Abstract: Apparatus for driving a rotatable mantle, such as a mantle of a deflection compensated roll of a paper machine, which is mounted by bearings on a fixed axle, includes a substantially tubular axle fixed to an end of the rotatable mantle. A housing or gear box which constitutes a carrier for at least one drive gear, is mounted by bearings on the tubular axle so that the housing or gear box and the gears associated therewith are fixed to the mantle so as to follow any deflections thereof. Rotation preventing apparatus are provided for fixing the housing or gear box against rotation around the fixed axle yet which permits the housing or gear box to follow any deflections of the mantle. The rotation preventing apparatus includes a toothed coupling member which extends between and is coupled to the housing or gear box and a bearing block in which an end of the fixed axle is mounted.

Abstract: A roll drive for a machine of the type used in connection with the manufacture of paper. The roll which is to be driven has an end situated at a plane which is normal to the roll axis, and at the latter plane there is a supporting structure which supports the roll for rotation about its axis. Closely adjacent to this plane is a planetary gear transmission having an output and an input. The latter output is connected by way of a suitable transmission structure to the end of the roll for driving the latter with the output of the planetary gear transmission, while a rotary drive is connected to the input of the planetary gear transmission for driving the roll through the latter transmission and structure connected between the planetary gear transmission and the end of the roll.