Self-cooling universal joint
AssigneeLovejoy, Inc.
InventorCharles P. Hennessy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for increasing the life of universal joints of the pin and block type by reducing the running temperature of the pins and bearings to inhibit oxidation and vaporization of the lubricant film between those parts. The method and apparatus relate to conducting heat from the interior of the pin and bearing zone through heat transfer means and discharging that heat to the surrounding medium through heat dissipating means.
Claims17
In a universal joint of the pin and block type having two yokes each of which has two diametrically opposed yoke ears defining axially aligned journal bearings therein, and journal pins disposed within said journal bearings and pivotally connecting said yokes to said block so as to enable relative pivotal movement between said block and said yokes, the improvement wherein at least one of said journal pins has a hollow center, a heat transfer core disposed within said hollow center in thermal communication with the corresponding journal pin, and a heat dissipating cap formed on said heat transfer core so as to be disposed externally of the outside surface of the corresponding yoke, said heat dissipating cap including means operative to maintain said cap spaced from the outer surface of the corresponding yoke so that heat created within said at least one journal pin is conducted by said heat transfer core to said heat dissipating cap and dissipated to atmosphere in a manner to reduce the operating temperature of said universal joint.
In a universal joint of the pin and block type having yokes pivotally connected to said block by means of journal pins and journal bearings, the combination comprising;
- a hollow center in at least one of said journal pins,
- a heat transfer core inserted into said hollow center, said heat transfer core being fabricated from a material having a higher thermal conductivity than the material from which the corresponding journal pin is fabricated, said heat transfer core being in thermal communication with said corresponding journal pin, and
- a heat dissipating cap in thermal communication with said heat transfer core, said heat dissipating cap being fabricated from a material having higher thermal conductivity than the material from which said corresponding journal pin is fabricated, said heat dissipating cap including means operative to maintain said cap spaced from the outer surface of the corresponding yoke so that heat created within said at least one journal pin is conducted by said heat transfer core to said heat dissipating cap and dissipated to atmosphere.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.