Gearing Patents (Class 318/12)
  • Patent number: 4945293
    Abstract: To control the draw exerted on a web which is being fed to the rolls of a web processing machine, a strain wave gear power transmission device has its power input shaft driven by the main drive shaft of the machine and its output shaft coupled to the rolls including the nip rolls of the machine which draw the web. The wave generator (W.G.) shaft of the device is driven continuously in a single direction and at a higher rotational speed relative to the power input shaft. Encoders provide concurrent pulses at rates indicative of the main shaft and W.G. shaft speeds. The ratio of the pulse ratio is determined and compared to a stored value which corresponds to percent of draw desired. Any resulting error signal is used to change the speed of the W.G. shaft and output shaft. High encoder pulse rates provide for resolving small speed and draw errors. The output shaft of the transmission drives groups of rolls of the machine by way of a plurality of belt drive systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Assignee: Integrated Design Corp.
    Inventors: Eugene W. Wittkopf, Glen B. Leanna
  • Patent number: 4928227
    Abstract: A multiple forward speed automatic transmission produces its lowest forward speed ratio when a hydraulic clutch and hydraulic brake are disengaged and a one-way clutch connects a ring gear to the transmission casing. Second forward speed ratio results when the hydraulic clutch is engaged to connect the ring gear to the planetary carrier of a second gear set. Reverse drive and regenerative operation result when an hydraulic brake fixes the planetary and the direction of power flow is reversed. Various sensors produce signals representing the position of the gear selector lever operated manually by the vehicle operator, the speed of the power source, the state of the ignition key, and the rate of release of an accelerator pedal. A control algorithm produces input data representing a commanded upshift, a commanded downshift and a torque command and various constant torque signals. A microprocessor processes the input and produces a response to them in accordance with the execution of a control algorithm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 22, 1990
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Joseph C. Burba, Ronald G. Landman, Prabhakar B. Patil, Graydon A. Reitz
  • Patent number: 4905810
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for periodic rotation of the rotor assembly of a turbogenerator during the time that it is not rotated in its normal manner for generating power, in which a continuously operating motor is periodically connected through an electrically controllable, torque-speed, clutch mechanism and a gear train to a gear mounted on the rotor shaft so as to rotate the shaft by 180.degree. at a slow speed. The position of the rotor is measured by electrically counting the teeth of the gear on the rotor shaft, and the count of teeth is compared with a preset number in a counter which after the count set in the counter is reached, disconnects the motor from the rotor gear and sets a brake. A settable timer periodically releases the brake and connects the motor to the rotor gear. The apparatus can include a recorder for recording rotation of the shaft and an alarm for indicating failure of rotation of the rotor when the timer provides a start signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Inventor: Harry H. Bahrenburg
  • Patent number: 4903537
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for periodic rotation of the rotor assembly of a turbogenerator during the time that it is not rotated in its normal manner for generating power, in which a continuously operating motor is periodically connected through an electrically controllable, torque-speed, clutch mechanism and a gear train to a gear mounted on the rotor shaft so as to rotate the shaft by 180.degree. at a slow speed. The position of the rotor is measured by electrically counting the teeth of the gear on the rotor shaft, and the count of teeth is compared with a preset number in a counter which after the count set in the counter is reached, disconnects the motor from the rotor gear and sets a brake. A settable timer periodically releases the brake and connects the motor to the rotor gear. The apparatus can include a recorder for recording rotation of the shaft and an alarm for indicating failure of rotation of the rotor when the timer provides a start signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Inventor: Harry H. Bahrenburg
  • Patent number: 4847543
    Abstract: A man to machine interface for the control of video or motion picture camera movement for use with a camera aiming system which can reproduce a specific camera movement any number of times. The interface moves the camera in the pan or tilt axis giving an operator a natural control feel while actually driving the camera movement with a motor drive. A shaft encoder detects the velocity of the motor drive and stores such information over time in a memory. The data stored in the memory may be read out at a later time and used by the motor drive to replicate the movement of the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Ultimatte Corporation
    Inventor: David Fellinger
  • Patent number: 4734626
    Abstract: An electrically compensated constant speed drive (ECCSD) according to the present invention includes a pair of power transmission paths between the prime mover and a load wherein each power transmission path includes a mechanical differential having a first input coupled to the output of the prime mover and an output coupled to the load. A second input of each of the differentials is coupled to a permanent magnet machine and a power converter interconnects the electrical power windings of the permanent magnet machines. In operation, one of the permanent magnet machines is always operated as a generator while the other permanent magnet is operated as a motor so that power flow through the power converter is unidirectional. The ECCSD of the present invention results in a substantial reduction in the maximum control power and hence efficiency is increased and complexity is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Sutrina, Bryan W. Dishner
  • Patent number: 4691148
    Abstract: The foot-operated accelerator develops digital signals progressively larger in number as the accelerator is moved through its range from a rest position to full speed. A variable transmission has a sensor that generates digital signals progressively larger in number as the transmission is shifted from a low gear ratio to a high gear ratio. For starting the vehicle, the accelerator lower digital signals cause successive connection of a plurality of batteries in series until the full operating battery voltage is applied to the motor. Thereafter, the motor operates at a constant voltage and vehicle speed is varied by varying the gear ratio of the transmission. This is achieved by a digital comparator that compares the accelerator numbers with the transmission numbers, and a lower accelerator number causes the transmission to shift to a lower gear ratio, and a higher accelerator number causes the transmission to shift to a higher gear ratio until equilibrium is reached in each case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Inventors: Robin P. Nicholls, Rolland J. Savoie
  • Patent number: 4661762
    Abstract: An emergency power generating system according to the present invention includes an emergency power converter which is selectively coupled to the output of a permanent magnet machine forming a part of a constant speed drive in the event of a failure of a main generator so that the permanent magnet machine and the emergency power converter provide emergency power to one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1987
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Baker
  • Patent number: 4585949
    Abstract: A method of shaft power generation includes: a step of dividing mechanical power taken out from a main engine into two portions for respective systems; a step of inputting one of the portions of the divided mechanical power directly to a differential planetary gear mechanism; a step of inputting the other portion of the divided mechanical power to the differential planetary gear mechanism through a subsidiary generator, a thyristor or transistor controller and a thyristorized or transistorized motor, each of which has a capacity which is equal to a value obtained by adding a slight allowance to a value obtained by multiplying the capacity of a main generator by the ratio between, on the one hand, a value obtained by the difference between the lowest and highest number of revolutions of the main engine of the range within which the mechanical power therefrom is employed for power generation and, on the other hand, the highest number of revolutions, thereby combining into one the two portions of the divided mec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Takashi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4584511
    Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques. A power transmission is coupled to the drive motor and includes a rotatable output shaft and drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the output shaft in response to digital command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventors: George Rudich, Jr., Charles F. Beeson, Gary L. Bartley, Terry A. Heckenbach
  • Patent number: 4569013
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for controlling spindle speed are disclosed. When the speed ranges of respective gear ranges are selected in advance so that speed ranges corresponding to neighboring gear ranges partially overlap one another, and the gear range conforming to the commanded spindle speed is selected for rotating the spindle at the commanded spindle speed, it is determined whether the commanded spindle speed belongs to the currently selected range, no gear change is made if the decision is affirmative, and the gear range to which the newly commanded spindle speed belongs is found if the decision is negative, the gear range being switched to the gear range thus found.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1986
    Assignee: Fanuc Limited
    Inventors: Hajimu Kishi, Kunio Tanaka, Takashi Takegahara
  • Patent number: 4554496
    Abstract: A motor-driven rotary actuator includes an electric drive motor adapted to be configured for providing one of a plurality of output torques. A power transmission is coupled to the drive motor and includes a rotatable output shaft and drive elements adapted to be formed of disparate materials selected for transmitting one of the output torques. An electric controller is coupled to the motor for providing rotation positioning control of the output shaft in response to digital command signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 19, 1985
    Assignee: Johnson Service Company
    Inventors: George Rudich, Jr., Charles F. Beeson, Gary L. Bartley, Terry A. Heckenbach
  • Patent number: 4465162
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for elevators and the like utilizes a traction-type speed change gear to transmit power with little noise and vibrations from an electric drive motor to the drive sheave of an elevator. An abnormality detection device is provided to detect when slippage occurs in the speed change gear, and a control device activated by the abnormality detection device is provided to bring the elevator to a safe emergency stop when such slippage occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1984
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Yokota
  • Patent number: 4419610
    Abstract: A reversible regenerating drive system for a vehicle includes a constant speed, bi-directional motor which is energized by a source of power. The constant speed motor is coupled to a variable ratio transmission which in turn converts the output torque of the motor and delivers it to the vehicle to drive it in either forward or reverse directions at varying speeds. The transmission ratio and the direction of rotation of the motor are determined in accordance with signals derived from a pair of operator demand switches which are used to select the desired torque to be applied to the vehicle. The motor is arranged to generate power back to the source when torque demand is in a direction opposite to rotation of the motor. The direction of rotation of the motor is commanded to follow the direction of torque demand if the output speed of the transmission is below a predetermined value, but remains unchanged when torque direction changes if the output speed of the transmission is above the predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Frederic W. Pollman
  • Patent number: 4323827
    Abstract: An electronic control means utilized in an electrically actuated shift apparatus for a multispeed axle including an electric power source and an electric motor coupled to actuate means for shifting the axle. The power source is connected to the electric motor through a shift speed control switch and a plurality of steering diodes. When the switch is actuated to select an axle speed, power is applied through one of the steering diodes to one side of the armature of the motor. Power is also applied through another of the diodes as a shift signal to a timing circuit. A first means is responsive to the shift signal for generating a first control signal for a first predetermined time. At the termination of the first control signal, the timing circuit generates a second control signal to connect the other side of the motor armature to ground thereby actuating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventors: Richard N. Young, James A. Williams
  • Patent number: 4142139
    Abstract: A search mount for a telescope and a method of operation in which a telescope mount is provided which is indexable about a vertical axis and also about a horizontal axis so as to lay the telescope in any desired direction. The mount is provided with motors, and the movement of the motors is under the control of digital circuitry, and manual switches. The drives between the motors in the telescope mount embody backlash free reduction gearing of novel design and construction. In particular, the motors operate without requiring any feedback to effect control thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1979
    Assignee: Kimball International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mathew A. Slaats, Alan B. Welsh, Wade R. Bray
  • Patent number: 4096418
    Abstract: An electromobile equipped with an automatic transmission which may detect a running condition of a vehicle and selects a gear ratio suited for the running condition. In this electromobile, a build-up characteristic of an electric motor current immediately after gear-change is improved, thereby minimizing delay in power transmission so as to shorten a gear-changing duration, in an attempt to improve an operational feeding of a driver at the time of gear change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 20, 1978
    Assignee: The Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Katsuji Marumoto, Tsutomu Omae, Toshio Suzuki, Takanori Shibata, Hirohisa Yamamura