Abstract: An improved planetary gear drive, employing multiple countershafts to reduce the loads carried by the individual components, is disclosed wherein at least one helical gear set having sets of oppositely inclined oblique teeth is mounted for axial movement on a common shaft to transmit power from a drive component to a power component. A compression spring, disposed contiguous with one face of the helical gear set, cooperates with the oppositely inclined teeth of the helical gear set to resiliently move the helical gear set axially along its shaft to equalize the axial force components on its oppositely skewed sets of teeth. The invention may be embodied at any one of several different points in the gear train.

Abstract: A brake assembly having a brake housing which has an annular member enclosing an annular gap of channel-like cross-section open at its radially exterior side is provided with at least one pair of segmental brake shoes. Annular actuating rings are disposed in the gap between the brake shoes and hydraulically actuated members are associated with the actuating rings to move them against the brake shoes and press the brake shoes against the braking surface. The hydraulic actuating members may be L-shaped slidable members which enclose the sealed annular space into which hydraulic fluid is introduced into the groove, a pair of hydraulic cylinders having pistons which move actuating rings associated with the brake shoes or a ring cylinder and ring piston assembly.