USE OF METERING HOLE IN SHROUD OF SPLASH-LUBRICATED GEARBOX FOR DISBURSING LUBRICANT WITHIN GEARBOX
The present invention includes a method of lubricating a gearbox, including moving a lubricant from the gearbox into a gear shroud via a flow-metering orifice in the gear shroud; and distributing the lubricant within the gearbox by operation of a gear turning within the gear shroud.
1 . An apparatus for lubricating a gearbox, comprising:
a shroud disposed within the gearbox, operably configured for a gear of the gearbox to turn within the shroud and to distribute a lubricant within the gearbox by physical contact when turning; and
a lubricant flow-metering orifice disposed in a surface of the shroud to place an interior space of the shroud in fluid communication with the lubricant for distribution within the gearbox by the gear.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a lubricant level sight gauge disposed to display a lubricant level within the gearbox.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lubricant is oil.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gearbox is an accessory gearbox, a reduction gearbox, a main rotor gearbox, or a tail rotor gearbox.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the accessory gearbox drives a hydraulic system, a permanent magnet generator, or a blower.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the gearbox is a non-pressurized gearbox.
7 . A method of lubricating a gearbox, comprising:
moving a lubricant from the gearbox into a gear shroud via a flow-metering orifice in the gear shroud; and
distributing the lubricant within the gearbox by operation of a gear turning within the gear shroud.
8 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising returning the lubricant to a bottom of the gearbox.
9 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising pooling a portion of the lubricant in the gear shroud.
10 . The method of claim 7 , further comprising providing a lubricant level sight gauge disposed to display a lubricant level within the gearbox.
11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the lubricant is oil.
12 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the gearbox is a reduction gearbox, an accessory gearbox, a main rotor gearbox, or a tail rotor gearbox.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the accessory gearbox drives a hydraulic system, a permanent magnet generator, or a blower.
14 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the gearbox is a non-pressurized gearbox.
15 . A rotorcraft, comprising:
a fuselage;
one or more engines coupled to the fuselage; and
a gearbox coupled to the one or more engines, the gearbox comprising:
a shroud disposed within the gearbox, operably configured for a gear of the gearbox to turn within the shroud and to distribute a lubricant within the gearbox by physical contact when turning; and
a lubricant flow-metering orifice disposed in a surface of the shroud to place an interior space of the shroud in fluid communication with the lubricant for distribution within the gearbox by the gear.
16 . The rotorcraft of claim 15 , further comprising a lubricant level sight gauge disposed to display a lubricant level within the gearbox.
17 . The rotorcraft of claim 15 , wherein the lubricant is oil.
18 . The rotorcraft of claim 15 , wherein the gearbox is an accessory gearbox, a reduction gearbox, a main rotor gearbox, or a tail rotor gearbox.
19 . The rotorcraft of claim 18 , wherein the accessory gearbox drives a hydraulic system, a permanent magnet generator, or a blower.
20 . The rotorcraft of claim 15 , wherein gearbox is a non-pressurized gearbox.