# US 10,480,636 B2 · Anti-clog lubricant distribution assembly

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- Number: US 10,480,636 B2
- Document ID: US10480636B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/519,743
- Filed: 2015-10-13
- Published: 2017-09-07
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2014-10-17
- Assignees: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- Applicants: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- Inventors: Eric James Hodgkinson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10480636B2

## CPC

- F16H 57/042: {Guidance of lubricant}
- B64C 27/12: Rotor drives
- F16H 57/0404: {Lubricant filters}
- F16H 57/0434: {relating to lubrication supply, e.g. pumps; Pressure control}
- F16H 57/0436: {Pumps}
- F16H 57/045: {Lubricant storage reservoirs, e.g. reservoirs in addition to a gear sump for collecting lubricant in the upper part of a gear case}
- F16N 29/02: for influencing the supply of lubricant
- F16H: GEARING
- B64C: AEROPLANES; HELICOPTERS
- F16N: LUBRICATING

## Abstract

A fluid distribution assembly for distributing a fluid includes a first inlet housing; an outlet housing fluidly coupled to the first inlet housing; and a second inlet housing fluidly coupled to the outlet housing; the second inlet housing having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to the outlet housing at a stagnation dam, the stagnation dam controlling direction of fluid flow through the second inlet housing in response to velocity of fluid flow in the outlet housing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A fluid distribution assembly for distributing a fluid, the assembly comprising:
a first inlet housing;
an outlet housing fluidly coupled to the first inlet housing; and
a second inlet housing fluidly coupled to the outlet housing, the outlet housing being fluidically connected between the first inlet housing and the second inlet housing;
the second inlet housing having a first end and a second end, the second end coupled to the outlet housing at a stagnation dam, the stagnation dam controlling direction of fluid flow through the second inlet housing in response to a change in velocity of fluid flow in the outlet housing from the first inlet housing.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The fluid distribution assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
an inlet screen positioned at an inlet of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The fluid distribution assembly of claim 1 further comprising:
a filter between the first inlet housing and the outlet housing,
wherein:
when the filter is unblocked, the stagnation dam controls the fluid flow from the second end to the first end of the second inlet housing, and
when the filter is blocked, the stagnation dam controls the fluid flow from the first end to the second end of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The fluid distribution assembly of claim 1 wherein:
when the first inlet housing is unblocked, fluid flows from the second end of the second inlet housing to the first end of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The fluid distribution assembly of claim 1 wherein:
when the first inlet housing is blocked, fluid flows from the first end of the second inlet housing to the second end of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The fluid distribution assembly of claim 1 wherein:
the stagnation dam controls direction of fluid flow through the second inlet housing in response to static pressure and dynamic pressure.

### Claim 7

A rotary wing aircraft comprising:
a rotor;
a gearbox coupled to the rotor;
an engine coupled to the gearbox; and
a lubricant distribution system providing lubricant from a sump to the gearbox, the lubricant distribution system including:
a first inlet housing fluidly coupled to the sump;
an outlet housing fluidly couple to the first inlet housing, the outlet housing being fluidically connected between the first inlet housing and the second inlet housing; and
a second inlet housing fluidly coupled to the outlet housing;
the second inlet housing having a first end fluidly connected to the sump and a second end coupled to the outlet housing, the second end including a stagnation dam controlling direction of fluid flow through the second inlet housing in response to a change in velocity of fluid flow in the outlet housing from the first inlet housing.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The rotary wing aircraft of claim 7 further comprising:
an inlet screen positioned at an inlet of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The rotary wing aircraft of claim 7 further comprising:
a filter between the first inlet housing and the outlet housing,
wherein:
when the filter is unblocked, the stagnation dam controls the fluid flow from the second end to the first end of the second inlet housing, and
when the filter is blocked, the stagnation dam controls the fluid flow from the first end to the second end of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The rotary wing aircraft of claim 7, wherein:
when the first inlet housing is unblocked, fluid flows from the second end of the second inlet housing to the first end of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The rotary wing aircraft of claim 7, wherein:
when the first inlet housing is blocked, fluid flows from the first end of the second inlet housing to the second end of the second inlet housing.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The rotary wing aircraft of claim 7, wherein:
the stagnation dam controls direction of fluid flow through the second inlet housing in response to static pressure and dynamic pressure.

### Claim 13 (depends on 7)

The rotary wing aircraft of claim 7, further comprising:
a pump coupled to the outlet housing, the pump directing lubricant through the first inlet housing and the second inlet housing.