Abstract: In a gear mounting having a spindle (10,16,31) extending generally normal to a carrier (5,13,29), the spindle is cantilevered back from the outer end of a tie-bolt (4,14,30) and is permitted limited axial excursions to adapt itself to the tooth loading. It is particularly suited to mounting planets in an epicyclic gear. The outer end of the spindle is clamped between the head of the tie-bolt and a tubular compression member (9,15,32) of lesser axial extent than the spindle, and between that member and the carrier there is a bush (12,17,33), also in the compression chain. The tubular member is more flexible than the bush and the bolt can also flex to allow the axial excursions. The tubular member may be integral with the bush or separate from it, but in either case the geometry of the various components can be such that easy tolerances are permissible to facilitate assembly. However, when the tie-bolt is tensioned distortions occur to close radial clearances and centralize the components.

Abstract: A multiple drum winch is driven by epicyclic differential gearing. One drum (1) rotates with the planet carrier (29, 55) and another drum (2) rotates with the annulus (35, 59) to which it is directly geared, the input being to the sun (27, 53), possibly via reduction gearing (50, 51). The epicyclic can be housed within one of the drums (1). The gear ratios are selectable to achieve a balance between the power requirements of the drums. The drums are journalled only at intermediate zones (22, 23) spanning the centroid of the expected load.