# US 2014/0155215 A1 · Drive apparatus or system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155215 A1 - Document ID: US20140155215A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/176,087 - Filed: 2014-02-08 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-08-10 - Assignees: GustoMSC Resources B.V. - Applicants: GustoMSC Resources B.V. - Inventors: Chris RADEMAKERS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155215A1 ## CPC - F16H 37/082: {and additional planetary reduction gears} - E02B 17/0818: {with racks actuated by pinions (lifting jacks B66F3/02 - B66F3/06)} - F16H: GEARING - E02B: HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING (ship-lifting E02C; dredging E02F) ## Abstract The drive system comprises a drive unit. The drive unit comprises a motor unit and a gear train coupled to the motor unit. The gear train comprises a differential planetary gear system having a single input shaft connected to the motor unit. The differential planetary gear system further has at least two output shafts of which each output shaft is arranged for driving a drive shaft. The differential planetary gear system comprises at least two single planetary gear sets. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drive unit for driving at least two drive shafts, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor unit and a gear train coupled to the motor unit, wherein the gear train comprises a compound differential planetary gear system having at least one input shaft coupled to the motor unit and at least two output shafts of which each output shaft is arranged for driving a drive shaft, wherein the compound differential planetary gear system comprises at least two planetary gear sets that are coupled to each other. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a shaft of sun gears of the respective planetary gear sets are coupled to each other via the input shaft. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a sun gear of one of the planetary gear sets is omitted. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein either one of a carrier or a ring gear of the planetary gear system is provided as an output shaft for driving the drive shaft. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a final gear system, comprising a transverse gear system, or a final planetary gear system or both, is arranged between each output shaft and the drive shaft corresponding to the output shaft. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, further comprising two final gear systems that are coupled to each other to provide a reaction-torque free gear train. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the gear train is arranged in one or more housings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The drive unit according to claim 7, wherein the one or more housings of the gear train comprises first connecting elements for connection with the motor unit and second connecting elements for connection with the drive shafts. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the drive shaft is a pinion that is arranged for engaging a rack. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor unit has an output shaft that aligned with the input shaft of the gear train. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor unit has an output shaft aligned with the at least one input shaft of the compound differential planetary gear system and/or integrated therewith. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein a centreline of the output shaft of the motor unit is positioned in between centrelines of the drive shafts. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein the motor unit is placed at least partly between the at least two output shafts of the compound differential planetary gear system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The drive unit according to claim 1, wherein an input gear set is placed between the motor unit and the input shaft. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A gear box comprising a gear train for use in the drive unit according to claim 1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The gear box according to claim 15, wherein the gear train is arranged in one or more housings. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) A drive system for driving multiple drive shafts simultaneously, comprising a number of drive units according to claim 1. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The drive system according to claim 17, wherein the drive shaft comprises a pinion that is arranged for engagement with a rack. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The drive system according to claim 18, wherein pinions driven by a drive unit are arranged on the same rack. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The drive system according to claim 18, wherein pinions driven by a drive unit are arranged on different racks alongside each other. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) The drive system according to claim 18, wherein the racks are positioned in a standing position for driving the pinions up or down along the racks. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) The drive system according to claim 18, wherein the racks are positioned in a lying position for driving the pinions forwards or backwards along the racks. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The drive system according to claim 18, comprising an integrated load measuring system, which allows determination of the torque transmitted through the drive system. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) An offshore structure comprising the drive system according to claim 17. ### Claim 25 A drive unit for driving at least two drive shafts simultaneously, wherein the drive unit comprises a motor unit and a gear train coupled to the motor unit, wherein the gear train comprises at least one planetary gear system having at least one input shaft coupled to the motor unit and at least two output shafts of which each output shaft is arranged for driving a drive shaft through a final gear set, such that between the output shaft and the drive shaft being driven by the output shaft, the final gear system is positioned. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The drive unit according to claim 25, wherein the motor unit is directly coupled to the input shaft of the gear train. ### Claim 27 (depends on 25) The drive unit according to claim 25, wherein the final gear system comprises a planetary gear set. ### Claim 28 (depends on 25) The drive unit according to claim 25, wherein the final gear system may comprise a transverse gear system and/or a final gear system. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The drive unit according to claim 25, further comprising a gear set positioned between the output shaft of the motor unit and the input shaft of the gear train. ### Claim 30 (depends on 25) The drive unit according to claim 25, wherein the output shaft of the motor unit and the input shaft of the gear train are in line with each other. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The drive unit according to claim 25, wherein the output shaft of the motor unit is positioned symmetrically between the at least two drive shafts.