Abstract: An automated system for testing a variety of transmissions and drive line gearbox components, and more particularly helicopter transmissions, for reliability, life expectancy, efficiency, and the like on a semi-automated basis. The system powers a unit under test with a pair of AC, variable speed drive motors connected to the transmission through relatively low speed gearboxes which in turn drive the input(s) of the test unit through geared cartridge spindles (GCSs) employing planetary gearset inputs driving a higher speed machine tool type spindle with an output chuck system which can automatically couple to adapters preloaded on the unit under test. Similar GCSs couple the outputs of the test unit to AC motors which act as generators to power the driving motors and thereby reduce the required electric power input to the losses in the system.

Abstract: An automated system for testing a variety of transmissions and drive line gearbox components, and more particularly helicopter transmissions, for reliability, life expectancy, efficiency, and the like on a semi-automated basis. The system powers a unit under test with a pair of AC, variable speed drive motors connected to the transmission through relatively low speed gearboxes which in turn drive the input(s) of the test unit through geared cartridge spindles (GCSs) employing planetary gearset inputs driving a higher speed machine tool type spindle with an output chuck system which can automatically couple to adapters preloaded on the unit under test. Similar GCSs couple the outputs of the test unit to AC motors which act as generators to power the driving motors and thereby reduce the required electric power input to the losses in the system.