Integrated gearbox lockout device
AssigneeTextron Innovations Inc.
InventorsMatthew M. Wilcox, Jacob P. Speed, Cody C. Anderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods and systems are described for a gearbox lockout device. It may be desirable in certain vehicles to lock a drive shaft within a gearbox for a period of time. Lockout embodiments under the present disclosure include a shaft configured to selectively engage the drive shaft via teeth. An inner and outer collar surrounding the shaft can be manipulated to restrict the movement of the shaft once the shaft's teeth are engaged with the teeth of the drive shaft. The system can be torqued up and locked in place. This can allow for more safe transporting of the vehicle, easier maintenance, or other advantages.
Claims17
A lockout device for a gearbox, comprising:
- a housing;
- a shaft comprising a first plurality of teeth at a first end, the first plurality of teeth being configured to engage a second plurality of teeth on a drive train within the gearbox and transmit rotation from the shaft to the drive train;
- an inner collar configured to sit around the shaft, the inner collar further configured to sit at least partially between the shaft and the housing, the inner collar comprising a plurality of threadless holes;
- and
- an outer collar configured to sit around the shaft and at least partially between the inner collar and the housing, the outer collar comprising a plurality of threaded holes configured to receive a plurality of bolts passing through the plurality of threadless holes, wherein rotation of the plurality of bolts can adjust a relative position of the inner collar and the outer collar, wherein as the inner collar and the outer collar are pulled closer together the inner collar is pushed against the shaft and restricts a displacement of the shaft with respect to the housing.
A lockout device for use in driving, torquing, and locking a drive train in a gearbox, comprising:
- (a) a housing;
- (b) an o-ring configured to seal a gap between a shaft and the housing;
- (c) the shaft comprising
- (i) a plurality of teeth at a first end configured to engage a portion of the drive train within the gearbox and to transmit rotation from the shaft to the drive train;
- and
- (ii) a receiving slot at a second end distal to the first end and configured to receive a tool for rotation of the shaft.
A method of performing a lockout operation to torque and lock a drive train within a gearbox, the method comprising:
- manipulating a shaft comprising a first plurality of teeth at a first end so as to engage a second plurality of teeth on a drive train with the first plurality of teeth;
- applying a torque to the drive train by rotating the shaft at a second end comprising a receiving slot;
- and
- rotating a plurality of threaded bolts coupled to a plurality of threadless holes in an inner collar and a plurality of threaded holes in an outer collar, the inner collar configured to sit around the shaft and at least partially between the shaft and a housing, the outer collar configured to sit around the shaft and at least partially between the inner collar and the housing, wherein rotating the plurality of threaded bolts can adjust a relative position of the inner collar and the outer collar, wherein as the inner collar and the outer collar are pulled closer together the inner collar is pushed against the shaft and restricts a displacement of the shaft within the housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.