Modular-flexible wormshaft assembly
AssigneeReliance Electric Technologies, LLC
InventorFrederick Paul Eberle
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A worm shaft is provided with an intermediate worm thread section between first and second end structures, wherein at least one of the first and second end structures has a coupling structure for a desired extension of a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions. The desired extension and the intermediate worm thread section are both selectable based on the desired application, the desired gearing ratio, and other features. Accordingly, the multi-component worm shaft of the present technique increases flexibility, reduces manufacturing costs, and reduces inventory.
Claims41
A modular gearing system, comprising:
- a worm shaft having worm threads mateable with a worm gear;
- and
- a modular extension coupled to an end structure of the worm shaft, wherein the modular extension is selective from a plurality of modular extensions.
A gear, comprising:
- a worm shaft comprising an intermediate worm thread section between first and second end structures, wherein at least one of the first and second end structures has a coupling structure for a desired extension of a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions.
A gearing mechanism, comprising:
- a modular worm shaft extension coupleable with at least one end structure of a worm shaft having worm threads mateable with a worm gear, wherein the modular worm shaft extension is selective from a plurality of different modular worm shaft extensions.
A method of forming a worm shaft, comprising:
- providing a worm shaft having worm threads mateable with a worm gear;
- selecting a worm shaft extension for the worm shaft from a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions;
- and
- coupling the worm shaft extension to an end of the worm shaft.
A modular worm gearing system, comprising:
- a threaded worm shaft selectable from a plurality of modular worm shaft sections;
- a worm shaft extension selectable from a plurality of modular worm shaft extensions;
- and
- modular coupling means for coupling the threaded worm shaft and the worm shaft extension.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.