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:
Oct. 09, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 21, 1999
Dennis A. Kramer, Troy, MI (US);
Dale Bell, Ortonville, MI (US);
Ronald N. Brissette, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Christopher S. Keeney, Troy, MI (US);
Brian J. Mueller, Lake Orion, MI (US);
Jack R. McKenzie, Hendersonville, NC (US);
Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC, Troy, MI (US);
Abstract
An device for controlling a level of lubricant in a gear housing of an automotive vehicle that has a sealed interior portion containing lubricant. A gear is rotatably mounted in the housing and rotates through the lubricant. The housing includes at least one wall secured to a bottom portion of the sealed interior portion. The wall defines a first and second space wherein the gear rotates in the first space and displaces the lubricant over the wall into the second space as the gear rotates at high speeds. The wall has an opening of a predetermined size that allows the lubricant to flow back into the first space at a rate greater than the displacement rate at low speeds and less than the displacement rate at high speeds. The gear and housing may be an axle housing, a transmission or other gears and housings.