Lubrication ring

Abstract

A shaft lubrication apparatus is provided and includes a rotatable shaft, a lubrication sump and a lubrication ring. The lubrication ring is rotatable with the rotatable shaft with respect to the lubrication sump whereby lubrication is transported from the lubrication sump to the rotatable shaft.

1 . A lubrication ring, comprising:
 a first annular member formed of a first material; and   a second annular member formed of a second material, which is different from the first material,   the first and second annular members being disposed to abut one another along complementary radial surfaces thereof such that the first annular member surrounds the second annular member, and   the second material being a lubricant retaining material.   
     
     
         2 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 1 , wherein the second material comprises one or more of a netted, lubricant absorbent material and felt. 
     
     
         3 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 2 , further comprising a third annular member, wherein the second annular member is sandwiched between the first and third annular members. 
     
     
         4 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 1 , further comprising a weight, which is attachable to one or more of the first and second annular members. 
     
     
         5 . A shaft lubrication apparatus, comprising a rotatable shaft, a lubrication sump and the lubrication ring according to  claim 1 , the lubrication ring being rotatable with the rotatable shaft with respect to the lubrication sump whereby at least one of the first and second annular members transports lubrication from the lubrication sump to the rotatable shaft. 
     
     
         6 . A lubrication ring, comprising:
 an annular member, including a body having opposed inward and outward radial portions and opposed forward and aft axial portions extending between the opposed inward and outward radial portions,   the inward radial portion including first radial surfaces disposed at a first radial plane, second radial surfaces disposed at a second radial plane and third surfaces having non-zero radial components and non-zero axial components, and   the third surfaces being formed to extend between the first and second radial surfaces.   
     
     
         7 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 6 , wherein the second radial surfaces and the third surfaces delimit a recess from the first radial plane in the body of the annular member. 
     
     
         8 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 7 , wherein the recess is substantially polygonal. 
     
     
         9 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 7 , wherein the recess is substantially trapezoidal. 
     
     
         10 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 6 , wherein the second radial surfaces and the third surfaces delimit one or more recesses from the first radial plane in the body of the annular member. 
     
     
         11 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 6 , wherein the annular member comprises injection molded plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 6 , further comprising a weight, which is attachable to the annular member. 
     
     
         13 . A shaft lubrication apparatus, comprising a rotatable shaft, a lubrication sump and the lubrication ring according to  claim 6 , the lubrication ring being rotatable with the rotatable shaft with respect to the lubrication sump whereby the annular member transports lubrication from the lubrication sump to the rotatable shaft. 
     
     
         14 . A lubrication ring, comprising:
 a first annular member formed of a first material;   a second annular member formed of a second material, which is different from the first material; and   a third annular member formed of a third material, which may be different from the first and second materials,   respective cross-sections of the second and third annular members being encompassed within a cross-section of the first annular member,   the first annular member including a body having opposed inward and outward radial portions and opposed forward and aft axial portions extending between the opposed inward and outward radial portions, and   the inward radial portion being formed to define through-holes extending from a radial surface to the third annular member.   
     
     
         15 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 14 , wherein the second and third annular members are disposed in the outward radial portion of the first annular member. 
     
     
         16 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the second and third materials comprises a lubricant retaining material. 
     
     
         17 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the second and third materials comprises one or more of a netted, lubricant absorbent material and felt. 
     
     
         18 . The lubrication ring according to  claim 14 , further comprising a weight, which is attachable to one or more of the first, second and third annular members. 
     
     
         19 . A shaft lubrication apparatus, comprising a rotatable shaft, a lubrication sump and the lubrication ring according to  claim 14 , the lubrication ring being rotatable with the rotatable shaft with respect to the lubrication sump whereby at least one of the first, second and third annular members transports lubrication from the lubrication sump to the rotatable shaft.