US 12,442,446 B2
Lubrication system with a reserve tank
Laurent Zamponi, Vitrolles (FR); Jerome Belmonte, Aix en Provence (FR); and Eric Fabrigat, Velaux (FR)
Assigned to AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, Marignane (FR)
Filed by AIRBUS HELICOPTERS, Marignane (FR)
Filed on Sep. 16, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/476,730.
Claims priority of application No. 2010022 (FR), filed on Oct. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0107018 A1, Apr. 7, 2022
Int. Cl. F16H 57/04 (2010.01); F01M 11/00 (2006.01); B64C 27/12 (2006.01)
CPC F16H 57/0442 (2013.01) [F16H 57/0404 (2013.01); F16H 57/0435 (2013.01); F16H 57/0443 (2013.01); F16H 57/0449 (2013.01); F16H 57/045 (2013.01); F16H 57/046 (2013.01); B64C 27/12 (2013.01); F01M 2011/0095 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A lubrication system for a mechanical system, the lubrication system comprising:
a main tank containing a lubricating liquid;
a main lubrication circuit comprising a main flow generator as well as devices for spraying the lubricating liquid, the main lubrication circuit comprising a main suction point for drawing in the lubricating liquid located in the main tank, a main suction pipe connecting the main suction point to the main flow generator;
a reserve tank comprising an inlet for receiving a portion of the lubricating liquid from the main tank, wherein the reserve tank is arranged in an environment where an outside pressure is prevailing outside the reserve tank;
an outlet pipe directly connecting the reserve tank to the main suction pipe, wherein the lubricating liquid communicates through the outlet pipe between the reserve tank and the main suction pipe by gravity;
a vent port disposed on the reserve tank, wherein opening the vent port vents the reserve tank to the outside pressure outside of the reserve tank and so that the lubricating liquid can flow through the outlet pipe by gravity, the open vent port acting as an overflow, balancing flows of lubricating liquid entering and exiting the reserve tank; and
at least one spill-proof wall positioned within the reserve tank adjacent to the vent port and the spill-proof wall extends from a side wall upward between the inlet and the vent port to prevent the lubricating liquid from exiting the vent port when the system is tilted.