Abstract: A spring clutch has a housing containing first and second sleeves surrounding first and second longitudinal spans of a coil spring. A carrier mounting at least one of the sleeves relative to the housing flexes to maintain alignment of axes of the sleeves to control forces on the portion of the spring spanning the gap between the sleeves.

Abstract: An isolated ring gear (60) for a planetary gear drive system (12), which isolated ring gear (60) is operative transferring torque loads and reducing the transmission of high frequency vibrations from the planetary pinions (36) of the drive system (12) to an adjacent support (50). The isolated ring gear (60) includes and inner ring segment (62), an outer ring segment (64) and a plurality of spring elements (66) disposed between and integrally formed with the inner and outer ring segments (62, 64). The inner ring segment (62) has a plurality of gear teeth (62.sub.T) for being disposed in intermeshing combination with the teeth (3b.sub.T) of the planetary pinions (36) and the outer ring segment (64) is rigidly affixed to the adjacent support structure (50).

Abstract: A coil spring (50) for use in an overrunning spring clutch assembly having a central arbor (16) for centering and supporting the coil spring (50) in an overrunning operating mode. The coil spring (50) includes teaser coils (52) disposed at each end thereof, central coils (54) disposed intermediate the teaser coils (52), and transition coils (56) disposed between and adjoining the teaser coils (52) and the central coils (54). The coil spring (50) is characterized by each of the transition coils (56) having an interface surface (56.sub.IS) being substantially complementary to a corresponding external bearing surface (16.sub.ES) defined by the central arbor (16) of the spring clutch assembly. Such substantially complementary relationship limits the radial deflection of the transition coils (56) in the overrunning operating mode, thereby reducing vibratory bending stresses in the coil spring (50).

Abstract: An isolated ring gear (60) for a planetary gear drive system (12), which isolated ring gear (60) is operative transferring torque loads and reducing the transmission of high frequency vibrations from the planetary pinions (36) of the drive system (12) to an adjacent support (50). The isolated ring gear (60) includes and inner ring segment (62), an outer ring segment (64) and a plurality of spring elements (66) disposed between and integrally formed with the inner and outer ring segments (62, 64). The inner ring segment (62) has a plurality of gear teeth (62.sub.T) for being disposed in intermeshing combination with the teeth (32b.sub.T) of the planetary pinions (36) and the outer ring segment (64) is rigidly affixed to the adjacent support structure (50).

Abstract: One broad-beam ion deposition coating method (10) for depositing diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coatings (124) on the dynamic surfaces (120S) of articles (120) subject to adherence difficulties includes the steps of: (12) preliminarily conditioning the dynamic surface (120S) for broad-beam ion deposition; (14)inserting the article (120) in a deposition chamber (102); (16) evacuating the deposition chamber (102) to a predetermined base pressure; (18) ion sputtering conditioning of the dynamic surface (120) by ionizing an inert gas to form an ion beam (104B) having a predetermined beam current density and accelerating energy and directing the ion beam (104B) onto the dynamic surface; (20) depositing an interface layer (122) on the dynamic surface (120S) by ionizing a first gas to form an ion beam (104B) having a predetermined beam current density and accelerating energy, and directing the ion beam (104B) onto a target (118) to dislodge atoms therefrom, the dislodged atoms depositing on the dynamic surface (120S) to

Abstract: A self-scavenging, hybrid lubrication subsystem for a main transmission gearbox includes a sump fabricated as an integral extension of the lower portion of the gearbox wherein the sump dynamic fluid level is above the gearbox bottom. The interior sidewall of the lower gearbox is modified to include a cylindrical segment having a first radius, a throat segment having a second radius, and a transition segment contiguous with the cylindrical and throat segments. The radial discontinuity between the cylindrical and throat segments defines a nozzle inlet that directs the outflow of lubricating medium in the gearbox bottom to the sump via a nozzle. The outflow end of the nozzle is positioned above the sump dynamic fluid level. Housed within the lower gearbox is a planetary gear train that includes an annular planetary carrier plate having a deflection plate mounted thereto. The periphery of the carrier plate and the cylindrical and throat segments in combination form primary and restricted flow channels.

Abstract: A fail safe, segmented drive shaft system includes a segment support assembly (16) comprising a ball bearing (26), for primary rotation, disposed within a journal bearing (28), for secondary rotation, which is disposed within an elastomeric damper (30) that has a vibration probe (34) placed in it for failure detection, and a coupling assembly (18) comprising a flexible diaphragm (66, 67) for primary, flexible coupling between segments and gear teeth (72, 73) which engage for secondary coupling upon failure of the diaphragm (66, 67). The teeth are not concentric with the rotational axis, so vibration indicates failure of the primary flexible coupling.

Abstract: An elastomeric load sharing device, interposed in combination between a driven gear and a central drive shaft to facilitate balanced torque distribution in split power transmission systems, includes a cylindrical elastomeric bearing and a plurality of elastomeric bearing pads. The elastomeric bearing and bearing pads comprise one or more layers, each layer including an elastomer having a metal backing strip secured thereto. The elastomeric bearing is configured to have a high radial stiffness and a low torsional stiffness and is operative to radially center the driven gear and to minimize torque transfer through the elastomeric bearing. The bearing pads are configured to have a low radial and torsional stiffness and a high axial stiffness and are operative to compressively transmit torque from the driven gear to the drive shaft.