Abstract: A gear transmission assembly for transferring a drive torque from at least one power input to a primary user has at least one drive pinion carried by a respective power input shaft and meshing with a pair of facing coaxial counter-rotating ring gears having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the drive pinion and engaging between facing face teeth at least one transmission pinion having an axis perpendicular to the axis of the ring gears. The at least one drive pinion floats in the direction of the axis of the ring gears, while the at least one transmission pinion is supported by elements flexible in a circumferential direction with respect to the ring gears.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a split path transmission system that achieves equal torque splitting between the forward and aft split load paths of each gear train thereof at a predefined operating point by providing an intentional timing difference between gears and pinions of the forward and aft split load paths of each gear train of the split path transmission system is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying the torque distribution curves of the forward and aft split load paths of one gear train of the split path transmission system. The method further includes a step of selecting a predefined operating point for the split path transmission system wherein equal torque splitting between the forward and aft split load paths of the one gear train is desired. Next, the forward and aft torque distribution curves are analytically modified as required to pass through the predefined operating point.

Abstract: A transmission for changing the rotational speed of an engine input shaft to a driven output shaft. The transmission includes a first and second face gears. Each face gear has first and second sets of teeth formed on it. Each set of teeth forms an annular pattern about a central axis. The second set of teeth on each face gear is located within and concentric with the first set of teeth. An input gear, adapted to be driven by the engine output shaft, is disposed between and engaged with the first sets of teeth on the first and second face gears such that rotation of the input gear produces rotation of the first and second face gears in opposite directions about the central axis. An output pinion is rotatably mounted to a pinion shaft. The output pinion is disposed between and engaged with the second sets of teeth on the first and second face gears such that rotation of the face gears produces corresponding rotation of the output pinion about the pinion shaft.

Abstract: A power transfer system is disclosed having a drop box for connecting a motor vehicle's drivetrain to an offset driveline. The drop box has an input that is angled relative to its output by means of a constant velocity (CV) universal joint. More specifically, a first rotary member is coupled for driven rotation about the rotary axis of the transmission output shaft while a second rotary member is supported for rotation about a second rotary axis that is angled relative to the first rotary axis. A CV joint drivingly interconnects the second rotary member to the first rotary member. The drop box also includes a third rotary member adapted for connection to the driveline and which is supported for rotation about a third rotary axis that is offset from the second rotary axis. A drive connection interconnects the third rotary member to the second rotary member. The CV joint allows the drop box to be angulated so that a reduced departure angle is achieved with respect to the prop shaft connection.

Abstract: A base support for a moveable object, particularly an amusement ride employing a stepping motor and stepping motor controller to move the object in fine increments. The base support is attached to an upstanding mounting member. An amusement ride is attached to a first support structure connected to a base member. The support structure is operatively connected to a worm gear assembly and motor driven worm gear disposed between the base member and the support structure to effect movement of the amusement ride about a predetermined axis. The worm gear is driven by a stepping motor. The stepping motor is controlled by a stepping motor controller to control incremental movement of the amusement ride. A second worm gear assembly can be interposed transversely between the first support structure and a second support structure to effect movements of the antenna about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: A two-degree-of-freedom spherical shoulder joint for a robot. The joint consists of a spherical ball member with gear teeth formed in its outer surface and three drive gears that mate with the gear teeth in the outer surface of the spherical member. The joint can rotate about any axis of rotation which lies within a plane defined by the contact points between the drive gears and the spherical member. By controlling the three drive gears to rotate by the proper amounts, the joint can be rotated about the desired axis of rotation. The inverse kinematics for controlling the joint are described.

Abstract: An epicyclical system of miter, bevel, worm and spur gears, plus joining members that may be adapted to, or be embodied in, a wide variety of devices in the field of applied mechanics including, but not limited to: (a) absorption of energy from fluid streams, (b) timing and tracking mechanisms, (c) mechanical power transmission; (d) generation of uniform or intermittent sine wave velocities in a multitude of helicoid patterns.

Abstract: A squeeze off tool for a flexible pipe includes a vice arrangement involving a first member below the pipe and a second member above the pipe, with a framework guiding the second member for movement toward and away from the first. A power screw has one end rotatably mounted in the second member but cannot move axially with respect to the second member, the power screw having external threads at a location remote from the one end. A locking device selectively restrains rotation of the power screw with respect to the second member.

Abstract: A gear arrangement includes a horizontally inclined rotary shaft having a pinion and two face gears rotating in parallel but axially spaced planes. The two face gears are in meshing engagement with the pinion. Each face gear rotates about a shaft that includes a spur gear. A combining gear is in meshing engagement with both spur gears. Torque from the rotary shaft is equally split between the two face gears, reducing the amount of torque each face gear must transmit. The torque is combined from the two face gears by the combining gear, where the torque may then be used to drive the desired mechanism.

Abstract: For breaking out a drill rod joint, a hydraulic chuck is mounted by a housing for clampingly engaging a drill rod and for rotation to break a rod joint, the chuck being rotated by a first gear that is bolted to a drive tube which mounts the chuck. A hydraulic motor drives a second gear within the housing for rotating the first gear. A rack is mounted for tangential movement by a rack mount which is movable radially inwardly to move the rack teeth for engaging the first gear teeth while a first spring mechanism constantly resiliently urges the rack mount to a retracted position so that the rack teeth are not engagable with the gear teeth even though the rack is tangentially moved by a first hydraulic ram that is operable for moving the rack to a tangential advance position. A second spring mechanism urges the rack radially outwardly, a second ram being operated to radially move the rack mount and thereby the rack to have the rack teeth engagable with the gear teeth.

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: The differential comprises a drive input element, two output cam members each rotatable about a common axis, each cam member having a single angular cam surface thereon of undulating form arranged such that the cam surfaces on the cam members converge towards each other and a plurality of cam followers. The followers have cam engaging end surfaces for imparting drive from the input element to the output cam members. Relative contro-rotation of the output cam members causes the cam followers to slide axially. The cam followers are elongate in direction of the common axis and are slidably supported throughout virtually their entire length by the drive input element. The followers may be arranged closely adjacent each other to provide a degree of mutual support.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating structures such as large antennas which incorporates a motor for controlling rapid rotation of the structure through a ring gear and a screw jack which is selectively coupled to the ring gear for controlling a slower more exacting rotation of the structure about a common axis.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for a searchlight in which a lamp is mounted in a housing for both vertical and horizontal movement. Vertical drive means which is mounted in the housing includes a gear having a tooth portion and a ramp portion to permit up and down movement of said lamp. The housing has an integrally formed ring gear with a tooth portion less than 360 degrees and a ramp portion. A horizontal drive means engages the ring gear and drives the lamp in a horizontal plane less than 360 degrees.

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 panner for a camera or the like has a base on which is mounted a housing carrying a support for the camera or the like mounted above the housing. Drive means serve to rotate the housing relate to the base about a first axis so that the camera may be clamped about this axis. The support is pivotal above a second axis which is perpendicular to the first axis. An arm extends from the support into the housing and second drive means serve to reciprocate the end of the arm distal of the support and to rotate this support about the second axis.

Abstract: A multimorphic kinematic manipulator arm is provided with seven degrees of freedom and modular kinematic redundancy through identical pitch/yaw, shoulder, elbow and wrist joints and a wrist roll device at the wrist joint, which further provides to the manipulator arm an obstacle avoidance capability. The modular pitch/yaw joints are traction drive devices which provide backlash free operation with smooth torque transmission and enhanced rigidity. A dual input drive arrangement is provided for each joint resulting in a reduction of the load required to be assumed by each drive and providing selective pitch and yaw motions by control of the relative rotational directions of the input drive.

Abstract: A throttle control device includes a first gear 5 rotatable corresponding to the depression of an accelerator pedal 1 of a vehicle engine a first motor 8 engaged with a second gear 6 meshed with the first gear, the first motor being actuated upon a traction slip detection to rotate the first gear through the second gear to thereby correct the rotation angle of the first gear. A third gear 12 is ganged with the first gear to rotate therewith, and a throttle link 20 is coupled with the third gear for controlling the opening of a throttle valve 22 of the engine through a throttle wire 19 corresponding to a rotation angle of the third gear, and a second motor 18 drives the third gear through a clutch to control the opening of the throttle valve during a constant speed running of the vehicle.

Abstract: A three-axis wrist mechanism has first, second and third independent rotational axes with two points of mutual intersection which are offset from each other, the first axis being inclined at a fixed angle relative to at least one input drive axis of an input drive mechanism. The drive axis extends along the robot arm to which a first housing of the wrist mechanism is fixedly attached. A second housing is supported on the first housing for rotation about the first axis and a third housing is supported on the second housing for rotation about the second axis. A tool-support member having a tool-mounting surface is supported on the third housing for rotation about the third axis. Gear trains of the mechanism provide the independent rotation of the second and third housing structures and the tool support member to permit selective positioning of the tool-mounting surface in a work envelope.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the wrist device of a robot which has a speed reducers built in a wrist portion and which attains three degrees of rotating freedom orthogonal to one another, and is characterized in that three transmission shafts penetrating through the interior of an arm are arranged in parallel with one another as power transmission means within the arm.

Abstract: An inching drive unit for a brake unit, clutch/brake unit, or the like is disclosed for which an inching motor is able to drive an accessory attached to the main motor through the main motor shaft. The inching drive unit includes a clutch unit for selectively engaging the main motor shaft with a gear mechanism attached to the inching motor drive shaft. A brake is further provided which selectively restricts the rotation of the inching motor drive shaft, and brakes the main motor shaft when the clutch is engaged.

Abstract: A robotic manipulator provides three degrees of freedom of movement of an end effector or gripper using only motors which are mounted on a frame. Included is a first actuator assembly providing rotation of a first input link about first and second axes. A compound motor provides this rotation about two axes through a differential gear mechanism. A second actuator provides rotation of a second input link about a third axis. The two input links are each connected to an output link, which in turn are connected, with an end effector being disposed on the end of one of the output links.

Abstract: This invention comprises a driveable, steerable platform for industrial, domestic, entertainment and related uses. A frame member travels on a plurality of wheels which can be turned 360.degree. to steer the platform in a desired direction. Separate endless drive means in the form of gear-driven concentric shafts drive and steer the wheels. The platform travels substantially parallel to the terrain traversed. The entire platform may be housed in a hollow sphere to cause the sphere to selectively roll, providing the platform the ability to move about on radically uneven terrain including the ability to climb steps of height equal to approximately one-half the sphere's diameter. The wheels engage the inner surface of the rolling sphere to drive and steer the rolling sphere.

Abstract: A pneumatic pump has provision for being driven by a conventional electric hand drill and chuck that are un-modified so that they can be detached by loosening the chuck jaws and used for other purposes. The provision includes first and second input shafts protruding at right angles to each other and connected by a bevel gear on each. In addition to improving drive access, to provide a choice of drive ratios, the bevel gears have different diameters. The rotary output of the shaft and bevel gear arrangement drives a reciprocating piston in a cylinder that, in association with check valves and a hose connection, can inflate a pneumatic tire, at a speed and to a pressure, determined by which drive ratio is chosen. The drill can be freely swiveled about either input shaft to which attached. A gauge indicates cylinder pressure. A frame permits the assembly of drive and pump to be used to pressurize a tank for storage of compressed air.

Abstract: A wrist driving mechanism for an industrial robot has a first base wrist unit (13) supported on the free end of a robot arm (11) and capable of rotating about a first axis (.gamma.). The first base wrist unit (13) is mounted with a second base wrist unit (14) capable of rotating about a second axis (.beta.). The second base wrist unit (14) is mounted with a fore wrist unit (15) capable of rotating about a third axis (.alpha.). The robot arm (11) is provided along the longitudinal direction thereof with a first power transmitting unit (16) for transmitting a rotative power to the first base wrist unit (13). A second power transmitting unit (19) for transmitting a rotative power to the second base wrist unit (14) is formed along the robot arm (11) and the first base wrist unit (13). A motor (25) for driving the fore wrist unit (15) for rotation is mounted on the first base wrist unit (13). The driving shaft of the motor (25) is coupled with a first transmission shaft (26) extended along the second axis (.beta.

Abstract: A drive for inducing pivoting rotational and linear movements includes a drive unit comprising two coaxial motors and having a pivot axis and a rotation axis normal to the pivot axis, and a drive element formed as a linear drive. The drive unit operated to induce swinging movements about the pivot axis and rotational movements about the rotation axis is interchangeably and releasably connectable to the linear drive. A transmission device interconnects the drive unit with the linear drive.

Abstract: A remotely operated hand gear train for the orientation of an end effector has an external housing mounted onto a robot arm and defines a first axis A.sub.1. A first housing is rotatably mounted within the external housing for movement about the first axis A.sub.1 and defines therein a second axis A.sub.2 which is substantially perpendicular to the first axis A.sub.1. A second housing is rotatably mounted in the first housing for rotation about the second axis A.sub.2 and defines therein an axis A.sub.3 which is normal to axis A.sub.2 and radially spaced from axis A.sub.1. A third housing is rotatably mounted in the second housing for rotation about axis A.sub.3 and has a gear rack circumferentially disposed about the end thereof.

Abstract: A highly efficient ultra-light weight heavy lift helicopter transmission is disclosed herein which, by these very characteristics, allows greater helicopter payloads and gross weights than now can be attained using present state of the art design approaches. These characteristics are made possible through the use of:1. Multiple vertically mounted engines which allow short power paths and a minimum number of gear meshes in series.2. Many load sharing power paths (three per engine) having fixed load sharing ratios which are unaffected by transmission deflections and manufacturing tolerances.3. A large overall gear reduction through the use of differential planetary meshes (one per engine) and a large gear reduction with many input load paths at its final output herringbone type gear stage.4. A unique final stage, bearingless, floating bull gear support system having an ultra lightweight reaction load path means, and5.

Abstract: An inching drive unit for a brake unit, clutch/brake unit, or the like, the unit having a housing and a main rotatable member operably associated with a first portion of the housing, the inching drive unit comprising an inching motor having a drive shaft, a second portion of the housing secured to the inching motor into which the inching motor drive shaft extends, a first gear mechanism disposed at least in part within the inching drive portion of the housing and operably associated with the inching motor drive shaft, a second rotatable member mechanism operably associated with the main rotatable member, and a mechanism for selectively engaging the first gear mechanism with the second rotatable member mechanism wherein engagement of the first gear mechanism with the second rotatable member mechanism permits the inching motor to drive the input shaft of the clutch/brake unit.

Abstract: A manual drive system for a turret includes a manually operated drive train for traversing the turret including two synchronizing bevel gears and two spur gears selectively engaged to transfer torque to a horizontal ring gear for rotating the turret and selectively disengaged to back drive a worm gear with respect to a lock worm that locks the turret in a predetermined traverse position.

Abstract: A robot joint including a housing, dual inputs on opposite sides of the housing, an eccentric driven by each inputs and adapted to both planetate around an inner surface of the housing and to drive a first pair of bevel gears, a second pair of bevel gears, each of which meshes with both of the first pair of bevel gears, and a single cylindrical output member secured to one of the second pair of bevel gears. If the dual inputs and, hence, the first pair of bevel gears are driven in the same direction at the same speed, the cylindrical output member is caused to be raised or lowered, whereas if driven at the same speed in opposite directions, the output member is caused to rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. Variations in speed and direction will result in desired combinations of "pitch" and "roll" movements.

Abstract: A swivel head for industrial robots has two degrees of freedom, which are associated with respective spindles having intersecting axes. A first spindle serves to swivel a tool and a second spindle serves to rotate the tool. The swivel head also comprises two concentric drive shafts, which extend one in the other and carry bevel gears. One of said bevel wheels is a driving bevel gear for directly driving the second spindle by means of a bevel gear mounted on said second spindle. The other bevel gear drives a swiveling bevel gear mounted on the first spindle. In that swivel head a speed-reducing tansmission having a high reduction ratio is connected to the second spindle and serves to drive a tool carrier. The swiveling bevel gear directly carries a bearing bracket, which carries the tool shaft and intermediate gears of the transmission. The housing of the swivel head consists of a rigid part and a movable part.

Abstract: An inching drive for a clutch/brake unit, the unit having a main housing and an input shaft and an output shaft operably associated with said main housing, the inching drive comprising an inching motor having a drive shaft, a housing secured to the inching motor into which the inching motor drive shaft extends, a first gear mechanism disposed at least in part within the inching drive housing and operably associated with the inching motor drive shaft, a second gear mechanism operably associated with the input shaft of the clutch/brake unit, and a mechanism for selectively engaging said first gear mechanism with said second gear mechanism wherein engagement of the first gear mechanism with the second gear mechanism permits the inching motor to drive the input shaft of the clutch/brake unit.

Abstract: The central part of the nut of a gimbal mounting system for rotating a microwave antenna and the like is given a movement of elevation about the second axis (5) when the corresponding motor (II) is started-up and a circular movement about the first axis (3) orthogonal with the second axis when the corresponding motor (I) alone is started up, said circular movement automatically producing a movement of elevation about the second axis.

Abstract: A split-torque transmission in which a high-speed engine drives a substantially lower speed drive shaft, such as a helicopter rotor drive shaft, comprises a pair of selectively laterally inclined cross shafts for drivingly connecting a corresponding pair of helicopter engines with the helicopter rotor drive shaft. The transmission arrangement achieves a relatively high overall speed reduction, such as required in the transmission of power to the main rotor of a helicopter, with a minimum number of reduction stages, gears, and bearings. The lateral inclination of the cross shafts and the adjustable positioning of the associated gears to vary that inclination permits the engines of a two or more engined helicopter to be relatively widely separated and at the same time compact the drive arrangement in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A servo drive for driving an output shaft of a valve comprises a gear housing on which is mounted an electric driving motor which drives an eccentric through back gears. A planetary gear train includes an externally toothed inner gear engaged on the eccentric and driven thereby. The output shaft extends through the eccentric. An internally and an externally toothed outer gear has an internal gear portion and engageable with the external gear of the inner gear and has an outer gear portion engaged with a worm in a fixed self-locking manner. A plurality of wound bolts of equal diameter are arranged in spaced circumferential locations along a first circle around the center of the inner gear and they are spaced from each other by equal lengths of arc which protrude in one axial direction. A perforated disc connected to the output shaft has a disc portion oriented parallel to the inner gear and has a plurality of circumferentially spaced round holes in the same number of the number of bolts.

Abstract: A drive arrangement which includes a number of internal combustion engines which are adapted to be connected to a flow of working force through free wheeling or one way clutches and gears to a common output shaft. In addition to a flow of working force the individual internal combustion engines may be interconnected by another flow of a tractive force which is formed by gearing up gears and one way or free wheeling clutches. This flow of tractive force acts only in a direction of force flow which opposes the flow of the working force. The internal combustion engines may be mechanically arranged in parallel next to one another or in series behind one another with working or output shafts of the internal combustion engines being located parallel or in series one behind the other. The working shafts are connected with parallel gear stages which transmit at different ratios and have opposing force flows.

Abstract: A joint device has each of its arms jointed at joint sections arranged at front and back ends thereof. The arms are allowed at the joint section to move relatively in two directions perpendicular to each other. Semi-circular guide members are rotatably attached to support member of each of arm by pins at each of the joint sections. The guide members of adjacent arms are fixed with their rotation axes directed substantially perpendicular to each other. A driving structure for driving one of these guide members around the rotation axis of the other is arranged to the support member of an arm adjacent to the arm to which the guide member is attached. When the guide member is driven by means of the driving structure, the support member on which the driving structure is arranged is rotated relative to the guide member. As the result, the whole of the arm is rotated.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a roll of a roll stand has respective adjustment spindles operatively engageable with the ends of the roll and rotatable about respective axes in one direction to advance the respective roll end and in an opposite direction to retract the respective roll end. A main transmission has respective rotary outputs connected to the spindles, main inputs, and secondary inputs and a relatively strong main drive has respective rotary output shafts connected to the main inputs of the main transmissions for rotating the spindles therethrough. Respective secondary transmissions have outputs connected to the secondary input of the main transmissions and inputs. Individually operable respective relatively weak secondary drives are connected to the inputs of the secondary transmissions for rotating same and rotating the spindles through the secondary and main transmissions.

Abstract: Apparatus for the positioning of an automobile vehicle bodywork on an inspection and/or repair gauge block of the type comprising two parallel longitudinal members having an I-section. The apparatus comprises two cross members for disposition beneath the longitudinal members the cross members being mounted for movement along the longitudinal members by means of rollers rolling on the lower flanges of the longitudinal members. The extremities of these cross members each carry, outside the gauge block, a lateral bracket containing a sliding vertical arm the upper extremity of which carries an element adapted to support the base of a vehicle body. This element is movably mounted in the transverse direction while mechanical control structure is provided permitting sliding the vertical arm in order to adjust the position of this support element in the vertical direction.

Abstract: A weather-vane steering-device comprises a gearbox secured to a boat, a turntable rotatable in the gearbox, a weather-vane rotatable in the turntable, a steering element rotatable in the gearbox, a first differential gear between the weather-vane and the steering element, and a second differential gear between the turntable and the gearbox, a freely rotating member of the first differential gear being connected to a freely rotating member of the second differential gear.

Abstract: An angular output transfer case incorporates an internal single cardan joint within the transfer case housing. The internal single cardan joint is coupled with an angularly oriented output shaft, and has a fixed included angle. An external single cardan joint without the housing couples the output shaft with a propeller shaft, and thus has a dynamic included angle. The joints are phased ninety degrees, and are related such that the fixed included angle is equal to the dynamic included angle at an optimum design condition.

Abstract: High-low speed rotary drive mechanism for rotatably driving driven elements of a tool, for example a hydraulic chuck, while permitting axial movement of the driven elements relative thereto, said mechanism including a housing, a tubular spindle rotatably mounted by the housing top and bottom walls, drive lugs joined to the spindle inner peripheral wall for driving the driven elements, an axially lower main drive gear fixed to the spindle to drive the spindle, a reversible hydraulic motor mounted on the housing for driving the main drive gear at high speed, low torque, an upper gear mounted on the spindle between the lower gear and the top wall for rotation relative the spindle, an elongated rack having teeth intermeshing with the upper gear for driving the upper gear at high torque, low speed, and a poppet type ratchet assembly mounted by the upper gear to rotate therewith.

Abstract: A drive system characterized by a base supporting a pair of pillars arranged in spaced parallelism, a shaft extended between and supported by the pillars for rotation about the longitudinal axis thereof, a worm gear affixed to the shaft and supported thereby in coaxial relation therewith. A bearing housing of a sleeve-like configuration is concentrically related to the shaft and is supported thereby for free rotation with respect thereto. A first and a second normally quiescent drive train, alternatively activatable, is provided for imparting rotation into said bearing housing.

Abstract: The drive system comprises an annular member carrying first engagement means which couple to second engagement means carried by drive motor means. The drive motor means are effective to rotate the annular member about an axis of rotation. Specific features of the invention include the use of hydraulic drive motor means operated through the use of a hydraulic system. The drive system also includes a pair of annular members which cooperate with respect to each other in combination with drive motor means disposed adjacent to each of the annular members. A plurality of drive motors may be used in some of the particular combinations and a single drive motor having a central pinion means and a satellite group of gears may also be used in conjunction with the drive motor means.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system comprised of a differential having three associated shafts. A first shaft is rotated at a speed responsive to the engine speed and drives the differential. A second shaft is driven by the differential against a variable retarding torque, which torque varies the speed of the second shaft. A third shaft is driven by the differential and drives a variable speed, fixed displacement fuel pump at a speed responsive to the speed of the second shaft combined with the speed of the first shaft.

Abstract: A differential gear system is disclosed for selectively transmitting power from one of two alternative power sources and which is particularly suited for use in actuating assemblies. The differential gear system includes an input gear rotatable about a sleeve assembly and in driving engagement with a spider gear assembly keyed to the sleeve assembly and driving an output gear also rotatable about the sleeve assembly. In one mode of operation, a first input gear system drives the differential input gear about the sleeve assembly while the sleeve assembly is held stationary by a second input gear system whereby power is transmitted through the spider gear assembly to the differential output gear. Alternatively, second input gear system drives the sleeve assembly while the first input gear system holds the differential input gear stationary whereby power is transmitted through the spider gear assembly to the differential output gear.