Planetary Gearing Or Element Patents (Class 475/331)
  • Patent number: 7753821
    Abstract: A composite gear member of the power transmission device is divided into an annular first member and a second member. The annular first member is formed with an output gear. The second member is formed with internal teeth and spline-coupled to an inner portion of the first member. Therefore, the influence of the engagement reaction force generated from the output gear of the first member is decreased by the spline-coupling, and the vibration is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Ueda, Toshiharu Hirai, Atsushi Kawamoto
  • Publication number: 20100151985
    Abstract: A coupling assembly for transmitting torque between a first body and a second body is disclosed herein. The coupling assembly includes a diaphragm plate extending radially between a radially inner periphery fixed for rotation with the first body. The diaphragm plate extends to a radially outer periphery and is operable to elastically deform in response to changes in the axial positions of the first and second bodies relative to one another. The coupling assembly also includes a socket assembly engaged with the radially outer periphery of the first diaphragm plate for concurrent axial movement in response to changes in the axial positions of the first and second bodies relative to one another. The socket assembly is also operable to transmit torque between the second body and the diaphragm plate. The socket assembly includes a radially-accommodating structure operable to at least partially move in response to changes in an outer profile of the second body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: DANIEL K. VETTERS, Robert W. Cedoz
  • Publication number: 20100151986
    Abstract: A shaft retainer for a planet gear carrier of a planetary gear assembly both retains the pinion shafts within the carrier and maintains their angular orientation to achieve improved oil flow to the pinion bearings. Each of the pinion shafts includes an opening and an axial passageway that communicates with a radial passageway at the middle of the shaft. At the end of the pinion shaft opposite the axial passageway opening is a flat extending across the shaft. The flat is normal to the axis of the radial passageway. The pinion shafts are slip fit into suitable bores in the planetary gear carrier and support a needle bearing and planet or pinion gear. At one end of the carrier, the flats are engaged by a circular retainer so that the radial passageways of each of the pinion shafts are oriented radially outwardly. The circular retainer may either be a flat circular plate or have an L-shaped cross-section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Boris Burgman, John A. Diemer
  • Publication number: 20100139425
    Abstract: An adjustment device is disclosed for carrying out at least one adjustment function, such as for a motor vehicle seat. The device includes a drive in the form of a planetary gear mechanism. The mechanism has a planet carrier and an output. The output is stopped by a brake device when the drive is not actuated. The planet carrier cooperates with the brake device to release the brake device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Dirk Schulz, Stefan Halda
  • Patent number: 7730869
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a housing wheel engine that has a wheel shaped combustion housing, the housing wheel engine can hold several pistons which both sides working inside the combustion housing. The housing wheel engine transfers its rotating movement directly to the driveshaft by the planetary gearsets. A four-stroke time mechanism provided by the planetary gearsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Yan Li
  • Publication number: 20100137096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component (4) having inner teeth (4a) and outer teeth wherein the component (4) is configured at least partially as a hollow cylindrical base body (4b) on which the inner teeth and outer teeth are disposed. It is recommended that one of the two sets of teeth, particularly the inner teeth (4a), be configured as one piece with the base body (4b) and the other set of teeth, particularly the outer teeth, be configured as an added part (6), which can be joined to the base body (4b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Dietmar Illerhaus, Alfred Skrabs, Gert Hanker
  • Publication number: 20100127229
    Abstract: A drawworks (10) comprising a permanent magnet motor (60) mounted inside a drum(40), said permanent magnet motor arranged to drive said drum via a gear system(50), characterised in that said gear system is located at least partially within said drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Hege Kverneland, Åge Kyllingstad, Magne Mathias Moe, Robert Lewis Bloom
  • Publication number: 20100124858
    Abstract: A marine vessel propulsion unit includes an engine, a drive shaft, a propeller shaft, a propeller, an intermediate shaft, and a first reduction gear mechanism. The drive shaft is arranged to be rotated by the engine. The rotation of the drive shaft is transmitted to the propeller shaft. The propeller is arranged to be rotated together with the propeller shaft. The intermediate shaft is arranged on a central rotation axis of the propeller shaft or an extension of the central rotation axis. The intermediate shaft is arranged to transmit rotation between the drive shaft and the propeller shaft. The first reduction gear mechanism is arranged on a central rotation axis of the propeller shaft or the extension of the central rotation axis. The first reduction gear mechanism is arranged to decelerate the rotation of the intermediate shaft so as to transmit the decelerated rotation to the propeller shaft during both forward propulsion and backward propulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yoshihiko OKABE, Daisuke NAKAMURA
  • Patent number: 7717820
    Abstract: A planet gear speed reducer includes a casing having a receiving space defined therein for receiving an output shaft and an input shaft. The output shaft and the input shaft are longitudinally connected to each other. The output shaft includes a planet gear arm and a drive axle concentrically and longitudinally extending the planet gear arm. A third bearing is mounted in a bottom of the planet gear arm. The input shaft has a sun gear axle concentrically extends therefrom and engaged to the multiple planet gears on the planet gear arm. A fourth bearing is securely sleeved on a heel of the sun gear axle and an outer periphery of the fourth bearing is securely received within annular protrusion. A stub concentrically and longitudinally extends from a free end of the sun gear axle and securely received in the third bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Inventor: Sheng Bor Wang
  • Publication number: 20100120573
    Abstract: A gearbox is provided having multiple sun gears and one or more planet stages. The planet stages can include a first planet stage and a second planet stage. A first sun gear is connected to the first planet stage, and a second sun gear is connected to the second planet stage. The torque transmitted from the planet stages is at least partially distributed among the first sun gear and the second sun gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Pedro L. Benito
  • Publication number: 20100120574
    Abstract: A high reduction combined planetary gear mechanism includes an input shaft (2), an output shaft (3), a first planetary gear mechanism (4), and a second planetary gear mechanism (5). The first planetary gear mechanism (4) includes a first sun gear (6) of which the center is coupled to the input shaft (2), a first internal gear (7), and a first planetary gear (8). A first support shaft (9) for rotatably supporting the first planetary gear (8) is fixed to a first carrier (10), and the output shaft (3) is fixed to the center of the first carrier (10). The second planetary gear mechanism (5) includes a second sun gear (11) of which the center is coupled to the input shaft (2), a second internal gear (12), and a second planetary gear (13). A second support shaft (14) for rotatably supporting the second planetary gear (13) is fixed to a stationary frame. The first internal gear (7) and the second internal gear (12) are formed on the inner peripheral surface of a rotatable common annular frame (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Hitoshi Maekawa
  • Publication number: 20100113210
    Abstract: A compound planetary gear transmission unit includes a second stage with axially staggered planets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Fulton Jose Lopez, Aniruddha Dattatraya Gadre, Darren Lee Hallman
  • Patent number: 7704178
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an epicyclic gear train that drives a turbo fan. The epicyclic gear train employs a one-piece carrier in which the spaced side walls are interconnected with circumferentially spaced apart mounts to form a unitary structure. Baffles are secured to the carrier near the mounts and provide lubrication passages that spray oil onto the sun gear and/or intermediate gears arranged between the baffles. The baffles can be constructed from a different material than the carrier since the baffles are not structural components in the gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 7695399
    Abstract: A planet carrier assembly has a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on pinion pins, each pin having a slot formed thereon. A locator ring is assembled onto the pinion pins and rotated in a manner such that the locator ring engages the slots in the pinion pins and a plurality of tabs and protuberances engage complementary components formed on a housing member of the planet carrier assembly. The locator ring ensures both axial and rotational positioning of the pinion pins within the planet carrier housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Henryk Sowul, Anatoly Filanovsky, Michael B. Solt, Fredrick R. Poskie, James W. Haynes
  • Publication number: 20100081537
    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: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Naohiro SAKAUE, Tatsuhiko IWASAKI, Jun NAKAMURA, Narihito HONGAWARA, Katsutoshi MUKAI
  • Publication number: 20100081538
    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: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Claus Schaeffer, Willi Eppler
  • Patent number: 7686734
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for finishing the mating surfaces of a gear set or gear train includes at least a first and a second rotatably connected gear element in dynamic, lubricated contact and rotating at different cycle rates. A hardness differential is employed between mating gear surfaces to balance surface damage imparted by friction and plastic deformation. The mating surfaces are of a hardness of at least approximately 70 on the Rockwell superficial hardness scale (70HR-30N), and are subjected to a polishing process, such as isotropic chemical finishing, to shape the surface asperity profile, thereby reducing accumulative damage due to friction and plastic deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Mordukhovich, Avinash Singh
  • Publication number: 20100062895
    Abstract: A reduction mechanism including an input gear wheel, an output gear wheel, and at least one intermediate gear wheel is disclosed. The input gear wheel is provided with outer toothing, which may be configured for coupling with a driving motor, and includes an evoloid toothing having one or two teeth. An output gear wheel is provided with an evoloid inner toothing. In an embodiment, the output gear speed during use is lower than the speed of the input gear wheel. The at least one intermediate gear wheel is operative between the input gear wheel and the output gear wheel and the rotation axis of the at least one intermediate gear wheel is fixedly arranged. In an embodiment, the reduction mechanism may be configured so that the input gear wheel, the output gear wheel, and the at least one intermediate gear wheel are situated substantially in a single plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: MCi (Mirror Controls International) Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Stefan Frits Brouwer
  • Publication number: 20100062894
    Abstract: An internal gear and cap assembly includes a gear having a base that extends about an axis between a first and second end. The first end defines a groove that extends to a floor and the groove surrounds the axis. Teeth extend from the base. A lip extends from the first end and also surrounds the axis. A cap has a flange that is inserted into the groove. The lip is deformed toward the groove such that material from the lip flows to trap the flange between the lip and the floor of the groove to retain the cap to the gear in the axial direction. Slots may be defined in the flange such that the material from the lip flows into the slots to provide a key-lock between the cap and the gear to prevent rotation of the cap relative to the gear about the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Lee, Stephen D. Doubler, Travis M. Thompson, Steven L. Clark, Richard Vriesen
  • Publication number: 20100056321
    Abstract: A gearing arrangement is disclosed herein. The gearing arrangement includes a shaft operable to rotate about an axis of rotation. The gearing arrangement also includes a first gear fixed for rotation with the shaft and encircling the axis of rotation. The gearing arrangement also includes a plate member positioned radially adjacent to the shaft. The gearing arrangement also includes a second gear operable to mesh with the first gear. The gearing arrangement also includes a layshaft supporting the second gear. The layshaft extends along a central axis between first and second ends. The layshaft is engageable with the plate member in a plurality of different positions to adjustably position the second gear relative to the first gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventors: TONY SNYDER, Gregory Blake, Andrew D. Copeland
  • Patent number: 7669494
    Abstract: A variable-speed gearbox comprises a main transmission (2) arranged in a housing (30) and a downstream range-change transmission (32), the range-change transmission having power distribution on two countershafts (12, 14). On a main shaft (4) of the main transmission (2), a gear wheel (6) is arranged in a radially movable manner which meshes with respective first gear wheels (8, 10) each on one of the countershafts. In the housing of the variable-speed gearbox, a drive output shaft (22) is radially and axially fixed which is connected a gear wheel (20) that meshes in each case with a second gear wheel (16, 18), respectively, on each of the countershafts. The gear wheel on the main shaft that meshes with the first gear wheels on the countershafts is maintained in its axial position relative to the drive output shaft by way of pressure combs (50, 52, 54, 56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Josef Bader
  • Publication number: 20100044128
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle includes an engine, two motors, and a power distribution integration mechanism arranged coaxially with one another and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission shaft extended in parallel with a first motor shaft and a second motor shaft, a first coupling gear train in combination with a second coupling gear train and a clutch arranged to selectively connect a ring gear and a sun gear of the power distribution integration mechanism to the transmission shaft, a deceleration mechanism connected with the transmission shaft and arranged to decelerate power from the transmission shaft and output the power of the reduced speed from a carrier, and a clutch arranged to selectively connect the carrier and the ring gear to a driveshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Publication number: 20100041510
    Abstract: An electrical assembly comprises an upper electrical center assembly and a lower mounting bracket lift assembly that is adapted for being secured to a support panel such as a support panel in an automobile. After the lower mounting bracket lift assembly is secured to the support panel, the upper electrical center assembly is attached to the lower mounting bracket lift assembly. The lower mounting bracket lift assembly is then operated to plug wiring harness end connectors in the lower mounting bracket lift assembly into lower sockets of the upper electrical center assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Joseph Howard Gladd, Joseph Matthew Senk
  • Patent number: 7662059
    Abstract: A support shaft provides lubrication to a journal bearing during windmilling operation of a gear set. A primary oil pump provides oil from an oil supply during driven operation of the fan, and a secondary oil pump provides oil from an internal sump during windmilling operation of the fan. During driven operation of the fan, oil is pumped with the primary oil pump through a primary oil flow path to an outer surface of the support shaft. During windmilling fan operation, oil is pumped from an internal sump with a secondary oil pump through the secondary oil flow path. The secondary oil flow path has a smaller flow capacity, and the secondary oil pump is a smaller capacity pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20100035719
    Abstract: An epicyclic gearing includes an annulus comprising a rear bore, an intermediate toothed section, and a stepped front engagement section; a gear assembly comprising front and rear discs, a central hole through the discs, and planet gears rotatably mounted between the discs wherein a portion of the gear assembly is mounted in the toothed section with a rear portion of the teeth of the planet gears meshed with the toothed section; a sun gear comprising outer teeth and having one end passing the bore and the hole to mesh with the teeth of the planet gears; a transmission member comprising a rear ring gear in the engagement section to mesh with a front portion of the teeth of the planet gears and a front drive shaft with a raised key; and a bearing mounted between the ring gear and the engagement section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventor: Sheng Bor Wang
  • Publication number: 20100025539
    Abstract: An active control stick assembly is provided. In one embodiment, the active control stick assembly includes a housing assembly, a control stick coupled to the assembly housing for rotation about at least a first rotational axis, a first artificial force feel (AFF) motor disposed in the housing assembly, and a first traction drive mechanically coupling the first AFF motor to the control stick. A controller is operatively coupled to the first AFF motor. The controller is configured to selectively activate the first AFF motor to supply a torque through the first traction drive and acting on the control stick about the first rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Casey Hanlon, Dave Eschborn
  • Patent number: 7654929
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit for an automatic transmission includes a pinion carrier including a first disc formed with first holes located radially from an axis joined to a second disc spaced axially from the first disc and formed with second holes, each second hole being aligned with a first hole, a clutch ring contacting the second disc and pinion shafts, each pinion shaft extending axially through one of the first holes and one of the second holes and supporting a pinion thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Kimes, Mark W. Rosselot, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Patent number: 7651435
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic of a vehicle comprising: a rotating shaft; a sun gear included at a circumference of the rotating shaft; a plurality of pinions engaged with the sun gear and rotated along an exterior circumference of the sun gear; a ring gear configured to be rotated as inscribed with an exterior circumference of the plurality of pinions; a case forming an exterior of the automatic transmission; and a supporting unit between the ring gear and an interior circumference of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Jaehyuk Choi
  • Publication number: 20100012407
    Abstract: A hybrid vehicle includes an engine, motors, and a power distribution and integration mechanism that are coaxially arranged with respect to each other. The hybrid vehicle also includes a transmission including a transmission differential rotation mechanism that is a single pinion planetary gear mechanism having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier that is connected to a drive shaft, and that is configured such that these three elements can differentially rotate with each other; and a clutch capable of selectively coupling one of or both of the carrier and the sun gear of the power distribution and integration mechanism with the sun gear of the transmission differential rotation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Hidehiro Oba, Yukihiko Ideshio
  • Publication number: 20100009799
    Abstract: A transmission assembly included in a power generation system of a wind turbine, the wind turbine having one or more wind driven rotor blades. The transmission assembly includes a transmission including an input carrier and a gear-train rotatably coupling the input carrier to a transmission output, the input carrier configured to transfer a rotational input from the rotor blades to the gear-train and a removable input bearing cartridge coupled to a periphery of the input carrier, exterior to the gear-train, the removable bearing cartridge in axial alignment with the input carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert John Ciszak, Keith Marsden, Timothy Kuzma
  • Patent number: 7644482
    Abstract: A method permits replacement of components of existing epicyclic gear mechanisms of a wind energy system without having to lift the gear mechanism down from the gondola. In accordance with the method, the housing is divided up alternately in its first parting plane and in its second parting plane and moved apart. The center section of the housing, which includes the internal geared wheel, always remains connected with an adjacent section and therefore does not have to be moved with a hoist. Access to the components to be replaced is always guaranteed by the special method of opening. An installation bolt is also provided that is particularly suitable for implementing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Eickhoff Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Albers, Rainer Aust, Wolfhard Dombrowski, Ingo Kowalczik, Marc Neufelder
  • Publication number: 20100004085
    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: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Josef HAUPT, Martin BREHMER
  • Patent number: 7638569
    Abstract: The present invention is an injection-molded gear made of a polyacetal resin composition comprising a polyacetal and a filler having a particular shape and particle diameter. An object thereof is to provide a gear which has durability and is excellent in the balance between dimensional accuracy and rotation transmission accuracy. Specifically, the gear is an injection-molded gear made of a polyacetal resin composition comprising more than 5 and less than 100 parts by mass of a filler (II) having a particle size distribution satisfying a particular expression and an average aspect ratio (L/D), i.e., a ratio of an average major-axis length (L) of the particles to an average minor-axis length (D) of the particles, of less than 3 and 0 or less than 10 parts by mass of an organic acid (III) based on 100 parts by mass of a polyacetal (I), characterized in that the gear comprises 10% or less of aggregates of the filler (II) having an aggregate diameter of 3 ?m or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Kenya Sonobe, Miho Sonobe
  • Publication number: 20090318257
    Abstract: A housing for a multi-stage clutch assembly is formed to include a shoulder upon which a backing plate of a first stage clutch pack may be positioned to transfer a load from the first stage clutch pack to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventor: Glen S. Hawkins
  • Publication number: 20090289460
    Abstract: A wind turbine with a drive train placed partly or entirely in a nacelle of the wind turbine is provided. The drive train includes an epicyclical gearbox including at least one gear stage having a plurality of planet gears meshing with a sun gear and/or an annulus gear. The gearbox partly or completely speed-up the rotation speed of a rotor of the wind turbine to at least one generator of the wind turbine. The wind turbine is characterized in that the drive train further includes at least one locally radial self tracking bearing for enabling the rotation of the rotor in relation to a nacelle structure of the nacelle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: November 26, 2009
    Inventor: Anton Bech
  • Patent number: 7621243
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a first rotary element having a first gear part, a second rotary element having a second gear part, and a planetary gear including a third gear part and a fourth gear part which respectively engage with the first gear part and the second gear part. The planetary gear performs a planetary motion to vary a relative rotational phase between the first rotary element and the second rotary element. The valve timing controller further includes a supporting member supporting the planetary gear in such a manner that the planetary gear is slidable in its axial direction between the first rotary element and the second rotary element, and an elastic member restricting a displacement of the planetary gear in its axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Taei Sugiura, Yasushi Morii
  • Publication number: 20090286644
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit (1) having two guide discs (2, 3) that are arranged parallel to one another and include perforations for accommodating pins (4) which have journals (5, 6) and shoulders arranged on the end sides. The shoulders have circumferential cutting edges (11, 12) and the pins (4) are cut into the guide discs (2, 3) by way of the cutting edges (2, 3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Tobias Buchner, Peter Hohne
  • Publication number: 20090280948
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the rotational speed of the main shaft (3) of a transmission in which the main shaft (3) is connected to an output shaft (4) via a shiftable planetary gear (17), whereby the main shaft (3) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the sun gear (18) and the output shaft (4) is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the planet carrier (20). The steps of the method are picking up the rotational speed (nHohlrad) of the ring gear (22), picking up the rotational speed (nAbtrieb) of the output shaft or the planet carrier (20), and computing the rotational speed (nHauptwelle) of the main shaft (3) from the rotational speed (nHohlrad) of the ring gear and the rotational speed (nAbtrieb) of the output shaft or the planet carrier (20). The present invention further relates to a transmission having a rotational speed pickup device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Kim Fuhrer, Thomas Puth, Frank Gessler
  • Patent number: 7614976
    Abstract: A gearbox for a wind turbine which consists of a housing and a gear wheel transmission with an ingoing shaft having at least one driving gear wheel which is or can be connected to the rotor of the wind turbine, characterized in that, in the unloaded condition of the gearbox, the axis of symmetry of the seating or seatings of the bearing of the ingoing shaft in the housing does not coincide with the geometrical axis of symmetry of the gear wheel transmission, as a result of which there will be a certain deviation between the abovementioned axes of symmetry in the unloaded condition which is such that, in a static, loaded condition, in other words under the weight of the rotor, the alignment error which is caused by the weight of the rotor is at least partially compensated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International, naamloze vennootschap
    Inventors: Warren Smook, Roger Bogaert
  • Patent number: 7608005
    Abstract: The invention relates to a planet carrier (1) with planet pins (2) that are supported in at least one wall section (10) of the planet carrier (1), the planet carrier (1) having at least one axial bearing (6) supported on the wall section (10), with the axial bearing (6) being supported on the wall section (10) by means of at least one axial disc (9), the planet carrier (1) furthermore having at least one lubricating oil feed (11) overlapping the planet pins (2) to the planet pins (2), with the lubricating oil feed (11) having at least one oil retaining disc (13, 22) located on the planet carrier (1) and thus overlapping the lubrication openings (12) to the hollow planet pins (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Norbert Metten, Ramon Jurjanz, Thorsten Biermann
  • Patent number: 7608010
    Abstract: The invention generally relates to the improved performance of the rear planetary gear in an automobile transmission. In particular, the invention relates to a new and improved thrust bearing assembly capable of sustaining performance of the rear planetary under more severe stress, and prolonging its life over much longer periods of time, than the OEM bearing. More particularly, the invention relates to a novel bearing assembly designed to replace the OEM bearings in the General Motors [GM] 4L60, 4L60E, and 700R4 transmissions which have a long history of rear planetary failures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Inventor: James D. Briscoe
  • Patent number: 7603975
    Abstract: A valve timing controller includes a first gear rotating together with a crankshaft, a planetary carrier eccentric to the first gear, a second gear engaging with the planetary carrier. The second gear performs a planetary motion while engaging with the first gear. The planetary motion is converted into a rotational motion of the camshaft to change a relative rotational phase between the crankshaft and the camshaft. A pressing element is provided between the planetary carrier and the second gear for pressing the second gear by the elastic force. An action line of the elastic force is inclined to the eccentric direction line of the planetary carrier in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Taei Sugiura, Motoki Uehama, Akiyuki Sudou, Yasushi Morii
  • Publication number: 20090258753
    Abstract: The present invention relates to automatic transmissions and gear trains. In particular, the instant invention relates to an automatic transmission gear train with improved resistance to deterioration with an increased effective life. The gear train of the instant invention comprises eight pinion gears assembled into one carrier utilizing a forward and a rear sun gear, a ring gear, a band drum and a one way roller clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventors: Scott R. Dalenberg, Theodore V. Kachel, John W. Creighton
  • Patent number: 7600935
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has a planetary gear mechanism that transmits driving force from a driving motor to a resist roller when a cover is closed, and that stops transmitting the driving force to the resist roller when the cover is opened. The planetary gear mechanism includes a first gear to which the driving force from the driving motor is transmitted; a second gear that transmits the driving force to the resist roller; a planetary gear provided between the first and second gears; and a third gear that transmits the driving force from the first gear to the second gear via the planetary gear when the ratchet gear is locked by a lever, and that disconnects the transmission of the driving force to the resist roller when the ratchet gear is not locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Eiji Koba, Shinichiro Tsunematsu, Hirofumi Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20090253545
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventors: Gabor Diosi, Josef Haupt, Martin Brehmer
  • Patent number: 7597647
    Abstract: To adjust a component (17) of a seat (14), and particularly a seat (14) in a motor vehicle, use is made of an adjusting device (28, 29) which has a rotary drive (8) and a gearbox. The gearbox comprises a planetary gear train having a sunwheel (7) driven by the rotary drive (8), at least one planetary gear (4) mounted to rotate on a planetary gear carrier (6) and a fixed annular gear (1). The at least one planetary gear (4) meshes with the sunwheel (7) and the annular gear (1). The output of the gearbox is taken from the planetary gear carrier (6), which takes the particular form of a cable drum so that the adjustment of the component of the seat can be performed by means of a traction cable secured to the cable drum which can be wound up thereon. With the help of a gearbox of this form it is possible to achieve a particularly small size, which substantially simplifies the fitting of the adjusting device (28, 29) into a seat (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Schukra Europa GmbH
    Inventor: Eugen Calinescu
  • Publication number: 20090239701
    Abstract: A printing apparatus includes a housing including a feeding tray and an ejecting tray, an image forming unit disposed in the housing, a drive motor disposed in the housing, and a driving device disposed in the housing and driven by the drive motor. The driving device is adapted to convey a sheet of paper from the feeding tray onto the ejecting tray, and includes first and second driving units. The first driving unit includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis, a planet carrier rotatable about the axis, and a planetary gear disposed rotatably on the planet carrier and meshing with the sun gear. The second driving unit includes a driven gear meshing with the planetary gear. The planet carrier is pivotable relative to the sun gear to remove the planetary gear from the driven gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Yu-Jen Tsao
  • Patent number: 7591746
    Abstract: A transmission that is rotatable and connectable to the gravity mass increases the speed of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Inventors: Mikhail Tarnopolsky, Galina Tarnopolsky
  • Patent number: 7585243
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic transmission having a main bearing disposed between the inner surface of a boss portion of a first drum and the outer surface of a cylindrical support, for rotatably supporting the first drum. An auxiliary bearing is press-fit into one end of the interior of the boss portion of the first drum and surrounds the cylindrical support with an annular gap therebetween. The auxiliary bearing contacts the cylindrical support only when the first drum tilts relative to the central axis of the transmission, and has a shorter axial length than that of the main bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignees: Aisin AW Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsuhisa Ishii, Minoru Todo, Mikio Iwase, Takuya Nakajima, Hirofumi Ota, Kazutoshi Nozaki, Atsushi Honda, Masafumi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20090221396
    Abstract: A gear reducer includes a rotatable planet carrier supporting at least one planetary gear for axial rotation thereon, a stationary ring gear extending around and engageable with the at least one planetary gear, and a moveable ring gear extending around and engageable with the at least one planetary gear. A pitch diameter of the stationary ring gear is substantially identical to a pitch diameter of the moveable ring gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Inventors: Larry Berg, Wes Burandt