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:
Nov. 22, 2011
Filed:
Jan. 25, 2008
Joseph Young-long Chen, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jack M Gayney, Woodhaven, MI (US);
Angela P Willis, Willis, MI (US);
Hun J Kim, Novi, MI (US);
Joseph Young-Long Chen, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Jack M Gayney, Woodhaven, MI (US);
Angela P Willis, Willis, MI (US);
Hun J Kim, Novi, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
An outer needle bearing race and thrust washer assembly provides improved lubrication for a pinion gear of a planetary gear assembly. The bearing race and thrust washer assembly are used in pairs with the bearing races disposed within the planet or pinion gear and the thrust washers disposed adjacent the end faces of the planet or pinion gear. Each assembly includes a cylindrical bearing portion having a crowned, i.e., convex, inner surface which is secured at one end to a thrust washer. The outside face of the washer includes a plurality of shallow radial channels or grooves. A plurality of oil passageways extend from the grooved surface of the washer to its opposite surface inside the cylindrical bearing portion.