Bidirectional pump system having plural lubrication circuits

Claim 1

In a fluid system, a bidirectional pump including a housing defining first and second chambers, first and second horizontally spaced apart sumps at substantially the same vertical level, means communicating said first sump with said first chamber and separate means communicating said second sump with said second chamber, first and second separate lubricant systems intercommunicating with said first and second sumps, respectively, check valve means comprising a check valve, a first discharge conduit communicating said first chamber with said check valve, and a second discharge conduit communicating said second chamber with said check valve, said check valve means operable to direct fluid flow to said first and second lubricant systems in either flow direction of the bidirectional pump whereby fluid supply is maintained to said first and second fluid systems regardless of pump flow direction and tilting of said system which causes disproportionate flow distribution, means communicating said first and second lubricant systems with said first and second sumps, respectively, for returning fluid thereto, and, flow control means intermediate said check valve means and said lubricant systems, for proportioning flow between said first and second lubricant systems.