Abstract: A geared rotary actuator comprises at least two axially aligned compound epicyclic gear trains driven by an input shaft so that output ring gears in each train rotate relatively. Sun gears in adjacent gear trains are drivingly coupled to the input shaft through a differential device which permits limited rotational displacement between the sun gears. An element, for example an aircraft lift control surface, may be mounted on one set of the ring gears by means of spindles which extend normally of a plane which includes the axes of the ring gears, so that as a result of stresses therein the element may tilt locally about the spindles.

Abstract: An axle drive unit, for use in a tri-axle drive, comprises a casing (10) with an input member (18) at one end connected to the planet carrier (30) of a spur gear epicyclic differential gear whose sun gear (28) is connected to a tubular shaft (43) and then by gears (47, 56) to the input of an inter-wheel differential gear. The annulus gear (27) of the epicyclic differential gear is connected to a driving shaft (40) extending through the tubular shaft (43) and then to an output member (19) at the other end of the casing. The epicyclic differential gear gives a torque output to the output member (19) of approximately twice that to the inter-wheel differential gear in the unit, so that when the output member (19) is connected to a further inter-axle differential gear in a tri-axle drive, torque is approxiamately equally split between all three axles.

Abstract: A transfer device for a four-wheel drive vehicle has a transfer shaft rotatably mounted by first and second bearings and a transfer gear rotatably mounted on the transfer shaft between the bearings. A coupling device is provided outside the first bearing for engaging the transfer gear with the transfer shaft, and a bevel gear is secured to the transfer shaft at a portion outside of the second bearing.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive vehicle has an engine output shaft; a transmission having an input shaft connected to the output shaft and an output shaft connected through a transmission mechanism to the input shaft; a drive gear meshed with an output gear connected to the output shaft of the transmission; a front wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a rear wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a center differential mechanism coaxial with the drive gear and having an input member connected to the drive gear, a first output member connected to the front wheel side power transmitting mechanism, and a second output member connected to the rear wheel side power transmitting mechanism; a front differential gear coaxial with the center differential mechanism and connected to the first output member of the center differential mechanism; a power converting gear mechanism for converting a rotation about a first axis to a rotation about a second axis being perpendicular to the first axis to transmit power to the rear side p

Abstract: The transmission comprises a first differential device which connecs the drive shaft with a front shaft to transmit drive to the front wheels and to a rear shaft to transmit drive to the rear wheels a second differential device which connects the front shaft to the half-shaft of the front wheels and a third differential device which connects the rear shaft to the half-shafts of the rear wheels; the differential devices are of the limited slip type, that is to say in which the drive train which connects the two worm gears of the differential devices includes at least one pair of gear wheels having low transmission efficiency, and preferably the differential devices are of the torsen type.