Machine element or mechanism – Gearing – Adjustable
Patent
1998-08-21
2000-09-26
Estremsky, Sherry L.
Machine element or mechanism
Gearing
Adjustable
74665GA, 74665GC, 475 6, 475332, F16H 3500
Patent
active
061229849
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a phase control mechanism for controlling a predetermined phase relationship of at least one output.
BACKGOUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Many situations exist in industry and transport where it is necessary to be able to alter the phase relationship between concentric rotating shafts, parallel shafts or other similar elements while they are in motion and under load.
Examples of this need, include the control of the pitch of propellers of aircraft and boats, particularly ships; controlling the pitch of power producing windmills; opening and closing lathe and drill chucks while they are in motion during production runs; controlling the eccentricity of some forms of continuously variable transmissions and determining the valve timing of cam shafts in internal combustion engines.
Operations of the type mentioned above is usually achieved by using electric devices or sliding mechanical mechanisms. These mechanisms all have difficulty with high levels of torque, and in general, with reliability.
A need therefore exists for a mechanical rotating mechanism which is able to alter the phase relationship between two or more concentric or parallel shafts while they are in motion and under load.
The invention may be said to reside in a phase control mechanism including: the plurality of outputs; that when the input is driven, power is supplied to the outputs for driving the outputs; regress relative to one another; and gear members to advance or regress relative to one another to change the phase relationship between the outputs.
Thus, in order to change the phase relationship between the outputs the actuating means is moved to adjust the position of the adjusting means which in turn causes the first gear members to regress or advance relative to each other to change the phase relationship between the outputs. The phase between the outputs can therefore be adjusted to not only supply rotary power from the input to the outputs but also to alter the position of a device or article coupled on the outputs relative to one another. The phase relationship can be changed with the mechanism operating (that is supplying rotary power) or with the mechanism stationary. It is not necessary to stop the mechanism to change the phase relationship and therefore the phase relationship of the input and output can then be adjusted during operation as required.
In one embodiment of the invention the input is integral with a first of the output shafts and a second of the output shafts is mounted concentrically on the first output shaft, the drive means comprises: input, and the first gear member on the first output, the fixed spur gear having a second set of teeth which mesh with teeth on an idler gear rotatable relative to the outputs; gear and a second set of teeth meshing with the first gear member coupled to the second output; and outputs and wherein the second spur gear forms said phase adjusting means and the yoke forms said actuating means so that when the yoke is pivoted relative to the input and output, the second spur gear is driven around the first gear on the second output and the idler gear to cause the first gear on the second output to regress or advance relative to the first gear on the first output to alter the phase relationship between the input and output.
In a second embodiment of the invention, the input has a cage which supports at least one pinion gear, the pinion gear engaging a first bevel gear mounted on first output and a second bevel gear mounted on a second output; drive means; cage and being coupled to the first output by the cage, the pinion gear and the first bevel gear, the first gear member on the cage engaging a first set of teeth of a fixed spur gear, the fixed spur gear having a second set of teeth for engaging an idler gear rotatable relative to the outputs, a second spur gear mounted in a yoke pivotable relative to the outputs, the second spur gear having a first set of teeth engaging said idler gear and a second set of teeth engaging said first
REFERENCES:
patent: 2163035 (1939-06-01), Grupe
patent: 2759494 (1956-08-01), Honegger
patent: 3364789 (1968-01-01), Whitfield
patent: 5174716 (1992-12-01), Hora et al.
patent: 5606941 (1997-03-01), Trzmiel et al.
Aimbridge Pty Ltd.
Estremsky Sherry L.
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