller and input shafts.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
206 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and an inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion in which a quantity of lubrication fluid may be held; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; and a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source, with at least part of the transmission being located in the transmission chamber but outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof, said transmission including a rotatable element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, such that rotation of the element causes lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be slung to said at least part of the transmission, said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the engine, said transmission further including an intermediate shaft drivingly connected between the impeller and input shafts.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 30 , each of said shafts being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies that are located within the transmission chamber.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
57 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 31 , said transmission including a drive gear fixed relative to the input shaft, a driven gear provided on the impeller shaft, and intermediate gears each provided on the intermediate shaft and intermeshing with a respective one of the drive and driven gears, said drive gear being said element.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 32 , said shaft, bearings therefor, and driven and intermediate gears being said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 31 , said pair of bearing assemblies being said at least part of the transmission.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
104 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a second chamber having a fluid reservoir portion; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; lubrication fluid contained entirely within the second chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof; a rotatable shaft; a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the shaft on the case, said bearing assembly being located outside the fluid reservoir portion of the second chamber; and a rotatable fluid-propelling element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion and operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the second chamber toward the bearing assembly when rotated.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
104 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a second chamber having a fluid reservoir portion; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; lubrication fluid contained entirely within the second chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof; a rotatable shaft; a bearing assembly rotatably supporting the shaft on the case, said bearing assembly being located outside the fluid reservoir portion of the second chamber; and a rotatable fluid-propelling element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion and operable to propel lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion of the second chamber toward the bearing assembly when rotated.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The centrifugal supercharge as claimed in claim 35 , at least a portion of said rotatable shaft being located in the compressor chamber.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 35 , said impeller being supported on the rotatable shaft.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
154 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion configured to hold a quantity of lubrication without filling the transmission chamber; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source such that the transmission serves to transfer driving power to the impeller, said transmission being located generally within in the transmission chamber but at least substantially outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a rotatable fluid-propelling element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, with rotation of the fluid-propelling element causing lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be transferred to the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being outside the driving connection between the impeller and power source so that at least substantially no driving power is transferred to the impeller by the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
154 words
A centrifugal supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber and a transmission chamber, said transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion configured to hold a quantity of lubrication without filling the transmission chamber; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to a power source such that the transmission serves to transfer driving power to the impeller, said transmission being located generally within in the transmission chamber but at least substantially outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a rotatable fluid-propelling element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, with rotation of the fluid-propelling element causing lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be transferred to the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being outside the driving connection between the impeller and power source so that at least substantially no driving power is transferred to the impeller by the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
26 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 38 ; and lubrication fluid contained entirely within the transmission chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
42 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 38 , said transmission including a generally cylindrical rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element presenting an outer, generally circular surface that engages the member so that rotation of the member effects rotation of the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
54 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 40 , said transmission including a plurality of intermeshing gears, one of which is said rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element including circumferential teeth that intermesh with said one of the gears of the transmission so that rotation of the one gear effects rotation of the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 38 , said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case for connection to the power source.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
29 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 42 , each of said shafts being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies that are located within the transmission chamber.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
54 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 42 , said transmission including a drive gear fixed relative to the input shaft and a driven gear provided on the impeller shaft, said gears being located within the transmission chamber and drivingly connected so that power from the input shaft is transferred to the impeller shaft.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
22 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 38 , said fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber being positioned below the transmission.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
34 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 45 , said transmission chamber being generally teardrop-shaped in cross-section, with the fluid reservoir portion being wider in cross-section than any other portion of the transmission chamber.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
46 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 38 , said fluid-propelling element being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies, said case presenting multiple pairs of opposed aligned mounting sockets, with the bearing assemblies being received in respective mounting sockets of one of the pairs.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
38 words
The centrifugal supercharger as claimed in claim 38 , said fluid-propelling element presenting an outer circumferential surface, said fluid-propelling element having an outer surface speed of at least about 3,500 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion configured to hold a quantity of lubrication without filling the transmission chamber; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine such that the transmission serves to transfer driving power to the impeller, said transmission being located generally within in the transmission chamber but at least substantially outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a rotatable fluid-propelling element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, with rotation of the fluid-propelling element causing lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be transferred to the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being outside the driving connection between the impeller and the engine so that at least substantially no driving power is transferred to the impeller by the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
186 words
In a powered vehicle including an engine, an improved supercharger comprising: a case presenting a compressor chamber defined between an outlet opening connected to the engine and inlet opening, said case further presenting a transmission chamber having a fluid reservoir portion configured to hold a quantity of lubrication without filling the transmission chamber; a rotatable impeller in the compressor chamber, with the impeller being operable to force air through the outlet opening when rotated; a transmission operable to drivingly connect the impeller to the engine such that the transmission serves to transfer driving power to the impeller, said transmission being located generally within in the transmission chamber but at least substantially outside the fluid reservoir portion thereof; and a rotatable fluid-propelling element located at least partly in the fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber, with rotation of the fluid-propelling element causing lubrication fluid in the fluid reservoir portion to be transferred to the transmission, said fluid-propelling element being outside the driving connection between the impeller and the engine so that at least substantially no driving power is transferred to the impeller by the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 ; and lubrication fluid contained entirely within the transmission chamber and filling only the fluid reservoir portion thereof.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
43 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said transmission including a generally cylindrical rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element presenting an outer, generally circular surface that engages the member so that rotation of the member effects rotation of the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 51 , said transmission including a plurality of intermeshing gears, one of which is said rotatable member, said fluid-propelling element including circumferential teeth that intermesh with said one of the gears of the transmission so that rotation of the one gear effects rotation of the fluid-propelling element.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
53 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said transmission including an impeller shaft that extends from the transmission chamber into the compression chamber to support the impeller, said transmission further including an input shaft that projects from the transmission chamber outside the case and is drivingly connected to the engine.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 53 , each of said shafts being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies that are located within the transmission chamber.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
55 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 53 , said transmission including a drive gear fixed relative to the input shaft and a driven gear provided on the impeller shaft, said gears being located within the transmission chamber and drivingly connected so that power from the input shaft is transferred to the impeller shaft.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
23 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said fluid reservoir portion of the transmission chamber being positioned below the transmission.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
35 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 56 , said transmission chamber being generally teardrop-shaped in cross-section, with the fluid reservoir portion being wider in cross-section than any other portion of the transmission chamber.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
47 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said fluid-propelling element being rotatably supported by a pair of bearing assemblies, said case presenting multiple pairs of opposed aligned mounting sockets, with the bearing assemblies being received in respective mounting sockets of one of the pairs.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
39 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 49 , said fluid-propelling element presenting an outer circumferential surface, said fluid-propelling element having an outer surface speed of at least about 3,500 feet per minute during rotation of the impeller.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
44 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 59 ; and a drive mechanism drivingly connecting the transmission to the engine, said drive mechanism and said transmission being configured to rotate the fluid-propelling element at said outer surface speed during operation of the engine.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
30 words
In the powered vehicle as claimed in claim 60 , said drive mechanism comprising a belt drive including a plurality of sheaves and an endless belt drivingly connecting the sheaves.
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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) | 2005-08-26 | 2006-02-25 | 2006-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-26 | 2010-02-25 | 2010-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-26 | 2014-02-25 | 2014-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |