Planetary mechanism having a fluid baffle

In a planetary mechanism (10) of the type having a stationary support (30,48,50,66), a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22), and a plurality of planet gear elements (24) rotatably mounted on the planet carrier element (22) and in meshing engagement with the sun gear element (20) and the ring gear element (18), the elements (18,20,22,24) being rotatably connected to the stationary support (30,48,50,66), the improvement comprising:

• a baffle (78) encircling the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and defining with the support (30,48,50,66) an internal chamber (96) and an external chamber (98), the baffle (78) including an opening (86/88) and wiping means (90) for wiping fluid from one of the elements (18,20,22,24) of the planetary mechanism (10) and directing fluid from the internal chamber (96) to the external chamber (98) through the opening (86/88) and reducing the fluid level within the internal chamber (96) in response to rotation of the one element (18,20,22,24).