Patent ID: 7022039

Claim:
A lubrication system for a planetary transmission having (i) a first gear set including a first sun gear and at least one first planetary gear in meshing arrangement with the first sun gear, (ii) a second gear set including a second sun gear and at least one second planetary gear in meshing arrangement with the second sun gear, the second sun gear having a hollow interior, (iii) a casing surrounding the first gear set and the second gear set, (iv) a first thrust washer between the first sun gear and the second sun gear, and (v) a second thrust washer between the second sun gear and the casing, said lubrication system comprising: a passageway extending through the casing and placing the hollow interior of the second sun gear in fluid communication with a mesh point between teeth of the second sun gear and teeth of the at least one second planetary gear, such that when oil is forced from the mesh point the oil travels through said passageway, into the hollow interior of the second sun gear, and into contact with the first and second thrust washers.