SHAFT RETENTION AND LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

摘要

A shaft retention and lubricating fluid delivery system and method are described, such as for mounting a pinion shaft to a pinion carrier and providing lubricating fluid to a pinion and pinion bearing. A retaining pin fits inside a pinion shaft radially bore and a pinion carrier radially bore to constrain the axial and rotational movement of the pinion shaft relative to the pinion carrier. Pressurized lubricant and centrifugal force from pinion carrier rotation aids in maintaining the retaining pin in a retaining position. When the pinion carrier is not rotating, a cap screw prevents the retaining pin from disengaging. An annular gap passage between the cap screw and the interior of the pinion shaft allows lubricating fluid to reach the shaft, pinion and pinion bearing.

主权项

1. A gear shaft retention and lubrication system, comprising:
a gear mounted to a gear shaft extending along an axis, the gear shaft having a shaft first radial bore extending from an outer surface of the gear shaft at least partially through the gear shaft in a radial direction, the gear shaft having a shaft second radial bore extending from an outer surface of the gear shaft at least partially through the gear shaft in a radial direction, the shaft second radial bore being axially aligned with the gear, the gear shaft having a shaft axial bore having a shaft axial bore diameter, the shaft axial bore extending in an axial direction at least partially through the gear shaft and through at least one of the shaft first radial bore and the shaft second radial bore; a mounting surface having an opening at least partially in the axial direction receiving the gear shaft and having a mounting surface first radial bore coaxial with the shaft first radial bore and extending from the opening through at least a portion of the mounting surface; a fastener having a fastener head and a fastener shank, the fastener disposed at least partially within the shaft axial bore; and wherein an annular gap passage is formed between the shaft axial bore and the fastener shank in a radial direction and between the shaft first radial bore and the shaft second radial bore in an axial direction.