Method and system for performing gearbox final assembly clean check
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsDavid Michael Bains, Robert James Puckett
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A clean check is performed on a gearbox by flushing an oil-based fluid through the gearbox and then through a filter. The filter is then weighed to determine the weight of contaminants collected in the filter. The contaminant weight is compared to a predetermined level, wherein the gearbox is acceptable if the contaminant weight is below the predetermined level. This method is carried out on a system that includes a source of the oil-based fluid fluidly connected to an inlet of the gearbox and a filter fluidly connected to an outlet of the gearbox. A device such as a pump is provided for causing the oil-based fluid to flow through the gearbox and the filter.
Claims30
A method of performing a clean check on a gearbox, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) flushing an oil-based fluid through said gearbox and then through a filter;
- (b) weighing said filter to determine the weight of contaminants collected in said filter;
- and
- (c) comparing said contaminant weight to a predetermined level, wherein said gearbox is acceptable if said contaminant weight is below said predetermined level.
A method of performing a clean check on a finally assembled, closed gearbox, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) flushing an oil-based fluid through said gearbox and then through a first filter,
- (b) soaking said first filter in a solvent;
- (c) passing said solvent through a second filter;
- (d) weighing said first and second filters to determine the weight of contaminants collected therein;
- and
- (e) comparing said contaminant weight to a predetermined level, wherein said gearbox is acceptable if said contaminant weight is below said predetermined level.
A system for performing a clean check on a gearbox having an inlet and an outlet, said system comprising:
- source of an oil-based fluid fluidly connected to said gearbox inlet;
- a filter fluidly connected to said gearbox outlet;
- and
- means for causing said oil-based fluid to flow through said gearbox and said filter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.