Flywheel having lubrication-flow passageway

Abstract

A method of lubricating a clutch disposed on a driven-side of a flywheel that is connected to a crankshaft includes rotating the flywheel and providing a flow of lubrication fluid spilling onto a driver-side of the flywheel. At least a portion of the flow of lubrication fluid is received through at least one passageway extending through the flywheel and expelled from the passageway on a driven-side of the flywheel. A clutch disposed on the driven-side of the flywheel is lubricated with the expelled lubrication fluid.

1 . A method of lubricating a clutch disposed on a driven-side of a flywheel, the flywheel connected to a crankshaft, the method comprising;
 rotating the flywheel;   providing a flow of lubrication fluid spilling onto a driver-side of the flywheel;   receiving at least a portion of the flow of lubrication fluid through at least one passageway extending through the flywheel;   expelling lubrication fluid from the passageway on a driven-side of the flywheel;   lubricating a clutch with the expelled lubrication fluid, the clutch disposed on the driven-side of the flywheel.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 collecting the flow of fluid into a tangentially extending collector, the collector defined on the driver-side of the flywheel;   accelerating the portion of the flow of lubrication fluid through the collector; and   communicating the portion of the flow of lubrication fluid from the collector into the at least one passageway.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of deflecting at least a portion of the flow of lubrication fluid with a deflector, wherein the flow being deflected is the portion of the flow received through the at least one passageway. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of spraying a stream of lubrication fluid from a spray-source, wherein the stream of lubrication fluid enters the passageway intermittently as the flywheel rotates. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 collecting a portion of the flow of lubrication fluid in a reservoir, the reservoir disposed in a channel that extends circumferentially along an interface between the flywheel and a hub gear, and   deflecting the flow of lubricant such that it enters the at least one passageway, the deflecting accomplished with a circumferential deflector that is disposed in the channel.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of scooping the portion of the flow of lubrication fluid into the passageway with a projection that extends radially and tangentially with respect to the flywheel, the projection formed on the driven-side of the flywheel. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of at least one of accelerating and decelerating the flow of lubricant through the at least one passageway, the at least one passageway being slanted with respect to an axis of rotation of the flywheel.