Planetary Gearing Or Element Patents (Class 475/331)
  • Patent number: 8979703
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Inventor: Christopher C. Sappenfield
  • Publication number: 20150072827
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a CVT has a number of spherical planets in contact with an idler. Various idler assemblies can be used to facilitate to improve durability, fatigue life, and efficiency of a CVT. In one embodiment, the idler assembly has two rolling elements having contact surfaces that are angled with respect to a longitudinal axis of the CVT. In some embodiments, a bearing is operably coupled between the first and second rolling elements. The bearing is configured to balance axial force between the first and second rolling elements. In one embodiment, the bearing is a ball bearing. In another embodiment, the bearing is an angular contact bearing. In yet other embodiments, needle roller bearings are employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Charles B. Lohr, Brad P. Pohl
  • Patent number: 8973266
    Abstract: A gear cage assembly configured to support a plurality of planet gear in an air turbine starter is provided including a main plate and a back plate. The main plate includes a plurality of legs that extend from a first surface. A pin protrudes from a one of the plurality of legs. A plurality of shallow openings formed in the first surface extends over only a portion of a depth of the main plate. The back plate includes a plurality of bearing holes substantially identical to the plurality of shallow openings. A biasing mechanism and at least one alignment feature protrude from the back plate. The at least one alignment feature and the biasing mechanism are configured to contact at least one of the plurality of legs. A bushing mounted within the back plate is configured to receive the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Yiwei Jiang, Jeffrey M. Makulec, Bradley Thomas Ryan
  • Patent number: 8974344
    Abstract: A mounting system for a planetary gear train in a gas turbine engine comprises a support strut, a deflection flange and a deflection limiter. The support strut extends between a stationary engine case and a rotating engine shaft that provides input to the planetary gear train in the gas turbine engine. The deflection flange extends from a rotating output component of the planetary gear train. The deflection limiter is connected to the support strut and engages the deflection flange when the gear train becomes radially displaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Gino Pagluica
  • Publication number: 20150065291
    Abstract: The invention relates to a component (1) for a planetary gear train. The component, which is cast as one piece, comprises a planetary carrier (2) and a hollow-cast hollow shaft (3) arranged in a coaxial manner on said planetary carrier (2). The chamber (4) of the hollow shaft (3) is accessible through an opening (5) on at least one axial end (6) of the hollow shaft (3). On the outer periphery thereof, the hollow shaft (3) supports at least one connecting element (7) suitable for forming a shaft-hub connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Jens Kiesenbauer
  • Patent number: 8968141
    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: July 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Loc Quang Duong, Lawrence E. Portlock, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 8968150
    Abstract: A damper device includes a damper unit arranged on a motive power transmission path between a motive power source and a gear mechanism and configured for absorbing torque fluctuations that might be generated by elastic force between the motive power source and the gear mechanism. The damper device also includes a limiter unit that produces slip when the torque fluctuations have exceeded a preset value. The limiter unit is arranged on a motive power transmission path between the damper unit and the gear mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Misu, Tomohiro Saeki, Satoshi Nakagaito
  • Patent number: 8968148
    Abstract: Provided is a planetary gear reducer including: a sun gear fixed concentrically to a power input shaft; a plurality of planet gears meshing with the sun gear; a ring gear meshing with the planet gears; a planet carrier configured to support a plurality of planet shafts, each of which is a rotational axis of a corresponding one of the planet gear, and to output revolution of the plurality of planet gears as first power; and a cylindrical support connected to the ring gear, non-rotatable relative to the ring gear, and configured to output rotation of the ring gear as second power. The cylindrical support includes, at one part along the direction of a central axis, a flexible structure which is curved radially inward and has a V-shaped longitudinal section. This configuration improves rigidity and prevents misalignment without increasing the weight of the gear reducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Matsuoka, Hiroyasu Nishikawa, Kazuhiro Sato, Hideyuki Imai, Tatsuhiko Goi
  • Patent number: 8961361
    Abstract: A wheel drive unit includes: a planetary gear mechanism including a planetary gear and an internally-toothed gear; a casing integrated with the internally-toothed gear, a wheel being attached to the casing, and the casing transmitting rotation of the internally-toothed gear to the wheel; a bearing nut configured to prevent axial movement of the casing; and an oil seal provided more toward an interior of a vehicle than the planetary gear mechanism and axially fixed with respect the casing. An inner diameter of the detachment prevention member is smaller than an outer diameter of the externally-toothed gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8961359
    Abstract: A planet carrier and clutch housing for a transmission is provided. The planet carrier and clutch housing includes a first deck, a second deck, an annulus and a plurality of planet carrier posts. The first deck has an inner rim, an outer rim, planet shaft bores and control oil bores. The second deck has an inner rim, an outer rim, a piston recess disposed between the inner and outer rims, planet shaft bores and control oil bores fluidly coupled to the piston recess. The annulus extends from the second deck. The planet carrier posts connect the first deck to the second deck, and each post has a control oil bore fluidly coupling respective control oil bores in the first and second decks. The inner surface of each second deck planet shaft bore may include a groove to receive a planet shaft seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Floro, Thomas D. Koch, Michael Gross, Perry G. Cruce, Anthony R. Johnson, Clifford Garrison, Lawrence A. Rutledge
  • Patent number: 8961360
    Abstract: A supporting structure for a planetary gear mechanism includes a planetary carrier, a first bearing, and a second bearing. The planetary carrier includes a rotation shaft and an arm portion. The rotation shaft extends in an axis direction to support a planetary gear of the planetary gear mechanism to be rotatable about a rotational axis along the axis direction. The rotation shaft includes a first end and a second end opposite to the first end along the rotational axis. The first and second bearings are disposed on a first side of the planetary gear in the axis direction. The planetary carrier is radially supported by the first and second bearings without a bearing which radially supports the planetary carrier in the casing and which is provided on a second side of the planetary gear in the axis direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Ooiso, Jun Aoki, Yoshio Akiba
  • Patent number: 8961112
    Abstract: A fan drive gear system for a gas turbine engine includes a carrier that supports circumferentially arranged gears. A torque frame has circumferentially arranged fingers with each finger including a bore having a bore axis. A bushing is arranged in each bore and provides an aperture. At least one bushing has a bushing axis offset from the bore axis. A pin is disposed in the aperture and secures the carrier to the torque frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: James B. Coffin, Richard E. Domonkos, Sunil Sharma
  • Patent number: 8961113
    Abstract: An example turbomachine geared architecture support assembly includes a subpart having a more compliant portion and a less compliant portion. The less compliant portion includes a stop that limits axial movement of a geared architecture within a turbomachine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John R. Otto
  • Patent number: 8956261
    Abstract: An electric motor is arranged on a reduction device, and a wet braking device which gives braking force to a motor shaft is arranged on an upper end side of the electric motor. The wet braking device has a brake case which accommodates an upper end portion of the motor shaft, an adapter which is detachably disposed to the motor shaft in the brake case, a plurality of rotating side brake disks and a plurality of non-rotating side brake disks arranged on an outer peripheral side of the adapter and a brake piston which gives braking force to the motor shaft by frictionally engaging the rotating side brake disks and the non-rotating side brake disks with each other. At the time of performing a maintenance operation for the wet braking device, the wet braking device alone can be solely removed while keeping the electric motor assembled to the reduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Komaru, Takashi Niidome
  • Patent number: 8950048
    Abstract: A remanufactured planet carrier is disclosed having a first plate and a second plate spaced apart from and oriented generally parallel to the first plate. Supports join and support the first and second plates. The remanufactured planet carrier further has a plurality of first pin bores in the first plate and a plurality of second pin bores in the second plate. The first pin bores are parallel and generally aligned with the second pin bores. A cylindrical member extends from a central axis of the second plate away from the first plate with a shaft bore formed within the cylindrical member. The first and second pin bores and the shaft bore each have a surface layer with a hardness of at least about 180 BHN and a strength of at least about 500 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Herbert Gerke, Daniel Thomas Cavanaugh, Kristin Ann Schipull, M. Brad Beardsley, Justin Curtis Embrey
  • Patent number: 8944954
    Abstract: The gearing has an input element (8) which is connected in terms of drive to an output element (9) via gearing elements. One of the gearing elements is a regulating element (12) with which the rotational speed of the input element (8) can be changed for passing on to the output element (9). The rotational speed of the output element (9) is increased when the rotational speed of the regulating element (12) decreases. The torque present at the input element (8) is conducted on via the regulating element (12) to the output element (9) such that the input torque is present at the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: A+M Fertigungstechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Edwin Palesch
  • Publication number: 20150031499
    Abstract: An assembly includes a sun gear that includes a external gear teeth and internal axial spline teeth, a drive hub including a first sleeve portion formed with lateral holes, and insert assemblies, each insert assembly including a sleeve located in one of the holes and secured to the first sleeve portion, a plunger located in the sleeve for displacement along the sleeve, and a spring urging the plunger laterally outward toward engagement with the spline teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne M. Wischerath
  • Patent number: 8939864
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a fan shaft and at least one tapered bearing mounted on the fan shaft. The fan shaft includes at least one radially extending passage adjacent the at least one tapered bearing. A fan is mounted for rotation on the tapered bearing. An epicyclic gear train is coupled to drive the fan. The epicyclic gear train includes a carrier that supports star gears that mesh with a sun gear, and a ring gear that surrounds and meshes with the star gears. Each of the star gears is supported on a respective journal bearing. The epicyclic gear train defines a gear reduction ratio of greater than or equal to about 2.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8939865
    Abstract: Surface indentation and oil film shortage on rollers is prevented and longer service life of a roller bearing is achieved, by preventing wear debris from being caught and accumulated in pockets of a holder of the roller bearing. Positions and dimensional relations of the diameters of inner and outer ring raceways, the inner and outer diameters of the holder, and inner and outer protrusions which are provided to pillar parts of the holder to prevent the rollers from coming off are defined such that the inner and outer protrusions of the pillar parts always do not come into contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers in the state where the rollers and the holder are incorporated between inner and outer members. As a result, lubricant oil is smoothly circulated in gaps formed between the outer circumferential surfaces of the rollers and the pillar parts of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Nakagawa, Masashi Nishimura, Shinji Oishi
  • Patent number: 8939228
    Abstract: In a clutch mechanism of a percussion driver drill, a plurality of engageable members held in a gear case is configured to be engageable with an end face of a final-stage internal gear, and a coil spring is configured to press the engageable members against the end face of the internal gear. The coil spring is disposed frontwardly of the engageable members between a switch member and an operating member of a vibration mechanism. A coupling member connected with the switch member and the operating member is disposed to pass through a gap between the plurality of engageable members and detour around a rear end of the coil spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20150024898
    Abstract: An improved planetary gear set that includes a sun gear, planet gears, and a ring gear. The ring gear is constructed to radially deform under an operating load. Therefore, the gear set is constructed such that the base pitches of the sun gear, planet gears, and the deformed ring gear under the operating load are equalized. The ring gear is further constructed with tooth profiles designed to accommodate the deflection under the operating load. The tooth profile of the ring gear is designed using an operating pitch diameter instead of a nominal pitch diameter to accommodate the deflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen P. Radzevich
  • Patent number: 8935853
    Abstract: An exemplary turbine engine assembly includes a first shaft that is rotatably driven by a second shaft of a gas turbine engine, a compressor hub driven by the second shaft, the compressor hub within a compressor section of the gas turbine engine, an epicyclic gear train that is driven by the first shaft, and a common attachment point that secures the first shaft and the compressor hub to the second shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 8936529
    Abstract: A transmission ratio step of a stepped transmission which can couple at least two parallel transmission shafts. Multiple transmission ratios can be implemented with the ratio steps. A planetary gear set, comprising three components, is located coaxial with a first shaft. A first component is connected to and driven by an input supplied along the first axis, and a second component meshes with at least one spur gear, each of which is placed on a further axis that is parallel to the first axis. A first transmission ratio can be engaged by fixing a third component of the planetary gear set, and a second transmission ratio can be implemented by connecting either the third or the second transmission component to the drive supplied along the first axis. At least one the transmission ratio steps is utilized in a stepped transmission of a motor vehicle transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Johannes Kaltenbach, Eckhardt Luebke
  • Patent number: 8932166
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to achieve improvements in the rotational accuracy of the input shaft and the durability of the bearings, and suppression of rotational noise, by improving the support structure of the input shaft of the speed reduction unit. Provided is a drive device for an electric vehicle, including: an electric motor; a speed reduction unit including an input shaft driven by output of the electric motor; and a hub unit rotationally driven by an output member of the speed reduction unit, wherein the input shaft of the speed reduction unit is supported by bearings provided at two locations in an axial direction, the drive device for an electric vehicle being configured such that the bearings at the two locations are attached together to the output member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Suzuki, Tomoaki Makino
  • Patent number: 8931285
    Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a fan, a speed reduction device driving the fan, and a lubrication system for lubricating components across a rotation gap. The lubrication system includes a lubricant input. A stationary first bearing receives lubricant from the lubricant input and has a first race in which lubricant flows. A second bearing for rotation is within the first bearing. The second bearing has a first opening in registration with said first race such that lubricant may flow from the first race through the first opening into a first conduit. The first bearing also has a second race into which lubricant flows. The second bearing has a second opening in registration with the second race such that lubricant may flow from the second race through the second opening into a second conduit. The first and second conduits deliver lubricant to distinct locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 8932177
    Abstract: A planetary gear train is provided with: a carrier; a planetary gear; a planetary pin inserted into an insert hole provided through the planetary gear and coupled to the carrier to rotatably support the planetary gear; a thrust collar attached to a surface opposed to the planetary gear of the carrier so as to surround the planetary pin; and a pin for coupling the thrust collar to the carrier. The thrust collar has a first surface opposed to the carrier and a second surface opposed to the planetary gear, and has a first pin hole provided on the first surface so as not to reach the second surface. The carrier has a second pin hole on a surface opposed to the planetary gear. The thrust collar is attached to the carrier by inserting the pin into the first pin hole of the thrust collar and into the second pin hole of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Ishibashi Manufacturing, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Suzuki, Kazufumi Takayanagi, Hideaki Nishida, Tadasuke Nishioka, Toshiharu Goya
  • Publication number: 20150011354
    Abstract: A transmission to drive two propellers (2, 3) through a single shaft (5) comprises several, generally three planetary gear systems (26, 27 and 28), each of which comprises one principal element (30 and 31 , 36 and 37, 44) directly supported on fixed surrounding structures (32, 38, 45) that resist cantilever forces, support the rotating bodies and carry fluid and electrical cable ducts to control the operation of the downstream propeller (3) elsewhere than through the central shaft of the machine in which the volume is reduced. Application particularly to aircraft driven by two counter-rotating propellers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: Adrien Jacques Philippe FABRE
  • Patent number: 8926471
    Abstract: A differential device is comprised of a casing with a first end wall and a side wall forming a corner with the first end wall; a differential gear set including an input gear and first and second side gears that are so meshed with the input gear to allow differential motion between the first and second side gears; and a clutch member being housed in and axially movable in the casing from a first position where the clutch member engages with the first side gear to limit the differential motion to a second position where the clutch member rests on the first end wall and frees the first side gear, the clutch member slidably fitting on the first side gear so as to keep the clutch member concentric with the first side gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: GKN Driveline Japan Ltd
    Inventors: Yasuo Yamanaka, Atsushi Maruyama
  • Patent number: 8920282
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for a transmission, including: first and second clutches; and an actuation assembly including an actuator for engaging the first and second clutches. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to a planet carrier for a planetary gear set for the transmission so that the planet carrier and a first portion of the first clutch rotate in unison. The first clutch is arranged to be connected to an output shaft for the transmission so that a second portion of the first clutch and the output shaft rotate in unison. The second clutch is arranged to be connected to a ring gear for the planetary gear set so that the ring gear and a portion of the second clutch rotate in unison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Vural Ari, Scott Strong, Todd J. Sturgin
  • Patent number: 8920283
    Abstract: An epicyclic gearbox oil scavenge arrangement. The epicyclic gearbox is of the planetary or differential type and comprises an input sun gear (28); a plurality of planet gears (32) that mesh with the sun gear (28) and are driven therefrom; an annular planet carrier (34) that couples the planet gears (32) in known relative orientation and is configured to precess around the sun gear (28); and a ring gear (38) that meshes with each planet gear (32). The ring gear (38) comprises ejection apertures (44) that extend radially therethrough and the planet carrier (34) comprises at least one lobe (42) that extends radially from the periphery of the planet carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Martyn Richards
  • Patent number: 8911318
    Abstract: A pinion lubrication structure of a planetary gear mechanism includes a hollow portion, an annular oil catcher, an oil gallery, and an aperture. The annular oil catcher is supported by a carrier to collect oil to flow into the hollow portion. The oil is supplied outward in a radial direction from a central portion of the planetary gear mechanism. The oil is supplied to an inner peripheral surface of a pinion through the oil gallery. The oil gallery extends from an inside of the hollow portion through a pinion shaft in the radial direction. The aperture is provided at an axial end of the pinion shaft to be connected to the hollow portion. A distance from an axis to an outer end of the aperture in the radial direction is smaller than a distance from the axis to an outer end of the hollow portion in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kohei Iizuka
  • Patent number: 8905887
    Abstract: Disclosed is a unison ring assembly. The assembly comprises a first unison ring and a second unison ring concentrically aligned along a principal axis, the first and second unison rings being rotatable about the principal axis. The assembly further comprises a gear mechanism configured to simultaneously rotate the first and second unison rings about the principal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: David Roger Coles
  • Patent number: 8905894
    Abstract: To allow attachment of pinion shafts in their phased states only in simple steps which do not require a crimping step and a special device. A pinion shaft support structure for a planetary gear includes pinion gears, pinion shafts for pivotally supporting the pinion gears, and a carrier having a plurality of shaft support holes for rotatably supporting the pinion shafts, the pinion shafts being supported by the shaft support holes. The pinion shaft support structure includes stepped portions formed on end surfaces of the pinion shafts and a fall-out prevention washer which is mounted on the carrier to be capable of locking the stepped portions. An outer circumferential rim of the fall-out prevention washer mounted on the carrier faces the stepped portions of the respective pinion shafts inserted into the plurality of respective shaft support holes and is capable of locking the stepped portions, and the pinion shafts are thereby positioned (phased) in their rotational directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Shigeru Koyama, Nobuhiro Kumagai, Heisuke Kobayashi, Shinji Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 8905886
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gear device which comprises an outer cylinder fixable to one of two counterpart member; a crankshaft; a carrier configured to be fixable to the other counterpart member and formed with a through-hole, wherein the carrier is adapted to be relatively rotated with respect to the outer cylinder in interlocking relation with rotation of the crankshaft; and a cylindrical body disposed in the through-hole of the carrier. The through-hole of the carrier has an inner peripheral surface formed with an outward groove. The cylindrical body has an outer peripheral surface formed with an inward groove in opposed relation to the outward groove of the carrier. The gear device is provided with an O-ring disposed to extend from an inside of the outward groove to an inside of the inward groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Nabtesco Corporation
    Inventor: Shunsuke Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8900090
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a structural oil baffle housing which at least partially supports a set of intermediate gears. Each of the intermediate gears is mounted to a respective flexible carrier post. A spherical joint is mounted to each flexible carrier post and the structural oil baffle housing is mounted to the spherical joint mounted to each flexible carrier post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8900088
    Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes a transmission element rotatable in a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, integrally including a plurality of projections including a first planar surface and a second planar surface at each side of the projections in the direction of rotation of the transmission element, a rotation restriction device including a first restriction surface and a second restriction surface to contact the first planar surface and the second planar surface, to lock rotation of the transmission element, and a moving device including an actuator to move the rotation restriction device to contact and separate from the transmission element. The first restriction surface contacts the first planar surface while the transmission element rotates in the first direction, and the second restriction surface contacts the second planar surface while the transmission element rotates in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yasuda, Kenji Tomita
  • Patent number: 8900083
    Abstract: A fan gear drive system includes a torque frame having a base with integrated gear shafts circumferentially spaced relative to one another. Each shaft provides a shaft axis. A bearing assembly is mounted on each of the gear shafts and provides a bearing assembly. The bearing assembly includes a spherical bearing configured to permit angular movement of the bearing axis relative to the shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8898900
    Abstract: A turbine engine includes a housing supporting compressor, turbine sections, and an epicyclic gear train including a carrier. Sun gear and intermediate gears are arranged about and intermeshing with the sun gear. The intermediate gears are supported by the carrier. A baffle includes a lubrication passage near at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears for directing a lubrication on the at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 8900089
    Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide a carrier assembly which can be made small in size while securing a sufficient fixing strength between a first carrier plate and a second carrier plate. The second carrier plate (8) has a plurality of connection elements (23) bent toward the first carrier plate (7) to weld and fix the outwardly projected end portions (23b) of the connection elements with the outwardly projected end portion of the first carrier plate (7) by electron beam welding. The connection elements each have a base portions (23a) formed with a notch (28). The notch (28) thus formed makes a gap S between the base portion of the connection element and the corner portion (29) of the pinion gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yota Mizuno, Kenji Odaka, Takayoshi Kato
  • Publication number: 20140349801
    Abstract: The description relates to a gearbox arrangement (4) with an internally toothed ring gear (7) and two spur gears (5, 14) which mesh with the latter and which engage with a common intermediate gear (15), wherein at least one of the spur gears (5) is connected to a shaft (6) so as to be fixed with respect to rotation relative to it. According to the invention, the working pressure angle between the spur gears (5, 14) and the ring gear (7) is at least approximately, i.e. about identical in size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Inventor: Klaus-Peter Brenner
  • Patent number: 8894538
    Abstract: A geared architecture with a flex mount for a fan drive gear system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
  • Patent number: 8894539
    Abstract: A wheel driving speed reducer includes a parallel shaft gear mechanism that includes a parallel shaft gear, a planetary gear mechanism that is provided on a rear stage of the parallel shaft gear mechanism and includes planetary gears and an internal gear with which the planetary gears internally mesh, and a casing that accommodates the parallel shaft gear mechanism and the planetary gear mechanism. A tooth portion of the parallel shaft gear protrudes and extends into a gap, which is formed between the casing and the internal gear or a member integrated with the internal gear, in an axial direction. The tooth portion of the parallel shaft gear and the internal gear or the member integrated with the internal gear overlap each other when seen in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Yamamoto, Masayuki Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 8894537
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Norem, Tye L. Klipp, Jeff A. Brown, Bradley A. Delmore, William C. Trommer
  • Patent number: 8894529
    Abstract: An example journal pin includes a generally cylindrical body disposed on an axis having a supply passage. A first chamber and a second chamber are disposed in the generally cylindrical body and are in fluid communication with the supply passage. A recess on an outer diameter of the cylindrical body is in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. The first chamber and second chamber are each radially outward of the supply passage and including an outlet to the recess. The first chamber and second chamber each have a first section radially inward of a second section. A cross sectional area of the second section is greater than a cross sectional area of the corresponding first section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Michael E. McCune
  • Patent number: 8888650
    Abstract: A vehicle drive apparatus includes a motor generator, a speed reduction mechanism connected to a rotor shaft of the motor generator, an output shaft connected to the speed reduction mechanism, an intermediate wall separating the motor generator from the speed reduction mechanism, and a bearing that is fixed to the intermediate wall and supports the rotor shaft. The motor generator, intermediate wall, speed reduction mechanism, and output shaft are disposed in this order, and a ring gear of the speed reduction mechanism is fixed. The ring gear is fixed to the intermediate wall via a ring gear flange that is positioned relative and fixed to the intermediate wall by a centering mechanism and a locking mechanism. The centering mechanism is formed by fitting a boss of the ring gear flange and the intermediate wall. The locking mechanism is disposed on an outer peripheral side relative to the centering mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignees: Aisin Aw Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsushi Mori, Ryohei Kubo, Hiroki Shintani, Koji Takasu, Haruhisa Suzuki, Masabumi Nishigaya
  • Patent number: 8888642
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may include a power tool including a drive motor and a continuously variable transmission mechanism. The continuously variable transmission mechanism may include a sun roller rotated by a drive motor, the sun roller configured to press on a plurality of planetary rollers, a holder radially supporting the plurality of planetary rollers, a shift ring being in internal contact with the plurality of planetary rollers, and a resistance reducing portion disposed at the holder to fill a gap between the two of the planetary rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Tadasuke Matsuno, Kenji Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 8882631
    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 downwind 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Romax Technology Limited
    Inventors: Christopher James Blockley, David John Scott, Paul James Gibbs, Siu Yun Poon, Ketan Chandrakant Paua
  • Publication number: 20140329636
    Abstract: A transmission planetary gear assembly, having: a carrier housing with axial orifice; a pinion shaft fitted through the axial orifice; a first fastener configured to axially secure the pinion shaft with respect to the carrier housing at one end of the shaft; and a second fastener configured to axially secure the pinion shaft with respect to the carrier housing at another end of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Bradley Ronald Heuver
  • Publication number: 20140323258
    Abstract: System comprising an epicyclic arrangement. In some embodiments, the epicyclic arrangement can comprise: a first input element; a second input element fixed to an input drive shaft; a geared carrier that includes at least a portion that is disposed axially between the first and second input elements, the geared carrier being engaged with an output member; and planets associated with the geared carrier. Some embodiments of the present systems comprise a housing in which the epicyclic arrangement is disposed; and/or fluid contained within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Robert Andrew Oliver, Michael Goebel
  • Publication number: 20140315679
    Abstract: A stacked or nested planetary gear set for a transmission includes a carrier member supporting for rotation a first set of planet gears, a second set of planet gears, and a third set of planet gears, wherein each of the second set of planet gears are intermeshed with the third set of planet gears. A first sun gear is intermeshed with each of the first set of planet gears. A first ring gear is intermeshed with each of the first set of planet gears. A second sun gear is directly connected to the first ring gear and is intermeshed with each of the second set of planet gears. A second ring gear is intermeshed with each of the third set of planet gears. The stacked planetary gear set may be axially aligned or axially offset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Hai Xu