Abstract: A synchronous drive sprocket includes a generally annular body and a central axis extending through the generally annular body. The central axis defines circumferential, axial, and radial directions. The generally annular body has a peripheral edge and a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from the peripheral edge. The plurality of recesses define a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth configured to receive mating teeth of a synchronous drive belt. Each tooth has an upper bearing surface and a notch extending radially inward from the peripheral edge of the tooth. Each notch is axially positioned such that the plurality of notches align with each other to collectively define a groove within the plurality of teeth. The groove extends circumferentially around at least a majority of the generally annular body and having a substantially continuous profile.

Abstract: A flexible coupling assembly for connecting two shafts in a coaxial alignment has a flange including a hub with axially opposite first and second ends and a plurality of radial grooves angularly spaced about a periphery of the hub. The radial grooves have crests and roots. The radial grooves extend axially along a length of the hub and are shaped in a manner such that a diameter of the crests at a position on the hub adjacent to the first axial end of the hub is greater than a diameter of the crests at a position of the hub adjacent to the second axial end. The coupling includes a flexible insert comprising a resilient member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The flexible insert inner surface has a plurality of notches adapted to cooperate with the flange hub radial grooves.

Abstract: A synchronous drive sprocket includes a generally annular body and a central axis extending through the generally annular body. The central axis defines circumferential, axial, and radial directions. The generally annular body has a peripheral edge and a plurality of recesses extending radially inward from the peripheral edge. The plurality of recesses define a plurality of circumferentially spaced teeth configured to receive mating teeth of a synchronous drive belt. Each tooth has an upper bearing surface and a notch extending radially inward from the peripheral edge of the tooth. Each notch is axially positioned such that the plurality of notches align with each other to collectively define a groove within the plurality of teeth. The groove extends circumferentially around at least a majority of the generally annular body and having a substantially continuous profile.

Abstract: A flexible coupling assembly for connecting two shafts in a coaxial alignment has a flange including a hub with axially opposite first and second ends and a plurality of radial grooves angularly spaced about a periphery of the hub. The radial grooves have crests and roots. The radial grooves extend axially along a length of the hub and are shaped in a manner such that a diameter of the crests at a position on the hub adjacent to the first axial end of the hub is greater than a diameter of the crests at a position of the hub adjacent to the second axial end. The coupling includes a flexible insert comprising a resilient member having an inner surface and an outer surface. The flexible insert inner surface has a plurality of notches adapted to cooperate with the flange hub radial grooves.

Abstract: A method of mounting a motor to a gearbox includes positioning a coupling along an input shaft of the gearbox from a starting position to a first alignment position. In the starting position, the coupling drivingly engages a greater portion of the gearbox input shaft than in the first alignment position. In the first alignment position, the coupling operatively contacts the motor output shaft. Another step includes rotating the coupling so that the coupling aligns with the motor output shaft. Another step includes axially positioning the coupling at a second alignment position such that the coupling drivingly engages both the motor output and the gearbox input shafts. Another step includes positioning the motor to allow mounting of the motor on the gearbox with the coupling at a third alignment position drivingly engaging a greater portion of the motor output and the gearbox input shafts than in the second alignment position.

Abstract: A gear box has a clutch comprising a hub and a coupling, each having drive portions that are movable between engaged and disengaged positions. In the engaged position, the hub and coupling drive portions are engaged in a manner to allow torque to be transmitted between the hub and the coupling. In the disengaged position, the hub and coupling drive portions are spaced apart in a manner to prevent torque from being transmitted between the hub and the coupling. The clutch has an actuator that moves the hub and coupling drive portions between the engaged and disengaged positions. In moving the hub and coupling drive portions to the engaged position, the actuator is driven by spring pressure. In moving the hub and coupling drive portions to the disengaged position, the actuator is driven by hydraulic pressure supplied against the actuator sufficient to overcome the spring pressure.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear box has a backing member. The backing member is configured to allow mounting of a plurality of lubrication components on the backing member. One of the lubrication components comprises a pump configured to pressurize lubricating oil for the lubrication system. The pump has a suction and discharge. The pump suction is removably connectable to the gear box and the pump discharge is removably connectable to piping that is configured to communicate with the gear box. The backing member has a lifting mount arranged along its length and width that corresponds to a center of gravity of the backing member with the lubrication components mounted thereto. The lubrication components are modular and may be replaced and installed as necessary on the backing member. Multiple like lubrication systems may be provided, and removed and installed on the gear box as needed for maintenance.

Abstract: A planetary gear train is lubricated via a distribution ring and a planet gear carrier oil supply passage in communication with the distribution ring. The gear train includes a sun pinion that engages a planet gear at a sun planet gear mesh. The planet gear is rotatably mounted to a planet gear carrier. The planet gear carrier is configured to drive an output shaft. The output shaft may be operatively connected to a load. The planet gear rotates within a ring gear at a planet gear ring mesh. The distribution ring surrounds a planet gear carrier and has a hollow interior that communicates with an oil supply. A planet gear carrier oil supply passage may extend through a planet gear carrier of the gear train and supply oil to a sun planet gear mesh and the planet ring gear mesh, and bearings of the planetary gear train.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a gear box has a backing member. The backing member is configured to allow mounting of a plurality of lubrication components on the backing member. One of the lubrication components comprises a pump configured to pressurize lubricating oil for the lubrication system. The pump has a suction and discharge. The pump suction is removably connectable to the gear box and the pump discharge is removably connectable to piping that is configured to communicate with the gear box. The backing member has a lifting mount arranged along its length and width that corresponds to a center of gravity of the backing member with the lubrication components mounted thereto. The lubrication components are modular and may be replaced and installed as necessary on the backing member. Multiple like lubrication systems may be provided, and removed and installed on the gear box as needed for maintenance.

Abstract: A method of mounting a motor to a gearbox includes positioning a coupling along an input shaft of the gearbox from a starting position to a first alignment position. In the starting position, the coupling drivingly engages a greater portion of the gearbox input shaft than in the first alignment position. In the first alignment position, the coupling operatively contacts the motor output shaft. Another step includes rotating the coupling so that the coupling aligns with the motor output shaft. Another step includes axially positioning the coupling at a second alignment position such that the coupling drivingly engages both the motor output and the gearbox input shafts. Another step includes positioning the motor to allow mounting of the motor on the gearbox with the coupling at a third alignment position drivingly engaging a greater portion of the motor output and the gearbox input shafts than in the second alignment position.

Abstract: A gear box has a clutch comprising a hub and a coupling, each having drive portions that are movable between engaged and disengaged positions. In the engaged position, the hub and coupling drive portions are engaged in a manner to allow torque to be transmitted between the hub and the coupling. In the disengaged position, the hub and coupling drive portions are spaced apart in a manner to prevent torque from being transmitted between the hub and the coupling. The clutch has an actuator that moves the hub and coupling drive portions between the engaged and disengaged positions. In moving the hub and coupling drive portions to the engaged position, the actuator is driven by spring pressure. In moving the hub and coupling drive portions to the disengaged position, the actuator is driven by hydraulic pressure supplied against the actuator sufficient to overcome the spring pressure.

Abstract: A planetary gear train is lubricated via a distribution ring and a planet gear carrier oil supply passage in communication with the distribution ring. The gear train includes a sun pinion that engages a planet gear at a sun planet gear mesh. The planet gear is rotatably mounted to a planet gear carrier. The planet gear carrier is configured to drive an output shaft. The output shaft may be operatively connected to a load. The planet gear rotates within a ring gear at a planet gear ring mesh. The distribution ring surrounds a planet gear carrier and has a hollow interior that communicates with an oil supply. A planet gear carrier oil supply passage may extend through a planet gear carrier of the gear train and supply oil to a sun planet gear mesh and the planet ring gear mesh, and bearings of the planetary gear train.

Abstract: A gear box housing has a hollow interior configured to contain a gear train. The gear train has a shaft extending from the housing hollow interior though an opening. The housing has a sump in the housing hollow interior for lubricating oil used for lubricating at least some portions of the gear train. A grease seal adjacent to the opening of housing is configured to seal around the shaft. The grease seal has a fill line that extends from an injection port located exterior of the housing, through a structural member of housing into the interior of the housing, and through the oil sump to the grease seal. The grease seal has a discharge line that extends from the grease seal, through the oil sump, and through a structural member of the housing to the exterior of the housing to a discharge port located exterior of the housing.

Abstract: A gear drive that has a continuously variable float and preload bearing adjustment system with an integral seal carrier for the bearings on drive shafts that have a fixed axial alignment within the gear drive, the adjustment system comprising a housing bore in a housing for the gear drive with threads that mate with threads in a combination bearing adjustment and drive shaft seal carrier to provide continuous adjustment of drive shaft bearings without disassembly.