Abstract: An adjustable spindle includes an inner housing displaceable within an outer housing along a longitudinal axis thereof. The inner housing and outer housing define a chamber therebetween. A pump selectively pressurizes the chamber to displace the inner housing, while a clamping device centers and retains the inner housing on the longitudinal axis. An electric rotating machine is mounted inside and displaces with the inner housing.

Abstract: A gear tester method and apparatus for inspecting a contact area between a gear member, such as a spiral bevel or hypnoid gear, relative to a second gear, such as a pinion. The gear tester includes a spray system for coating a portion of the gear member with a gear marking compound, such that when the pinion contacts the gear member the gear marking compound provides an indication or footprint of tooth contact made between the gear member and the pinion. A strobing device illuminates the gear member for inspecting the footprint while the gears are still rotating. In a preferred embodiment, a sensing device senses images of the footprint and a display device displays the sensed images whereby the gear mesh is non-invasively inspected.

Abstract: A gear testing machine for evaluating the performance of a set of gears including a base support platform that mounts a pinion for movement in at least two mutually perpendicular axes, and permits fixing the pinion in place. The gear is then mounted relative to the pinion through controllable actuators attached to the frame so that the gear support can be positioned at a desired location relative to the pinion spindle axis to compensate for errors in mounting and to provide for very accurate mounting in accordance with specified parameters. The position of the gear carriage can be changed during a testing sequence when the gears are being run to observe changes in parameters on the gears.

Abstract: A test system providing a very rigid support for gear testing, having a pair of spaced apart generally parallel plates that are connected together. Each of the plates has an actuator section for operation against a flange of a gear mounting carriage positioned between the plates to control the gear position relative to the plates. Three actuators are spaced around the axis of the gear mounting housing so that control of the housing in at least three degrees of freedom can be achieved. Additional actuators control the positioning of the housing in direction parallel to the spaced apart plates and such actuators are mounted between the plates for increasing rigidity.

Abstract: A gear suspension system is disclosed that permits movement of a gear, such as a spiral bevel or hypoid gear relative to its pinion with up to four degrees of freedom. Specifically, the gear suspension system includes a support frame with a movable carriage mounted thereon. The carriage includes a lower carriage member connected to an upper carriage member with suspension struts. The gear is mounted to the upper carriage member for rotation about a central axis. Actuators connected to the lower carriage member adjust the gear mounting distance and the shaft angle between the pinion and the gear, while actuators mounted to the upper carriage member adjust the H and V positions of the pinion relative to the gear.

Abstract: A gear suspension system is disclosed that permits movement of a gear, such as a spiral bevel or hypoid gear relative to its pinion with six degrees of freedom. The gear suspension system includes a support structure with a moveable carriage mounted thereon. The carriage is supported by six actuators interconnected together to form three connection joints to the support structure and three connection joints to the gear carriage. The gear is mounted to the carriage for rotation about a central axis. The actuators allow the gear mounting distance, the shaft angle, the H position and the V position to be adjusted. In addition, the actuators further allow the gear carriage to be rotated about the central axis and to be rotated about an axis that is parallel to an axis of a pinion and passing through the central axis.