Planetary gear system with multiple flow guides and method of guiding fluid in a planetary gear system

Abstract

A planetary gear system, a fluid guide ring, and a method for guiding fluid to at least one fluid channel of a planet carrier in a planetary gear system are provided. The system includes: a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears arranged around the sun gear, a planet carrier, the planet carrier being configured to rotate relative to the sun gear, and the planet carrier having at least one fluid channel, the at least one fluid channel having a fluid channel inlet for supplying fluid to at least one of the plurality of planet gears; and a plurality of deflectors, the plurality of deflectors being fixed to rotate with the planet carrier and arranged radially inward from the fluid channel inlet. Each of the plurality of deflectors has a guide surface, the guide surface being configured to receive fluid conveyed radially outward and guide the fluid in the direction of rotation of the planet carrier.

Description

Background Art

[0001] The planetary gear system includes a sun gear centrally located on a central shaft. The sun gear meshes with a plurality of planetary gears or planetary gears, and the planetary gears mesh with a ring gear. The planetary gears are rotatably mounted on a planet carrier that is rotatable relative to the sun gear. A second shaft can be connected to the planet carrier to receive torque from the planetary gear system or to provide torque to the planetary gear system. A speed difference and a torque difference can be achieved between the central shaft and the second shaft. Oil or lubricant can be circulated through one or more components or gears of the planetary gear system to reduce the operating temperature of the system and / or individual components of the system. Summary of the invention

[0002] Various aspects of examples of the disclosure are set out in the claims.

[0003] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a planetary gear system is provided. The system includes: a sun gear; a plurality of planetary gears arranged around the sun gear; a planet carrier, the planet carrier is configured to rotate relative to the sun gear, and the planet carrier includes at least one fluid channel, the at least one fluid channel has a fluid channel inlet, and the fluid channel inlet is used to supply fluid to at least one of the plurality of planetary gears; and a plurality of deflectors, the plurality of deflectors are fixed to rotate with the planet carrier, and the plurality of deflectors are arranged radially inward from the fluid channel inlet. Each of the plurality of deflectors has a guide surface, which is configured to receive the fluid transported radially outward and guide the fluid along the rotation direction of the planet carrier.

[0004] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fluid guide ring is provided, which is configured to operate between the shaft of a planetary gear system and at least one fluid channel of a planet carrier. The fluid guide ring includes a plurality of flow guides and a circumferentially extending connector, each of which has a guide surface configured to receive a fluid transported radially outward from the shaft and guide the fluid along the rotation direction of the planet carrier; the circumferentially extending connector connects the plurality of flow guides and at least partially defines a groove configured to receive a fluid to supply to the at least one fluid channel.

[0005] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for guiding a fluid to at least one fluid channel of a planetary carrier in a planetary gear system is provided. The method comprises: conveying the fluid radially outward toward at least one guiding surface of a plurality of flow guides; guiding the fluid along the rotation direction of the planetary carrier using the at least one guiding surface of the plurality of flow guides; receiving the fluid in a groove, the groove being arranged radially outside the plurality of flow guides; and supplying the fluid from the groove to the at least one fluid channel of the planetary carrier.

[0006] The above described and other features will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The detailed description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0008] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a planetary gear system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0009] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a planetary gear system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a planetary gear system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a planetary gear system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0012] Figure 5 A method of directing fluid in a planetary gear system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0013] The same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to designate the same elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] By referring to the accompanying drawings Figures 1 to 5 To understand at least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

[0015] Reference now Figure 1 , a planetary gear system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The planetary gear system 10 includes a sun gear 12 and a plurality of planetary gears or planet gears 14 arranged around the sun gear 12. The sun gear 12 meshes with the planet gears 14 through sun gear teeth 18 and planet gear teeth 20. The sun gear 12 includes an outer periphery having sun gear teeth 18. The planetary gear system 10 of the illustrated embodiment includes a ring gear 16 arranged around the planet gears 14 and the sun gear 12 and engaged with the planet gears 14 via ring gear teeth 22. The planetary gear system 10 also includes a planet carrier 30 that connects the planet gears 14. The planet carrier 30 rotates relative to the sun gear 12 or is configured to rotate relative to the sun gear 12, and the planet gears 14 are rotatably connected to the planet carrier 30 so that the planet gears 14 rotate relative to the planet carrier 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the sun gear 12 is mounted on a shaft 36.

[0016] refer to Figure 2 And continue to refer to Figure 1, the planet carrier 30 includes one or more fluid passages 40. The fluid passages 40 of the illustrated embodiment include one or more fluid passages 40 for each of the planetary gears 14. Specifically, each fluid passage 40 is configured to supply the fluid 28 to a bearing 42 of one or more of the planetary gears 14. In the illustrated embodiment, three fluid passages 40 supply the fluid 28 to the bearings 42 of each of the three planetary gears 14. Each fluid passage 40 includes a fluid passage inlet 44 for supplying the fluid 28 to one or more of the planetary gears 14. The fluid 28 in the illustrated embodiment is oil or other lubricant, but the fluid 28 in other embodiments may include any fluid capable of being used with the planetary gear system 10.

[0017] The inducers 50 are fixed for rotation with the planet carrier 30 and are disposed radially inward from the fluid passage inlet 44. Each of the inducers 50 includes at least one guide surface 52 that receives or is configured to receive the fluid 28 that is conveyed radially outward. The guide surfaces 52 also direct the fluid 28 in the direction of rotation of the planet carrier 30 or are configured to direct the fluid 28 in the direction of rotation of the planet carrier 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the direction of rotation refers to the direction of rotation relative to the sun gear 12 and / or the shaft 36. However, in other embodiments, the direction of rotation refers to the absolute direction of rotation.

[0018] The fluid 28 travels axially through the axial fluid passage 38, which conveys the fluid 28 or supplies the fluid 28 radially outward toward the deflector 50 by pressure applied to the fluid 28 upstream of the axial fluid passage 38 or is configured to convey the fluid 28 or supply the fluid 28 radially outward toward the deflector 50 by pressure applied to the fluid 28 upstream of the axial fluid passage 38. In one non-limiting example, the fluid 28 is pumped to the axial fluid passage 38 by a fluid pump not shown in the illustrated embodiment. In other embodiments, the fluid 28 is conveyed radially outward by centrifugation or other means. In one embodiment, the axial fluid passage 38 includes a plurality of fluid passages, and in another embodiment, the axial fluid passage 38 includes a single fluid passage. In further embodiments, the axial fluid passage 38 may include any number of components or portions formed in any direction or angle to convey or supply the fluid 28 radially outward through the sun gear 12 and / or the shaft 36. Although the axial fluid passage 38 is shown as not extending through the sun gear teeth 18 , in other embodiments not shown, the axial fluid passage 38 extends through the sun gear teeth 18 and / or through the shaft 36 without passing through the sun gear 12 .

[0019] The axial fluid passage 38 is axially aligned with the guide surface 52 of the flow director 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the axial fluid passage 38 is axially aligned with the guide surface 52 of all of the flow directors 50. In at least one embodiment, the guide surface 52 of one or more of the flow directors 50 is axially aligned with the fluid passage inlet 44 of the fluid passage 40. Figure 2 As further shown in FIG. 1 , an axial fluid passage 38 extends through the shaft 36 and the sun gear 12. Figure 2 In FIG. 4 , the shaft 36 and the sun gear 12 are shown as two separate components, but in other embodiments not shown, the shaft 36 and the sun gear 12 are integrally formed as a single component with the shaft fluid passage 38 extending therethrough.

[0020] Reference now Figure 3 and Figure 4 , and continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the guide surface 52 is shown as receiving the fluid 28 conveyed radially outward and guiding the fluid 28 in the direction of rotation 80 of the planet carrier 30. The fluid 28 is conveyed radially outward and in the direction of rotation 82 of the shaft 36 and the shaft fluid passage 38. It will be appreciated that the rotation of the planet carrier 30 and the rotation of the shaft 36 and the shaft fluid passage 38 can vary absolutely and / or relative to each other in terms of rotation speed and / or rotation direction. As shown, the guide surface 52 of each of the inducers 50 extends in a radial direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide surface 52 extends directly radially relative to the shaft 36, but in other embodiments, it may extend partially radially or circumferentially and radially, or extend radially within an angle of 90 degrees or less relative to a radial line starting from the shaft 36. In a non-limiting example, the guide surface 52 of each of the inducers 50 extends along a plane that is at a predetermined angle to the radially extending plane. The predetermined angle may be determined by the relative speed difference between the planet carrier 30 and the shaft fluid passage 38 , the relative rotational direction, the size of the inducer 50 and / or guide surface 52 , and / or the volume flow and / or velocity of the fluid 28 guided by the guide surface 52 .

[0021] The planetary gear system 10 of the illustrated embodiment also includes a fluid guide ring 60. Although the fluid guide ring 60 and the deflector 50 are shown as being formed separately from the planet carrier 30, in embodiments not shown, the fluid guide ring 60 and the deflector 50 may be formed integrally with the planet carrier 30 and / or any other portion connected thereto. The fluid guide ring 60 of the illustrated embodiment operates between the shaft 12 and the fluid passage 40 of the planet carrier 30 and / or between the sun gear 12 and the fluid passage 40 of the planet carrier 30. The fluid guide ring 60 includes the deflector 50 and a circumferentially extending connector 62 that is connected to the deflector 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the deflector 50 is shown as being formed integrally with the connector 62. In other embodiments not shown, the deflector 50 is formed separately from the connector 62, and / or one or more of the portions of the fluid guide ring 60 are formed integrally with the planet carrier 30 or any other portion connected to the planet carrier 30. As shown in FIG. Figure 3 As best shown in FIG. 1 , the connector 62 also at least partially defines a groove 64 that receives or is configured to receive the fluid 28 for supply to the one or more fluid passages 40. Figure 3 As shown, the flow director 50 is radially spaced apart from the fluid passage inlet 44 in the groove 64. In other words, there is a gap or spacing between the flow director 50 and the axially extending surface of the groove 64 and / or between the flow director 50 and the fluid passage inlet 44. The radial spacing 74 allows the fluid 28 to flow from the guide surface 52 to the fluid passage inlet 44 in the groove 64. The groove 64 receives the fluid 28 or is configured to receive the fluid 28 to supply the fluid 28 to the fluid passage 40.

[0022] The groove 64 includes a groove outer diameter 66 that maintains or is configured to maintain a bearing fluid supply level 68 for the bearings 42 of each of the planetary gears 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the bearing fluid supply level 68 is at a radial position within a range between a bearing outer diameter 70 and a bearing inner diameter 72. However, in other embodiments, the bearing fluid supply level 68 is outside of this range.

[0023] Reference now Figure 5 , Figure 5 A method 100 is shown for directing fluid 28 to one or more fluid passages 40 of a planet carrier 30 in a planetary gear system 10. The method 100 of one or more embodiments includes any structure, features, and / or functionality of embodiments of the planetary gear system 10 described in the present disclosure. Figure 5The method 100 includes, at step 110, delivering the fluid 28 radially outward and toward the guide surface 52 of the inducer 50. The method 100 also includes, at step 112, guiding the fluid 28 along the rotation direction of the planet carrier 30 using the guide surface 52 of the inducer 50. The method 100 also includes, at step 114, receiving the fluid 28 in the groove 64, which is arranged radially outside the inducer 50. The method 100 also includes, at step 116, supplying the fluid 28 from the groove 64 to the fluid channel 40 of the planet carrier 30.

[0024] In other embodiments, the method 100 includes receiving the fluid 28 in the groove 64, which is at least partially defined by the circumferentially extending connector 62 connected to the inducer 50. The method 100 of at least one embodiment includes supplying the fluid 28 from the fluid channel 40 of the planet carrier 30 to the bearings 42 of the planet gears 14 of the planetary gear system 10. The method 100 may also include conveying the fluid 28 radially outward from the shaft 36 and / or the sun gear 12 of the planetary gear system 10.

[0025] Without limiting the scope, interpretation, or application of the appended claims in any way, it is to be understood that embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems 10 and methods 100 to supply a fluid 28, such as oil, to the bearings 42 of the planetary gears 14, thereby increasing oil circulation at and / or around the bearings 42 to improve lubrication and cooling of the bearings 42, the planetary gears 14, and the system 10. Specifically, rotation of the planet carrier 30 relative to the shaft fluid passage 38 may not promote the flow of the fluid 28 to or through the fluid passage inlet 44 of the fluid passage 40 and / or the bearings 42, or may prevent or delay the flow of the fluid 28 to or through the fluid passage inlet 44 of the fluid passage 40 and / or the bearings 42. The system 10 and method 100 described herein utilizes a flow director 50 to direct the fluid 28 so as to improve the flow of the fluid 28 to and / or through the fluid passage inlet 44 to circulate to the bearings 42 and improve the efficiency of the overall system.

[0026] As used herein, "for example" is used to cite examples without limitation and has the same meaning as alternative illustrative phrases, such as "including", "including, but not limited to" and "including but not limited to". As used herein, unless otherwise limited or modified, a list having elements separated by a conjunction (e.g., "and") and also prefixed with the phrases "one or more", "at least one of", "at least" or similar phrases indicates that the list may include a configuration or arrangement of the individual elements in the list or any combination thereof. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" and "one or more of A, B and C" respectively represent any combination of only A, only B, only C or two or more of A, B and C (A and B; A and C; B and C; or A, B and C). As used herein, the singular forms "one", "an" and "the" are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, "including", "comprising" and similar phrases are intended to specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or increase of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0027] Although the present disclosure has been shown and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such showing and description are not restrictive in nature, and it should be understood that exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and it is desired to protect all changes and modifications that fall within the spirit of the present disclosure. Alternative embodiments of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described, but still benefit from at least some of the advantages of these features. Those of ordinary skill in the art can design their own embodiments that combine one or more features of the present disclosure and fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A planetary gear system, comprising: Sun gear; a plurality of planetary gears arranged around the sun gear; a planet carrier configured to rotate relative to the sun gear and comprising at least one fluid channel having a fluid channel inlet for supplying fluid to at least one planet gear of the plurality of planet gears; and a plurality of deflectors fixed to rotate together with the planet carrier and arranged radially inward from the fluid passage inlet, each of the plurality of deflectors having a guide surface configured to receive the fluid transported radially outward and guide the fluid in a rotation direction of the planet carrier, wherein the guide surface comprises a flat surface, and wherein the guide surface of each of the plurality of deflectors further comprises a rectangular shape having four edges, wherein one edge of the four edges is connected to the planet carrier.

2. The planetary gear system according to claim 1, wherein: The guide surface of each of the plurality of flow directors extends in a radial direction. 3 . The planetary gear system of claim 1 , further comprising a fluid guide ring including the plurality of flow directors. 4 .

4. The planetary gear system according to claim 3, wherein: The fluid guide ring further includes a circumferentially extending connector connecting the plurality of flow directors and at least partially defining a groove configured to receive the fluid to supply the at least one fluid channel.

5. The planetary gear system according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of flow directors are radially spaced apart from the fluid passage inlet in the groove. 6 . The planetary gear system of claim 1 , further comprising a shaft having a shaft fluid passage configured to convey the fluid radially outward and toward the plurality of inducers.

7. The planetary gear system according to claim 6, wherein: The axial fluid passage is axially aligned with the guide surface of each of the plurality of flow directors.

8. The planetary gear system according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one fluid passage includes at least one fluid passage for each of the plurality of planet gears.

9. The planetary gear system of claim 1 , further comprising a groove configured to receive the fluid to supply the at least one fluid channel, and the groove having a groove outer diameter configured to maintain a bearing fluid supply level of a bearing of each of the plurality of planetary gears.

10. The planetary gear system according to claim 1, wherein: The guide surface of each of the plurality of flow directors is axially aligned with the fluid channel inlet of the at least one fluid channel.

11. A method of directing a fluid to at least one fluid passage of a planet carrier in a planetary gear system, the method comprising: directing the fluid radially outwardly toward at least one guide surface of a plurality of inducers, wherein the guide surface comprises a planar surface, and wherein the guide surface of each inducer of the plurality of inducers further comprises a rectangular shape having four edges, wherein one edge of the four edges is connected to the planet carrier; directing the fluid along a rotation direction of the planet carrier using the at least one guide surface of the plurality of deflectors; receiving the fluid in a groove disposed radially outward of the plurality of flow directors; and Fluid from the groove is supplied to the at least one fluid passage of the planet carrier.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein: The groove is at least partially defined by a circumferentially extending connector that connects the plurality of deflectors.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising supplying the fluid from the at least one fluid passage of the planet carrier to at least one bearing of a planet gear of the planetary gear system.

14. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Directing the fluid radially outward includes directing the fluid radially outward from an axis of the planetary gear system.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Directing the fluid radially outward includes directing the fluid radially outward from a sun gear of the planetary gear system.

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