Planet Pinion Is Friction Gear Patents (Class 475/183)
  • Patent number: 11892060
    Abstract: A frictional roller reducer having a sun roller; a ring roller; a plurality of intermediate rollers having rolling surfaces coming in rolling contact with the sun roller and the ring roller; the sun roller or the ring roller having a pair of roller elements including inclined surface portions on a circumferential surface coming in rolling with rolling surfaces, the inclined surface portions inclined in directions going toward the intermediate rollers in a radial direction as going away from each other in the axial direction; a pressing device pressing the pair of roller elements in directions going closer to each other, and an elastic member arranged between the pair of roller elements, the elastic member urging the pair of roller elements in directions going away from the rolling surface of the intermediate rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawahara, Hiroki Hashiguchi, Hirofumi Itagaki, Azusa Hidaka, Hiroki Nishida, Naofumi Fujita, Hikari Yoshimi, Naohiro Hitomi, Masahiro Kita
  • Patent number: 11753987
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spring for preload in a planetary traction drive designed for a driven turbocharger on an engine. The ring roller of the planetary traction drive has two parts with a spring between the two parts for generating a preload force on the ring roller assembly of the planetary traction drive. The spring provides a spreading force on the ring roller, and allows for setting a desired preload force on the traction surfaces of the traction drive during assembly and operation, even with variations in manufacturing of the different parts of the traction drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: SuperTurbo Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc Montgomery, Jared Howe, Ryan Sherrill
  • Patent number: 11578664
    Abstract: An oil collector for a mechanical reduction gear of a turbomachine, in particular for an aircraft, the reduction gear including a body having two opposite lateral faces configured to extend in part around planet gears of the reduction gear, the collector further including an internal oil circulation cavity connected firstly to oil inlets located on the faces, and on the other hand to at least one oil outlet, characterised in that at least one of the faces comprises includes columns and rows of several inlets each having a recess with a progressively increasing cross-section, each recess being delimited by walls, at least some of the walls having a hydrodynamic profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAFRAN TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Mathieu Jean Charrier, Boris Pierre Marcel Morelli, Jean-Pierre Serey
  • Patent number: 11473695
    Abstract: An actuator that is capable of securing sufficient quietness when driven, that is small in size, that has excellent power transmission performance because of a high reduction ratio, and that is capable of performing highly accurate control. The actuator functions as a valve actuator that opens or closes a valve. The actuator includes a drive transmission gear, a motor, a friction drive speed reducer, a wave gear reducer, and an absolute encoder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: TAKATORI SEISAKUSHO Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kojiro Fujiyama, Haruhiko Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11473653
    Abstract: A multistage friction/traction speed adapter having a first drive which can include a plurality of free rollers orbiting around a sun element within a frame, transmitting their orbiting movement to guided rollers which do not contact the sun element or the frame. The guided rollers are driven in the orbiting movement and transmit the rotary movement to a carrier via corresponding pins which engage with the carrier. A second drive can include rollers having radial position variation which is prevented from being transmitted to the carrier by providing accommodation at the pin level, either by providing a bushing around the pins with a bore that is eccentric relative to its outer surface, either by engaging the pins into the carriers in portions thereof which are made more flexible. A friction/traction gear at an angle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: VECTIS DRIVE INC.
    Inventor: Philippe Fauteux
  • Patent number: 11248683
    Abstract: A transmission includes a first shaft which is rotatably supported by a first radial bearing, a ring member which is connected to an end portion of the first shaft, a sun roller which is disposed inside the ring member in a radial direction, a second shaft which extends from the sun roller, a plurality of planetary rollers which are disposed in a state of being in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the ring member and an outer peripheral surface of the sun roller, and a planetary roller supporting member which rotatably supports the planetary roller and restrains a movement of the planetary roller in the circumferential direction, in which the ring member is in contact with the plurality of planetary rollers in a state of pressing the plurality of planetary rollers inward in the radial direction so that the plurality of planetary rollers face the sun roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES COMPRESSOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Miyata, Masahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11156274
    Abstract: A high speed ratio drive system is formed of planet rollers, each having varying diameter, an outer fixed ring in contact with one diameter of the planet rollers, and an outer drive ring in contact with another diameter of the planet rollers. An inner drive element is provided by a sun drive roller in contact with the planet rollers or by a planet carrier. Preferably the system has an axial reflective symmetry minimizing twisting forces on the planet rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Genesis Advanced Technology Inc.
    Inventor: James Brent Klassen
  • Patent number: 10927889
    Abstract: Disclosed is an embodiment of a turbocharger roller support system that utilizes roller-shaft interfaces that are slanted to locate a turbocharger shaft with a turbine and compressor. Slanted contact surfaces on the turbocharger shaft are slanted inwardly so that the turbo shaft remains centered in the roller support system. The rollers entirely locate the turbocharger shaft, so that no bearings are necessary directly on the turbocharger shaft. The rollers spin at a slower speed than the turbocharger shaft, so can utilize lower speed bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: SUPERTURBO TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Tom Waldron, Ryan Sherrill
  • Patent number: 10859155
    Abstract: A gearbox includes a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, an annulus gear and a planet carrier. The planet carrier includes a first ring, second ring spaced axially from the first ring, a plurality of circumferentially spaced axles and a plurality of circumferentially spaced support structures extending axially between and secured to the first ring and second ring. Each planet gear is rotatably mounted on a respective one of the axles. The first ring has a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses and the second ring has a plurality of circumferentially spaced recesses. Each recess in the second ring is aligned with a corresponding one of the recesses in the first ring. A first end of each support structure locates in a recess in the first ring. A second end of each support structure locates in a recess in the second ring. Each support structure comprises a fused powdered material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plc
    Inventors: Daniel Clark, Andrew R Ramshaw, Peter J Dixon
  • Patent number: 10830324
    Abstract: A vehicle layout including a motor, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), an actuator, a controller, a drivetrain and at least one clutch is provided. The motor provides engine torque. The CVT is operationally coupled to receive the engine torque. The actuator is configured to control a gearing ratio of the CVT. The controller activates the actuator based at least in part on an input. The drivetrain is in operational communication with the CVT. The at least one clutch is configured to selectively disconnect torque between at least one of the motor and the CVT and the CVT and the drivetrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: TEAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce H. Younggren, John Edward Hamrin, Joel Dunlap, Brandon P. Lenk, Gary Allen Johnson
  • Patent number: 10788042
    Abstract: Disclosed is an air pump for a fuel cell that utilizes a speed-reduction traction drive so that a low speed electric motor can be used to drive a high-speed rotodynamic compressor. The rotodynamic compressor is an efficient air pump, but operates at high speeds that would require a specialized high-speed electric motor. The speed-reduction traction drive couples to the compressor and provides a low-speed output that is connected to a lower speed electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Inventors: Tom Waldron, Jared William Brown
  • Patent number: 10415676
    Abstract: An example traction drive includes a first ring having an inclined surface that is inclined at a first angle; a second ring having a respective inclined surface that is inclined at a second angle different from the first angle, such that the inclined surface of the first ring and the respective inclined surface of the second ring form a groove; a third ring disposed opposite to the first ring and the second ring, and having a respective groove disposed on a surface of the third ring; and a plurality of rollers disposed between, and configured to roll within, (i) the groove formed by the inclined surface of the first ring and the respective inclined surface of the second ring, and (ii) the respective groove of the third ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Schena, Alexander Shafer
  • Patent number: 10359102
    Abstract: A friction roller-type reduction gear includes a sun roller concentric with an input shaft, a ring roller having a stationary ring roller element and a moveable ring roller element, intermediate rollers in rolling contact with an outer peripheral surface of the sun roller and an inner peripheral surface of the ring roller, a coupling part coupling the ring roller and the output shaft, and a loading cam mechanism having a cam ring for changing contact surface pressure of each rolling contact surface. The outer surface of the sun roller is a concave curved surface of which a shape of an outer edge in an axial cross-section is a single circular arc-shaped concave curve, and an outer surface of the intermediate roller is a convex curved surface of which a shape of an outer edge in an axial cross-section is a single circular arc-shaped convex curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kawahara, Hiroyasu Yoshioka, Tetsu Takehara, Yuji Shimomura
  • Patent number: 10174810
    Abstract: In some embodiments, systems and methods are described for a gear contact system configured to support radial, thrust, and moment loads, the system comprising a first gear comprising a first roller having a first roller bearing surface, the first roller bearing surface having a convex curvature defined by a first radius of curvature; and a second gear comprising a second roller having a second roller bearing surface, the second roller bearing surface having a concave curvature defined by a second radius of curvature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Northeastern University
    Inventors: Elias Brassitos, Brian Weinberg, Qingchao Kong, Constantinos Mavroidis
  • Patent number: 10167929
    Abstract: A speed reducer includes a sun gear, planetary gears, a fixed part, an output part, a first bearing, and a second bearing. The sun gear rotates relative to the fixed part at a first rotation speed. The planetary gears are disposed around the sun gear to engage with the sun gear. The output part includes an annular internal gear engaging with the planetary gears. The output part rotates relative to the fixed part at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. The first bearing is interposed between the fixed part and the output part at a position closer to an input side with respect to the planetary gears. The second bearing is interposed between the fixed part and the output part at a position closer to an output side with respect to the planetary gears. The second bearing is smaller in radial size than the first bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignees: NIDEC-SHIMPO (ZHE JIANG) CORPORATION, NIDEC-SHIMPO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kanta Okumura, Dongshan Sun
  • Patent number: 10161489
    Abstract: A pivot holder of a friction-roller-type reduction gear has a pair of bearing parts configured to support a rotational shaft of an intermediate roller and having a pivot axis at an eccentric position from a center of the rotational shaft, and a bridging part configured to integrally couple the pair of bearing parts. A carrier has a holder support part configured to rotatably support the bearing parts. An interaxial distance between a center of the pivot axis and the center of the rotational shaft is equal to or smaller than a maximum radius of an outer diameter of the intermediate roller, and the center of the pivot axis is located on an applying line of a torque reaction force of transmission torque to be applied to the pivot holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Fujita, Hiroshi Kawahara, Hiroyasu Yoshioka
  • Patent number: 10044242
    Abstract: A drive apparatus includes a motor having a drive part that rotates a first shaft member; a transmission part that transmits rotation of the first shaft member to a second shaft member which is different from the first shaft member; a first detection device provided at the first shaft member to detect information regarding rotation of the drive part; a second detection device provided at the second shaft member to detect information regarding rotation of the transmission part; and a prevention part that prevents movement of foreign substance toward a detection part which includes at least one of the first detection device and the second detection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenji Omata, Takashi Nagase
  • Patent number: 10006526
    Abstract: A system has a pump with a power input, a power source and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled to the power source and to the power input of the pump. The CVT transmits power from the power source to the pump. The CVT comprises a plurality of planetary members in rolling contact with an inner race and an outer race. A radial distance between the planetary members and a drive-transmitting member corresponds to a transmission ratio of the CVT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Orbital Traction, Ltd.
    Inventors: Stuart A. Schaaf, Michael P. Bujold, Joseph D. Kliewer
  • Patent number: 9797476
    Abstract: An assembly method for a planetary roller speed changer is provided. The planetary roller speed changer includes a plurality of planetary rollers that is in rolling contact with both an input shaft and a fixed ring and an output shaft supported by a housing and rotating along with the planetary rollers. An assembly apparatus includes an adjustment apparatus that enables positions of the fixed ring and the housing to be adjusted and a measurement apparatus that measures irregularity of rotation of the output shaft. In an assembly step, the fixed ring and the housing are fixed at a position where the irregularity of rotation of the output shaft is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9541175
    Abstract: An automatically compressing and friction-driven speed reduction device including a central shaft that is a cylinder, a planet wheel in a disc shape, and an inner compression ring and an outer compression ring sleeved outside the planet wheel; the maximum circumference part of the planet wheel is a planar excircle, and the surfaces on the two sides are machined into inclined planes having certain obliqueness; a planet shaft is installed in the middle of the planet wheel, and fixed on a housing; the planet shaft and the planet wheel are provided with a rolling needle therebetween. The device can automatically adjust frictional pressure in real time according to the magnitude of load torque, thus greatly reducing friction loss, improving the efficiency of friction-driven speed reduction device, and prolonging the service life of the friction-driven speed reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: ZHENJIANG CHAOJI ELECTRIC TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Liu
  • Patent number: 9482323
    Abstract: Construction of a friction roller reducer is achieved wherein displacement of intermediate rollers due to the change in thickness in the axial direction of loading cam apparatuses can be performed smoothly, and excellent transmission efficiency can be obtained. Long guide holes that are long in the radial direction of a sun roller and ring-shaped roller are provided in guide blocks that are fastened to a support frame for supporting the end sections of rotation shafts of intermediate rollers. The outer rings of ball bearings, of which the inner rings are fitted around and fastened to the outside of the end sections of the rotation shafts, engage with the long guide holes so as to be able to displace in the radial direction of the sun roller and the ring-shaped roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: NSK, LTD.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Tanaka, Yasuyuki Matsuda, Takashi Imanishi, Eiji Inoue, Hiroyasu Yoshioka, Tsutomu Hibi
  • Patent number: 9360089
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Charles B Lohr, John W Sherrill, Brad P Pohl, Robert Dawson, Corey Pew
  • Patent number: 9341245
    Abstract: A friction roller planetary gearing includes a first and a second sun which are axially displaceable with respect to one another and at least one of the suns is connected for conjoint rotation to a sun shaft. Stepped planets roll on the suns, on a first annulus and on a second annulus. The suns, the annuluses and the stepped planets are configured as friction rings. The second annulus is axially displaceable relative to the first annulus. A first torque-dependent axial displacement device controls a contact pressure between the suns and contact surfaces of the planets by using a torque-dependent axial displacement of at least one of the suns. A second torque-dependent axial displacement device controls a contact pressure between the annuluses and contact surfaces of the planets by using a torque-dependent axial displacement of at least one of the annuluses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rainer Petersen, Jörg Möckel, Andreas Lutz, Stefan Hanke
  • Patent number: 9316303
    Abstract: A first radial bearing and a second radial bearing are respectively disposed in two rows between the outer periphery of a pin and the inner periphery of a corresponding planet roller so as to face each other in the thrust direction. A first inner ring of the first radial bearing is fitted onto a first region of the pin by interference fit. A second inner ring of the second radial bearing is fitted onto a second region of the pin by clearance fit. The second region is closer to a carrier main body than the first region is. An elastic member is interposed between the second radial bearing and the carrier main body. The elastic member elastically presses the second inner ring in a first thrust direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9239098
    Abstract: In a planet roller speed changer, a plurality of shaft portions of a carrier is disposed such that, when the carrier is displaced in a direction that intersects with the axial direction of an output shaft, the outer periphery of at least one of the shaft portions that are displaced with a displacement of the carrier contacts the stationary ring-side portion of the inner periphery of a corresponding planet roller without contacting the input shaft-side portion of the inner periphery of the corresponding planet roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2016
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hajime Watanabe
  • Patent number: 9212605
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for a vehicle auxiliary device is provided that basically includes first and second drive sources, an auxiliary device, first, second and third rollers, first, second and third idler rollers and a roller pair selection mechanism. The first, second and third rollers are linked to rotary shafts of the first and second drive sources and the auxiliary device. The first, second and third idler rollers are disposed at gap positions formed between the first, second and third rollers. The roller pair selection mechanisms select a power-transmitting roller pair from among the first, second and third rollers by selectively moving the first, second and third idler rollers in roller contact directions, thereby interposing the first, second and third idler rollers therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin Hashimoto, Kentarou Watanabe, Takeshi Yamamoto, Masaaki Kubo, Katsuhiko Sando, Ryusei Matsuoka
  • Publication number: 20150119179
    Abstract: A speed change device comprising an inner race having an outer surface, an outer race having an inner surface, and set of orbital rollers including inner rollers in rolling contact with the outer surface of the inner race and outer rollers in rolling contact with the inner surface of the outer race.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: Genesis Advanced Technology Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Klassen
  • Publication number: 20140271300
    Abstract: A progressing cavity pump has a rotor that moves in an eccentric motion, and is driven by a drive shaft that rotates about a fixed axis. Various means have been used to connect the two; mostly using an intermediate shaft called a connecting rod that has a universal joint at either end. This device replaces that with two parallel plates; one with several pins protruding from it, and the other with the same number of holes in it. The holes are sized to allow the eccentric motion of the rotor. There is also a ball between the two plates to transmit loads between the plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Roper Pump Company
    Inventor: John Eugene Purcell
  • Patent number: 8771126
    Abstract: Assuming that N1 and N2 are the respective numbers of pinion rollers (23, 63); ?1 is the ratio between the inner diameter of a ring roller (22) and the outer diameter of a sun roller (21); and ?2 is the ratio between the inner diameter of a ring roller (62) and the outer diameter of a sun roller (61); and it holds that N1=3, and (?1+1)×(?2+1)?24+16×20.5, in the case where N2=3, then it holds that ?1?0.102×(?1+1)×(?2+1)+1.196, and ?1?min[0.204×(?1+1)×(?2+1)+3.123, 7+4×30.5], and in the case where N2=4, then it holds that ?1?(2?20.5)×(?1+1)×(p2+1)/4?1, and ?1?min[0.185×(?1+1)×(?2+1)+1.320, 7+4×30.5].
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Chuo Kenkyusho
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Mizuno, Kisaburo Hayakawa, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Kiyokazu Sunami
  • Patent number: 8672792
    Abstract: A first rotary shaft and a second rotary are rotatable around a rotation axis. The second rotary shaft has a cylindrical supporting part that covers an end section of the first rotary shaft. A case supports the first and second rotary shafts. A first rolling bearing is disposed between the first rotary shaft and the case and rotatably supports the first rotary shaft. A second rolling bearing is disposed between the supporting part and the first rotary shaft and supports the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft such that they are rotatable relative to each other. A transmission part of the second rotary shaft transmits to the second rolling bearing a preload force that pushes the second rotary shaft to the first rotary shaft side. A load-receiving part of the case receives the preload force transmitted from the second rolling bearing to the first rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Waseda University
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Tozaki, Takeshi Yoshimi, Hiroyuki Sonobe, Isamu Shiotsu, Susumu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 8668614
    Abstract: Disclosed is high torque traction drive. The high torque traction drive utilizes planet gears that engage the inner mesh of a ring gear. The planet gears are mounted in rollers that have inner traction surfaces that engage sloped ring traction surfaces on traction rings that are attached to the ring gear. The sloped traction interface causes the rollers to move inwardly when forced toward the traction rings. The inward force on the rollers creates a shaft traction interface between a shaft and outer traction surfaces on the roller, so that rotational mechanical energy is effectively transferred between the rollers, the shaft and the ring gear. High rotational speeds can be achieved with a high degree of torque. Speed reduction ratios of at least 10:1 or greater can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Vandyne Superturbo, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Sherrill, Ed VanDyne
  • Patent number: 8574116
    Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and also changing the rotating speed of the input shaft and a control device for controlling the operation of the transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers and being integrally rotatable with the input shaft, a sun roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers and integrally rotatable with the output shaft and a ring roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers. The ring roller can be fixed to the housing or rotatable relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Yoshio Kimoto, Masaki Ota, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Nobuaki Hoshino, Toru Onishi
  • Patent number: 8517881
    Abstract: A micro-traction drive includes an inner ring formed rotatably supported about an axis; an outer ring having a larger diameter than the inner ring; rolling elements rolling while being in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and an inner circumferential surface of the outer ring; a retaining portion that keeps the rolling elements apart from one another; a pressing portion that applies a preload between the inner ring and the rolling elements and between the outer ring and the rolling elements; and an input shaft that is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring, is disposed adjacent to the inner ring, and transmits a rotational driving force to the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring. One of the outer ring and the retaining portion is connected to the output shaft, and the other thereof is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Tozaki, Takeshi Yoshimi, Isamu Shiotsu, Hiroyuki Sonobe
  • Patent number: 8517880
    Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and changing the speed of the input shaft and a control device. The transmission is a planetary roller train and includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier, a sun roller and a ring roller. The ring roller includes a first ring engaging the respective planetary rollers and a second ring supporting a one-way clutch. The ring roller can be movable relative to the housing in the direction parallel to the axis. The first ring and the second ring are connected so that the first ring can be displaced in a radial direction, integrally rotatable with the second ring and movable with the second ring in the direction parallel to the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki
    Inventors: Nobuaki Hoshino, Masaki Ota, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshio Kimoto, Toru Onishi
  • Publication number: 20130203545
    Abstract: A full-roller transmission structure comprises a housing, a first disk, a second disk, a rear disk, a front disk, and an input shaft. The housing includes a rear cover, an annular shell, and a front ring, which are detachably coupled together. Multiple inner rollers are disposed on an inner surface of the annular shell. The first and second disks are mounted in the annular shell and respectively provided with a plurality of first and second outer rollers capable of acting on the inner rollers. The rear disk is mounted between the first disk and the rear cover. Joining bolts and joining pins are employed to join the above disks. The input shaft includes a first eccentric journal for the first disk and a second eccentric journal for the second disk, the first eccentric journal being offset from the second eccentric journal at an angle of about 180 degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventor: Tsun Tien Yao
  • Publication number: 20130123059
    Abstract: Assuming that N1 and N2 are the respective numbers of pinion rollers (23, 63); ?1 is the ratio between the inner diameter of a ring roller (22) and the outer diameter of a sun roller (21); and ?2 is the ratio between the inner diameter of a ring roller (62) and the outer diameter of a sun roller (61); and it holds that N1=3, and (?11)×(p21)?24+16×20.5, in the case where N2=3, then it holds that ?1?0.102×(?1+1)×(?2+1)+1.196, and ?1?min[0.204×(?1+1)×(?2+1)+3.123, 7+4×30.5], and in the case where N2=4, then it holds that ?1?(2?20.5)×(?1+1)×(p2+1)/4?1, and ?1?min [0.185×(?1+1)×(?2+1)+1.320, 7+4×30.5].
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA CHUO KENKYUSHO
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Mizuno, Kisaburo Hayakawa, Hiroyuki Nishizawa, Hiroyuki Yamaguchi, Kiyokazu Sunami
  • Publication number: 20130064646
    Abstract: A steam turbine having a mechanical power rating of up to 500 kW for powering a generator having a shaft, a steam inlet, and an open radial flow wheel, which is torque-resistantly connected to the shaft and can be impinged with steam by the steam inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Bio-System Gesellschaft fur Anwendugen Biologischer Verfahren mbH
    Inventor: Eckart Frehland
  • Publication number: 20130017920
    Abstract: Disclosed is high torque traction drive. The high torque traction drive utilizes planet gears that engage the inner mesh of a ring gear. The planet gears are mounted in rollers that have inner traction surfaces that engage sloped ring traction surfaces on traction rings that are attached to the ring gear. The sloped traction interface causes the rollers to move inwardly when forced toward the traction rings. The inward force on the rollers creates a shaft traction interface between a shaft and outer traction surfaces on the roller, so that rotational mechanical energy is effectively transferred between the rollers, the shaft and the ring gear. High rotational speeds can be achieved with a high degree of torque. Speed reduction ratios of at least 10:1 or greater can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventors: Ryan Sherrill, Ed VanDyne
  • Patent number: 8282523
    Abstract: The planetary roller reducer, which is directly coupled to a motor, is provided with a casing (6), an input shaft (3) accommodated inside the casing and directly coupled to an output shaft (2) of the motor (1), an input shaft bearing (20) set between the casing and the input shaft to support the input shaft so as to rotate with respect to the casing, a sun shaft (4) installed on the input shaft, a carrier (8) accommodated in the casing, a plurality of planetary rollers (13) supported on the carrier so as to rotate and in external contact with the sun shaft, an elastic ring (5) accommodated in the casing and in internal contact with a plurality of the planetary rollers, and a first elastic member (25a) installed between the input shaft bearing and the input shaft to elastically support the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Fumio Inayoshi
  • Patent number: 8251860
    Abstract: A planetary gear set includes: a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears externally meshed with the sun gear, and a carrier that interconnects the plurality of planetary gears such that the plurality of planetary gears revolve around a exterior circumference of the sun gear, and an arrangement of the plurality of planetary gears is rotationally non-symmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ku Lee, Wang Kweon Lee, Moosuk Kim, Sangik Ryu
  • Publication number: 20120199175
    Abstract: A solar energy system drive apparatus includes: a rotor including a first circumferential surface and having a first radial dimension from a center axis of the rotor; a stator that is axially aligned with the rotor about the center axis and includes a second circumferential surface and having a second radial dimension from the center of the rotor, wherein the second radial dimension is different than the first radial dimension; and a plurality of planetary members arranged about the first and second circumferential surfaces of the rotor and stator respectively, wherein each of the planetary members has a stepped circumferential surface comprising a third surface and a fourth surface such that the third circumferential surface is in contact with the first circumferential surface and has a third radial dimension from a central planetary axis of the planetary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Ross Koningstein
  • Publication number: 20120165151
    Abstract: Disclosed is a symmetrical traction drive that utilizes multi-diameter rollers having traction surfaces for transferring rotational mechanical energy between the shaft and a transfer gear. Multi-diameter rollers are mounted in carriers disposed between two substantially symmetrical ring gears. Sloped traction surfaces of the ring gears mate with inner traction surfaces on both sides of the multi-diameter rollers. Since force is applied to the inner traction surfaces on both sides of the multi-diameter rollers, forces are substantially equalized on each side of the multi-diameter rollers. An outer traction surface of the multi-diameter roller interfaces with a traction surface on the shaft. Speed reduction ratios of at least 20:1 or greater can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Ryan Sherrill, Sterling Holman, Ed VanDyne, Wayne Penfold
  • Patent number: 8176901
    Abstract: A supercharger for boosting intake manifold pressure in an internal combustion engine and producing electrical energy comprises an input shaft (3), a electric machine (50) including a stator (51) and a rotor (53), a compressor (70) including an impeller (71), and a planetary transmission (30) located between the input shaft (3) and the rotor (53) of the electric machine (50) and the impeller (71) of the compressor (70), all such that the input shaft 3 can drive both the impeller (71) and the rotor (53), or the rotor (53) and input shaft (3) can drive the impeller (71). The planetary transmission (30) includes an outer ring (31) operatively coupled to the input shaft (3), a sun member (39) operatively coupled to the impeller (71), planetary clusters (38) located between the outer ring (31) and sun member (39), and a carrier (37) operatively coupled to the planet clusters (38) and the rotor (53). Each planetary cluster (38) comprises an inner roller (35) and an outer roller (33).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Xiaolan Ai, Donald Remboski
  • Patent number: 8152677
    Abstract: A traction drive transmission has an outer ring 40, a sun roller 10, support rollers 30, and one or more loading rollers 20. The outer ring 40 includes a raceway 42 presented inwardly. The sun roller 10 includes a raceway 12 presented outwardly toward the raceway 42 of the outer ring 40. The sun roller 10 is offset eccentrically with respect to the outer ring 40 so that a wedge gap 112 exists between the raceways 42, 12 of the outer ring 40 and sun roller 10. The support rollers 30 are located between the outer ring 40 and sun roller 10. Each support roller 30 has first and second raceways 36, 38 that have different diameters and contacts the raceway 12 of the sun roller 10 along its first raceway 36 and the raceway 42 of the outer ring 40 along its second raceway 38. Each loading roller 20 is located at the wedge gap 112 between the raceway 42 of the outer ring 40 and the raceway 12 of the sun roller 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: The Timken Company
    Inventors: Richard Knepper, Xiaolan Al
  • Publication number: 20120015771
    Abstract: A transmission unit for a driven vehicle wheel comprising an input shaft having a pinion and an output shaft having a ring gear which are parallel so that the input and the output shafts can move transverse relative to one another. At least one planetary gearwheel engages the pinion and the ring gear and is supported by a planetary carrier such that the carrier, the pinion and the ring gear are coaxial with one another. A second carrier is supported coaxial with the ring gear such that the planetary gearwheel is axially arranged between the first and second carriers. The transmission unit enables transverse decoupling between the input and the output, and transmission of large torques. The transmission unit decouples wheel-hub motors from the wheel suspension, in relation to deflection movement of the driven wheel, which facilitates the reduction of the unsprung masses of a wheel-hub drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Publication date: January 19, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventor: Felix Haeusler
  • Patent number: 8062161
    Abstract: A traction-drive type driving-force transmission mechanism includes a sun roller having a first central axis about which the sun roller is rotatable. Shafts are provided and each has a second central axis aligned parallel to the first central axis. Planetary rollers are arranged rotatably along an outer peripheral surface of the sun roller and are supported respectively by the shafts. A guide member guides each shaft displaceably in a radial direction of the sun roller while maintaining the parallel relationship between the first and second central axes. A pressing member presses each planetary roller against the outer peripheral surface of the sun roller so that a driving force can be transmitted by a traction force between the sun roller and each of the planetary rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Marumoto
  • Publication number: 20110269594
    Abstract: A micro-traction drive includes an inner ring that is formed in a cylindrical shape and is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis; an outer ring formed in a cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the inner ring; a plurality of rolling elements rolling while being in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and an inner circumferential surface of the outer ring; a retaining portion that keeps the plurality of rolling elements apart from one another at predetermined intervals; a pressing portion that applies a preload between the inner ring and the rolling elements and between the outer ring and the rolling elements; and an input shaft that is formed to have a smaller diameter than the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring, is disposed adjacent to the inner ring, and transmits a rotational driving force to the inner circumferential surface of the inner ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Yasuyoshi Tozaki, Takeshi Yoshimi, Isamu Shiotsu, Hiroyuki Sonobe
  • Patent number: 8038563
    Abstract: The index table includes a rotary table for setting a workpiece for a machine tool; a rotary table shaft fixedly provided on the rotary table; a driving motor mechanism, which is a driving source; and a planetary roller speed-reduction mechanism having a sun roller, which is a motor output shaft of the driving motor mechanism, a ring fixed to the speed-reduction mechanism, a plurality of planetary rollers arranged at equal angular intervals between the sun roller and the ring in a pressurized state, and a planetary roller harness that fixedly supports a plurality of planetary roller shafts pivotally supporting the planetary rollers in a rotatable manner and is fixedly provided coaxially with the rotary table shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshifumi Katsuma, Michiaki Hashitani, Koichi Masuo, Takayoshi Hirayama
  • Publication number: 20110245004
    Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and also changing the rotating speed of the input shaft and a control device. The transmission includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier rotatably supporting the respective planetary rollers and being integrally rotatable with the input shaft, a sun roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers and integrally rotatable with the output shaft and a ring roller engaged with the respective planetary rollers. The ring roller can be fixed to the housing or rotatable relative to the housing. The control device includes a one-way clutch allowing the ring roller to rotate only one direction relative to the carrier and a clutch fixing the ring roller to the housing or allowing the ring roller to rotate relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2011
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Applicant: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOYOTA JIDOSHOKKI
    Inventors: Nobuaki HOSHINO, Masaki OTA, Masahiro KAWAGUCHI, Yoshio KIMOTO, Toru ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20110172050
    Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle (112) is adapted to receive a carrier assembly (101, 400, 600, 800) to facilitate the support of components in a CVT (100). In another embodiment, a carrier includes a stator support member (206, 304, 402, 502, 602, 802) and a stator interfacial member (208, 504). In some embodiments, the stator interfacial member is configured to interact with planet subassemblies of a CVT. Various inventive planet subassemblies (108, 406, 806) and idler assemblies (109, 700) can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the planet subassemblies include legs (244, 2444, 424, 810) configured to have a sliding interface with a carrier assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: July 14, 2011
    Applicant: Fallbrook Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon M. Nichols, Matthew P. Simister, Daniel J Dawe, Charles B Lohr, Timothy M Obrzut