Abstract: A harmonic friction drive comprises a rigid ring having a cylindrical inside surface of a given circumference, the inside surface being free of gear teeth. A member having a flexible tube portion is nested in the rigid ring. The flexible tube portion has an outer surface whose circumference is smaller than the given circumference. The outer surface is also free of gear teeth. A wave generator pushes the outer surface of the flexible tube portion into frictional engagement against the inside surface of the ring, at two or more zones of contact along the inside surface and rotates the two or more zones of contact about the inside surface of the ring. The difference in circumference between the outside surface of the flexible tube portion and the inside surface of the ring causes the flexible tube portion to rotate a small amount relative to the ring upon each complete revolution of the wave generator.

Abstract: A wave gear drive unit 1 has a unit case 2, a wave reduction gear mechanism 3 disposed inside the unit case 2, an input shaft 4 and an output shaft 5. The output shaft 5 is integrally formed on a boss 323 of a cup-shaped flexible external gear 32 of the mechanism 3 and extends through a second end plate 5 to project outside. The boss 323 is screwed into the second end plate 22. A cross roller bearing 6 is constituted by the outer circumferential surface of the boss 323 and the inner circumferential surface of the unit case, by measn of which the second end plate 22 is rotatably supported on the unit case 2. The wave gear drive unit 1 has a simple structure with a small number of assembled parts, and can be assembled easily.

Abstract: A wave gear drive unit 1 has an annular housing 2 and a wave reduction gear mechanism 3 placed inside the housing 2. The wave reduction gear mechanism 3 has a cup-shaped flexible external gear 6 which serves as an output element of the unit and is rotatably supported on the housing 2 via a cross roller bearing 4. An outer race 11 of the bearing 4 is screwed to the housing 2. Whereby, it is possible to suppress deformation of the outer ring and uneven axial-force distribution thereof which may occur when a number of fastening bolts are used to fasten the outer race to the housing. Assembling and processing operations can also be simplified, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. The unit can also be made small and compact since the space for mounting the fastening bolts is eliminated.

Abstract: A cup-type wave gear device 1 comprises a cup-shaped flexible external gear 4 which has a boss 43 formed at its outer circumferential surface with an external thread 43b. An output shaft 6 is formed on its end surface with an annular recess whose inner circumferential surface is formed with an internal thread 61. The external thread 43b of the boss 43 is screwed into the internal thread 61 of the output shaft 6. The boss 43 is formed with a center through hole 43a having a regular hexagonal section, into which a commercially available wrench can be inserted. Making use of this through hole 43a, a commercially available wrench can be used to fasten the boss 43 to the output shaft 6 easily with a large fastening torque.

Abstract: An optical sensing system is used to measure engine torque. A pair of patterns are formed on a driveshaft between a transmission and axle differential. The patterns are spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance and are formed about the circumference of the driveshaft. Lasers and photo receivers are used to scan the patterns as the driveshaft rotates. Data from the photo receives is used to determine the angle of twist on the driveshaft which is proportional to the engine torque. The torque for each cylinder can be measured by generating a torque profile for every two revolutions of the driveshaft. The torque profile is read in 120 degree increments for a six cylinder engine and in 90 degree increments for an eight cylinder engine, for example.

Abstract: A phase regulating speed reducer(20) in a phase regulating apparatus (100) has first and second cup-shaped wave gear gear drives (30,40). A first wave generator (33) for the first wave gear drive (30) is connected to a phase regulating motor. A first flexible external gear (32) and a second flexible external gear (42) of the second wave gear drive (40) are fixed together by a plurality of fastening bolts (60) so that these external gear are rotated together in a back-to-back state. A second wave generator (43) for the second wave gear drive (40) is made non-rotatable. During a normal power transmission time, the phase regulating motor is not operated. Therefore, the reduction ratio of the two drives is set equal, an input rotation of the first wave gear drive (30) into a first rigid internal gear (31) is outputted at the same rotational frequency from a second rigid internal gear (41).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method of rotatively empowering a harmonic drive transmission. The steps of the method include arranging a primary and a secondary cup-shaped flexspline co-axially within a rotatable rigid circular spline, and forming pivotable fingers in the secondary flexspline, biasing radially outwardly the pivotable fingers so as to contact and bias radially outwardly the primary flexspline in a sequential manner. The array of teeth between the primary flexspline and the circular spline engage one another to effect relative rotation therebetween. An array of piezo-electric elements is arranged in contact with the secondary flexspline and an adjacent non-rotating component. An electric current is sequenced through the piezo-electric elements to effect a dimensional change therein, thus to effect the biasing of the primary flexspline by the secondary flexspline.

Abstract: An electric motor, gearbox, position phase angle sensor and motor phase angle sensor are integrated in a common housing to reduce the size of a positioning and actuating system. The housing also includes electronics for detecting and processing the signals from the phase angle sensors. The rotor shaft of the electric motor is designed to be hollow, and the drive shaft is mounted coaxially. The output shaft passing coaxially through the gearbox, and the end of the shaft which protrudes from the gear box is provided with a coupling. The drive shaft passes coaxially through the rotor of the electric motor and carries a position phase angle sensor at the end of the electric motor opposite the gear box. The motor phase angle sensor on the rotor shaft coaxially encloses the position phase angle sensor. The scanning detectors of both sensors are arranged on a common circuit board, which also carries the electronics for detecting and processing the signals of these sensors.

Abstract: A control apparatus of an automatic transmission capable of achieving a smooth change of output shaft torque to torque which can be generated by a friction clutch, thus enabling a smooth gear change even if the output shaft torque is high at the gear change. If the output shaft torque exceeds limit transmission output shaft torque obtained by multiplying a torque capacity of the friction clutch by a gear ratio provided for the friction clutch when a gear change command is issued in the automatic transmission, engine torque is controlled so as to make the output shaft torque decreased to the limit transmission output shaft torque, and then the engine torque control is switched when the output shaft torque decreased to the limit transmission output shaft torque to start the gear change operation.

Abstract: A removable support of motor vehicle differential side gear that facilitates machining which is added after the internal features of a two-piece motor vehicle differential case have been machined to position and support a motor vehicle differential side gear in the two-piece motor vehicle differential case and preclude gear movement therein. The removable motor vehicle differential side gear support is preferably fabricated from a structurally sound material, such as steel, and has a configuration similar to a washer. The removable motor vehicle side gear support is preferably removably secured to the two-piece motor vehicle differential case by, for example, mechanical fasteners, such a plurality of threaded bolts which pass through a corresponding plurality of clearance openings in the removable motor vehicle side gear support and are received in and secured in a corresponding plurality of internally threaded openings in the two-piece motor vehicle differential case.

Abstract: In a flexible type transmission device, an angular ball bearing is interposed between an output member and a fixed case so as to support the output member and the fixed case while permitting relative rotation between the output member and the fixed case. The loads acting on the output member and fixed case are received using the rolling contact of steel balls included in the angular ball bearing.

Abstract: The invention comprises an actuator controlled harmonic drive transmission assembly for the speed and positional control of an output shaft of the harmonic drive transmission. The assembly includes a motor having a rotor shaft for providing rotational power to harmonic drive transmission and a control arrangement for permitting rotational positional and speed control between the rotor shaft and the output shaft of the harmonic drive transmission. The control arrangement may comprise an output speed, torque, vibration and/or rotational encoder mounted on the output shaft of the harmonic drive transmission. The control arrangement may comprise an output speed and rotational encoder mounted on the rotor shaft of the motor, each encoder feeding data to a control logic unit to control the motor driving the transmission.

Abstract: A silk hat flexible engagement gear device (1) has first and second end plates (2, 3) and an input shaft (4) is rotatably supported, with their ends supported, between the tow end plates. An annular body (61) of a silk hat flexible external gear (6) is disposed on the outer circumference of the input shaft (4). A cross roller bearing (8) and a rigid internal gear (5) which also function as a device housing are arranged on the outer circumference. An cylindrical boss (64) of the flexible external gear is held between the outer race (81) of the cross roller bearing and the second end plate (3) and these three members are coupled with one another by means of second fixing bolts (11). An additional member which is used as a device housing is not necessary. The members are temporarily fixed and fastened and, further, attached to a housing on the motor side or on the load side by the fixing bolts (9, 11). Therefore, the number of components of the device can be reduced, whereby making the device small and compact.

Abstract: A corrugated gear includes a rigid internally geared gear; a flexible externally geared gear within the internally geared gear; a wave generator to bring the gear with the external teeth into a cross-sectional shape in such a way that the gear with the external teeth is only meshing partially with the rigid internally geared gear and the engagement segment of the two gears rotates in the direction of the circumference; by the rotation of the wave generator a relative movement of the two gears can be produced; the flexible gear and the rigid gears are both rim gears; and in order to avoid engagement obstructions, the tooth profile of the rigid gear and the tooth profile of the flexible gear are coordinated or matched.

Abstract: The invention concerns a step-down gear unit with a rigid support ring (1), comprising a substantially cylindrical support surface (1), and with a radially flexible rolling collet (5) which has an outer generated surface (7) with a smaller peripheral length than the support surface (2), one or a plurality of peripheral sections of the outer generated surface (7) being held in substantially slip-free engagement in continuous exchange with the support surface (2) of the support ring (1) by one or a plurality of parts lying on an enveloping circle of a drive core (20) which is rotatably disposed inside the rolling collet (5) and is rotated by a drive shaft (14). The enveloping circle (20) of the driven elliptical drive core (20) has a substantially smaller diameter (Dh) than the basically cylindrical rolling collet (5). The rolling collet (5) is supported on the drive core (20) by a plurality of substantially radial transmission elements (32) which are all of equal length.

Abstract: A flexible engagement gear device (11) has a silk-hat shaped flexible external gear (13) which has a body part (22), a diaphragm (23) and a boss (25). The diaphragm (23) has a plate-shaped part (28), a sectional shape of which, when cut along a plane including a device axial line (11a), is defined at one side by a straight line (232) extending in a radial direction, and at the other side by a first convex circular arc (240), a concave circular arc (250) and a second convex circular arc (260) in this order from the side of the boss. Among these arcs, the first convex arc (24) has the largest curvature, while the concave circular arc (25) has the smallest curvature. The concave circular arc (250) is positioned at the middle of the plate-shaped part (28), the thickness of which is the smallest in the plates-shaped part (28). If the flexible external gear having this cross section is used, when the axial length is reduced, the stress concentration can be relieved without increasing the outer diameter.

Abstract: The invention concerns a drive shaft with a rigid support ring (1) with a cylindrical, internally geared support surface (3), with a radially flexible roller bushing (5) with an outwardly geared outer surface (7), with a drive device (30) connected with a drive shaft (11), through which over a plurality of spokes and planetary arms (40) one or several first circumference sections are held in engagement with the support surface (3) of the support ring (1), wherein each of the spokes or planetary arms (40), at least on one of its two ends, has a slit-like indentation and the spokes or planetary arms (40) are connected with each other through a one piece unitarily formed ring band, whereby the ring formed band is formed-on at least approximately at half length of the spokes or planetary arms (40).

Abstract: A cup-type wave gear device 1 comprises a cup-shaped flexible external gear 4 which has a boss 43 formed at its outer circumferential surface with an external thread 43b. An output shaft 6 is formed on Its end surface with an annular recess whose inner circumferential surface is formed with an internal thread 61. The external thread 43b of the boss 43 is screwed into the internal thread 61 of the output shaft 6. Further, driving pins 8 are used to fasten the boss 43 to the output shaft 6. Whereby, the flexible external gear 4 is fixedly connected to the output shaft 6 The fastening torque between the boss and the output shaft can be increased in comparison with the conventional case where fastening bolts are used to connect these parts.

Abstract: The meshing of the rigid internal gear and the cup-shaped flexible external gear of a flexible meshing type gear device is simulated with racks, similarity transformation is effected on the composite curve consisting of the envelope obtained by axially projecting the movement loci of the rack teeth relative to each other from the tooth trace opening portion to the tooth trace inner extremity in sections perpendicular to the axis and the movement locus in the vicinity of the tooth trace inner extremity, and the resulting curve is adopted as the basic addendum profile of the external teeth and the internal teeth.

Abstract: A rotation transmitting device 1 introduces rotation into a vacuum side space 200 via a flexible meshing type gear drive 4 from an atmosphere side space 100. A first spacer 15 is disposed between ball bearings 13 and 14 of a rotation output shaft 5 positioned at the vacuum side, and a magnetic circuit is formed passing from the spacer 15 and through the ball bearing 13, a shaft portion 51 of the rotation output shaft 5 and the ball bearing 14. A magnetic fluid is filled as lubricant for lubricating potions of the ball bearings 13 and 14, which is retained on these portions by magnetic force generated by the magnetic circuit, whereby these portions are always lubricated appropriately. The magnetic fluid retained on these portions captures wear particles or other dust generated from the ball bearings 13 and 14, preventing these particles from leaking out to the vacuum side.

Abstract: Differential transmission with a rigid support ring (1) which exhibits an essentially cylindrical bearing surface (2) and with a radially flexible roller bushing (5) which has an outer surface (7) with a circumference smaller than the bearing surface (2), wherein one or more circumference segments of the outer surface (7) are maintained in essentially slip-free engagement with the bearing surface (2) of the support ring (1) via multiple transmission elements (32), said engagement progressively successively changeable by rotation of a drive core (20) rotatably provided within the roller bushing (5) and rotatably driven by a drive shaft (14), wherein the transmission elements (32) are formed by a multitude of essentially radially extending segments of equal length, that the roller bushing is supported upon the drive core (20) via these segments, and that the segments with their radial side surfaces lie against each other and with respect to each other are radially slidable.

Abstract: A rigid internal gear of a wave gear drive is comprise by a tooth-formed member having inner teeth and a circular gear body member, these two members being integrally connected with each other. The tooth-formed member is made of ferrous or copper material having a high strength and wear resistance, while the gear body member is made of lightweight material such as aluminum alloy and the like. These members are connected integrally with each other in a manner that one of these members is formed with baffle means and the other member is made by enveloped casting, or that the member having baffle means is pressed into the other member. These members are therefore surely connected with each other, so that a high torque can be transferred between these members. Also, the lightweight of the rigid internal gear can be achieved without deteriorating strength, wear resistance or the like thereof.

Abstract: A harmonic drive transmission arrangement has an input member and an output member. The transmission comprises a generally cylindrically shaped housing including having a circular spline gear arranged therein, and a cup-shaped flexspline with an array of radially outwardly directed gear teeth on a first end thereof, engaged with the circular spline teeth. A wave generator is rotatably supported on the input member radially inwardly of the gear teeth on the flexspline, and an annular diaphragm is arranged at a second end of the cup-shaped flexspline. A flange is arranged integral to the diaphragm to permit the cup-shaped flexspline to be securely attached to the output member, for the transmission of input through she harmonic drive transmission arrangement, and out the output member through the flange. A "U" shaped channel is annularly arranged between the diaphragm and the flange to distinguish the flange from the diaphragm.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method of rotatively empowering a harmonic drive transmission. The steps of the method include arranging a primary and a secondary cup-shaped flexspline co-axially within a rotatable rigid circular spline, and forming pivotable fingers in the secondary flexspline, biasing radially outwardly the pivotable fingers so as to contact and bias radially outwardly the primary flexspline in a sequential manner. The array of teeth between the primary flexspline and the circular spline engage one another to effect relative rotation therebetween. An array of piezo-electric elements is arranged in contact with the secondary flexspline and an adjacent non-rotating component. An electric current is sequenced through the piezo-electric elements to effect a dimensional change therein, thus to effect the biasing of the primary flexspline by the secondary flexspline.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a novel harmonic drive transmission arrangement having an input member and an output member, and its method of manufcature. The transmission comprises a generally cylindrically-shaped housing including a circular spline gear arranged therein, and a cup-shaped flexspline with an array of radially outwardly directed gear teeth on a first end thereof, engaged with the circular spline teeth. A wave generator is rotatably supported on the input member radially inwardly of the gear on the flexspline. An annular diaphragm is arranged at a second end of the cup-shaped flexspline, and a flange is attached or integral to the diaphragm to permit the cup-shaped flexspline to be securely attached to the output member, the flange having a annular outmost surface thereon.

Abstract: In a harmonic drive arrangement for the displacement of one component relative to another, a ball cage with cavities and balls movably disposed in the cavities is associated with one of the components and a transfer structure with conical recesses is associated with the other of the components adjacent the ball cage. The cavities are arranged in spaced rows and the conical recesses are arranged in rows spaced differently than the cavity rows. A pressure element with ascending and descending cam structures is movably disposed adjacent the ball cage to engage and move the balls into, and permit them to move out of, the recesses as the pressure element is moved along the ball cage to thereby provide for relative movement of the two components.

Abstract: In conventional power steering apparatus, a motor and a reducing device of this motor were set in a laterally projecting state with respect to the steering axis, which posed a problem of poor mountability. Harmonic drive reducer, which is composed of wave generator, flexspline, and circular spline, and print motor for driving it are coaxially arranged with respect to a serial steering axis connecting steering input shaft with steering output shaft.

Abstract: A cylinder of, for example, a folding apparatus in a rotary printing machine is provided with rotating cam wheels that drive perforating needles or folding blades. These cam wheels can be phase adjusted by use of a planetary gear drive that includes a planetary wheel and ring gear. The position of the engagement between the planetary wheel and the ring gear is variable.

Abstract: A wave gear drive (1) has a silk-hat shaped flexible external gear (12) comprising a cylindrical body (13), a circular diaphragm (14), a circular boss (15) formed integrally on the diaphragm (14), and external teeth (16) formed on the body (13) at a side of an open end (13a) thereof. The boss (13) of the flexible external gear, a cross roller bearing (7) and the rigid internal gear (11) are arranged between first and second end plates (2, 3) so as to define a substantially sealed inside space of the wave gear drive (1). A resilient seal ring member (8) is mounted on the open end (13a) of the flexible external gear to divide the inside space into an inside portion (9) where a first lubricant having a high viscosity is supplied and an outside portion (10) where a second lubricant having a low viscosity is supplied.

Abstract: A gear assembly is used to adjust the phase of a plurality of rotating driving devices, such a rotary cover cams in a collecting and folding cylinder. The plurality of rotating driving devices can be phase adjusted with respect to each other through the use of individual sets of planetary gears. The planetary gear sets are coaxially and successively arranged on a shaft.

Abstract: An orthogonal differential drive has a main shaft with a main axis. Also included is a primary gear, coaxially mounted on the main shaft, and a secondary gear. The differential drive also has a harmonic drive with a main throughput, a trim throughput, and a harmonic throughput. The harmonic throughput has a speed that is established as a linear combination of speeds of the main throughput and the trim throughput. The secondary gear is coaxially coupled to the main throughput of the harmonic drive. The secondary gear has an axis of rotation positioned transversely to that of the primary gear for engaging the primary gear. Also included is a transfer device spaced from the main axis of the main shaft for interactively engaging the trim throughput of the harmonic drive.

Abstract: A phasing differential gear assembly is arranged in a housing, for the speed adjustment of an output shaft which shaft may be utilized to control tension in a web on a drum being driven by the output shaft. A driven input shaft having a second end imparts a first rotational speed to a co-axially arranged first end of the output shaft. A first external toothed gear is arranged on the first end of the input shaft, and a second external gear is disposed between the second end of the input shaft and the first end of the output shaft. A third external toothed gear is disposed on the first end of the output shaft. A first flexible gear is arranged radially outwardly of the first and second external gears, and a second flexible gear is arranged radially outwardly of the second and third external gears. A first wave generator is arranged radially outwardly of the first flexible gear, and a second wave generator is arranged radially outwardly of the second flexible gear.

Abstract: A flexible meshing type gear device 1 has an internal gear 2 having internal teeth 21, a flexible external gear 3 having external teeth 31, and a wave generator 4. Only the internal teeth 21 of the internal gear 2 are formed thereon with a metal plated coating 21a. Further, a tooth profile 211 of the internal teeth 21 of the rigid internal gear 2 before metal plating is modified from a desired tooth profile of the internal teeth so that a tooth profile 212 defined by a surface of the internal teeth 21 after metal plating corresponds substantially to the desired tooth profile of the internal teeth for assuring a proper meshing between the internal and external gears. Accordingly, a flexible meshing type gear device having a high wear resistance can be realized while maintaining a high fatigue strength of the external gear and a proper meshing between gears.

Abstract: A flexible meshing type gear drive 1 has a rigid internal gear 2 and a flexible external gear 3 whose tooth profiles are defined as follows. First, initial tooth profiles of these gears 2, 3 are defined as in the case that the tooth number of the rigid internal gear is 102 and that of the flexible external gear is 100. The initial tooth profile is adopted as it is for that of the rigid internal gear 2. While, the actual tooth profile of the flexible external gear 3 is determined by thinning out one tooth at every one tooth from the external teeth 34-1, 2, 3, . . . of the initial tooth profile to form tooth bottom portions connecting the respective remaining external teeth 34-1, 3, 5, . . . .

Abstract: A strain wave gearing is provided with tooth profiles formed taking into account tooth inclination and change in the movement locus of the origin of the tooth profile coordinates, thereby obtaining proper meshing over a wide range. Specifically, a tooth module is denoted as m; the number of teeth of the rigid internal gear as z.sub.C ; the number of teeth, the deddendum, the thickness of the tooth bottom rim and the radius of the neutral circle of the rim of the flexible external gear as z.sub.F, h.sub.fF, t and r.sub.n, respectively; the coefficient of tooth thickness increase of the rigid internal gear and the coefficient of tooth thickness decrease of the flexible external gear both as .tau.; and an auxiliary angle variable .eta.. The basic addendum profiles of both gears are formed according to two equations, taking an x-axis on a datum line and a y-axis on the tooth center line and taking .+-. of the first equation as positive for the flexible external gear and as negative for the rigid internal gear.

Abstract: An improved connection coupling for providing rotary motion from an electric motor rotor to a load wherein a mechanical coupling element is attached to an end of the rotor and to the shaft of the load. The free end of the rotor includes a cavity which extends axially from the end surface of the rotor inward to allow for insertion of a portion of the mechanical coupling element in the cavity. The walls of the cavity do not contact the portion of the mechanical coupling element to allow this mechanical coupling element to move freely in the rotation direction.

Abstract: A wave gear drive (1) has first and second end plates (2) and (3) arranged to rotate relative with each other by means of a cross roller bearing (4) positioned between the plates (2, 3). An inner race (41) of the cross roller bearing (4) is formed integrally on a circumferential Inner surface with an internal gear (11). The inner race (41) is directly fastened to the first end plate (2), while an outer race (44) of the cross roller bearing (4) is fastened to the second end plate in a manner such that a circular boss (17) of a flexible external gear is held between the outer race (44) and the second end plate (3). The internal teeth (11) are positioned approximately at a radially inner side of a raceway (47) of the cross roller bearing (4). Thus, the wave gear drive (1) is small and compact, and the rigidity is increased.

Abstract: In a transmission gear for transmitting two rotary motions from a driving mechanism to a working mechanism, the transmission gear comprises a cylindrical support member, a flexible cylindrical member fixedly supported by the cylindrical support member, first and second input shaft members, and first and second output shaft members. The first and second input shaft members have non-circular peripheral portions, respectively. The first and second output shaft members have internal circular portions radially opposite to and spaced apart from the non-circular peripheral portions of the first and second input shaft members, respectively. The flexible cylindrical member interposes between the non-circular peripheral portions of the first and second input shaft members and the internal circular portions of the first and second output shaft members.

Abstract: A flat wave gear drive (1) which has an input shaft (4) supported rotatably at both ends portions thereof between first and second end plates (2, 3). A wave gear mechanism is incorporated between these end plates (2,3), and a cross roller bearing (8) is provided on an outer circumferential side of the wave gear mechanism. The wave gear mechanism comprises a rigid internal gear (5), a silk-hat-shaped flexible external gear (6) provided on the inner side of the internal gear, and an wave generator (7) provided on the inner side of the external gear (6). An annular boss (64) of the flexible external gear is held between an outer ring (81) of the cross roller bearing (8) and the second end plate (3), whereby these three members are fastened to one another. The rigid internal gear (5) is held between an inner ring (82) of the cross roller bearing (8) and the first end plate (2), whereby these three members are fastened to one another. The input shaft (4) may comprise a hollow shaft.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a harmonic drive transmission for the simultaneous production of a first and a second rotary output. The invention includes a primary housing, a first flexspline may be hermetically secured within the housing with a first wave generator arranged therewithin. A second flexspline may be hermetically secured to the first flexspline within the housing, the second flexspline having a second wave generator arranged therewithin. A first driveshaft is connected to the second wave generator, and a second driveshaft is connected to the first wave generator. A first circular spline is in engagement with a plurality of gear teeth and connected to a first output shaft, and a second circular shaft is in engagement with a plurality of gear teeth and is connected to a second output shaft, to provide simultaneous output by a plurality of output shafts from a hermetically arranged harmonic drive transmission.

Abstract: The amount of radial flexing (w) in a basic section defined perpendicular to the axis of the flexible external gear (3) at a prescribed point on the tooth trace of the flexible external gear (3) is defined to be an amount of negative deviation flexing smaller than the normal amount of flexing (W.sub.0) The rigid internal gear (2) and the flexible external gear (3) are both spur gears and the number of teeth of the flexible external gear (3) is 2n (n being a positive integer) fewer than that of the rigid internal gear (2). The working tooth profile of one of the gears (2, 3) is defined to be a convex curve whose shape is or approximates a convex curve (L2(O,B)) obtained by similarity transformation of a peak portion (L1(O,A) of the rack-approximated moving path (L1) of a tooth of the gear with respect to the other gear in the basic section of the tooth trace perpendicular to the axis, the portion being convex relative to the other gear, at an enlargement ratio (.lambda.

Abstract: A wave gear device has a circular spline, a flexspline arranged within the circular spline, and a wave generator disposed within the flexspline for deflecting the flexspline in radial direction for partially engaging external tooth formed on the flexspline with internal gear teeth formed on the circular spline and shifting an engaging position in circumferential direction to cause relative rotation depending upon difference in number of teeth of the internal gear teeth and the external gear teeth between the circular spline and the flexspline. The circular spline has an annular rigid teeth portion formed with the internal gear teeth along the inner periphery thereof, a fastening portion to be rigidly secured on one of a device housing and a supporting member rotatably supported in the device housing, and a connecting portion connecting the rigid teeth portion and the fastening portion.

Abstract: A decanter centrifuge assembly comprises a bowl, a screw conveyor disposed inside the bowl for rotation at a speed different from an angular velocity of the bowl, and a harmonic drive unit including a circular spline drivingly connected to the conveyor. The harmonic drive unit further includes a flexible spline drivingly connected to the bowl and a wave generator disposed in contact with the flexible spline for distorting the flexible spline and enabling a driving of the flexible spline at a rate of rotation incrementally differing from a rate of rotation of the circular spline. The flexible spline has teeth partially meshing with teeth on the circular spline. The harmonic drive additionally has a lubrication system with a skimmer tube for paring lubricating fluid from a pool in an outer casing of the harmonic drive. A shaft coupled to the wave generator has a channel communicating with the skimmer tube.

Abstract: A long tubular article characterized by having a smooth surface and a substantially uniform wall thickness in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction and by being produced by injection molding a thermoplastic resin and a method for the injection molding.

Abstract: A linear actuator comprising a hollow first cylindrical shaft with helical threads on its exterior surface and helical threads of opposite pitch on its interior surface and a second cylindrical shaft having an exterior surface with helical threads of the same pitch as on the interior surface of the first shaft and a motor for rotating the first shaft and relative to the second shaft end a base member. The second cylindrical shaft is coaxial with and adjacent the first shaft surface and its threads engage the threads of the first interior surface. Helical threads on the base member of the same pitch as the first shaft exterior surface threads are coaxial with and adjacent the first shaft exterior surface and engage the helical threads of the exterior surface of the first cylindrical shaft.

Abstract: The silk-hat-shaped flexible external gear (13) of a silk-hat flexible meshing gear device (11) comprises a body (22), a diaphragm (23) and a boss (25). Between the main portion of the body (22) and a curved portion (222) is formed a thinned portion (221) whose thickness is about 80% that of the main portion. The thickness of the diaphragm (23) is defined to be largest at the inner edge (point A), smallest at the middle portion (point B) and slightly smaller than the largest thickness at the outer edge (point C). To make the change in thickness smooth throughout, the contour is defined by use of a group of curved lines (223, 224). Providing the thinned portion (221). and defining the thickness of the diaphragm (23) in the foregoing manner relieves stress concentration at the inner and outer edges and smooths the stress distribution. As a result, the axial length and the outer diameter can be reduced to realize a compact silk-hat flexible meshing gear device.

Abstract: In a meshing type gear device (1), spur gears are used for both a rigid internal gear (2) and a flexible external gear (3), and the number of teeth of the flexible gear (3) is made greater by two than that of the rigid internal gear (2). The tooth profile of the flexible external gear (3) is made convex and the shape thereof is that of a curve AC obtained by subjecting a gear tooth portion (curve portion between A and B), which, at the moving path L that the external gear describes relative to the internal gear, as determined by rack approximation, is convex relative to the internal gear, to similarity transformation at a reduction ratio .lambda. using the limiting point A of the contact between the two gears on the path as the origin, while the tooth profile of the rigid internal gear is made concave and the shape thereof is that of a curve AD obtained by subjecting the same portion convex relative to the internal gear at the moving path to similarity transformation at an enlargement ratio (1+.lambda.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an extended tooth contact harmonic drive gearing apparatus for transmitting rotary motion from an input drive to an output drive through mating contact between the gear teeth of a flexspline and a rigid circular spline, the flexspline being rotated into non-circular shape by a wave generator. The profile of the flexspline teeth are generated to cause the teeth of the flexspline to contact more than one tooth of the circular spline by forming a face profile on the flexspline teeth in accordance with a predetermined equation while the flank tooth profile of the circular spline is formed of a known arc segment, such as, a circle, ellipse or parabola.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a harmonic drive transmission assembly for use in contamination free manufacturing fields such as computer chip making. The harmonic drive unit includes a flexspline having a diaphragm at one end and an outwardly flared lip adjacent its other end which is integrally connected to a mounting flange. The flexspline including the diaphragm and mounting flange are all integral with one another, all being machined from a single piece of steel bar stock.

Abstract: An actuator converts rotational movement to linear movement and at the same time transmits a limited linear force without requiring slip clutches or the like. The actuator has an electric motor in a fixed housing with a drive shaft on a longitudinal axis. A drive gear, substantially free of backlash, is connected to the drive shaft and has an output connection to drive a drive nut with an internal screw thread on the rotary axis. An output shaft has an external screw thread engaging with the internal screw thread of the drive nut and moves linearly when the drive nut is rotated. A voltage control system allows the voltage to the motor to be set so that for a set voltage there is a predetermined longitudinal force on the output shaft.