Patent ID: 6257368
Filing Date: 2001-07-10
Classification: F16C,F16H,F16N

Abstract:
A rotating shaft assembly, said assembly comprising:a housing defining a bore that extends from an area exterior to said housing to an area interior to said housing;a shaft rotatably disposed in said housing about an axis of said bore, said shaft extending through said bore between said interior area and said exterior area;a lubricant retention area axially outward of, and sealed from, said interior area, said retention area defining a pressure therein less than pressure defined within said interior area and being configured to collect lubricant from said interior area therein;a sump in fluid communication with said interior area;a drain extending between said retention area and said sump; anda check valve disposed in said drain, said check valve oriented to permit lubricant flow from said retention area to said sump and to prevent lubricant flow from said sump to said retention area.