Abstract: An encapsulated gear train gear train for a machine comprising a support frame, which is non-encasing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, gears configured to operatively connect the input shaft with the output shaft, and an encasement configured to encapsulate the input shaft, the output shaft, the gears, and at least a portion of the support frame, wherein the support frame is configured to be mounted on a structure of the machine such that the support frame does not apply any loads onto the encasement.

Abstract: An encapsulated gear train gear train for a machine comprising a support frame, which is non-encasing, an input shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, an output shaft rotatably mounted in the support frame, gears configured to operatively connect the input shaft with the output shaft, and an encasement configured to encapsulate the input shaft, the output shaft, the gears, and at least a portion of the support frame, wherein the support frame is configured to be mounted on a structure of the machine such that the support frame does not apply any loads onto the encasement.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modelling a driveline, the driveline comprising a plurality of components. The method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a parametric description of the driveline; b) creating a thermal model of the driveline from the parametric description; c) calculating a temperature distribution for one or more components of the driveline using the thermal model; d) determining a deflection of one or more components of the driveline caused by the thermal distribution, based on the parametric description and the temperature distribution; and e) calculating a performance metric of the driveline based on the determined deflection of the one or more components.

Abstract: A method for designing a gearset meeting one or more design targets is provided. In particular, the design target is efficiency. Initially, a size and ratio of the gear set is specified. Gear friction coefficients are then calculated, and a value for a design target for the gear set is calculated. One or more of the macro-geometry parameters are modified, and the macro-geometry parameters are chosen such that the advantageous effects of one macro-geometry parameter on the design target counteract any disadvantageous effects of another macro-geometry parameter. This allows for a design for a gearset meeting the one or more design targets to be produced. The efficiency calculation includes the effect of a lubricant. Further design targets can include gear noise and gear durability.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system is disclosed for producing a design for a rotating machine assembly. It comprises a data module (10) configured for receiving data relating to one or more components of the rotating machine assembly; a user interface module (20 configured for specifying data to be received by the data module and for receiving from a user a type of analysis to be performed on the data; and an analysis module (30) configured for analysing a performance of the rotating machine assembly according to the type of analysis selected and selected features of the data to be used. It further includes a recognition module (40) configured for identifying and selected features of the data be used for the analysis according to the type of analysis selected.

Abstract: A system for modelling a driveline, wherein the driveline comprises a plurality of components. The system comprises: a component-efficiency-processor (104a, 104b) configured to: receive a component model (102a, 102b) for one or more of the plurality of components; and generate a component-efficiency-map for the one or more components based on the received corresponding component model (102a, 102b). The system also comprises a driveline-efficiency-processor (106) configured to generate a driveline-efficiency-metric (108) for the driveline based on (i) the component-efficiency-maps for the one or more of the plurality of components, (ii) a driveline-layout (110) representative of a layout/inter-engagement of the plurality of components, and (iii) one or more driving-profiles.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modelling a driveline, the driveline comprising a plurality of components. The method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a parametric description of the driveline; b) creating a thermal model of the driveline from the parametric description; c) calculating a temperature distribution for one or more components of the driveline using the thermal model; d) determining a deflection of one or more components of the driveline caused by the thermal distribution, based on the parametric description and the temperature distribution; and e) calculating a performance metric of the driveline based on the determined deflection of the one or more components.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for modelling a driveline. The driveline comprising a plurality of components. The method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a parametric description of the driveline; b) creating a tribology model of the driveline from the parametric description; c) calculating one or more traction coefficients for one or more components of the driveline using the tribology model; and d) calculating a performance metric of the driveline, based on the parametric description and the one or more traction coefficients.

Abstract: A method of computer aided engineering for designing a driveline comprises the steps of: creating a single parametric description of the driveline; analysing the parametric description for performance using one or more failure modes; and optimising performance by amending the parametric description and repeating the analysing step.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented method for designing a drivetrain using computer aided engineering. The method comprises the steps of: a) receiving a selection of a certification test from a plurality of certification tests; b) receiving a parametric description of the drivetrain; c) receiving a selection of one or more analysis types appropriate for the selected certification test and the parametric description; d) providing a certification test model of the drivetrain based on the selected certification test, the parametric description, and the one or more analysis types; e) simulating performance of the drivetrain using the certification test model; and f) determining an indication of compliance of the drivetrain with the certification test based on the simulated performance.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system is disclosed for producing a design for a rotating machine assembly. It comprises a data module (10) configured for receiving data relating to one or more components of the rotating machine assembly; a user interface module (20 configured for specifying data to be received by the data module and for receiving from a user a type of analysis to be performed on the data; and an analysis module (30) configured for analysing a performance of the rotating machine assembly according to the type of analysis selected and selected features of the data to be used. It further includes a recognition module (40) configured for identifying and selected features of the data be used for the analysis according to the type of analysis selected.

Abstract: A method for designing a gearset meeting one or more design targets is described. In particular, the design target is efficiency. Initially, a size and ratio of the gear set is specified. Gear friction coefficients are then calculated, and a value for a design target for the gear set is calculated. One or more of the macro-geometry parameters are modified, and the macro-geometry parameters are chosen such that the advantageous effects of one macro-geometry parameter on the design target counteract any disadvantageous effects of another macro-geometry parameter. In this way, a design for a gearset meeting the one or more design targets is produced. The efficiency calculation includes the effect of a lubricant. Further design targets can include gear noise and gear durability.

Abstract: A method for designing a planetary gearset meeting one or more design targets is described. Initially, a size and ratio of the planetary gear set, and the number of planet gears for the planetary gearset is specified. All valid combinations of tooth numbers and planet numbers that satisfy one or more constraints are then calculated. From these, a starting combination is selected and a value for a design target for the gear set is calculated. One or more of the macro-geometry parameters are modified, and the macrogeometry parameters are chosen such that the positive effects of one macrogeometry parameter on the design target counteract any negative effects of another macrogeometry parameter. In this way, a design for planetary gearset meeting the one or more design targets is produced. Also disclosed is a method additionally calculating a sideband distribution resulting from the selected combination.

Abstract: A method of computer aided engineering for designing a driveline comprises the steps of: creating a single parametric description of the driveline; analysing the parametric description for performance using one or more failure modes; and optimising performance by amending the parametric description and repeating the analysing step.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of a brake arrangement for a machine is disclosed. The method includes providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the brake arrangement and sensing a first temperature of the fluid downstream of the brake arrangement. The method also includes determining a first temperature range for the brake arrangement and determining if the first sensed temperature falls in the first temperature range. The method also includes requesting an adjustment of at least one fluid parameter of the flow of pressurized fluid in response to determining that the first sensed temperature does not fall within the first temperature range such that the sensed temperature moves to the first temperature range.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature of a brake arrangement for a machine is disclosed. The method includes providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the brake arrangement and sensing a first temperature of the fluid downstream of the brake arrangement. The method also includes determining a first temperature range for the brake arrangement and determining if the first sensed temperature falls in the first temperature range. The method also includes requesting an adjustment of at least one fluid parameter of the flow of pressurized fluid in response to determining that the first sensed temperature does not fall within the first temperature range such that the sensed temperature moves to the first temperature range.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting a tethered baseball in position for batting practice and automatically retrieving the ball after it has been hit with a bat, which includes an adjustable height stand, a fishing reel, and a variable speed motor connected thereto. Tethered by a small gauge fishing line which is attached to the reel, the ball, prior to its being hit, rests atop the adjustable strand. When the ball is hit, the line is released nearly effortlessly from the reel; and the ball is allowed to travel virtually unobstructed during its flight. When the ball has traveled its full distance, the batter, by pushing a switch with a foot pedal, starts the motor, causing the reel to rewind the line. A control on the switch allows the batter, to vary the speed of the motor from fast when the ball is at a distance to slow when the ball approaches the batter.

Abstract: An in situ replaceable pusher bar for a batch charger pan of a blanket batch charger for a glass melter comprising a removable pusher bar assembly and a latching mechanism for securing the pusher bar assembly to the batch charger pan. The pusher bar assembly is provided with a slide mechanism which enables the pusher bar assembly to slide through guide mechanisms secured to the underside of the batch charger pan. The guide mechanisms are in the form of pan support tubes, inside of which are disposed latch brackets attached to the ends of rods for latching the pusher bar assembly to the batch charger pan.