Caterpillar Inc.

Brian Stuart Skauge

Timothy A Thorson

David Jennings Hakes

Sunil I Mathew

Pradeep Chapagain

Thomas J Yaniak

Chetan Vilas Dahiwal

Darren Brent Antoine

Swetha Suresh

Gary Clifford Yerby

Geoffrey Damien Chovanec

Thomas John Yaniak

An isolated lubrication system for a drill bit is disclosed. The system comprises a body having a cutting arm with a journal and a rotary cutter mounted on the journal. The system also comprises a reservoir in a body to contain a fluid lubricant that isolated from communication outside the body. The system also comprises multiple conduits in communication with the reservoir and with respect to each other. The multiple conduits facilitate lubrication between the journal and the rotary cutter, including the bearings, by means of a gravitational force and/or a centrifugal force acting of the fluid lubricant. Further, the system comprises a sealing system. The sealing system includes a sealing cap provided to the reservoir, a seal provided between the journal and the rotary cutter, and a stepped passageway provided in a clearance between the rotary cutter and a cutting arm of the body.

Isolated lubrication system for drill bits

A load ring for a seal assembly includes an inner axial surface, an outer axial surface, a first frustoconical surface, a second frustoconical surface, and a rib. The inner and outer axial surfaces are cylindrical and extend along a longitudinal axis. The outer axial surface is in outward radial relationship to the inner axial surface along a radial plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and second frustoconical surfaces are annular and extend radially between the inner axial surface and the outer axial surface. The second frustoconical surface is in spaced relationship with respect to the first frustoconical surface along the longitudinal axis. The rib projects radially inwardly from the inner axial surface.

Load ring for seal assembly and seal assembly of machine

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Brian Stuart Skauge