Fluid pump mechanism for use in existing helical gearsets

A fluid pump cowling for attachment to at least a pair of helical drivetrain gears, said cowling comprising:

• at least two sidewalls;
• an annular outer wall extending between said at least two sidewalls;
• a fluid outlet opening defined in one of said sidewalls;
• and
• a sump channel located on an end of said outer wall and extending between said at least two sidewalls, said sump channel having a generally frustoconical shape and leading to said fluid outlet opening, said sump channel being tapered to a larger diameter cross-sectionally towards said fluid outlet opening.

A method for pumping fluid using helical gears of a drivetrain, said method comprising:

• providing a cowling with a pair of sidewalls, an outer wall substantially matching the outermost circumference of a first helical gear, and a sump channel with a generally frustoconical shape defined on said outer wall and extending between said sidewalls, said sump channel being tapered to a larger diameter cross-sectionally towards a fluid outlet opening defined in one of said sidewalls, and having an outer wall substantially matching the outermost circumference of a second helical gear;
• mounting said cowling on said helical gears;
• immersing one of said helical gears at least partially in a fluid bath;
• rotating said helical gears so as to trap fluid between the teeth of one of said helical gears and said cowling;
• and
• directing said fluid into said sump channel and out of said fluid outlet opening.