Drive Gearing Patents (Class 290/1C)
  • Patent number: 6166335
    Abstract: A bathroom scale has a measurement value sensor which generates a measurement signal when a person wishing to be weighed stands on the scale. The measurement signal is transmitted to an evaluation circuit which reduces therefrom the weight and displays it on a display device. The evaluation circuit and the display device are supplied with electric energy by a generator upon which the weight of the person wishing to be weighed is applied. The actuation element for the generator is designed as a plunger which drives the generator by means of a toothed rack and pinion and projects over the plate in such a way that it can be actuated independently of the same. The restoring spring acts between the plate and the toothed rack and pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Soehnle AG
    Inventor: Armin Soehnle
  • Patent number: 6034492
    Abstract: A D.C. motor-generator and an electric double layer capacitor are fixedly connected directly to each other and a rotary shaft of the motor-generator is rotated in one direction by an external force to generate D.C. electric energy which is stored in the electric double layer capacitor. By supplying the electric energy from the electric double layer capacitor to the D.C. motor-generator, the stored electric energy can be discharged as mechanical rotation energy. By deriving the stored energy as electric energy, an emergency power source can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Saito, Yukari Kibi
  • Patent number: 6008545
    Abstract: An apparatus including motor/generator whose axis is spaced from and parallel to engine crankshaft, 3-elements type input and output mechanism disposed coaxially with the motor/generator and having first rotary element connected to the crankshaft, second rotary element connected to output shaft of the motor/generator, and third rotary element, and first and second one-way clutches associated with the input and output mechanism, which is arranged such that speed V1 of forward rotation of the first rotary element by engine is reduced when the second rotary element is rotated forward with the third rotary element held stationary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuji Nagano, Kojiro Kuramochi, Hatsuo Nakao, Hiroshi Tsujii
  • Patent number: 5881559
    Abstract: A hybrid electric vehicle which is driven by a motor powered with electric power generated by an engine, wherein the cylinder, piston, and sub-combustion chamber of the engine have insulation structure so that heat sufficient for evaporating fed fuel is held in the sub-combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Isuzu Ceramics Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Kawamura
  • Patent number: 5880532
    Abstract: A spring motor utilizes a series arrangement of alternately-wound coiled springs coupled to one another at common ends. The spring motor is coupled to a generator through a gear mechanism to provide a portable and reusable supply of electric power. In addition, the spring motor may be used in a vehicle to recapture wasted energy due to lost momentum during braking. The spring motor is coupled to a winding mechanism for driving the spring motor in response to application of the vehicle's brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Estate of Robert Stopher
    Inventor: Robert D. Stopher
  • Patent number: 5283469
    Abstract: An impact start assist device for an electric motor comprises a driven member coupled to a load and a drive member coupled to the motor and to the driven member. The driven member and the drive member are rotatable, relative to each other, through at least a portion of a revolution. The device further comprises an arrangement for providing a substantially instantaneous transfer of angular momentum from the drive member to the driven member after relative rotation of the members through at least the portion of the revolution. A locking arrangement is provided for locking the drive member and the driven member together at high rotational speeds. At least a portion of the locking arrangement is centrifugally actuated, and a spring is provided to disengage the locking mechanism at low speeds, or at rest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Franklin L. Forbes, Donald W. Jones
  • Patent number: 4965477
    Abstract: An integrated drive generator (40) for generating constant frequency alternating current which is driven by a drive shaft (12) at variable rotational speeds includes an alternating current generator (23) having a rotor (37) mounted on a first shaft (42), which is driven by an output of a constant speed drive (14) at a fixed rotational velocity, the constant speed drive also driving a second shaft (44) at a fixed rotational velocity; an exciter (20) having a rotor (32) mounted on the first shaft, electrically coupled to a field winding of the generator, for supplying electrical power to the field winding of hte alternating current generator; and a permanent magnet generator (18) having a rotor (24) mounted on the second shaft, electrically coupled to the exciter, for supplying electrical power to a field winding of the exciter. Using the second shaft reduces weight, as well as length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Stadler, Wayne A. Flygare
  • Patent number: 4912995
    Abstract: A rotary-to-linear mechanical motion converter has a housing attachable to a drive engine, an input shaft reciprocable to the housing and coupled directly or through a gear arrangement to a reciprocating output shaft of the drive engine, a first drive train coupling the input shaft for turning a rotor in a given sense of rotation for a first direction of movement of the input shaft, and a second drive train coupling the input shaft for turning the rotor in the same given sense of rotation for an opposite direction of movement of the input shaft, the first and second drive trains alternately driving the rotor, as in an electrical generator, for continuous rotation in a given sense relative to the housing. In an alternate converter, both drive trains drive a rotor for only one direction of movement of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1990
    Inventor: John L. Otters
  • Patent number: 4734590
    Abstract: An integrated drive generator system in which all of the main components of the system are mounted for operation about a single centerline. A housing mounts a drive input shaft. A differential is coupled to and arranged coaxially of the drive input shaft. A generator is coupled to the differential and includes a rotor coaxially of the drive input shaft. A hydraulic log includes a hydraulic pump and motor assembly coupled to the differential and arranged coaxially of the drive input shaft. An exciter also is employed coaxially of the drive input shaft, surrounding the differential, and a compact cooling system includes cooling passages integral with the housing and in close proximity to the stator of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Theodore D. Fluegel
  • Patent number: 4614875
    Abstract: The present invention transforms the vast amount of existent vehicular travel into an equally-vast alternative energy resource employable for the generation of electricity. This transformation is achieved by means of a novel system which generally includes a momentum-conversion assembly configured to convert available vehicle momentum into operational momentum for an associated momentum-referenced electricity generator. The conversion assembly is accordingly structured to be responsive to the passage along an associated roadway of vehicles having predeterminable roadway-traversal momentum, with a portion of this momentum then being that which is cooperatively applied to the generator. The resulting double utilization of associated energy resources for both vehicle motion and electricity generation constitutes an effective increase in resource conversion efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1986
    Inventor: Terrill A. McGee
  • Patent number: 4613760
    Abstract: An alternating current electrical power generating system in which a generator (11) is driven by a fluid driven turbine (2), whose speed or torque may vary, which incorporates a differential drive unit (3) coupled to the turbine (2), the generator (11) and means, such as a reaction machine (6), arranged to control the torque on the respective input to the differential drive unit in response to changes in the speed of the turbine in the sense which tends to compensate for such speed variations and thereby reduce fluctuations of torque on the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: The English Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Hilton Law
  • Patent number: 4595841
    Abstract: A full-covered portable generator composed of a generator core, an engine for driving the generator core enclosed by a cover comprising discrete front, rear and bottom cover elements. The rear cover element is detachably joined to the rear cover element along lateral peripheral surfaces of the generator. The engine and its main components are each covered at least in part by the front cover element in a manner that they are exposed when the rear cover element is detached from the front cover element, for facilitation of the maintenance thereof. Various controls and readouts or displays are arranged on the front cover element transversely of the generator, preferably in an order corresponding to the required order in which they are operated or read. A carrying handle is arranged on an upper surface of the front cover element and extends transversely of the generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: June 17, 1986
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tadahiro Yaguchi
  • Patent number: 4585949
    Abstract: A method of shaft power generation includes: a step of dividing mechanical power taken out from a main engine into two portions for respective systems; a step of inputting one of the portions of the divided mechanical power directly to a differential planetary gear mechanism; a step of inputting the other portion of the divided mechanical power to the differential planetary gear mechanism through a subsidiary generator, a thyristor or transistor controller and a thyristorized or transistorized motor, each of which has a capacity which is equal to a value obtained by adding a slight allowance to a value obtained by multiplying the capacity of a main generator by the ratio between, on the one hand, a value obtained by the difference between the lowest and highest number of revolutions of the main engine of the range within which the mechanical power therefrom is employed for power generation and, on the other hand, the highest number of revolutions, thereby combining into one the two portions of the divided mec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Takashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4382188
    Abstract: The invention is a dual-range drive system for synchronous and induction generators which may provide primary power for aircraft systems. In a first embodiment, utilization of a toroidal drive (10) in combination with a planetary drive (37) enables variable speed mechanical output from an engine (24) to be converted to a dual range mechanical input to a permanent magnet generator (26) such that the generator (26) operates at constant frequency over a preselected engine speed range and at a frequency proportional to speed over speed ranges below said preselected range. Drive logic (42), roller actuator (46) and steering control mechanism (48) form parts of a control system for steering or tilting the drive rollers (12) of the toroidal drive (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1983
    Assignee: Lockheed Corporation
    Inventor: Michael J. Cronin
  • Patent number: 4310768
    Abstract: A constant speed drive comprises a frictional variable speed drive controlled by a control system to produce a constant output speed. The drive includes a rotatable disc having a frusto-conical surface and being urged into frictional engagement with a rotatable annulus having a corresponding frustoconical edge, the annulus and disc being relatively movable between a position in which they are coaxial and provide a unity drive ratio and a position in which they are eccentric and provide a different drive ratio determined by the relative positions of their axes. Actuation means are provided for adjusting the positions of the axes of the annulus and disc relative to one another, and the control system controls the actuation means to vary the relative positions of the axes of the disc and annulus and thus the drive ratio to maintain a sensibly constant output speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1980
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1982
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventor: Rowan H. Colley
  • Patent number: 4291233
    Abstract: A wind-turbine generator system which transforms the rotational energy of a wind driven turbine blade into rotation in opposite directions of a rotor and a stator of a dynamoelectric machine to generate electrical power. A bevel gear rotating with the turbine blade drives two pinion gears and associated concentric shafts in opposite directions. The two shafts combine with a planetary gear set to provide the desired oppositely directed rotation. One of the shafts is associated with a ring carrier and drives a ring gear in one rotational direction. The other shaft drives a planet carrier in the opposite rotational direction. The planetary gear set is arranged such that a sun gear is driven in the direction opposite to that of the ring gear. A rotor is affixed to the sun gear by a spider support structure, and a stator, affixed to rotate with the ring gear, surrounds the rotor. The rotor and stator are thus rotated in opposite, mechanically and electrically additive, directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventor: Herbert S. Kirschbaum
  • Patent number: 4282442
    Abstract: A device for converting linear reciprocal motion to continuous rotary motion whereby both forward and backward power strokes of the reciprocal motion contribute to the power output of the device, the device including two one-way clutches, the first clutch engaging and the second clutch slipping during the forward stroke and the second clutch engaging and the first clutch slipping during the backward stroke so that the clutches transmit alternatively power to an output shaft, the output shaft being connected to a flywheel which stores energy and which reduces the magnitude of fluctuations in the rotational speed of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1981
    Inventor: Heinrich Massinger
  • Patent number: 4227092
    Abstract: A hand-cranked power source intended for use in emergency situations to grate electrical energy. The power source features a lightweight construction as well as the ability to generate a reasonable amount of power. The preferred embodiment couples an input drive shaft to a harmonic drive system having a high speed output shaft. Upon the output shaft are preferably mounted samarium cobalt magnets forming the rotor of a three phase alternator. The output of the alternator may be utilized to power a field device, such as a radio, or the like, or may be used to charge fast-charging batteries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1980
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Carl J. Campagnuolo, Leon Scheinine, Paul M. Mayercik
  • Patent number: 3972380
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle is provided including a main frame having a plurality of ground engageable support wheels. An electric motor is supported from the main frame and drive train structure drivingly connects the rotatable output shaft of the motor to at least one of the ground engaging support wheels. A bank of rechargeable storage batteries is also supported from the main frame and electrically connected to the motor for actuation thereof through a variable voltage control. Also, a pair of generators or alternators are supported from the main frame and are driven from at least one of the ground engaging support wheels of the vehicle. The generators or alternators are electrically connected to the bank of storage batteries for recharging the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1976
    Inventors: Perley N. Hudson, William R. Toby