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US 10,648,551 B2Granted
Gearbox split torque equalization system
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorRon L. Woods
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In one embodiment, a split torque gearbox can include a first compound gear and a second compound gear. The compound gears can each include a piston housing with a fluid inlet and a piston received in the piston housing and defining a space within the first piston housing exposed to the fluid inlet. The split torque gearbox can include a fluid line coupled to each of the fluid inlets to supply a fluid to the pistons at a predetermined pressure, the fluid line coupled to the second fluid inlet to supply fluid to the second piston assembly at the predetermined pressure. Pressure developed in the pistons is equal for all gear shafts, and can equalize torque imbalances in the split torque gearbox.
Claims17
An apparatus comprising:
- a first compound gear comprising:
- a first piston assembly comprising:
- a first piston housing comprising a first fluid inlet;
- a first piston coupled to a first driveshaft, the first piston received in the first piston housing and defining a space within the first piston housing exposed to the first fluid inlet, wherein the first driveshaft is secured via a first bearing, the first bearing preventing radial movement of the first driveshaft and permitting axial movement of the first driveshaft;
- and
- a first seal comprising an O-ring disposed between the first piston and the first piston housing;
- a second compound gear comprising:
- a second piston assembly comprising:
- a second piston housing comprising a second fluid inlet;
- a second piston coupled to a second driveshaft, the second piston received in the second piston housing and defining a space within the second piston housing exposed to the second fluid inlet, wherein the second driveshaft is secured via a second bearing, the second bearing preventing radial movement of the second driveshaft and permitting axial movement of the second driveshaft;
- and
- a second seal comprising an O-ring disposed between the second piston and the second piston housing;
- and
- a fluid line coupled to the first fluid inlet to supply a fluid to the first piston assembly at a predetermined pressure, the fluid line coupled to the second fluid inlet to supply fluid to the second piston assembly at the predetermined pressure.
11 more elements
An apparatus comprising:
- an engine;
- a rotor assembly;
- and
- a split torque gearbox, the split torque gearbox comprising:
- a first compound gear comprising:
- a first piston assembly comprising:
- a first piston housing comprising a first fluid inlet;
- a first piston coupled to a first driveshaft, the first piston received in the first piston housing and defining a space within the first piston housing exposed to the first fluid inlet, wherein the first driveshaft is secured via a first bearing, the first bearing preventing radial movement of the first driveshaft and permitting axial movement of the first driveshaft;
- and
- a first seal comprising an O-ring disposed between the first piston and the first piston housing;
- a second compound gear comprising:
- a second piston assembly comprising:
- a second piston housing comprising a second fluid inlet;
- a second piston coupled to a second driveshaft, the second piston received in the second piston housing and defining a space within the second piston housing exposed to the second fluid inlet, wherein the second driveshaft is secured via a second bearing, the second bearing preventing radial movement of the second driveshaft and permitting axial movement of the second driveshaft;
- and
- a second seal comprising an O-ring disposed between the second piston and the second piston housing;
- and
- a fluid line coupled to the first fluid inlet to supply a fluid to the first piston assembly at a predetermined pressure, the fluid line coupled to the second fluid inlet to supply fluid to the second piston assembly at the predetermined pressure.
15 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing a fluid to a first fluid inlet of a first piston, the first piston coupled to a first compound gear of a split torque gearbox, the fluid provided to the first fluid inlet at a predetermined pressure;
- providing the fluid to a second fluid inlet of a second piston, the second piston coupled to a second compound gear of the split torque gearbox, the fluid provided to the second fluid inlet at the predetermined pressure P1;
- providing a first torque to the first compound gear;
- providing a second torque to the second compound gear;
- and
- balancing the first torque and the second torque based on a fluid backpressure exerted by one of the first piston and the second piston on the fluid;
- wherein the first piston comprises a first piston housing comprising the first fluid inlet and wherein the first piston is coupled to a first driveshaft, the first piston received in the first piston housing and defining a space within the first piston housing exposed to the first fluid inlet and sealed by a first seal comprising an O-ring disposed between the first piston and the first piston housing, wherein the first driveshaft is secured via a first bearing, the first bearing preventing radial movement of the first driveshaft and permitting axial movement of the first driveshaft;
- and
- wherein the second piston comprises a second piston housing comprising the second fluid inlet and wherein the second piston is coupled to a second driveshaft, the second piston received in the second piston housing and defining a space within the second piston housing exposed to the second fluid inlet and sealed by a second seal comprising an O-ring disposed between the second piston and the second piston housing, wherein the second driveshaft is secured via a second bearing, the second bearing preventing radial movement of the second driveshaft and permitting axial movement of the second driveshaft.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.