Gearbox lubrication system

摘要

A high speed gearbox includes a housing which encloses a rotating gear and a volume which contains oil and air. The gear has an outer first surface exposed to the volume and has a second surface exposed to the environment. A vent arrangement includes first and second passages formed in the gear. The second passage extends axially part way into the gear and has an outer end exposed to the second surface. The first passage extends radially from the first surface to the second passage. A check valve is mounted in the second passage and permits one-way flow of air from the volume to the environment.

主权项

1. A rotary machine lubrication assembly, comprising:
a housing enclosing a volume which contains oil; a first gear mounted for rotation in the housing, the first gear having an integral, axially projecting first central hub and a flange which projects radially outwardly from the first central hub, the flange includes a radially outwardly facing peripheral wall spaced radially outwardly from the hub; an annular first bearing is mounted on the first central hub; a second gear having an integral second central hub mounted on the first bearing for rotation in the housing; a first passage formed in an axial facing surface of the flange of the first gear, the first passage extending radially inwardly from the wall to the first central hub and having a radially outward first end located at the peripheral wall and a radially inward second end located at the first central hub, the first passage directing oil from the volume to a peripheral surface of the hub and to the bearing upon rotation of the first gear; the flange includes a larger diameter flange portion and a smaller diameter flange portion, the smaller diameter flange portion being axially thicker than said larger diameter flange portion thus forming the radially outwardly facing peripheral wall, the first gear also including an annular rim which surrounds the first central hub; an annular channel is formed between the rim and the first central hub; the first passage comprises a slot which extends through the smaller diameter flange portion and through the rim, and fluidly communicates the peripheral wall with the channel and the peripheral surface of the first central hub; and an annular washer engages and covers an annular surface of the smaller diameter flange portion, the annular washer extending radially between the rim and the peripheral wall and covering the slot.