Winch constructed specially for easy lubrication thereof

{
  "publication_number": "US4019718A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Winch constructed specially for easy lubrication thereof",
  "abstract": "A winch includes hydraulically operated brake and clutch means which comprise part of a drive train supported by and located within a cavity defined by a housing. The drive train includes an output shaft located as the uppermost shaft of the drive train and including a portion extending through a wall of the cavity and axially into one end of a hollow, open-ended cable drum located exteriorly of the cavity and having one end rotatably mounted in a wall of the housing and having its other end rotatably mounted on the output shaft. Coupled to hydraulic fluid circuitry for conveying operating fluid to the brake and clutch means is a lubrication fluid circuit for supplying lubricating fluid to bearings supporting the cable drum and to bearings and other components of the drive train, the lubrication fluid circuit including the interior of the cable drum.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A winch construction and lubrication means therefor, comprising: a housing defining first and second spaced upright wall sections and a fluid-tight cavity formed in part by said second wall section; a cable drum having a hollow interior and opposite first and second open ends; first and second bearing means rotatably supporting said first and second ends of the cable drum respectively in said first and second wall sections; a drive train located in said cavity and including an output shaft extending into said drum; a lubrication fluid path means including the interior of said cable drum and providing fluid communication among said first and second bearing means and said cavity; said drive train including hydraulically operable main clutch means and brake means including respective pressurizable cylinders; a source of fluid pressure; a reservoir; control valve means connected between said source of fluid pressure and the pressurizable cylinder of said main clutch means, the pressurizable cylinder of said brake means and said lubrication fluid path means; fluid passage means exclusive of said control valve means connecting the pressurizable cylinders of said brake means and said clutch means to said lubrication fluid path means; said control valve means being shiftable at least between a neutral position blocking the source of fluid pressure from the brake means and main clutch means and first operating position wherein the source of fluid pressure is connected to the brake means and clutch means.",
    "2. The winch construction and lubrication means therefor recited in claim 1 wherein said fluid passage means includes first and second branch passages respectively connected to the pressurizable cylinders of said brake means and clutch means and first and second restrictor means located in said first and second branches for controlling the flow of lubrication fluid to said lubrication fluid path means.",
    "3. A winch structure including lubricating means, comprising: a winch housing defining a fluid-tight cavity, a drive train including a plurality of shafts located in said cavity with one shaft being an output shaft located at a level higher than the rest and including a portion extending exteriorly of said cavity; a hollow cable drum located exteriorly of said cavity and having said output shaft extending coaxially therewithin; a plurality of bearing means rotatably supporting said plurality of shafts and said cable drum in said housing; said drive train further including a hydraulically operated brake and a hydraulically operated main clutch located in said cavity and having respective pressurizable cylinders; a source of fluid pressure; a control valve means connected to the source of fluid pressure and to the pressurizable cylinders of the brake and main clutch; a lubrication circuit means connecting said plurality of bearing means in fluid communication with each other and including said hollow cable drum; and said lubrication circuit means further including branched line means connected to the pressurizable cylinders of said brake and said clutch and also to said control valve means.",
    "4. The winch structure recited in claim 3 wherein said branched line means includes flow restrictor means for regulating the amount of flow between the control valve means and the pressurizable cylinders of the brake and clutch and the lubrication circuit means so as to ensure sufficient fluid pressure is supplied to actuate the brake and clutch."
  ],
  "cpc": [
    "B66D 1/16",
    "B66D 1/28",
    "Y10S 254/901"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "DEERE & CO"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1975-05-05",
  "publication_date": "1977-04-26",
  "grant_date": "1977-04-26",
  "priority_date": "1975-05-05",
  "application_number": "US-57455575-A",
  "family_id": "24296631",
  "citations": [
    "US2787065A",
    "US3107899A",
    "US3539046A",
    "US3570815A",
    "US3756564A",
    "US3848852A"
  ]
}