Planetary Gearing Or Element Patents (Class 475/331)
Plural outputs (Class 475/332)
Planet pinion is worm gear (Class 475/333)
Floating support annulus in rolling contact with planet pinion (Class 475/334)
Toothed planet pinion has smooth bearing surface engaging raceway on sun or orbit gear (Class 475/335)
Axis of planet pinion at angle intersecting rotational axis of mating gear (e.g., bevel gears) (Class 475/336)
Plural planet carriers in series move at different speeds (Class 475/337)
Coaxial teeth around planet pinion engage axially spaced relatively rotatable gears (Class 475/338)
Nonplanetary gearing combined with planetary (Class 475/343)
Particular gear tooth feature (Class 475/344)
Floating or flexible coupling or support (Class 475/346)
Planet pinion supported by roller bearings (Class 475/348)
With manual input (Class 475/349)
  • Automatic transmission and adjusting method of gap in axial direction of automatic transmission
    Patent number: 8277359
    Abstract: An automatic transmission comprises a transmission mechanism including plural planetary gear sets, a transmission case storing the transmission mechanism, and an end cover closing an opening at one end of the transmission case. A planetary gear set disposed the closest to the end cover is assembled in such a manner that before the end cover is attached to the transmission case, a sun gear is assembled to the transmission case and a pinion carrier is assembled to the end cover. A thrust washer is disposed between an end face of the sun gear and an end face of an inner peripheral portion of the pinion carrier. The thrust washer is a member for adjusting a gap which is formed in an axial direction in the transmission case, and the member is selected from plural ones which have different axial thicknesses from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Naohiro Sakaue, Tatsuhiko Iwasaki, Jun Nakamura, Narihito Hongawara, Katsutoshi Mukai
  • EPICYCLIC GEAR TRAIN
    Publication number: 20120243971
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier that supports star gears that mesh with a sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the star gears. Each of the star gears is supported on a respective journal bearing. Each journal bearing includes an internal central cavity and at least one passage that extends radially from the internal cavity to a peripheral journal surface of the respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train has a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • DRIVE UNIT FOR A WIND TURBINE
    Publication number: 20120244989
    Abstract: A drive unit for a wind turbine is provided: wherein the wind turbine comprises a rotor rotatably supported on a machine frame with a hub and at least one rotor blade attachable thereto, wherein the drive unit has a gear box for converting the rotational speed of the rotor according to a gear box ratio, comprising at least one ring gear, a planet carrier, at least two planet wheels, a sun wheel and a output shaft, wherein the ring gear is connectable to the rotor in a rotation-fixed manner and in effective engagement with planet wheels, planet wheels are rotatably supported on the planet carrier planet wheels cooperate with the sun wheel and the sun wheel is connected with the output shaft, wherein the drive unit has a substantially horizontal rotor shaft for rotatably supporting the rotor, wherein the rotor shaft can be directly or indirectly fixedly connected to the machine frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2010
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Suzlon Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Joerg Winkelmann
  • INFINITELY VARIABLE MOTION CONTROL (IVMC) FOR GENERATORS, TRANSMISSIONS AND PUMPS/COMPRESSORS
    Publication number: 20120243991
    Abstract: Infinitely variable motion control (IVMC) provides motion control without any requirement for changing gears or use of a clutch. A spur gear transgear, defined as a system having an input, an output and a control, a variable pitch cam having an eccentric inner and outer cam assembly, a driver and a one-way clutch or ratchet bearing assembly may be used to form a cam controlled speed converter converting a given input to a variable or constant output speeds and further having direction control. All IVMC's, cam controlled IVMC, input compensated IVMC and pitch controlled IVMC may be utilized to form various embodiments of infinitely variable generators, transmissions and compressors/pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Kyung Soo Han
  • Planet wheel with a bearing bolt that presents an axial groove
    Patent number: 8272990
    Abstract: The invention relates to a revolving gear mechanism with at least two gear wheels which mesh mutually, forming an engagement space, of which one is a revolving gear wheel which is mounted rotatably by means of a bearing on a bolt, and a lateral surface of the bolt forms a bearing surface. According to the invention, at least one axial longitudinal groove is arranged on the lateral surface of the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: IMS Gear GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Gert Hagedorn, Erkan Poyraz, Thomas Riester
  • EPICYCLIC GEAR TRAIN
    Publication number: 20120238401
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier that supports star gears that mesh with a sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the star gears. Each of the star gears is supported on a respective journal bearing. Each journal bearing includes an internal central cavity and at least one passage that extends radially from the internal cavity to a peripheral journal surface of the respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train has a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE GEAR TRAIN
    Publication number: 20120237336
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier that supports star gears that mesh with a sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the star gears. The star gears are supported on respective journal bearings. Each of the journal bearings includes a peripheral journal surface and each of the star gears includes a radially inner journal surface that is in contact with the peripheral journal surface of the respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train has a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • GEAR BOX, SEAL, AND COVER ARRANGEMENTS
    Publication number: 20120238402
    Abstract: A gearbox for a wind turbine has a bearing arrangement positioned on the downwind side of a first stage planet carrier at a single locus. The planet carrier has a portion extending radially inwards and axially downwind from the planet gears. Thus, the weight of the gearbox is supported between the two theoretical support points of the pair of back to back tapered roller bearings at the down wind side of the first stage planet carrier. A member of unitary construction comprising gearbox flange, input shaft and first stage planet carrier, which can be cast as one piece, reduces the weight of this part compared to previous designs having separate components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Christopher James Blockley, David John Scott, Paul James Gibbs, Siu Yun Poon, Ketan Chandrakant Paua
  • TAPERED BEARINGS
    Publication number: 20120234019
    Abstract: A gear support assembly for a turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear arrangement and a first tapered bearing and a second tapered bearing spaced apart from the first tapered bearing. The first tapered bearing and the second tapered bearing are arranged axially forward of the epicyclic gear arrangement and support the epicyclic gear arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • GAS TURBINE ENGINE GEAR TRAIN
    Publication number: 20120237334
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier that supports star gears that mesh with a sun gear. A ring gear surrounds and meshes with the star gears. The star gears are supported on respective journal bearings. Each of the journal bearings includes a peripheral journal surface and each of the star gears includes a radially inner journal surface that is in contact with the peripheral journal surface of the respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train has a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Uninterruptible oil supply in planetary system
    Patent number: 8267826
    Abstract: A planetary carrier includes a journal bearing for supporting a planetary gear. The journal bearing receives lubricant to produce a lubricant film to support gear loads. A torque frame is attached to the carrier housing to transmit torque and to prevent twisting of the carrier housing. The torque frame includes several lubricant communication passages to provide lubricant to each of the separate journal bearings. Each of the lubricant communication passages includes an accumulator for storing lubricant during normal operation. The accumulator stores a desired amount of lubricant to provide lubricant to the adjacent journal bearing for the interim period between primary system stoppage and reestablishment of lubricant flow by a secondary system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Loc Quang Duong, Lawrence E. Portlock, Michael E. McCune
  • Transmission device with at least one planetary gearset and a frictional shift element
    Patent number: 8262534
    Abstract: A transmission device (1) having at least one planetary gearset (2) and at least one frictional shift element (3) by which a ring gear (4), of the planetary gearset (2), can be connected to a component (5) that is fixed to a transmission housing. The ring gear (4) of the planetary gearset (2) is at least partially radially arranged within an inner disk carrier (6) of the shift element (3). The ring gear (4) and the inner disk carrier (6) are supported on a main transmission shaft (7) by a common carrier element (8). The ring gear (4) and the inner disk carrier (6) are radially separated from one another at least over a certain area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer
  • ADAPTIVE TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20120225748
    Abstract: A machine element, in particular ring gear for a transmission (1, 31) having an internal toothing arrangement (40), wherein the machine element is divided, in a plane perpendicular to an axis (22) of the machine element, into at least two component pieces (11, 12) which can be displaced relative to one another and which are mounted on a common carrier element (20), having an actuator (15-18) for displacing a first of the component pieces (11, 12) relative to the carrier element (20).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Applicant: WITTENSTEIN AG
    Inventors: Frank Michel, Thomas Wimmer
  • DRIVING BODY ACCELERATION DEVICE USING ELASTICITY
    Publication number: 20120220419
    Abstract: A driving body acceleration device using elasticity includes an input gear, a carrier connected to the input gear, planetary gears mounted to the carrier such that each of the planetary gears is rotated about a hinge shaft, a sun gear threadedly engaged with the planetary gears while being surrounded by the planetary gears, an output shaft coupled to the center of the sun gear, a cam having a cam groove, and acceleration units, each of which has one end coupled to a corresponding one of the hinge shafts and the other end coupled to the cam groove, and each of which rotates a corresponding one of the hinge shafts such that each of the planetary gears is rotated, when the revolution angle at one end of each of the acceleration units is different from that at the other end of each of the acceleration units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Nam Joon Cho
  • WEBLESS PLANETARY GEAR SET
    Publication number: 20120220418
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a Wolfrom-type, webless planetary gear set, comprised of two coaxial housing parts which are rotatable opposite each other with one each internal toothing on the applicable inner side, a toothed sun gear as well as several toothed planetary gears, which roll between the sun gear and the internal sets of teeth and are arranged in a floating manner. In other words, without further guidance on a planetary gear carrier or similar with a bearing arrangement between the two housing parts whose bearing bodies circulate around the paths which are located radially outside at least one internal toothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: IMO HOLDING GMBH
    Inventor: Hubertus Frank
  • Planetary wheel end with piloted sun gear shaft
    Patent number: 8251861
    Abstract: A planetary wheel end assembly includes an axle shaft having an inboard end and an outboard end, a planetary gear assembly receiving driving input from the axle shaft, and a rotational support element that pilots the outboard end of the axle shaft. The planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear that is fixed for rotation with the axle shaft, a plurality of planet gears that are in meshing engagement with the sun gear, a non-rotating ring gear that is in meshing engagement with the planet gears, and a planetary spider that supports the plurality of planet gears. The planetary spider provides driving output to rotate a wheel component. The rotational support element is positioned radially between the outboard end of the axle shaft and planetary spider to allow relative rotation between the planetary spider and the outboard end of the axle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Tomaz Dopico Varela
  • Planetary gear set
    Patent number: 8251860
    Abstract: A planetary gear set includes: a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears externally meshed with the sun gear, and a carrier that interconnects the plurality of planetary gears such that the plurality of planetary gears revolve around a exterior circumference of the sun gear, and an arrangement of the plurality of planetary gears is rotationally non-symmetrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Ku Lee, Wang Kweon Lee, Moosuk Kim, Sangik Ryu
  • GRAVITY-POWERED ELECTRICAL ENERGY GENERATORS
    Publication number: 20120212948
    Abstract: Gravity powered electrical energy generators, particularly for producing lighting is disclosed. The apparatus has a support frame (1, 30) in which a series of gears and a gear-driven generator (20) are mounted. The power to drive the most upstream gear (2) is provided by a weight suspended from a point to one side of the axis of rotation of gear (2). The drive gear of the furthest downstream gear has no teeth so that the final contact between the drive gear and the shaft of the generator (20) is frictional. The gear ratio of the final downstream gear is at least 25. When used for lighting, the apparatus may include one or more high brightness LEDs (40) mounted on the housing (30). By suitable choice of gear ratios, the device may produce thirty minutes of illumination while allowing a 10 kilogram weight to fall through a distance of 1.8 metres.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Applicant: Therefore Limited
    Inventor: Martin Philip Riddiford
  • Epicyclic gear system with improved lubrication system
    Patent number: 8246503
    Abstract: A journal bearing that includes a central body having first and second passageways and a filter. The central body extends axially and is adapted to be supported at each outer end. The first passageway extends generally axially through a portion of the central body. The filter is disposed in the first passageway and is configured to trap debris from a lubricant fluid flowing therethrough. The second passageway extends between both the first passageway and an exterior surface of the central body to allow for delivery of lubricant fluid thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Planetary type gear unit comprising a planet carrier with a planet bogie plate
    Patent number: 8246505
    Abstract: A planetary type gear unit comprising a planet carrier with a planet bogie plate and at least one planet shaft, whereby on both sides of the bogie plate a planet wheel is mounted on the planet shaft by taper roller bearings, whereby the planet shaft is provided with an axially displaceable piece on each of its extremities forming an abutment which provides an axial support for the inner bearing rings of the taper roller bearings and with a tensioning elements by which the axially displaceable pieces can be displaced to one another for controlling the pre-tensioning on the taper roller bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignees: ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V., Gamesa Innovation & Technology, S.L.
    Inventors: Patrik Saenz De Ugarte, Javier Baranano Etxebarria, Gregory Warren Smook, Rik Verbiest, Wim Derkinderen
  • Articulating a Solar Energy System
    Publication number: 20120199175
    Abstract: A solar energy system drive apparatus includes: a rotor including a first circumferential surface and having a first radial dimension from a center axis of the rotor; a stator that is axially aligned with the rotor about the center axis and includes a second circumferential surface and having a second radial dimension from the center of the rotor, wherein the second radial dimension is different than the first radial dimension; and a plurality of planetary members arranged about the first and second circumferential surfaces of the rotor and stator respectively, wherein each of the planetary members has a stepped circumferential surface comprising a third surface and a fourth surface such that the third circumferential surface is in contact with the first circumferential surface and has a third radial dimension from a central planetary axis of the planetary member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: GOOGLE INC.
    Inventor: Ross Koningstein
  • HANDHELD DEVICES AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20120202641
    Abstract: The invention relates to devices including rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher C. Sappenfield
  • Split torque compound planetary drivetrain for wind turbine applications
    Patent number: 8235861
    Abstract: A compound planetary gear transmission unit includes a second stage with axially staggered planets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fulton Jose Lopez, Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Darren Lee Hallman
  • ROTARY UNITS, ROTARY MECHANISMS, AND RELATED APPLICATIONS
    Publication number: 20120196719
    Abstract: The invention relates to rotary units and rotary mechanisms that are suitable for use in numerous applications. Rotary units typically include rotational components that are configured to rotate. In some embodiments, for example, multiple rotary units are assembled in rotary mechanisms such that neighboring pairs of rotational components counter-rotate or contra-rotate relative to one another during operation of the rotary mechanisms. Rotational components generally include one or more implements that are structured to perform or effect one or more types of work as the rotational components rotate relative to one another in a given rotary mechanism. In certain embodiments, implements are configured to rotate and/or to effect the movement of other components as rotational components rotate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Christopher C. Sappenfield
  • PLANETARY GEAR UNIT AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS INCLUDING SAME
    Publication number: 20120196720
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit including a sun gear rotatable by torque from a drive source, an outer gear disposed coaxially with the sun gear, multiple planetary gears disposed within the outer gear at equal intervals along an inner circumference of the outer gear to engage the sun gear and the outer gear, a carrier pin to rotatably support each of the multiple planetary gears, and a carrier rotatable coaxially with the sun gear and the outer gear to support both ends of the carrier pin. At least a first end of the carrier pin is constructed of a circular portion and a linear portion to form a first supported part. The carrier includes a first support part that supports the first supported part and is formed to position the circular portion of the first supported part downstream from the linear portion in a direction of rotation of the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Miyawaki, Hiromichi Matsuda, Tetsuo Watanabe, Nobuo Iwata, Keisuke Shimizu, Yasuhiro Maehata
  • Final Drive Arrangement
    Publication number: 20120196715
    Abstract: A vehicle final drive includes a fixed spindle about which a wheel hub is mounted for rotation by wheel bearings, and within which a park and service brake assembly is mounted including a stack of Belleville springs carried by an input quill mounted within an inner end region, and a disc brake pack mounted within an outer end region. Located in the hub outboard of the spindle is a two-stage planetary reduction transmission. A reaction plate is fixed to an outer end face of the spindle cylindrical portion and holds the disc brake pack and a hub of a double ring gear of the transmission in place and preloads the wheel bearings. A fluid distribution manifold is defined by a passage in the spindle for distributing flow for cooling and/or lubricating an input thrust bearing, input drive shaft coupling splines, the brake disc pack, the wheel bearings, and the first stage planet gear bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Turner, Mark J. Besler
  • Drive train connection for vehicles
    Patent number: 8221283
    Abstract: A drive train connection has a shaft, a joint, particularly a constant velocity joint, and a coupling device. The coupling device is a planetary gear mechanism having a hollow wheel, at least one planet wheel and a sun wheel. The shaft and the sun wheel have corresponding locking means oriented in the axial direction. The sun wheel, together with the joint, can be screwed onto the shaft or unscrewed from the shaft by turning the hollow wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: IFA-Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Frank, Jonathan Lipp, Michael Willmann
  • Gear assembly with tapered flex pin
    Patent number: 8216108
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear assembly has a central toothed sun gear unit mounted on a carrier plate and plurality of planetary gear sets surrounding the central gear in torque-transmitting relationship. Each of the planetary gear sets has a toothed planet gear supported by a planet shaft, the first end of which is cantilevered from the carrier plate. A second end of the planet shaft supports the planet gear. A double-tapered concave middle portion of the planet shaft allows flexing of the shaft so as to facilitate elastic deflection of the planet shaft while distributing load between the planet gear sets. The outer circumference of the middle portion has a pair of spaced outwardly convex protrusions formed between the first end and the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Friede & Goldman, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alfred Montestruc
  • HIGH-PRESSURE HOMOGENIZER WITH AN EPICYCLIC REDUCTION GEAR UNIT
    Publication number: 20120172166
    Abstract: A high-pressure homogenizer comprising: —a fixed body (7) housing a rotating crankshaft (10); —a motor (3) for driving the crankshaft (10); —a reduction gear unit (4) interconnected between the crankshaft and transmission means {(5, 6), characterised in that the reduction gear unit (4) is an epicyclic reduction gear unit. Preferably there is provided a lubricant feed line (15) which passes through the fixed body and reaches the epicyclic reduction gear unit (4). Preferably the epicyclic reduction gear unit (4) is constructed integrally with the fixed body (4). Said solution enables reductions in overall dimensions, weights and costs and an improved load distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: GEA MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT ITALIA S.P.A.
    Inventors: Luca Salvarani, Massimiliano Benassi, Michele Madureri
  • ANTI-ROTATION FOR THRUST WASHERS IN PLANETARY GEAR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120171017
    Abstract: A bushing for use in a planetary gear system has a cylindrical body portion defining a bore extending along a central axis to be received on a planetary gear shaft. A tab extends axially beyond a nominal body portion of the bushing and is received in a notch in a thrust washer adjacent to the bushing to prevent rotation of the thrust washer. A gear cage and an air turbine starter incorporating the bushing, along with a method of installing the bushing are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Dean A. Norem, Tye L. Klipp, Jeff A. Brown, Bradley A. Delmore, William C. Trommer
  • Thrust washer for a transmission
    Patent number: 8210984
    Abstract: A central thrust washer for all planets of a planetary carrier of a planetary gear that is geometrically designed such that it engages in recesses in the annulus gear or the drive wheel or is connected to planetary wheel bearings of the planetary carrier so as to prevent any relative movement. For this purpose, at least one fixing element is provided on the thrust washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Minebea, Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Claus Schaeffer, Willi Eppler
  • Arrangement of a planetary gearset
    Patent number: 8206258
    Abstract: An arrangement for planetary gearsets comprises at least simple radially inner and radially outer planetary gearsets each comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier that carries planetary gears. The two gearsets are coaxially aligned and one of the gearsets is radially nested inside the sun gear of the other gearset. The ring gear of the radially inner gearset and the sun gear of the radially outer planetary gearset are at least coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed and are connected to a common carrier by driving teeth. To achieve a simple and inexpensive production, the ring gear of the radially inner gearset and the sun gear of the radially outer gearset are first produced as separate components with different heat treatments and then the ring and the sun gear are connected together by one of a friction force locking, a form interlocking and/or positive bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Peter Ziemer
  • APPARATUS FOR HARVESTING ENERGY FROM A GEARBOX TO POWER AN ELECTRICAL DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS
    Publication number: 20120156034
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring component health in a gearbox of a power generation system. A gearbox has a gear set with relatively-movable components, an armature attached to one of these components, and a magnet attached to another of these components. The armature is subjected to a changing magnetic field from the magnet that generates electrical energy. An electrical device for monitoring component health is inside the gearbox and is powered by the electrical energy received from the armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: VESTAS WIND SYSTEMS A/S
    Inventors: Anil Nagesh Sabannavar, Jiun Keat Ong
  • Pinion gear subassembly and method of assembling a planet carrier assembly
    Patent number: 8202195
    Abstract: The pinion gear assembly thus includes a first and a second pinion gear arranged with generally parallel axes of rotation. A first and a second washer, referred to herein as stationary washers, are provided. Each of the washers has two openings spaced to generally align with two predetermined, spaced mounting locations on the planet carrier member. The first and the second washers are positioned on opposing sides of the first and second pinion gears, with the axes of rotation of the first and second pinion gears generally centered at the respective spaced openings of the washers. Because the stationary washer spans the two pinion gears, which are secured to the carrier member, the stationary member is operatively connected at two locations to the carrier member, eliminating the need for anti-rotation features and corresponding carrier features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Fredrick R. Poskie, Boris Burgman
  • Wind turbine drive
    Patent number: 8192322
    Abstract: Wind turbine drive which is formed of a rotor with a rotor shaft and of a transmission box with a planetary gear unit which is connected to the rotor shaft, which drive is of the type whereby the transmission box is supported by the far end of the rotor shaft and is provided with a reaction arm, whereby the rotor shaft is bearing-mounted with at least one bearing which is directly fixed to the nacelle and a second bearing which is either fixed to the nacelle or which is part of the transmission box, whereby the planet carrier of the planetary gear unit is bearing-mounted in the gearbox via one bearing at the most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Wind Power Antwerpen N.V.
    Inventors: Annaïk Van Bogaert, Rik Verbiest, Warren Smook
  • Planetary gear mechanism
    Patent number: 8187140
    Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism which has at least one drive unit, at least one output unit and a freewheel unit. The freewheel unit is provided for blocking a moment which is introduced at the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Bogner
  • Planet pinion carrier for a gearset
    Patent number: 8187141
    Abstract: A carrier assembly for an automatic transmission includes a first plate, a second plate spaced along an axis from the first plate, a third plate spaced axially from the first plate and the second plate by angularly spaced legs, the third plate being formed with angularly spaced recesses. Short pinions, supported on the first plate and the third plate, each has a major diameter sized to move between at least two of the legs along a chordal path into one of the recesses during installation in the carrier. Long pinions, supported on the first plate and the second plate, each has a major diameter sized to move between at least two of the legs along a radial path into one of the recesses during installation in the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory D. Goleski, Mark W. Rosselot, Mark E. Briscoe, Bryant L. Poynter, John W. Kimes
  • ANTI-ROTATION PIN FOR A PLANETARY GEAR UTILIZING A TWO-PIECE CARRIER
    Publication number: 20120129642
    Abstract: A planetary gear set includes a ring gear having an inner diametric surface that defines an inner ring gear portion. A carrier assembly is arranged within the inner ring gear portion. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body including a planet gear support surface and at least one carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The at least one carrier plate support member includes a carrier plate support element having an opening. At least one planet gear pin extends from a first end portion arranged at the planet gear support surface to a second end portion, and at least one anti-rotation pin extends from a first end section arranged at the planet gear support surface through the opening in the carrier plate support element to a second end section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Balazs Palfai, Attila Nagy, Andrew Meyer
  • LOCKING RING FOR A PLANETARY GEAR SET INCORPORATED INTO A TRANSMISSION MEMBER
    Publication number: 20120129641
    Abstract: A planetary gear set includes a carrier assembly. The carrier assembly includes a carrier member having a carrier member body that defines an inner carrier portion. The carrier member body includes a planet gear support surface and a carrier plate support member that extends substantially perpendicularly from the planet gear support surface. The carrier plate support member includes an edge portion having a mounting element. A carrier plate is arranged, at least in part, within the inner carrier portion at the edge portion. The carrier plate includes a carrier plate body having first and second opposing surfaces that define an outer edge section. The outer edge section includes a mounting member. A locking member is arranged in the mounting element and the mounting member to operatively coupling the carrier member and the carrier plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: REMY TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Balazs Palfai, Attila Nagy, Andrew Meyer
  • OUTPUT SHAFT ENDPLAY ADJUSTMENT METHOD FOR 700R4/4L60E FAMILY
    Publication number: 20120115673
    Abstract: The objective of the invention is to provide a fast way to adjust endplay on output shaft without removing entire output shaft gear train assembly. One embodiment of the present invention is to place the shims in new location between the outer most ring gear hub and the ring gear stop on the output shaft. The new shims will have spines so they can be placed between the output stop and the ring rear hub. Another embodiment of the present invention, a preferred method to adjust endplay is to use a @ Torrington thrust bearing between the transmission case and output shaft. This will prevent reoccurring endplay adjustments from wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventor: Luther Preston Deans
  • Epicyclic gear system with superfinished journal bearing
    Patent number: 8172716
    Abstract: An epicyclic gear assembly includes a ring gear, a sun gear, at least one star gear enmeshed between the ring gear and sun gear, a carrier and a journal bearing. The carrier is disposed adjacent the rotatable sun gear and star gear. The journal bearing is disposed in the at least one star gear and connected to the carrier. The journal bearing has an outer radial surface with an amorphous surface finish of less than about 5 micro inches (127 micro mm) measured on an Ra scale and the outer surface of the journal bearing interfaces with an inner surface of the star gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Wind energy plant with a rotor
    Patent number: 8172535
    Abstract: A wind energy plant with a rotor, which is coupled to a gear via a rotor shaft, the rotor shaft being double bearing mounted via one rotor side bearing and one gear side bearing, wherein a connection between the rotor shaft and gear is provided at the gear side of the gear side bearing, and the gear side bearing props up on a machine carrier via at least one supporting equipment and the gear is detachably connected with the supporting equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Nitzpon
  • Superfinishing large planetary gear systems
    Patent number: 8171637
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new improved large planetary gear system used on the input stage of wind turbine power generators. This improved planetary gear system reduces or eliminates lubricant debris traditionally generated from the gear teeth, thereby eliminating an initiating source for bearing failure. To achieve these results, some and preferably all of the gear teeth within the planetary gear system are superfinished using chemically accelerated vibratory finishing to a surface roughness of approximately 0.25 micron or less. Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide a gearbox with reduced metal debris, improved bearing life, reduced wear, reduced vibro-frictional noise, improved contact fatigue, improved fretting resistance, improved lubrication, to simplify the run-in process, and to enhance the durability and efficiency of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignees: REM Technologies, Inc., OSRO GmbH
    Inventors: Mark Michaud, Edward David Summers
  • TAPERED BEARINGS
    Publication number: 20120102971
    Abstract: A gear support assembly for a turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear arrangement and a first tapered bearing and a second tapered bearing spaced apart from the first tapered bearing. The first tapered bearing and the second tapered bearing are arranged axially forward of the epicyclic gear arrangement and support the epicyclic gear arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • PLANETARY GEAR MECHANISM FOR A WIND POWER PLANT
    Publication number: 20120108380
    Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism for a wind power plant includes a sun gear, an internal gear and a planetary carrier with planetary gears supported by radial and axial slide bearings. The radial slide bearings include a sleeve made of a slide bearing material and attached as an inner ring to a planetary gear shaft or mounted as an outer ring in a bore in a planetary gear. An outer bearing ring cooperating with the inner ring is formed by the bore in the planetary gear, or an inner bearing ring cooperating with the outer ring is formed by the planetary gear shaft. A slide bearing material of a first bearing element of the axial slide bearings is applied between a planetary carrier cheek and an end side of a planetary gear. The end side of the planetary gear or the planetary carrier cheek forms a corresponding cooperating second bearing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Winergy AG
    Inventors: RALF MARTIN DINTER, Arno Klein-Hitpass, Thomas Meyer
  • SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH PLANTARY GEAR SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20120109143
    Abstract: A surgical instrument for applying a rotational force to a structural element during a surgical procedure. The instrument may be designed for increasing an input force to produce an enlarged output force adequate for fracturing an excess section of the elongated element from a remainder of the structural element. The instrument may include an input mechanism that receives an external rotational input force, a planetary gear system that multiples the input force, and an output mechanism that attaches to and delivers the multiplied rotational output force to the excess section of the structural element. The output mechanism may also be configured to capture the separated excess section. The instrument may include a housing and a handle for grasping and manipulating during the surgical procedure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley E. Steele, Thomas V. McGahan, Jacob R. Zimmermann
  • Mechanism for converting rotational motion into linear motion
    Patent number: 8162794
    Abstract: A rotation/linear motion conversion mechanism provided with an annular shaft, a sun shaft arranged inside the annular shaft, planetary shafts arranged around the sun shaft, and a first gear mechanism and a second gear mechanism, which transmit force between the annular shaft and the planetary shafts. Each planetary shaft includes a first planetary gear, which configures part of the first gear mechanism, and a second gear, which configures part of the second gear mechanism. The planetary shaft is configured to permit relative rotation between the first planetary gear and the second planetary gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kohei Hori, Hiromichi Hashimoto, Yasuo Kinoshita, Kiyoharu Nakamura, Motohiro Tsuzukui, Osamu Satoh
  • Planetary gearset
    Patent number: 8162793
    Abstract: A planetary gearset (2) consisting of a planetary gear carrier (4) that holds planetary gears (5) with a first and a second carrier plate (4b, 7), each having respective bores (4d, 7a) to receive planetary gear bolts (6) that can be fixed axially. It is proposed that the planetary gear carrier is connected in a rotationally fixed manner by the second carrier plate to a torque-transmitting component (8) of an adjacent shift element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gabor Diosi, Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer
  • GEAR SET ARRANGEMENT OF A PLANETARY TRANSMISSION
    Publication number: 20120088628
    Abstract: A gear set arrangement for a planetary transmission comprising at least first and second simple planetary gear sets, each having sun and ring gears and a carrier supporting planetary gears. The gear sets are coaxially nested with the first gear set being radially within the sun gear of the second gear set in a common radial plane or radial planes which are only slightly axially offset. The ring gear of the inner first gear set and the sun gear of the outer second gear set, and the carriers of the two gear sets, are coupled in a fixed manner. To avoid forced movement of the gears, only one of the sun gear, the ring gear or the carrier, of each of the first and the second gear sets is radially supported substantially free of radial play on a centrally disposed transmission shaft or with respect to a centered supported component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Hagen Dopfert
  • PLANETARY GEARBOX HAVING NESTED PLANETARY GEAR STAGES
    Publication number: 20120083384
    Abstract: A planetary gearbox, for an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle, comprising two stages, each provided with a sun gear, a ring gear and interposed planetary gears. The ring gear of the first planetary stage also forms the sun gear of the second stage, and the planetary gears of both stages are guided by a common planet carrier, produced from a casting material, which accommodates the planetary gears of the first stage at an axial offset position to the planetary gears of the second stage. The planet carrier is designed as one-piece such that pockets are respectively disposed in the planet carrier for receiving the planetary gears of the first stage at an offset angle, in the circumferential direction, to the pockets for receiving the planetary gears of the second stage, so that it is possible to form the pockets during casting using slides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Peter Ziemer, Hagen Doepfert, Alexander Bucher, Ulrich Hantke