Abstract: Disclosed is a drive unit for a rotational solid (2) which revolves around the essentially horizontal longitudinal axis (3) thereof. Said drive unit is arranged laterally below the rotational solid (2) such that the driving pinion/s (4, 4?) engage/s in the toothed ring (6) of the rotational solid (3) in a downward direction at an angle between 35° and 90° from the horizontal line. Said arrangement of the housing (1) of the drive unit substantially reduces the lateral space required for the entire installation. Another advantage lies in the fact that the drive unit can be mounted directly on the floor or base of the installation, whereby no additional console or base is needed.

Abstract: The low-loss pinion drive has a housing (2) in which the gear wheels are fitted in radial bearings (3) and preferably also an additional inner housing (4) enclosing the pinions (1) as closely as possible. At least the air and preferably also the lubricating and cooling oil can be evacuated from the inner casing chamber (9). The air is evacuated by a pump which is also suitable for removing the oil. The air can be replaced by a gas of substantially lower density than air.

Abstract: The dry coupling includes a typical shaft to shaft coupling, conformed to body the invention by inclusion of two hub parts (4) with hub flanges (5,5') bonded thereunto and also an intermediate tube (6) interconnecting the flanges with respective flanges (7), each forming a membrane. For transmitting a torque the flanges are coupled to adjacent hub flanges (5). It is important that all parts (4,5;6,7) possibly except connecting elements (8) consist of a high modulus fiber reinforced material (FVW). Preferably the hubs consist of a carbon fiber reinforced material (CFK) and the intermediate tube of a more flexible GFK.

Abstract: The toothed-wheel gear with parallel shafts and load branching comprises a driving wheel (1), intermediate wheels (2;2') and a power wheel (3), wherein the driving wheel is guided between the intermediate wheels (2), e.g. in guide bearings (4), in such a manner that the driving wheel (1) can self-shift, in operation, along a plane inclined by an angle (.alpha.) and axis parallel to a plane containing the axis of the driving wheel and the power wheel, to such an extent that the balance of forces is reestablished.