Planetary Gearing Or Element Patents (Class 475/331)
  • Patent number: 8529397
    Abstract: A gear system (1) comprising a main bearing (3), a main gear (5) and two or more pinion shafts (6). The main bearing (3) directly supports a torque inputting means (2) and defines a rotational axis (4). The pinion shafts (6) are each arranged to mesh with the main gear (5) at an exterior surface (7) of the main gear (5) in such a manner that torque transmitted from the main gear (5) is split into a number of parallel torque paths corresponding to the number of pinion shafts (6). At least the main gear (5), and at least part of its meshes to the pinion shafts (6) are arranged within a perimeter defined by the main bearing (3). The gear system (1) is compact due to the arrangement of the main gear (5) and meshes to the pinion shafts (6). At the same time it is easy and cost effective to manufacture because the pinion shafts (6) mesh to the main gear (5) via the external surface (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jens Demtröder
  • Patent number: 8529398
    Abstract: A load limiting mechanism for a motor vehicle, comprising at least two parts (1, 2, 10, 12, 16, 20, 21, 46, 22, 40) controlled relative to one another with a frequency controlled oscillating movement. The parts (1, 2, 10, 12, 16, 20, 21, 46, 22, 40) moving relative to one another comprise interlocking gears (3, 4, 13, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27) and the frequency controlled oscillating movement results thereby that at least one of the parts (1, 10, 21, 22) compared to the other part (2, 12, 16, 20, 40, 46) executes a wavelike oscillating feed motion, in which the gears (3, 4, 13, 15, 24, 25, 26, 27) alternately become engaged and disengaged thereby dissipating energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventor: Ronald Jabusch
  • Publication number: 20130231209
    Abstract: A wind energy plant comprising a gearbox with a gearbox housing, a rotor hub mounted outside of the gearbox and a satellite carrier in the gearbox housing, the satellite carrier having an input side and an output side. At the input side, the satellite carrier is only connected to the rotor hub and mounted in the gearbox housing without a bearing. At the output side, the satellite carrier is mounted in the gearbox housing via a torque bearing arranged in the gearbox housing on the output side of satellite carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Nitzpon
  • Patent number: 8523731
    Abstract: A welded component comprising two sheet metal components (51, 53) joined by at least one weld seam (55). A first sheet metal component (51) is disk-shaped and a second sheet metal component (53) is pot-shaped, and at least one of the two sheet metal components (51, 53) has a sheet thickness (s). One (51) of the two sheet metal components (51, 53) has a larger sheet thickness (S>s) in an area of the at least one weld seam (55).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Werner Nonnweiler, Jorg Brockstieger, Ralf Morlo
  • Patent number: 8523730
    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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuaki Miyawaki, Hiromichi Matsuda, Tetsuo Watanabe, Nobuo Iwata, Keisuke Shimizu, Yasuhiro Maehata
  • Publication number: 20130217529
    Abstract: There are provided a hub bearing, a speed reduction mechanism, and an in-wheel motor, including an inner race portion which is fixed to a support mechanism, an outer race portion which is connected to a wheel, and a rolling element which is disposed between the inner race portion and the outer race portion, and the outer race portion includes an outer race member, a wheel flange, and a fixation mechanism. The end surface of the wheel flange away from the outer race member in a direction parallel to a rotation shaft extends to the rotation shaft in relation to the inner race portion in the radial direction of the rotation shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Gunji, Yasuyuki Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20130217535
    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: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Applicants: ISHIBASHI MANUFACTURING, CO., LTD., MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD, ISHIBASHI MANUFACTURING, CO., LTD.
  • Patent number: 8512199
    Abstract: Certain embodiments of a system for reducing backlash include a mechanical input, a mechanical output, and first and second mechanical couplers each connected to the mechanical input and the mechanical output. An exemplary system includes an elastic element connected in series between the first mechanical coupler and the mechanical output to bias the first mechanical coupler in a first direction and an elastic element connected in series between the second mechanical coupler and the mechanical output to bias the second mechanical coupler in a second direction, where the second direction is opposite from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rethink Robotics, Inc.
    Inventor: Josiah Rosmarin
  • Publication number: 20130210572
    Abstract: This invention relates to a unison ring assembly, comprising: a first unison ring and a second unison ring concentrically aligned along a principal axis, the first and second rings being rotatable about the principal axis; and, a gear mechanism for simultaneously rotating the first and second unison rings about the principal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventor: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
  • Publication number: 20130190129
    Abstract: A brake assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The brake assembly may have a stationary spindle, and a main brake housing annularly connected at a first axial end to the stationary spindle and at least partially forming a first control chamber. The brake assembly may also have a park brake housing annularly connected to a second axial end of the main brake housing and at least partially forming a second control chamber, and at least one piloting feature disposed between an inner annular surface of the park brake housing and an outer annular surface of the stationary spindle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Inventors: David C. HOOTS, Barry D. Bliss
  • Publication number: 20130190122
    Abstract: A transmission includes a first motor/generator having a first rotor that is selectively rotatable about a first axis and a second motor/generator having a second rotor that is selectively rotatable about a second axis. A first planetary gearset and a second planetary gearset each has a respective first planetary member, a respective second planetary member, and a respective third planetary member. One of the members of the first planetary gearset is operatively connected to the first rotor to receive torque therefrom. One of the members of the second planetary gearset is operatively connected to the second rotor to receive torque therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Norman Schoenek, Elizabeth I. Wooden, Min-Joong Kim, Shawn H, Swales, Xiaohui Du, Leonid Basin, John Czubay
  • Patent number: 8491436
    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: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Loc Quang Duong, Lawrence E. Portlock, Michael E. McCune
  • Publication number: 20130184114
    Abstract: A planetary gear system includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis. Planetary gears are circumferentially arranged about and intermesh with the sun gear and peripherally with a ring gear. Each of the planetary gears is supported by a journal bearing arranged in a bore in a carrier wall. A carrier supports the journal bearings and is configured to rotate about the axis and carry the planetary gears. The carrier wall supports the journal bearings and has spaced apart lateral surfaces. A scupper is arranged between the lateral surfaces and provides an inlet in one of the lateral surfaces, in this example facing the sun gear. The inlet has a first circumferential dimension, and a passage fluidly interconnects the scupper to one of the journal bearings via the bore. The passage has a second circumferential dimension less than the first circumferential dimension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventors: Dean A. Norem, David L. Wakefield
  • Patent number: 8484942
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine has a fan, first and second compressor stages, first and second turbine stages. The first turbine stage drives the second compressor stage as a high spool. The second turbine stage drives the first compressor stage as part of a low spool. A gear train drives the fan with the low spool, such that the fan and first compressor stage rotate in the same direction. The high spool operates at higher pressures than the low spool. A lubrication system is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, William G. Sheridan, Lawrence E. Portlock
  • Patent number: 8485936
    Abstract: A planet shaft for supporting a planet gear has a supporting portion extending along a central axis and having a first outer diameter. A flange is formed at one end of the supporting portion, which has a smaller section formed about a portion of a circumference around the central axis, and an enlarged portion extending away from the central axis for a greater distance than the smaller portion. A hole to receive a lock member is formed in the enlarged portion. A planetary gear assembly including such a planet shaft is disclosed as is an air turbine starter including the planetary gear system. Further, a method of installing a planet gear and planet shaft is also disclosed and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Makulec, Matthew Slayter
  • Publication number: 20130178326
    Abstract: A gear mechanism (22) of a wind power plant (10) that includes at least one planetary stage (24.1, 24.2) that has at least one planet gear carrier (41, 61) and a method for dismantling a multi-stage gear mechanism (22) of a wind power plant (10). The gear mechanism (22) is arranged in a nacelle (15) arranged on a tower (11) of a wind power plant (10). The gear mechanism (22) has at least one planetary stage (24.1, 24.2), and the at least one planetary stage (24.1, 24.2) has a planet gear carrier (41, 61) and several planet gears (45, 65) held in the planet gear carrier (41, 61) using planetary bolts (47, 67). The planet gears (45, 65) are in operative connection with a ring gear (49, 69) of the planetary stage (24.1, 24.2) surrounding the planet gears (45, 65).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: REPOWER SYSTEMS SE
    Inventors: Jan-Bernd Franke, Marco Arndt
  • Patent number: 8480527
    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: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventors: Tony Snyder, Gregory Blake, Andrew D. Copeland
  • Publication number: 20130172142
    Abstract: A planetary gear and a drive unit having the planetary gear, the planetary gear being characterized by very good integratability. For this purpose, a planetary gear (5) for transmitting a drive torque in a vehicle is proposed, having a first sun wheel attachment (12a) and a second sun wheel attachment (12b), each of the sun wheel attachments (12a, b) being coupled to a shaft (2a, b) in a rotationally fixed manner, and the sun wheel attachments (12a, b) being rotatable relative to one another, and the sun wheel attachments (12a, b) being situated in an overlapping area (11), overlapping in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co., KG
    Inventors: Tomas Smetana, Philip Wurzberger
  • Patent number: 8475325
    Abstract: A carrier assembly includes a first plate, a second plate spaced from the first plate and formed with a cylinder, pinions supported on the first and second plates; and a piston located in the cylinder for displacement along an axis of the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Janson, Jeffrey E. Maurer, Gregory D. Goleski
  • Patent number: 8475326
    Abstract: An outer plate carrier, including a cup-shaped embodied carrier plate (110) comprising a cylinder-shell shaped cylindrical section (130) and a circular-disk shaped bottom section (120). The bottom section (120) of the carrier plate (110) carries a cup-shaped hub section (140), arranged centrally. The cup-shaped hub section includes a cylindrical-shell shaped hub jacket (160) and a circular-disk shaped hub bottom (150). The hub bottom (150) has a smaller diameter than the bottom section (120) of the carrier plate (110). The hub bottom (150) is continuous and embodied in one piece with the carrier plate (110).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Noehl, Michael Schlosser, Thomas Gutt, Frank Feurer
  • Publication number: 20130157802
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit (21) of a gearbox of a wind turbine comprising a sun gear (27), planet gears (25, 25?), a ring gear (24), a planet carrier (29) and an outer casing (31); the ring gear (24) being mounted on the outer casing (31) ; the planet carrier (29) comprising a bogie plate (35) where planet gears (25, 25?) are rotatably mounted on planet shafts (41); the planet carrier (29) comprising a main body (51) and a backplate (53) which can be joined/disjoined to the main body (51) for facilitating the assembly/disassembly of the planetary gear unit (21); the planet carrier (29) being rotatably mounted on said outer casing (31) by means of a first bearing (72) in contact with said main body (51) at the rotor side and by means of a second bearing (73) in contact with said backplate (53) at the generator side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S.L.
    Inventor: GAMESA INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY, S.L.
  • Patent number: 8465391
    Abstract: An arrangement for fastening a magnetic ring onto a transmission component (1) by way of a supporting ring (6) such that the supporting ring (6) is connected, in a rotationally fixed manner, to the transmission component (1) by a bayonet joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Holger Woldt, Jan-Michael Buck
  • Publication number: 20130143711
    Abstract: A planetary roller gear drive with a spindle nut (1) that is arranged on a threaded spindle (2) and with planets (3) that are arranged distributed around the periphery and are in rolling engagement with the spindle nut (1) and the threaded spindle (2). The planets (3) revolve on a planetary orbit (P) that is arranged perpendicular to the spindle axis and the planets (3) are each divided into multiple planet parts (4) arranged one behind the other in the axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
  • Patent number: 8452500
    Abstract: A powertrain includes an engine and a continuously variable transmission including a planetary gear arrangement and a variator. An input drives the variator and the planetary gears. A first planetary output gear is connected to the first output of the planetary gear arrangement. A second planetary output gear is connected to the first output, and a third planetary output gear is connectable by a first clutch to a second output of the planetary gear arrangement. A first output member is connected to the third planetary output gear, a second clutch releasably connects the first output member with the first planetary output gear, a third clutch connects the first output member with the second planetary output gear, a fourth clutch connects the second output member with the first planetary output gear, and a fifth clutch connects the second output member with the second planetary output gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Publication number: 20130130862
    Abstract: A drive system for a wind turbine includes at least one planetary gear stage, connectable to a rotor shaft of the wind turbine and including a sun gear engaging with multiple planetary gears, a driven hollow shaft connected to the sun gear, a pitch tube having a generator-side end with a centering shoulder, and a face side provided with threaded holes, the pitch tube being arranged concentrically to the annulus gear and extending axially over the entirety of the planetary stage, an adapter element having an opening for receiving a generator add-on component, the adapter element being received on and radially surrounding the generator side end and fixed in position radially and axially in one direction by the centering shoulder, and screw-type connection fittings extending axially through the adapter element and being received in the threaded holes of the pitch tube for securing the adapter element to the pitch tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: WINERGY AG
    Inventor: GEORG SPRENGER
  • Publication number: 20130126201
    Abstract: A power tool includes a housing, a motor contained in the housing, an output shaft extending proximate a front of the housing, an end effector coupled to the output shaft and configured to hold an accessory; and a transmission disposed in the housing between the motor and the output shaft. The transmission includes a variable ratio gear set configured to transmit power from the motor to the output shaft at a substantially variable speed ratio. The transmission may further include a constant ratio gear set configured to transmit power from the motor at a substantially constant speed ratio. The transmission may be automatically or manually shiftable between a first mode where it transmits power through the constant speed ratio gear set and a second mode where it transmits power through the variable speed ratio gear set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: BLACK & DECKER INC.
    Inventors: Qiang J. Zhang, Beverly Matthews, Sankarshan Murthy
  • Patent number: 8439784
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a braking system (1). The system comprises an annulus gear (3) having a fluid contained therein and at least one planet gear (4), arranged within the annulus gear and rotatably engaged therewith. The system further comprises means (10) for controlling the flow of fluid within the system to control relative rotational motion between the planet gear and the annulus gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Technology from Ideas, Limited
    Inventor: Ali El-Zein
  • Publication number: 20130116083
    Abstract: A planet carrier 100 has a member 110 which is resistant to buckling caused by torsional stress and which increases a torsional stiffness of the planet carrier 100, so that a torsion load is transmitted evenly from the input member 120 into the planet pins 104 without twisting the planet carrier 100.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: ROMAX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: ROMAX TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8434564
    Abstract: A power tool having a drive component and a housing. In one form, the drive component can be a transmission having a planetary stage with planet gears rotatably mounted on pins of a planet carrier. The pins are spaced circumferentially around the planet carrier such that each pair of adjacent pins is spaced apart by a spacing angle. At least two different spacing angles are employed. In another form, the drive component is selected from at least one of a motor, a transmission and a clutch and the housing is configured with first and second housing components and at least one set of mating conically-shaped features that can cooperate to align the housing components to an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Tomayko, Qiang Zhang, Mark R. Poetzl, Stephen A. Debellius
  • Patent number: 8435156
    Abstract: In a series of planetary transmissions, the series including a least one size, each size including at least two variants, the planetary transmission including at least one planetary-transmission stage, which contains at least one planetary-gear carrier having a web face, and planets, a sun, and a ring gear, the planetary-gear carrier including bores of a first type and bores of a second type on its web face, the bores of the first type being arranged on a first circle having a first radius with respect to the imaginary axis of the planetary-gear carrier, and the bores of the second type being arranged on a second circle having a second radius with respect to the imaginary axis of the planetary-gear carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Sew-Eurodrove GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Michael Christ
  • Publication number: 20130109529
    Abstract: A rotary body driver includes a driving source and a planetary gear transmission to receive a driving force from the driving source. The planetary gear transmission includes a sun gear rotatable by the driving force received from the driving source, a plurality of planet gears meshed with and surrounding the sun gear with an identical interval between the adjacent planet gears, a rotatable carrier to rotatably support the plurality of planet gears, an outer gear encircling and meshed with the plurality of planet gears, and an output shaft combined with and supporting the carrier. A rotary body shaft mounting a rotary body is connected to the output shaft of the planetary gear transmission to transmit the driving force received from the output shaft to the rotary body. The outer gear is made of resin and the output shaft and the carrier are made of metal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Yasuhiro MAEHATA, Katsuaki Miyawaki, Hiromichi Matsuda, Tetsuo Watanabe, Nobuo Iwata, Keisuke Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20130109528
    Abstract: An input shaft damper (ISD) of a transmission, may include an inertia body assembly relatively rotatably mounted on an input shaft of the transmission, and a planetary gear set mounted on the input shaft so as to receive and increase a rotational force of the input shaft and output an increased rotational force to the inertial body assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jae Woong Hwang, Yong Wook Jin, Wan Soo Oh
  • Patent number: 8430776
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Balazs Palfai, Attila Nagy, Andrew Meyer
  • Patent number: 8425374
    Abstract: A planetary gear unit includes a planet carrier having a backplate and being provided with planet shafts distributed uniformly around the planet carrier's axis and extending through bores in the backplate, each planet shaft rotatably supporting a pair of planet gears by planet bearings, the planet gears being mounted between a ring gear and a sun gear for mutual interaction. The planetary gear unit further includes a key provided in a keyway of the planet shaft and extending to the backplate for preventing the at least one planet shaft from rotating around its own axis. The key and keyway are provided at a location positioned between 45° and 270° in a clockwise direction around the circumference of the planet shaft, with 0° being defined as a point at the planet shaft circumference corresponding with the largest distance from the centre of the back plate seen from the rotor side onwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International N.V.
    Inventor: Warren Smook
  • Publication number: 20130095976
    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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: SUMITOMO HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
  • Patent number: 8419588
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Remy Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Balazs Palfai, Attila Nagy, Andrew Meyer
  • Patent number: 8414448
    Abstract: A gear system, such as for use in a wind turbine, is disclosed. The gear system includes a carrier, a gear defining a central axis, and a pin extending along the central axis and coupling the gear to the carrier. The gear system further includes a roller bearing surrounding the pin, the roller bearing comprising a plurality of roller elements, and a journal bearing surrounding the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Henry Madge, Adam Daniel Minadeo, Priyangu Chunilal Patel
  • Publication number: 20130082512
    Abstract: A low-gear drive system functionally coupled to a wheelchair is provided herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Intelliwheels, Inc.
    Inventor: Intelliwheels, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8409049
    Abstract: A gearbox for a wind energy plant, with a satellite carrier, which is connected to a rotor shaft or a rotor hub at its input side and which is mounted via a bearing arranged in a gearbox housing, wherein the bearing is arranged in the gearbox housing at the output side of the satellite carrier, and a torque bearing is provided as the bearing for the satellite carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nordex Energy GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Nitzpon
  • Patent number: 8409050
    Abstract: A gear retention assembly for retaining a gear that has a plurality of gear outer splines includes a gear housing and a retaining ring. The gear housing has a first end, a second end, and a plurality of inner splines each including a ramp portion. The second end of the gear housing includes an annular continuous rolled lip, where the continuous rolled lip and the ramp portions of the plurality of inner splines define a groove. The plurality of inner splines engage with the gear outer splines of the gear to transmit torque between the gear and the gear housing. The retaining ring is disposed in the groove and axially retains the gear. The rolled lip axially retains the retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott William Heitzenrater, Boris Burgman, Douglas John Dwenger, John A. Diemer, Randal William Arndt
  • Patent number: 8409051
    Abstract: A planetary gear set for a transmission may include a sun gear, a carrier, and a ring gear, wherein an inner circumference of the ring gear is formed in an ellipse shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Hyunku Lee, Hyunseung Suh, Moosuk Kim
  • Publication number: 20130079190
    Abstract: The flexible bearing of the wave generator for a wave gear device is a deep-groove ball bearing in which an outer race and an inner race form an annular flexible bearing ring capable of bending in a radial direction. A ball diameter Da is set to be 5 to 15% greater than that of each model of the currently available product. Dimensions of orbital plane radii ro, ri of the inner and outer races are set so that the ratio ro/Da of the orbital plane radius ro of the inner race and the ball diameter Da, as well as the ratio ri/Da of the orbital plane radius ri of the outer race and the ball diameter Da, are both in the range of 0.51 to 0.52. With this configuration, the service life of the flexible bearing can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: XIN YUE ZHANG, TOSHIMI YAMAGISHI, KEIJI UEURA
  • Publication number: 20130072344
    Abstract: A multiple-row epicyclic gear includes a carrier with planet gears arranged in rows, as well as a composite central ring gear, having major crowns, with friction spacer rings disposed there between, are also mounted in the housing. The elements of the central ring gear are axially spring loaded. The end faces of the frictional spacer rings and counter-oriented end faces of the major crowns have tapered surfaces being in frictional contact. The friction spacer rings are spliced and arranged to bring their outer cylindrical surfaces into frictional contact with the inner cylindrical surface of the housing. The planet gears are disposed on the carrier in rows in corresponding apertures (or through openings) formed in the carrier. The optimal cone apex angle (?) of the contacting tapered end faces of the major crowns and tapered end faces of the friction spacer rings is in the range 60-90°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: STATOIL ASA
    Inventor: Gleb Yurievich Volkov
  • Patent number: 8398517
    Abstract: A journal bearing includes a central body having first passageway and a filter module. 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 module is disposed in the first passageway and is configured to trap debris from a lubricant fluid flowing therethrough. In one embodiment, the filter module is adapted to be inserted and removed from the first passageway as a single unit, thereby allowing the filter module to be connected and disconnected from fluid communication with a lubricant manifold positioned adjacent the journal bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Alessio Pescosolido, William G. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 8398525
    Abstract: A planetary gear reduction system has a sun gear, a plurality of planet gears, a ring gear, and a planet carrier. The planet carrier has a first plate supporting one ends of planet shafts supporting the planet gears, a second plate supporting the other ends of the planet shafts, and a cylindrical drum connecting the first and second plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Matsuoka, Hiroyasu Nishikawa, Tooru Nishida, Hirofumi Akahori, Hideyuki Imai, Tatsuhiko Goi
  • Publication number: 20130065721
    Abstract: A drive unit having a transmission, which has an input axis and an output axis, which are arranged parallel to one another and spaced apart. In a drive unit of this kind, provision is made for the transmission to be designed as a cartridge which forms a unit and is connected to a support element forming a component part of the drive unit. A drive unit embodied in this way allows quick and easy mounting of the transmission while allowing for the required transmission forces and transmission torques of the transmission. Moreover, the transmission can be embodied in a space-saving way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marc Kluge, Jörg Aniol, Arnd Langer, Dragan Dobric, Achim Gordner, August Schäffler, Kerstin Haubner
  • Publication number: 20130065727
    Abstract: In a hand-held power tool having a planetary gearbox which is situated in a housing interior formed by a gear housing, at least one cross pin is fastened in the housing interior for axial support of the planetary gearbox in the gear housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2010
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Dietmar Saur, Joerg Welke, Michael-Andreas Grunwald
  • Patent number: 8393993
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine comprising at least one gearbox. The gearbox comprises one or more sensors for measuring condition values of the wind turbine, and is characterized in that the one or more sensors are mounted on one or more rotating parts of the gearbox. The invention further relates to an epicyclic gearbox comprising a gearbox housing, one or more gearbox parts rotating in relation to the housing, and one or more sensors for measuring condition values of the gearbox. The epicyclic gearbox is characterized in that, the one or more sensors are mounted on one or more of the rotating parts of the gearbox.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wing Systems A/S
    Inventor: Jens Demtroeder
  • Publication number: 20130056694
    Abstract: A gear reduction assembly may include a main input shaft, a carrier coupled to the main input shaft, and at least one carrier shaft coupled to the carrier and spaced from the main input shaft. The gear reduction assembly may also include at least one spur gear pair including a first spur gear coupled to the carrier shaft, and a second spur gear, wherein the first and second spur gears are coupled to one another such that they rotate together. The gear reduction assembly also includes a first internal gear engaged with the first spur gear, a second internal gear engaged with the second spur gear, and a hub associated with the first internal gear. The first internal gear has a first number of teeth, the second internal gear has a second number of teeth, and the first and second numbers of teeth differ by from one to five teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen P. Wilkins, Larry C. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 8388491
    Abstract: Various power transmission and generation systems and assemblies are provided for a wind turbine. In one embodiment, a power generation system is provided including a transmission having an input axially aligned with an output, the input configured to receive rotary motion generated by a wind driven rotor head, the input located downwind of the output, an electromagnetic apparatus having an input configured to be coupled to the transmission output, and a bearing configured to radially support both the transmission output and the electromagnetic apparatus input. In this way, a common bearing may support both the transmission and electromagnetic apparatus, allowing for a more compact and efficient design while retaining service and repair capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Ciszak, Timothy Kuzma