GEAR CASING HAVING WALLS OF SINUOUS CROSS-SECTION

Gear units almost invariably have a casing containing a body of oil for both lubricating and cooling purposes. The casing has walls which are generally plane internally and generally ribbed externally, and a fan has been provided for assisting the removal from the ribs of unwanted heat generated by the gearing and transmitted through the oil to the casing. To remove the need for a fan the casing is made with walls of sinuous cross-section and substantially constant thickness. Thus, the maximum practicable area of the interior makes contact with the oil to abstract the heat therefrom, and furthermore the heat then has to travel the minimal practicable distance through the walls to reach the outside air which makes contact with the maximum practicable area of the exterior. The walls have internal ribs to provide additional strength, and the casing is a casing with integral ribs. The casing has an attached electric motor, and is particularly useful for worm gear reduction units and gear units with helical first stage gearing and worm second stage gearing.