Pump assembly, in particular for helicopter lubrication

1. A pump assembly ( 1 ), in particular for lubrication in helicopters ( 16 ), comprising :

a drive shaft ( 3 ) extending along a longitudinal axis ( 4 );

a casing ( 2 ) comprising :

a) a lateral wall ( 8 ) defining an intake port ( 38 ) and a delivery port ( 40 );

b) a rear wall ( 9 ) and front wall ( 12 ) opposite each other and crosswise to said longitudinal axis ( 4 ), said front wall ( 12 ) having an axial hole ( 13 ) fitted through with said drive shaft ( 3 );

pumping means ( 34 ) housed in said casing ( 2 ), said pumping means comprising two rotary pumps ( 34 );

a transmission ( 66 ) that splits the motion of said drive shaft ( 3 ) between said rotary pumps ( 34 ), wherein said transmission ( 66 ) is housed in a compartment ( 49 ) of said casing ( 2 ) and comprises two driven gears ( 69 ) respectively operating said rotary pumps ( 34 ); and

a disk ( 51 ) housed in a fixed position in said compartment ( 49 ) coaxially with said drive shaft ( 3 ), wherein said disk ( 51 ) supports an axial end of said drive shaft ( 3 ) and has two through holes ( 77 ) aligned with and larger than said driven gears ( 69 ).

2. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said rotary pumps ( 34 ) extend along respective axes ( 33 ) parallel to said longitudinal axis ( 4 ), and are diametrically opposite.

3. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said transmission ( 66 ) is a speed reducer.

4. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said transmission ( 66 ) comprises a drive gear ( 68 ) formed in one piece with said drive shaft ( 3 ).

5. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said front wall ( 12 ) is a plate axially closing said compartment ( 49 ) and connected to said lateral wall ( 8 ).

6. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said casing ( 2 ) has a lubricating conduit ( 57 ) connecting said delivery port ( 40 ) to said axial hole ( 13 ).

7. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising elastic means ( 62 ) which push said rotary pumps ( 34 ) axially against said disk ( 51 ).

8. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said drive shaft ( 3 ) comprises a flange ( 75 ) located inside said compartment ( 49 ) and resting axially against said front wall ( 12 ).

9. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said drive shaft ( 3 ) comprises a weak portion ( 74 ) in an intermediate axial position between said transmission ( 66 ) and an input gear ( 18 ).

10. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said weak portion ( 74 ) is inside said casing ( 2 ).

11. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said lateral wall ( 8 ) and said rear wall ( 9 ) form part of a hollow body ( 7 ) made in one piece and defining internally:

two seats ( 32 ) housing said rotary pumps ( 34 ), and each having an inlet and an outlet;

two intake passages ( 39 ) connecting said intake port ( 38 ) to respective said inlets; and

two delivery passages ( 41 ) connecting said delivery port ( 40 ) to respective said outlets.

12. A pump assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said rotary pumps ( 34 ) are gerotor pumps.