Patent ID: 6997284

Claim:
A system for circulating lubricant in an assembly, comprising: a housing adapted to contain a reservoir of hydraulic lubricant; an aperture in the housing to permit lubricant circulation; a chamber located adjacent the aperture, adapted to hold lubricant therein, the chamber located at a first elevation; a component supported for rotation partially in the lubricant and partially in a portion of the housing located above the lubricant, having means for moving lubricant from the reservoir to the chamber; a lubricant cooler disposed outside of said housing; and conduit means having a first end hydraulically connected to the chamber and a second end hydraulically connected to said cooler at a location that is distant from the reservoir and at a second elevation lower than the first elevation, for carrying lubricant from the chamber to the cooler, using gravity to transport lubricant from the first elevation to the second elevation, wherein: the housing includes first and second axle tubes extending outward in opposite directions from the reservoir; and the conduit means includes first and second conduits, the first conduit having a first end connected to the chamber and a second end hydraulically connected to said cooler mounted external the first axle tube of the housing.