Abstract: An elastomeric load sharing device, interposed in combination between a driven gear and a central drive shaft to facilitate balanced torque distribution in split power transmission systems, includes a cylindrical elastomeric bearing and a plurality of elastomeric bearing pads. The elastomeric bearing and bearing pads comprise one or more layers, each layer including an elastomer having a metal backing strip secured thereto. The elastomeric bearing is configured to have a high radial stiffness and a low torsional stiffness and is operative to radially center the driven gear and to minimize torque transfer through the elastomeric bearing. The bearing pads are configured to have a low radial and torsional stiffness and a high axial stiffness and are operative to compressively transmit torque from the driven gear to the drive shaft.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an improvement for an automotive differential having helical-worm side gears operatively connected through one or more pairs of combination gears, each combination gear having a worm-wheel portion which meshes with one or the other of the side gears and a spur-gear portion which meshes with its paired combination gear. The improvement is a cylindrical mounting arrangement for one or more of the combination gears. Preferably, a cylindrical surface on a mounting washer mates with a cooperating cylindrical surface formed in the differential housing to permit slight positional-adjustment movements of the combination gear, such adjustment movements being limited to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the side gear with which the combination gear is associated.

Abstract: A second clutch gear, which serves as a driving gear, receives a driving force from a capstan motor. A first clutch gear, which serves as a driven gear, is arranged coaxial with the second clutch gear, with a friction mechanism interposed therebetween. The first clutch gear receives the driving force which the second clutch gear transmits thereto through the friction mechanism. A directly-coupling gear for directly transmitting the driving force from the second clutch gear to the first clutch gear is provided such that it can be brought into mesh with the first and second clutch gears. The directly-coupling gear includes first and second gears which are arranged coaxial with each other and are designed to provide gaps in the circumferential direction thereof, such the gaps can absorb torsion generated between the first and second clutch gears.

Abstract: The articulation mechanisms is made particularly of irreversible satellite mechanisms connected to one another by a connection bar. The connection bar has, on one of its portion, a member with toothings subjected to action of a spring which, when the connection bar is in position between two cams of the articulation mechanisms, causes a rotation of these cams and of the satellites related thereto for taking up the manufacturing and mounting clearances.

Abstract: A power splitting transmission, particularly for high energy and/or for high rotational speeds. Two sun gears are connected to the shaft of a drive starting and stopping mechanism and are coupled to each other by at least three double power splitting gears which are arranged equidistantly about the circumference of the sun gears and connected thereto by a coupling. The coupling and the connection with the shaft of the drive starting and stopping mechanism together function as a membrane coupling.

Abstract: In a multi-axis mechanical manipulator with adjustable travel and protection against overloading. The movement is transmitted to the indexing mechanism (10) by the combination of a sliding rotor motor (2) of a reducing gear with wheel and endless screw (30) and an adjustable torque limiter (40). The law of motion of the indexing mechanism (10) is determined in this way so as to obtain constant speed over a wide range, possibly with stopping points. The rotating frame (56) is linked to the indexing mechanism (10) by a spring bushing (50). The movement is transmitted to the cylindrical cam (6) by an adjustable torque limiter (28). The manipulating arm (7) is displaced by a spring plate which permits a momentary angular retraction of the arm (7) when it encounters an obstacle. The present invention may be used for the handling of loads or parts.

Abstract: A wiper blade support is joined to a wiper arm by a yielding mechanism that maintains the two in a fixed angular relation during normal wipe, but which yields to allow the wiper blade to move more closely parallel to the windshield lower edge at park. The yielding mechanism includes a leaf spring indirectly joined between the wiper arm and blade support which buckles only when the wiper blade hits the lower edge of the windshield, allowing the compensating blade rotation, but remains flat during normal wipe.

Abstract: A carrier assembly and support frame of the type used to movably support one of a plurality of vertically oriented slats in a vertical blind assembly and incorporating a plurality of gears which interact with one another and with a splined tilt rod to cause rotation of the supported slat upon rotation of the tilt rod. Two of the gear structures comprise elongated rack gears movable both with one another upon rotation of the tilt rod and relative to one another to define a clutch mechanism if the slat is obstructed from rotation about its own longitudinal access.

Abstract: A torque limiting mechanism has two locking members (1 31, 137) designed to be incapable of transmitting drive between them but having meshing spiral teeth (132, 138). The members are in a rotatable frame (127) and are respectively driven by radially toothed gears (128, 124) having an idler gear (125) between them. One radially toothed gear (124) is splined (at 123) to a section of a drive shaft (110) of reduced diameter so that it twists in torsion when an input driving torque is applied to the shaft (110). Gear lash exists between the radially toothed gears (124, 125 and 128) which is overcome by the twist of the shaft (110) if the applied torque is big enough. When this occurs, synchronous drive from the input shaft (110) is applied to both locking members (131, 137) so that they rotate together. The applied torque necessary to achieve this is determined by the position of one gear (124) on the spline (123) and this is controlled by a lever (114).

Abstract: A manual transmission (14') having a counter-shaft assembly (50) with a torsion damping mechanism (34) disposed therein to mitigate in-gear rattle of transmission gears. The countershaft assembly is mounted for rotation in a transmission housing (36). Assembly (50) includes a cluster gear (58) having a plurality of ratio gears (68-76) fixed thereto, a driven gear (60) journaled on the cluster gear and stops (58f, 60g) to limit relative rotation. The torsion damping mechanism includes a torsion bar (64) fixed at its ends to driven and cluster gears (60, 58), an energy damper having coulomb friction surfaces engaged by Belleville springs (80) and by opposing axial forces provided by helical gear teeth of the countershaft assembly.

Abstract: The existing couplings used for transmission of torque uses a combination of mechanical springs or a combination of dampening devices such as cylindrical openings having pistons spring-biased therein. The cylindrical openings also have viscous fluid introduced therein and dampen the torque applied thereto. A coupling apparatus is provided for resiliently transmitting torque including a pin assembly positioned in mechanical connection between an annular plate member and a gear member, dampening backlash motion including a pin assembly and a mechanism for biasing a piston into contact with one of the gear member or annular plate member, and lubricating the interface between the components having relative oscillation therebetween. An interface between the moving parts, the annular plate and the gear, is providing and a lubrication system is provided to lubricate the interface.

Abstract: A torque support for drives riding on trunnions, in particular for converter tilt drives, including a gear housing mounted on the trunnion which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a drive motor attached by a flange or bolting to a step-down gearing which engages, via pinion, with a larger gear wheel fixed for rotation on the trunnion. The torque support includes a pair of guide rods located symmetrically to the axis of rotation of the trunnion, each guide rod includes a first and second oppositely positioned part, the first and second rod part have an upper and lower end and a respective free end opposite thereto; the upper ends are pivotally mounted on the gear housing and the lower ends are connected to each other via either a compression-tension bar or torsion shaft, upon which the lower ends are pivotally mounted.

Abstract: A spindle drive for a coordinate measuring machine, wherein a spindle nut which is fastened within a receiving member is seated on a driven threaded spindle. Intermediate the receiving member and a retaining member, the spindle is fixedly connected with a component which is to be driven, through the interposition of roll bodies for producing a compensating clearance radially relative to the spindle axis and a compensating or equilibrating for wobbling motions of the spindle.

Abstract: A coaxial engine starter comprising an electric motor having a hollow armature rotary shaft, an axially slidable output rotary shaft rotatably supported in a housing and having at its front end a pinion engageable with an engine ring gear, a solenoid switch disposed behind the electric motor for supplying current to the electric motor and causing sliding movement of the output rotary shaft, a planetary speed reduction gear, disposed in front of the electric motor and having a planetary bracket, for speed reducing the rotation of the armature rotary shaft, an over-running clutch, disposed in front of the planetary speed reduction gear and having a clutch outer member and a clutch inner member, for transmitting the speed-reduced rotation of the planetary speed reduction gear to the output rotary shaft.

Abstract: In a gear arrangement whose output shaft (5) is rotatably mounted in a gear box (6) and which corotates by means of a dog plate (3) via an axially interposed cushioning disk (2) with a gear (4) driven by a worm shaft (7) and, further, which output shaft is axially supported directly and/or indirectly, via the cushioning disk (2) and the gear (4), by the gear box (6), it is intended to provide, despite design related axial length tolerances, a tolerance play compensation in a manner which is considerably simplified from a production and assembly engineering viewpoint. Towards this end, the elastic cushioning disk (2) is provided with axially projecting spring lips (21 to 23), distributed over its circumference, for the development of a defined preloading pressure upon the components supported by the gear box (6).

Abstract: A linear actuator is provided with an electric motor rotating a drive pinion gear in mesh with an intermediate gearing arrangement which in turn is in mesh with a main drive gear for rotating a drive screw journalled within a main body housing. Rotation of the drive screw causes longitudinal advancement of a drive nut axially advancing an extension rod bearing to move an output load connected to an opposite end of the extension rod. The intermediate gearing arrangement includes a lost motion mechanism allowing the drive pinion to complete approximately one revolution before imparting rotative torque to the drive screw allowing the drive motor to develop an operating torque to prevent lockup of the actuator. The lost motion mechanism includes a pair of arcuate slots formed in a first intermediate gear in contact with the drive pinion and a pair of dowel projections projecting from a second intermediate gear into the slots. The second intermediate gear is connected to the drive screw.

Abstract: In a gearbox having a plurality of layshaft gears meshing with a common central gear, a mounting for the central gear rotationally locks that gear with an output shaft, but permits the central gear to pivot about radial axes and to move in radial directions so as to equalize torque transmission through the layshaft gears.

Abstract: A manual transmission (11) is provided of the type including an input shaft (15) including an input gear (19), an output shaft (23), and a countershaft including a head gear (44). The counter shaft includes drive gears (41, 42, and (43) while the output shaft has rotatably mounted thereon a plurality of driven gears (31, 32, and 33) in toothed engagement with the drive gears. The head gear defines a set of internal splines (55), and the countershaft defines a set of external splines (57) which are in loose, splined engagement to define a lost motion connection. The head gear defines a pair of cam surfaces (59), and the countershaft includes a pair of cam members (61) and a compression spring (63), operable to bias the cam members against the cam surfaces, and bias the countershaft toward a centered position, relative to the head gear.

Abstract: A device for transmitting, without vibration, movements from an electric control to a mirror-holder plate of a rearview mirror, in which the mirror-holder plate is supported by the cover of the casing via a pivot cross and connected to two motors by two transmissions, each transmission having a screw coupled to a motor and meshing with a tangent wheel integral with a nut cooperating with a screw provided with a ball joint for connection with the plate. Each nut cooperates with a grip washer pushed by a spring washer to grip a spherical dish on the bottom of the casing, the seats of the dish being concentric with respect to a pivot point located between the bottom and the cover.

Abstract: A shaft is coupled to a circumjacent gear substantially midway between the bearings at each side of the gear. This substantially equalizes the vertical loading on the gear bearings--eliminating the tilt or cant in the gear which would otherwise result, and minimizing abnormal tooth wear in the gearing system. An example of the present invention is a long driving shaft such as the drive shaft of a propeller in a large ship.

Abstract: An industrial robot comprising a column housing a first group of coaxial hollow shafts rotatably coupled to a first articulated joint positioned at about 60.degree. to the first group of hollow shafts. A second group of coaxial hollow shafts receives the rotating movement from the first articulated joint and transmits it to a second articulated joint, also arranged in slanted relationship at 60.degree.. A third group of coaxial hollow shafts receives the rotating movement from the second articulated joint and transmits it to a third articulated joint which in turn is connected to an end bush supporting implements or operative tools.The invention is of particular advantage thanks to its high mobility and to the particular orientation in the space allowed to the several articulated joints.

Abstract: A drive system for motor vehicles having driven front and rear axles comprises a liquid friction coupling, which is incorporated in the rear axle drive train, and a clutch, particularly an overrunning clutch, which is connected in series with said liquid friction coupling and arranged to be released in response to a front axle speed exceeding the rear axle speed. In order to avoid a requirement for stronger steering forces during a reverse travel and to avoid an operation of the liquid friction coupling with mixed friction, that second clutch is arranged to be automatically engaged in dependence on the liquid temperature in the liquid friction coupling or of other variables.

Abstract: A rotary drive element for damping torsional vibration comprises an outer part (1) and an inner part (2) defining an annular space therebetween, containing a plurality of interleaved plates and a viscous fluid. The plates comprise a set of first plates (3) having internal teeth (6') which engage teeth (8) on the inner part (2) of the element substantially without circumferential clearance, and outer teeth (5) which engage teeth (7) in the outer part (1) with a circumferential clearance. The second set of plates has inner teeth which engage the teeth of the inner part with a circumferential clearance, and outer teeth which engage the teeth in the outer part (1) without a circumferential clearance. Thus the inner and outer parts are able to move angularly relative to one another according to the circumferential teeth clearances, which movement is damped by the viscous fluid between the plates. The drive element may be incorporated in a gear wheel for a vehicle transmission, or a clutch driven plate.

Abstract: An outer inner-toothed gear is loosely mounted in a casing. Several coupling arc parts of the outer inner-toothed gear are fitted to coupling projections of the casing with clearances defined therebetween. The outer inner-toothed gear displaces in the radial direction. Radial displacements reduce the noise generation. The outer inner-toothed gear can deform in angular directions. Angular deformations alleviate impulses during reversions and suppress the noise generation.

Abstract: Unequal loading in multiple load path transmissions having independent gear trains 18, 20, interconnecting an input and an output shaft 12 and 14, respectively, is avoided through the use of a torsionally compliant gear 22 located in each gear train 18 and 20. Each torsionally compliant gear 22 includes a hub 40 and a ring 46 having external gear teeth 48 about the hub 40 in concentric spaced relation. A body 50 of elastomeric material is disposed between the hub 40 and the ring 46 and spring fingers 68 carried by the ring 46 at least somewhat radially extend toward the hub 40. Stops 84 are carried by the hub 40 and are positioned to be normally spaced from the spring fingers 68 when low loads are transmitted by the gear and to engage the spring fingers 68 when predetermined higher loads are to be transmitted by the gear.

Abstract: A compound planetary gear assembly has multiple ring gears driven by a set of planet gears and coupled to multiple loads. Two of the ring gears are coupled to a common load via mechanical reaction paths of substantially different lengths to permit the entire assembly to fit within an envelope of reduced overall size. The shorter mechanical reaction path incorporates a compliant gear member which decreases the stiffness or spring rate of the shorter path to correspond substantially with the stiffness or spring rate of the longer path thereby insuring symmetric loading of the planet gears for smooth operation.

Abstract: A driver unit for a window regulator or winder for use in an automobile door, for example, includes a gear rotatably mounted on a base and having first and second shafts coaxial with each other and projecting from opposite sides of the gear, the first shaft being rotatably supported on said base, the gear having a support coaxial with the first and second shafts and a plurality of angularly spaced arms projecting radially outwardly from the support. A drum is rotatably mounted on the second shaft and has a plurality of angularly spaced cavities opening toward the support. A plurality of integrally joined dampers are disposed as pairs in the cavities, respectively, with one of the arms being interposed between the dampers in each pair. The gear is rotated by a motor mounted on the base to rotate the drum through the arms and the dampers to move a wire wound on the drum and coupled to the window glass for thereby moving the window glass in the automobile door.

Abstract: A motorized control for driving a rotatable shaft-actuated device, such as a valve, comprising a base plate, a top housing, a work plate intermediate the base plate and the top housing and a plurality of stiff legs extending between the base plate and the housing, wherein drive motors are mounted on the work plate to drive a drive shaft that is attached to the shaft-actuated device. The improvement provides elastomeric bias means that remain at rest during normal operation of the control, and deform, to store energy, at the end of control travel, to be released at the begining of travel in the opposite direction, to aid the controller to break loose any binding in the valve.

Abstract: A rotary actuator for a damper shaft controls the angular position of the damper shaft in accordance with variations in fluid pressure inside of the actuator. The actuator includes a housing, a flexible diaphragm within the housing separating it into a fluid-tight compartment and a second compartment open to the atmosphere. The fluid-tight compartment is provided with a fluid pressure receving port open to a control source of variable pressure. The piston and piston rod are slidably mounted in the second compartment in contact with the diaphragm. The piston rod includes a longitudinally extending rack, and a crank arm rotatably mounted in the housing has a gear segment in meshing relationship with the rack. The actuator shaft to be controlled extends through the housing and is mounted in the crank arm to support the rotary actuator, and the rotary actuator is clipped to an air conditioning duct to prevent it from rotating on the damper actuator shaft axis.

Abstract: A reverse idler gear shaft noise dampening arrangement for an automotive manual transmission. The reverse gear idler shaft has its free end resiliently centered in axially spaced aligned transmission housing bores by a pair of elastomeric O-rings. The bore centering O-rings position the idler shaft principal axis a predetermined distance closer to the principal axes of both the transmission output shaft and counter shaft with the transmission in its forward drive modes biasing the reverse idler gear teeth into positive contact with both the output shaft and countershaft reverse gear teeth thereby obviating backlash gear rattle.

Abstract: An engine starter in which a driven gear driven by the rotor of a starter motor and an output shaft driving a pinion meshing with the driven gear of an engine are mutually connected through a unidirectional clutch. The gear driven by the rotor and the clutch member driven by the driven gear are rotatably supported by, but separate from, the output shaft. Connection between the driven gear and the clutch member for torque transmission purposes is effected through a torque damper whereby the transmitted torque will be damped and engine noise reduced.

Abstract: A steering gear mechanism includes a housing and a worm gear having an input portion. The worm gear is supported for rotation in the housing. A sector gear has teeth in meshing engagement with teeth formed on the worm gear. The sector gear has an output portion. A circumferentially expandable spring pin supports the sector gear for pivotal movement relative to the housing and biases the sector gear into meshing engagement with the worm gear to compensate for wear of the gears. The housing has means for supporting the spring pin.

Abstract: An electrical generator drive which comprises a power source able to transmit power at a rotational speed which may fluctuate substantially in service, an electrical generator which requires a rotational input of power at a substantially constant speed, and a controllable drive transmission of high rotational inertia coupling together the power source and the electrical generator. The drive transmission comprises an epicyclic gear having an input member driven by the power source, an output member coupled with the electrical generator, and a reaction member, a monitoring device responsive to fluctuations from a predetermined value in the rotational speed of the output member, and a control device including a hydraulic pump/motor unit coupled with the reaction member and controllable by the monitoring device in order to vary the relative rotation between the reaction member and the other members of the epicyclic gear so as to maintain a substantially constant predetermined speed of the output member.

Abstract: The device comprises a worm wheel (1) driven in rotation by a worm (2) coupled to the output shaft (3) of a motor-speed reducer (4), a gear pinion (5) associated with the worm wheel (1) for driving the accessory, and means interposed between the gear pinion (5) and the worm wheel (1) for absorbing the driving torque of the worm wheel when the accessory reaches the end of its travel and stops the rotation of the pinion (5). The shock absorbing means comprise a cam (6) fixed to the pinion (5) and having two opposed surfaces (6a, 6b), a pair of shoes (7a, 7b) in bearing relation to the surfaces (6a, 6b) of the cam and biased thereagainst by a metal spring (8) coaxial with the pinion (5) and the worm wheel (1) and surrounding the shoes, and elements (9a, 9b) drivenly connected to the worm wheel and transmitting to the shoes and to the cam and gear pinion the driving torque of the worm wheel.

Abstract: In pistol grip medicament implanter devices, wherein a trigger coupled to a plunger causes plunger advance movement that expels the medicament from the device when the trigger is pulled, a spring that forms part of the coupling and a lost motion arrangement controlled by the spring that converts trigger pull movement into spring take-up of the trigger movement when the plunger encounters resistance to advance movement greater than the spring bias. The trigger continues to move but the plunger does not, then when resistance to movement of the plunger becomes less than the spring bias, the spring force serves to advance the plunger, recovering the trigger pull motion previously lost.The greatest force that can be applied by the plunger to the medicament implant has become whatever bias is selected for the spring.

Abstract: A manually-operated automotive transmission has a cluster gear on which several forward drive input gears and the reverse drive input gear are formed integrally. The cluster gear has a central bore extending its full length. An input shaft clutched to as engine crankshaft is keyed at the end furthest from the engine to the far end of the cluster gear and has a loose fitting spline connection to the opposite end of the cluster gear. A portion of the input shaft between the clutch and the loose spline connection has relatively high torsional stiffness and strength, but the portion of the input shaft between the keyed connection and the loose spline connection has relatively low torsional stiffness and strength. The clearance between the teeth of the loose spline connection is sized so that relatively low torque is not transmitted through this connection. The clearance is taken up and engine torque transmitted through the loose spline connection when high operating torques are developed.

Abstract: A motor coupled with a worm gear for output power transmission has a motor shaft with a worm held in mesh with the worm gear. The worm gear has a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes. An annular damper of rubber has a plurality of first circumferentially spaced projections on one axial surface thereof and fitted respectively in the holes in the worm gear, and a plurality of second circumferentially spaced projections on the opposite axial surface thereof and fitted respectively in a plurality of circumferentially spaced holes defined in a torque transmission disc coupled to a power output shaft for corotation.

Abstract: An electrically operated tiltable vehicle steering mechanism includes an electric motor of a reversible type which is adapted to drive through a speed reduction mechanism a screw shaft of a screw-nut mechanism. The screw-nut mechanism includes a nut which is engaged with the screw shaft and connected with a tiltable bracket supporting a steering shaft. Stoppers are provided to limit the stroke of the movement of the nut. The stopper includes a stopper plate made of a metallic material of a low frictional coefficient and a rubber cushion. The stopper is located with the stopper plate faced to the nut for engagement therewith and the rubber cushion maintained in contact with the housing of the screw-nut mechanism. The mechanism is provided with a clutch means for allowing a slip between the motor and the screw nut mechanism when the excessive load is applied to a torque transmission mechanism.

Abstract: The tooth depth of a gear meshing with a worm wheel, such as used in an electricity meter register, is adjusted by providing a mounting plate for holding the shaft of the toothed gear having a limited range of motion for adjusting the distance of the gear from the worm. The toothed gear has one end of its shaft attached to a mounting plate having a J-shaped cutout provided along one edge. The shaft of the gear is mounted to the "hook" portion of the cutout. Movement of the J-shaped cutout in a direction within the plane of the mounting plate causes a corresponding change in the distance of the toothed gear from the worm, thus enabling the mesh depth between the gear and the worm to be easily adjusted. The arrangement has no moving parts and can be formed using a simple die-stamping process.

Abstract: A bi-directional alternating current permanent magnet motor is disclosed that is operated with a rotational restraint that insures proper directional rotation of a load. The motor output shaft is loosly coupled to a pinion gear. In the event that the motor is unable to start in the correct direction, and inadvertently reverses itself, it is immediately unloaded. This unloading causes the motor to stop and start again in the correct direction with a momentum that typically is sufficient to run the motor and its gear train in the correct direction.

Abstract: An electrically-operable actuator 10 which includes a reversible direct current electric motor 16, a reduction gear train and a reciprocable member 96 adapted at one end to be coupled, for example with a locking lever of a motor vehicle door latch has, in the reversible direct current electric motor 16, a permanent magnet stator 18 in the form of a cylindrical ring, the internal diameter of which is at least twice the actual length thereof; a coil-wound armature 24 in the form of a salient pole rotor having a diameter of at least twice the actual thickness thereof; and a flat disc-shaped segmented commutator secured to said rotor concentric with, and adjacent, a pinion output gear 40 on said rotor.

Abstract: In a manual power transmission for automotive vehicles, a gear noise suppressor and vibration isolator includes elastomeric sleeve preferably fitted within several holes through the thickness of the gear wheel, angularly spaced about the axis of the wheel. The spacers define a space within which a metal sleeve is inserted and the sleeve defines a central bore through which a pin is fitted. A load plate located adjacent an end face of gear wheel has teeth formed on its outer periphery which are adapted to mesh with the teeth of an input pinion with which the gear wheel is continuously engaged. Pins having a headed end that abuts the load plate hold the plate in contact with the elastomeric sleeves and prevent contact of the load plate against the gear wheel. The sleeves resiliently deflect and permit engagement of the load plate and gear wheel with the drive pinion.

Abstract: In a gear mounting having a spindle (10,16,31) extending generally normal to a carrier (5,13,29), the spindle is cantilevered back from the outer end of a tie-bolt (4,14,30) and is permitted limited axial excursions to adapt itself to the tooth loading. It is particularly suited to mounting planets in an epicyclic gear. The outer end of the spindle is clamped between the head of the tie-bolt and a tubular compression member (9,15,32) of lesser axial extent than the spindle, and between that member and the carrier there is a bush (12,17,33), also in the compression chain. The tubular member is more flexible than the bush and the bolt can also flex to allow the axial excursions. The tubular member may be integral with the bush or separate from it, but in either case the geometry of the various components can be such that easy tolerances are permissible to facilitate assembly. However, when the tie-bolt is tensioned distortions occur to close radial clearances and centralize the components.

Abstract: This invention relates to a jam tolerant rotary actuation system having multiple flight control surfaces. The actuation system includes in combination an actuation mechanism for each flight control surface. Each actuation mechanism is releaseably coupled to a main drive line shaft. The main drive line shaft is mechanically, serially coupled to each actuation mechanism to thereby establish an actuation assembly.A power drive unit is provided and is drivingly coupled to either end of the actuation assembly to thereby create an actuation system that will respond to the jamming of one of the flight control surfaces by the release of the actuation mechanism associated with the jammed surface from the main drive line shaft and the actuation of the remaining surfaces by the power drive unit.

Abstract: A planetary gear starter with a molded synthetic resin ring gear supported by a frame is disclosed. The ring gear has longitudinally-extending ribs formed in its outer surface which confront longitudinally-extending inward projections formed in the inner surface of the frame. A cylindrical elastic member has an annular portion which is press fit over the ring gear and longitudinally-extending projections which fit into the cavities formed between adjacent ribs and inward projections in the frame. The projections of the elastic member serve as shock absorbers and elastically transmit torque from the ring gear to the frame. The elastic member has an annular portion which reinforces the open end of the ring gear.

Abstract: A torsional vibration viscous damper coupling arrangement for a manual transmission countershaft. The coupling includes a first driven gear journalled on the countershaft and in constant mesh with the input shaft gear. A second driven gear is fixed on the countershaft and is in constant mesh with a speed gear journalled on the main shaft. The first and second driven gears each have a set of longitudinally extending mirror image axial teeth sized to mesh in a loose fitting manner. A diametrical through-bore extends through the countershaft intermediate the first and second driven gears. The spaces between the teeth communicate with the through-bore to define a viscous fluid chamber enclosed by a sleeve surrounding the meshed teeth and sealed to the driven gears. Viscous fluid in the chamber provides a dampening medium obviating the transfer of torsion vibrations from the input shaft to the countershaft.

Abstract: A compliant gear which includes an inner hub portion, an outer ring gear portion, and a compliant laminate between the hub portion and the ring gear portion. The laminate includes a rigid laminar shim of generally uniform thickness sandwiched between a pair of elastomer layers of generally uniform thickness. The laminar shim and the elastomer layers extend generally parallel to the axis of rotation of the gear.

Abstract: A slow speed pinion drive has a reduction gear box interposed between a prime mover and a pinion mounted on a pinion shaft and meshing with a gear ring on a slowly rotating machine. The prime mover is connected to the gear box through a flexible connection while the gear box is mounted directly on the pinion shaft and is supported by the pinion shaft and by an adjustable prop disposed in eccentric fashion to the pinion shaft.

Abstract: A gear system includes a housing and an intermediate ring gear movably carried on a support hub coupled to an output shaft. The ring gear is driven by an input pinion gear through a running tooth system and drives the support hub through a coupling tooth system. Misalignment of the gearings due to housing, shaft or support deflections under load are compensated by providing an arcuate axial tooth profile and radial clearance in the coupling tooth system. The coupling tooth system includes lubricant confined between a pair of sealing discs. In an alternate embodiment, the ring gear is carried on spherically configured rings of the support and the ring gear includes mating spherically configured rings with suitable clearance between the spherical surfaces. Engagement between the mating spherical surfaces generates the radial force required for adjustment of the ring gear while maintaining radial tooth clearance within the coupling tooth system.

Abstract: Between a drive unit (not shown) and a driven unit (not shown) there is a gear train (2,7) which includes tuned bars (1, 10) which are so dimensioned that, in operation, the nodes in the torsion vibration to which the system is subject are situated in said tuned bars.