Rotary shafts – gudgeons – housings – and flexible couplings for ro – Having lubricating means – For coupling having torque transmitted via radially directed...
Patent
1985-10-18
1987-03-17
Levy, Stuart S.
Rotary shafts, gudgeons, housings, and flexible couplings for ro
Having lubricating means
For coupling having torque transmitted via radially directed...
384473, 464131, F16D 341
Patent
active
046504400
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to universal joints of the Hookes type, which comprise two yokes, connected by a cross member having journals supported in bearing cups held in the yokes. More particularly, the invention relates to a Hookes joint wherein the journals of the cross member of the joint are provided with internal lubricant channels which open at the ends of the journals to provide for replenishment of lubricant in the bearing cups within which the journals are pivotedly supported in the respective yoke members of the joint. At their innermost ends, the lubricant channels intersect and communicate with a lubrication fitting, usually a grease nipple, through which lubricant can be introduced when required.
It is to be understood that when we refer to inner and outer positions or directions with regard to the journals of the cross member of the joint, we mean the radial directions having regard to the axis of rotation of the cross member as a whole, when the joint is in use in the aligned (non-articulated) condition.
When fresh lubricant is introduced to the cross member of the universal joint, it moves under the pressure of its injection, through the channels and, at the end of the journals, passes over the end faces thereof to lubricate the bearing surfaces, which usually include needle roller bearings, between the journal side wall and bearing cup. Such outward dispersal of lubricant is assisted by centrifugal force in use of the joint.
However, if the joint comes to rest in the state where one of the journals is in a vertical position, it is possible for the lubricant, particularly if it is excessively fluid due to temperature, to drain from the journal in question. When the joint is restarted, the journal may not be satisfactorily lubricated.
It has been proposed, in GB-PS No. 1170214, to incorporate a non-return valve in each lubricant channel to overcome this problem. However, such non-return valves add complexity to the joint and have certain other disadvantages. For example, if one of the non-return valves should require a higher pressure to open it to permit outward flow of lubricant than is required by the other valves, the journal having the non-return valve may not be properly lubricated.
It is the object of the present invention to overcome the potential problem of lubricant drainage, while avoiding such disadvantages of non-return valves as proposed hitherto.
According to the present invention, we provide a Hookes universal joint comprising two yokes connected by a cross member having journals supported in bearing cups held in the yokes, each journal having a lubricant channel extending therethrough, wherein each journal of the cross member is provided adjacent its outermost end with a chamber for lubricant, and each lubricant channel leads into a passage extending outwardly towards the outermost end of the journal and then inwardly to open into said chamber adjacent to the innermost end thereof.
When such a Hookes joint is stationary, lubricant in the chamber of a vertically disposed journal cannot drain therefrom because it cannot travel up the passage against gravity, as it would have to do in order to reach the lubricant channel. The arrangement acts in the manner of a weir, to retain the lubricant in the chamber. The arrangement does not, however, have the disadvantages attendant on one way valves, as described above.
The passage may comprise a first portion which extends outwardly from said lubricant channel, and terminates adjacent the outermost end of the journal, and a second portion in communication with the outermost end of the first portion and terminating adjacent the innermost end of the chamber. The first and second passage portions may be provided in a single component disposed in the chamber, which component conveniently may be a moulding of a plastics material.
Preferably, the component which provides the passage includes a spigot which extends into the lubricant channel in the journal, and engages the latter, by being a sufficient tight fit, to hold the component to the jo
REFERENCES:
patent: 1841349 (1932-01-01), Culbertson
patent: 2024410 (1935-12-01), Williams
patent: 3635535 (1972-01-01), Schultenkamper
patent: 3832865 (1974-09-01), Lewis
patent: 4478591 (1984-10-01), Mangiavacchi
BRD Company Limited
Levy Stuart S.
Stodola Daniel P.
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