LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REDUCING DIP LUBRICATION POWER LOSS

摘要

Energy loss in a dip lubrication system (34) is reduced by reducing the immersion depth of the gear (30) within a pool of oil (32). This can be accomplished by increasing the pressure within the dip lubrication system (34) which effectively reduces the flow rate of the oil so that the oil remains separated from the oil pool (34) for a longer period of time thereby reducing the oil level and the immersion depth of the gear (32) within the oil pool (32). Alternately, this can be accomplished by substituting a higher density gas for air which has the same effect. In a third embodiment the immersed gear (60) includes wind vanes (62, 64) that direct air against the oil pool (68) creating a trough (72) which effectively reduces the immersion depth of the gear (60) within the oil pool (68).