Patent ID: 7252615
Filing Date: 2007-08-07
Classification: F16C,F16H

Abstract:
1. A lubrication system for a planetary carrier of an automatic transmission comprising: a source of lubricating material; a main shaft configured to receive said lubricating material from said source and direct said lubricating material toward the planetary carrier, wherein said main shaft has a substantially radially extending aperture operative to direct said lubricating material from said main shaft toward said planetary carrier; the planetary carrier having a spider section and a flange section with at least one pinion gear therebetween being mounted on a pinion bearing; a sun gear shaft adjacent said main shaft to receive said lubricating material from said main shaft and including a substantially radially extending aperture to carry and further direct said lubricating material toward the planetary carrier; said spider section having a first groove formed therein to receive said lubricating material being directed from said sun gear shaft toward the planetary carrier and a second groove which intersects said first groove, wherein said second groove is formed therein to receive said lubricating material from said first groove and direct said lubricating material toward said pinion bearing; and a first thrust washer adjacent to said second groove between said pinion bearing and said spider section, wherein said first thrust washer has an axially extending slot operative to direct said lubricating material toward said pinion bearing.