The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 17, 1987
Filed:
Aug. 13, 1985
James M Schiek, Omro, WI (US);
Brunswick Corporation, Skokie, IL (US);
Abstract
A lubrication and circulation system is provided for a marine drive lower gear case (4). A self-lubricating heat conducting flat thrust washer bearing (26) around the drive shaft (6) has a bottom horizontal surface (30) engaging the top of the pinion gear (10) at the bottom of the drive shaft (6) without needle bearings or roller bearings interposed therebetween. Lubricant frictionally dragged by the top of the pinion gear (10) across the bottom horizontal surface (30) of the thrust bearing washer (26) is diverted along the slants of slots (36 and 38) at an angle to the radius (40) inwardly toward the drive shaft (6) rotating therein. Upper and lower self-lubricating heat conducting sleeve bearings (18 and 20) mount the drive shaft (6) for rotation in the lower gear case (4) without needle bearings or roller bearings therebetween. Each sleeve bearing has a spiral groove (48) in its inner surface (50) in a helical direction driving lubricant upwardly therethrough along the drive shaft (6) as the latter rotates therein. Lubricant is circulated through the thrust washer bearing (26) and the sleeve bearings (18 and 20) to carry heat away from the bearings and substantially increase longevity thereof, matching and exceeding the life rating of needle or roller bearing arrangements for the vertical drive shaft in a marine drive.