MUMBAI, India, Jan. 2 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202541122664 A) filed by Malla Reddy (MR) Deemed to be University; Malla Reddy College Of Engineering and Technology; Malla Reddy Vishwavidyapeeth; Malla Reddy University; and Malla Reddy Engineering College For Women, Medchal-Malkajgiri, Telangana, on Dec. 5, 2025, for 'thermal-aware gearbox using intelligent lubrication micro-channels.'
Inventor(s) include Dr. B. Sridhar Babu; Dr. S. Nagamani; Mrs. Sujatha Mantravadi; Dr. Suneetha Rikhari; Dr. S. Nagamani; Dr. K. Bharadwaja; Mr. K. Srinivasa Rao; and Mr. Ch. Ashok.
The application for the patent was published on Jan. 2, under issue no. 01/2026.
According to the abstract released by the Intellectual Property India: "Traditional gearboxes are frequently characterized by a thermal accumulation as the result of constant mechanical interactions, friction, high rotation speed, and inequality in the distribution of lubricants. Overheating causes low performance, increased wear, noise production and early parts breakdown. The proposed system presents a thermal-responsive gearbox with smart lubrication micro-channel, which is aimed at controlling the temperature and optimizing lubrication flow in the course of operating. The gearbox combines a network of micro-channels that are placed in the gearbox housing and gear surfaces, which allows the controlled flow of lubricant in accordance with the actual thermal conditions. The heat is monitored by temperature sensors at key contact points and sent to a flow control module which, in turn, dynamically responds to the changes and varies the flow rate and direction of the lubricant within the micro-channels. The micro-channel design is optimized in such a way that the thermal dissipation is rapid, the formation of hot spots is minimized and the lubrication efficiency is increased in the high-speed load cycles. The system has focused lubricant supply, which delivers fluid directly to high areas of friction instead of averagely all over the gearbox, thus preventing the wastage of energy and unnecessary spillage. Also, there is a pressure-assisted circulation system that maintains an unvarying supply of lubricant in circumstances of varying loads. The design is lightweight, expandable, and can easily fit in the normal gear mechanisms without significant adjustments. This is an alternative thermally adjustable lubrication plan that should be adopted to ensure the minimization of temperature increase, gear wear out, increase in its service life, and the overall performance of gear driven equipment. The system can be used through automotive transmissions, industrial gear systems, aerospace mechanisms, robotics and precision mechanical equipment. A major development to smart gearbox technology is the addition of intelligent micro-channel lubrication which has provided better heat control and working reliability in a wide range of working conditions."
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