Bearing preload apparatus
AssigneeAmerican Axle & Manufacturing, Inc.
InventorsBryan N. Waineo, James P. Downs
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A bearing preload apparatus may include a gearbox assembly, a coupling assembly, and a sensor assembly. The gearbox assembly may include a gearbox housing, a first shaft and a second shaft. The first and second shafts may extend out of the housing and may be rotatable simultaneously with each other at different speeds. The coupling assembly may include a first driver coupling connected to the first shaft and a second driver coupling connected to the second shaft. The sensor assembly may be mounted to a stationary structure and the gearbox housing. The sensor assembly may measure a reaction torque of the gearbox assembly relative to the stationary structure.
Claims21
A bearing preload apparatus comprising:
- a gearbox assembly including a gearbox housing, a first shaft and a second shaft, the first and second shafts extend out of the gearbox housing and are rotatable simultaneously with each other at different speeds;
- a coupling assembly including a first driver coupling connected to the first shaft and a second driver coupling connected to the second shaft;
- and
- a sensor assembly mounted to a stationary structure and the gearbox housing, the sensor assembly measuring a reaction torque of the gearbox assembly relative to the stationary structure.
A bearing preload apparatus comprising:
- a first motor having a first output shaft;
- a second motor having a second output shaft;
- and
- a gearbox assembly driven by the first and second motors and including a gearbox housing, a plurality of planet gears, an inner shaft, and an outer shaft that extends around the inner shaft, the inner and outer shafts extend out of the gearbox housing and are rotatable simultaneously with each other at different speeds,
- wherein the inner shaft includes a first gear, and the outer shaft includes a second gear,
- wherein each of the planet gears is meshingly engaged with the first and second gears,
- wherein the first output shaft of the first motor drives the inner shaft, and
- wherein the second output shaft of the second motor drives orbital motion of the planet gears around the inner and outer shafts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.