Floating Or Flexible Coupling Or Support Patents (Class 475/346)
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Patent number: 10094335Abstract: Embodiments of a compliant shaft for engines are provided herein. In some embodiments, a compliant shaft for a turbine engine may include: a body having a first end configured to be coupled to a shaft of a turbine and a second end coupled to a gear of a gear box, wherein at least a portion of the body is flexible.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: October 9, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Bugra Han Ertas, Kenneth Lee Fisher, Donald Albert Bradley
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Patent number: 10087851Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft arranged along an engine central axis, a frame supporting the fan shaft, a gear system rotatably coupled with the fan shaft, and a flexible coupling at least partially supporting the gear system. The flexible coupling defines, with respect to the engine central axis, a torsional stiffness TS and a lateral stiffness LS such that a ratio of TS/LS is greater than or equal to about 2.0 to reduce loads on the gear system from misalignment of the gear system with respect to the engine central axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: William G. Sheridan, John R. Otto
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Patent number: 10087850Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan shaft arranged along an engine central axis, a frame supporting the fan shaft, a gear system rotatably coupled with the fan shaft, and a flexible coupling at least partially supporting the gear system. The flexible coupling defines, with respect to the engine central axis, a torsional stiffness TS and a lateral stiffness LS such that a ratio of TS/LS is greater than or equal to about 2.0 to reduce loads on the gear system from misalignment of the gear system with respect to the engine central axis.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventors: William G. Sheridan, John R. Otto
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Patent number: 9970528Abstract: A transmission system for transmitting a change of speed between two rotating shafts, includes a planetary gear box having a sun gear arranged for rotation with a first shaft travelling at a first speed. Planet gears contained within a ring gear are arranged to orbit the sun gear when the sun gear rotates and the ring gear is in a fixed position. Each planet gear is mounted for rotation on a centrifugal carrier. An output carrier includes a body having arms and the arms are each aligned with an axis of rotation of a planet gear and held to the centrifugal carrier by one or more supports extending in a radial plane. An output shaft extends from the body in coaxial alignment with the input shaft. A connector which is stiff in a radial dimension but flexible under torsional load is arranged between the output carrier and the centrifugal carrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE plcInventors: Jonathan P Bradley, Jason J Madge
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Patent number: 9964910Abstract: A drive transmission unit is described that includes a drive source, and a rotatable drive transmitting member to transmit a driving force from the drive source. The drive transmitting member includes a bottom part intersecting an axis of the drive transmitting member, a circular transmitting part extending from the bottom part in an axial direction of the drive transmitting member and including an internal toothed surface on an inner circumferential surface of the transmitting part to mesh with a first member, and a first projecting part and a second projecting part projecting in opposite directions from the bottom part along the axial direction of the drive transmitting member and having different diameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Masahiro Ishida, Naoki Matsuda
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Patent number: 9797475Abstract: An epicyclic transmission has a sun gear rotating about a transmission axis, a planet carrier provided with a plurality of tenons, which extend along respective supporting axes, and a plurality of planet gears meshing with the sun gear and supported by the tenons, by means of the interposition of bearings which allow the planet gears to rotate about respective rotation axes, parallel to the transmission axis; the inner rings of the bearings are coupled to the tenons in a swiveling manner by means of joint devices defined by cylindrical hinges which hinge about hinge axes which are fixed with respect to the tenons and lay on a plane orthogonal to the transmission and rotation axes.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2015Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.Inventor: Paolo Altamura
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Patent number: 9664114Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a fan, an engine static structure, a geared architecture to drive the fan and supported relative to the static structure, a fan drive turbine to drive the geared architecture, a first member secured to the geared architecture, and a second member secured to the engine static structure and configured to cooperate with the first member to limit movement of the geared architecture relative to the static structure. A fan drive gear system and method are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: James B. Coffin, Alessio Pescosolido
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Patent number: 9631558Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a flex mount for a fan drive gear system. A very high speed fan drive turbine drives the fan drive gear system.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband, Frederick M. Schwarz, Daniel Bernard Kupratis, Gabriel L. Suciu, William K. Ackermann
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Patent number: 9305754Abstract: This disclosure relates to a magnet assembly including an epicyclic gearing system. The epicyclic gearing system including a central gear configured to be rotated, at least one peripheral gear connected to the central gear and configured to rotate and translate relative to the central gear, and an annulus surrounding the at least one peripheral gear and connected with the at least one peripheral gear. The magnet assembly further includes a magnet module connected with the epicyclic gearing system, the magnet module including a support connected with the at least one peripheral gear, the axis of rotation of the support being coaxial with the axis of rotation of the at least one peripheral gear connected with the support.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: Chia-Liang Chueh, Hsu-Shui Liu, Jiun-Rong Pai, Pei-Nung Chen, Yeh-Chieh Wang
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Patent number: 9194255Abstract: A turbine engine comprises compressor and turbine sections. An epicyclic gear train includes a carrier, a sun gear and intermediate gears 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 lubricant on at least one of the sun gear and intermediate gears. A method of designing a turbine engine is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2014Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
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Patent number: 9145830Abstract: An example turbomachine geared architecture support assembly includes a compliant member configured to hold a geared architecture within a turbomachine. The compliant member has a compliant section that permits rotation of the geared architecture relative to a fixed portion of the turbomachine. A stop limits rotation of the geared architecture relative to the fixed portion of the turbomachine.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Jason Husband, James B. Coffin
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Patent number: 9145847Abstract: A mechanical transmission device to driving in rotation counter-rotating propellers of a dual-propeller turboprop, including: an epicyclic gear train having a sun gear carried on a sun gear shaft centered on a longitudinal axis and which is connected upstream to a turbine rotor of the turboprop driven in rotation; at least one planet gear meshing with the sun gear; a planet gear carrier carrying the planet gear free to rotate and which is carried by a planet carrier shaft connected downstream to a first set of propellers to drive it in rotation; and a ring gear meshing with the planet gear and which is carried on a ring gear shaft connected downstream to a second set of propellers to drive it in rotation, is disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2012Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Francois Gallet, Ivan Guy Rouesne
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Patent number: 9115650Abstract: A turbine engine includes a fan section including a plurality of fan blades, a turbine section, and an epicyclic gear train coupled between the turbine section and the fan section for providing a speed reduction between turbine section and the fan section. The epicyclic gear train includes a plurality of intermediate gears. A carrier supports the plurality of intermediate gears. A sun gear meshes with the plurality of intermediate gears and a ring gear surrounding and meshing with the plurality of intermediate gears. The ring gear includes first and second portions that each have an inner periphery with teeth. The first and second portions of the ring gear have an outer circumferential surface opposite the teeth that provides a first thickness, a second thickness greater than the first thickness and axially inward from the first thickness, and a flange extending radially away from the axis. An epicyclic gear train for a turbine engine and method of designing an epicyclic gear train are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock
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Patent number: 9103413Abstract: An epicyclic gearing has a plurality of planet gears arranged about a transmission axis so as to form two arrays symmetrical with respect to a plane orthogonal to the transmission axis; the gearing has a body which, on one side, is adapted to be connected to a rotating member and, on the other side, is coupled to a ring; the ring has a plurality of relatively thin plate sectors and a plurality of pins, which extend in cantilever fashion and in opposite directions from the plate sectors and each support a respective planet gear; coupling between the aforesaid body and the ring defines at least one degree of freedom in rotation about a radial axis to allow a relative movement under load between the two components.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: GE AVIO S.R.L.Inventors: Edoardo Curti, Michele Gravina, Giulio Zagato, Luca Ronchiato, Elio Perona, Paolo Altamura
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Patent number: 9091328Abstract: An engine comprises a gear system and a coupler. The gear system comprises a sun gear, a ring gear, and a plurality of intermediate gears that engage the sun and ring gears. The coupler is for connecting the gear system to an engine static structure. The coupler is configured to limit deflection of the gear system. Two of the sun gear, the ring gear, and the plurality of intermediate gears are configured to rotate and/or orbit about a central axis. The third of the sun gear, the ring gear, and the plurality of intermediate gears is connected to the coupler and is configured not to orbit and/or rotate relative to the central axis.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Alessio Pescosolido
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Patent number: 9068629Abstract: A fan gear drive system includes a fan shaft, a turbine shaft, a fixed structure, and a gear train which includes a torque frame that comprises a base with integrated gear shafts that are circumferentially spaced relative to one another. Each shaft provides a shaft axis. Intermediate gears are supported on each bearing assembly for rotation about the bearing axis. A central gear is located radially inward from and intermeshes with the intermediate gears. A ring gear is arranged about and intermeshes with the intermediate gears. One of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the fan shaft. Another of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the turbine shaft. The remaining of the torque frame, central gear and ring gear is connected to the fixed structure. A bearing assembly is mounted on each of the gear shafts and provides a bearing axis. Each bearing assembly supports the respective intermediate gear.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2014Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATIONInventor: William G. Sheridan
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Patent number: 9042784Abstract: A rotating-body driving device that includes a rotating body; a driving source; a reduction gear that includes an output shaft and a gear rotating at a non-integer ratio of rotation period to a rotation period of the output shaft, and the reduction gear reducing rotation speed of the driving source; a pulse-signal generating unit; a pulse-count storage unit; a speed-fluctuation storage unit that stores therein a rotation speed fluctuation of the output shaft; and a driving-source control unit. The driving-source control unit detects the speed fluctuation information associated with the accumulated number of pulse signals from the speed-fluctuation storage unit, and performs for the driving source a feedforward control to set off the rotation speed fluctuation.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2013Date of Patent: May 26, 2015Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Hiromichi Matsuda, Katsuaki Miyawaki, Tetsuo Watanabe, Yasuhiro Maehata, Keisuke Shimizu
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Publication number: 20150094187Abstract: The present disclosure generally refers to a transmission comprising a transmission housing and at least one transmission stage arranged in the transmission housing. The transmission stage may include, coaxially with respect to an axis, a sun gear, a planet carrier with at least two planet gears rotatably mounted on the planet carrier; and an internal gear as transmission parts. At least one stop means may be provided for limiting the axial movement of two transmission parts which are movable relative to one another. The stop means may comprise a ball pair with a first ball assigned to a first transmission part and a second ball assigned to a second transmission part. The two balls may be arranged so as to be rotatable about their ball centre on the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2013Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: CATERPILLAR GLOBAL MINING EUROPE GMBHInventors: Tobias Kleinbongartz, Adam Gacka, Alexander Jänsch, Andreas Scheer, Dennis Grimm, Jessica Johnson, Michael Nafe, Peter Pientka, Thomas Hoelken
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Patent number: 8986158Abstract: The present invention relates to a reduction gearing with a ring gear, at least one planet gear rolling around in the ring gear and having a planet gear axis, and an output being rotatably mounted coaxially to the ring gear. According to the invention, it is provided that the planet gear comprises a guide member that is spaced apart from the planet gear axis and describes a hypocycloid relative to the ring gear when the planet gear rolls around, wherein guidance is provided between the guide member and a cam disk of the output, such that the output experiences a drive motion by the planet gear rolling around.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Maxon Motor AGInventors: Darko Lukic, Karl-Heinz Gieb
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Patent number: 8974344Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 10, 2014Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael E. McCune, Gino Pagluica
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Patent number: 8961112Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 26, 2012Date of Patent: February 24, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: James B. Coffin, Richard E. Domonkos, Sunil Sharma
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Patent number: 8935853Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 11, 2013Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
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Patent number: 8932177Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 13, 2015Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Ishibashi Manufacturing, Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kazutaka Suzuki, Kazufumi Takayanagi, Hideaki Nishida, Tadasuke Nishioka, Toshiharu Goya
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Patent number: 8920284Abstract: An epicyclic gear system (A) includes a sun gear (2), a ring gear (4) located around the sun gear (2) and planet pinions (6) located between the sun and ring gears (2,4). The planet pinions (6) rotate on a carrier (8) that includes flexpins (20) that are cantilevered from a wall (12) of the carrier (8) and sleeves (22) that are attached to the remote ends of the flexpins (20) and extend back over the flexpins (20) to create a double cantilever. Bearings (24) support the planet pinions (6) on the sleeves (22) so that the planet pinions (6) rotate about the flexpins (20). The double cantilever enables the flexpins (2) to flex such that the axes (Y) of the planet pinions (6) remain parallel to the common axis (X) of the sun and ring gears (2, 4). Each sleeve (22) h an integrated bearing race (44) and a bearing seat (42) that carries a separate bearing race (60).Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2010Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventor: Gerald P. Fox
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Patent number: 8898900Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 12, 2013Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
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Patent number: 8894538Abstract: A geared architecture with a flex mount for a fan drive gear system.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2012Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael E. McCune, Lawrence E. Portlock, Frederick M. Schwarz
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Patent number: 8894529Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 11, 2014Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Michael E. McCune
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Patent number: 8870708Abstract: Disclosed is a direct-type driving module of a differential gear for an electric vehicle, which is configured to directly connect a driving shaft of a driving motor to a driving bevel gear without a decelerator. In the direct-type driving module according to the present invention, the driving axel of the driving motor is connected to a driving bevel gear geared with the differential gear through a coupler, thereby easily adapting to the change of a driving axel. In addition, a rotator of the driving motor can be prevented from being compressed or applied with a tensile load due to an external force applied to a driving axel installed in a direct-type driving method, thereby increasing durability of the driving motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Korea Institute of Industrial TechnologyInventors: Hyun Rok Cha, Dae Young Im, Tae Won Jeong
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Patent number: 8864621Abstract: A gearbox includes a shaft input spherical bearing and a shaft output spherical bearing enabling the ring gear to float within the housing and not engage the housing. The shaft output spherical bearing permits angular displacement of the output shaft with respect to the longitudinal axis of said output shaft. A spline connection enables the ring gear to pivot with respect to the cover. Loads transmitted to the housing of the gearbox are not transferred to the gear systems and the gear systems self-align within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Fairfield Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Dan E. Phebus, Kenneth E. Carlton
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Patent number: 8790213Abstract: A planetary gear unit including a ring gear, a sun gear provided on an inner circumferential side of the ring gear, at least one planetary gear arranged between the ring gear and the sun gear to mesh with the ring gear and the sun gear, a planetary pin fixed to a carrier and inserted in a shaft hole of the planetary gear, and a slide bearing arranged between the planetary gear and the planetary pin, wherein the slide bearing is formed of a resin material and is provided on an outer periphery of the planetary pin at least in a region where the planetary pin slides relative to the planetary gear.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Shuichi Isayama, Hideaki Nishida
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Patent number: 8777802Abstract: A planet pin, a planetary gear system, and a method for balancing a load on a planetary gear system between respective planet gears. The planet pin includes a planet pin body having a flexure portion between a pair of ends. The flexure portion may be a planet pin body having grooves on opposing sides. The flexure portion may be a pair of pin bodies interference fit into annuluses of a centrally located barrel. The flexure portion may be a pair of pin arms extending from a centrally located ball joint.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Jason Erno, Fulton Jose Lopez
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Patent number: 8758190Abstract: An epicyclic gear assembly has a plurality of planetary gear sets secured in a carrier. Each planetary gear set has a planet gear supported by a planet shaft, the planet shaft having its opposite ends supported within the carrier, the planet shaft being capable of defecting along at least a part of its length when the gear assembly is subject to torsional and rotational loads.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2012Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Friede Goldman United, Ltd.Inventor: Alfred Montestruc
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Patent number: 8727935Abstract: A system and method for fixing a fan drive gear system carrier to a torque frame are disclosed. The carrier and torque frame respectively have a hole and an aperture which are aligned with one another. A retainer pin is inserted in to the aligned hole and aperture in an interference fit relationship with at least one of the hole and aperture.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2012Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: James B. Coffin
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Patent number: 8702558Abstract: A planetary gear transmission unit (10) includes a ring gear (17), a sun gear (18) and a planet carrier (19) driving a plurality of planet shafts (12) onto which planet gears (11) are rotatably mounted by way of planet bearings (13). The planet shafts are flexpin shafts (12) and each flexpin shaft (12) includes a pair of planet gears (11), each planet gear (11) of the pair being of the single helical type having a helix angle opposite to that of the other planet gear (11) of the pair. A gearbox (20) including a planetary gear transmission unit (10) according to embodiments of the invention and a wind turbine including such a gearbox (20) are also described.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 22, 2014Assignee: Hansen Transmissions International N.V.Inventor: Warren Smook
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Patent number: 8690721Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Michael E. McCune
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Patent number: 8672797Abstract: A geared power train (100) for use in a wind turbine application to maximize a step-up ratio within a radial space that is defined by the planetary gearing system ring gear size. The geared power train (100) is configured as a split-compound planetary gearing system with a closed-carrier flex-pin planetary system in a high-torque stage (Stage 1) for receiving driving torque via an input shaft (IN) from a wind turbine, and an open-carrier flex-pin planetary system in a low-torque stage (Stage 2) coupled to the high-torque stage (Stage 1) for delivering the driving torque to an electrical generator via an output shaft (OUT).Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: The Timken CompanyInventor: Gerald P. Fox
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Patent number: 8672801Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Michael E. McCune, Gino Pagluica
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Publication number: 20140073477Abstract: Fixtures, maintenance assemblies, and methods for maintaining a wind turbine gearbox are disclosed. The gearbox includes a sun pinion and a bull gear surrounding the sun pinion. The sun pinion and the bull gear each define a central aperture therethrough and have a central axis. The gearbox further includes a casing, at least a portion of the casing coupled to the bull gear. The fixture includes a frame member and a shaft extending from the frame member. The shaft is insertable through the central aperture of the sun pinion. The fixture further includes an attachment mechanism removably attachable to the sun pinion. Upon attachment of the attachment mechanism to the sun pinion, the fixture is configured for moving the sun pinion along the central axis of the sun pinion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2012Publication date: March 13, 2014Inventors: Charles Van Buchan, Gregory Thomas, Forrest Christopher Hach, Richard Arland Ohl, JR., Cody Gregory
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Patent number: 8651992Abstract: Through holes are formed in a revolving gear which revolves while being engaged with a ring gear, and penetration pins are inserted in the through holes. An elastic member having a circular ring shape, which is formed so that an inner diameter thereof can move with respect to an outer diameter thereof, is mounted to either an inner circumferential surface of the through hole or an outer circumferential surface of the penetration pin. Thus, the through hole and the penetration pin do not interfere with each other, and thus, it is possible to set a small clearance between the through hole and the penetration pin to such a degree, while preventing a speed reducer from being in a locked state due to interference. As a result, it is possible to suppress a backlash between the through hole and the penetration pin.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Seiko Epson CorporationInventor: Yuya Kataoka
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Patent number: 8640336Abstract: An exemplary turbine engine assembly includes a first shaft that is rotatably driven by a second shaft of a gas turbine engine and a compressor hub driven by the first shaft. The compressor hub is within a compressor section of the gas turbine engine. An epicyclic gear train is driven by the first shaft. A common attachment point secures the first shaft and the compressor hub to the second shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2012Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune
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Publication number: 20130331223Abstract: A geared architecture for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft, a frame which supports the fan shaft, the frame defines a frame stiffness and a plurality of gears which drives the fan shaft. A flexible support defines a flexible support stiffness that is less than the frame stiffness. The plurality of gears are supported by at least one of a carrier and the flexible support and an input coupling to the plurality of gears, the input coupling defines an input coupling stiffness with respect to the frame stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
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Publication number: 20130331224Abstract: A geared architecture for a gas turbine engine according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a fan shaft and a frame which supports the fan shaft, the frame defines a frame stiffness. A plurality of gears drives the fan shaft. A flexible support at least partially supports the plurality of gears, the flexible support defines a flexible support stiffness that is less than the frame stiffness. An input coupling to the plurality of gears, the input coupling defines an input coupling stiffness with respect to the frame stiffness.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2013Publication date: December 12, 2013Inventors: Michael E. McCune, Jason Husband
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Patent number: 8585539Abstract: A star gear train for use in a gas turbine engine includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of star gears and a coupling system. The sun gear is rotatable by a shaft. The ring gear is secured to a ring gear shaft. Each of the plurality of star gears is rotatably mounted in a star carrier and meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The coupling system comprises a sun gear flexible coupling, a carrier flexible coupling and a deflection limiter. The sun gear flexible coupling connects the sun gear to the shaft. The carrier flexible coupling connects the carrier to a non-rotating mechanical ground. The deflection limiter is connected to the star carrier to limit excessive radial and circumferential displacement of the star gear train.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McCune, Alessio Pescosolido
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Patent number: 8585537Abstract: A driving device includes a planetary gear deceleration mechanism in a transmission path that transmits driving force from a driving motor to a driven member, in which the deceleration mechanism includes first and second support units into which a housing that constitutes a mechanism main body is divided, the first support unit includes carriers of at least one stage and pinion gears supported thereby, and is provided with an output unit in the carrier of the final stage, the second support unit includes an output shaft that is detachable from the output unit and a supporting unit for the output shaft, and the output shaft is supported in an insertable and removable manner with respect to the output unit of the carriers in the first and the second support units that are joined to each other.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2011Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: Ricoh Company, LimitedInventors: Katsuaki Miyawaki, Hiromichi Matsuda, Tetsuo Watanabe, Nobuo Iwata
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Patent number: 8585538Abstract: A star gear train for use in a gas turbine engine includes a sun gear, a ring gear, a plurality of star gears and a coupling system. The sun gear is rotatable by a shaft. The ring gear is secured to a ring gear shaft. Each of the plurality of star gears is rotatably mounted in a star carrier and meshes with the sun gear and the ring gear. The coupling system comprises a sun gear flexible coupling, a carrier flexible coupling and a deflection limiter. The sun gear flexible coupling connects the sun gear to the shaft. The carrier flexible coupling connects the carrier to a non-rotating mechanical ground. The deflection limiter is connected to the star carrier to limit excessive radial and circumferential displacement of the star gear train.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2009Date of Patent: November 19, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: William G. Sheridan, Michael E. McClune, Alessio Pescosolido
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Patent number: 8574118Abstract: A turbomachine epicyclic gear system includes a sun gear rotatable around an axis, a ring gear radially outward of the sun gear, and a plurality of intermediate gears meshed with the sun gear and the ring gear. A plurality of journal pins are each configured to support one of the plurality of intermediate gears. Each of the plurality of journal pins has an asymmetric rim.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: November 5, 2013Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Michael E. McCune
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Patent number: 8550955Abstract: A pin for coupling a planet gear to a carrier in a planetary gear system is disclosed. The pin includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the pin further includes means for modifying the compliance of the pin at an interface between the pin and the carrier. In other embodiments, the pin further include a compliance feature defined in the outer surface, the compliance feature allowing greater compliance of the pin in the tangential direction than in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 8, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Daniel Jason Erno, Darren Lee Hallman, Fulton Jose Lopez
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Publication number: 20130260952Abstract: A planetary gear mechanism includes a plurality of planetary gears, an outer gear, a sun gear, a carrier, and a stick mount. The outer gear meshes with the plurality of planetary gears. The sun gear is coaxially disposed on the same axis as the outer gear and transmits force to the planetary gears. The carrier rotatably supports the plurality of planetary gears and is rotatably and floatingly supported. The carrier includes a hole through which a stick member penetrates in a direction of axis of rotation of the carrier. The stick member penetrates through the hole and is mounted on the stick mount. The stick mount is disposed opposite the carrier. The outer gear and the sun gear are held such that one of the outer gear and the sun gear does not rotate.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Hiromichi MATSUDA, Katsuaki MIYAWAKI, Tetsuo WATANABE, Yasuhiro MAEHATA, Keisuke SHIMIZU
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Patent number: 8517880Abstract: A compressor includes a housing, a compression mechanism, an input shaft rotatable on an axis thereof, an output shaft for driving the compression mechanism, a transmission for transmitting torque from the input shaft to the output shaft and changing the speed of the input shaft and a control device. The transmission is a planetary roller train and includes a plurality of planetary rollers, a carrier, a sun roller and a ring roller. The ring roller includes a first ring engaging the respective planetary rollers and a second ring supporting a one-way clutch. The ring roller can be movable relative to the housing in the direction parallel to the axis. The first ring and the second ring are connected so that the first ring can be displaced in a radial direction, integrally rotatable with the second ring and movable with the second ring in the direction parallel to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota JidoshokkiInventors: Nobuaki Hoshino, Masaki Ota, Masahiro Kawaguchi, Yoshio Kimoto, Toru Onishi
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Patent number: 8506446Abstract: A planetary gear system and a pin for coupling a planet gear to a carrier in a planetary gear system are disclosed. The planetary gear system includes a planet gear defining a central planet axis, a carrier disposed adjacent the at least one planet gear, and a pin extending from the carrier through the planet gear generally along the central planet axis. The pin includes a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending therebetween. The pin further defines an opening extending from the outer surface generally along the central planet axis and at least partially through the pin.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Adam Daniel Minadeo, Daniel Jason Erno, Priyangu Chunilal Patel, Fulton Jose Lopez