Drive device and method for speed limitation

A drive device, comprising:

• a main drive machine;
• at least one auxiliary drive;
• a superposition transmission including an input shaft connected to said main drive machine, an output shaft to be connected to a work machine, a planetary transmission having an internal gear connected to said input shaft, a sun gear connected to said output shaft, a planet carrier and a plurality planet gears;
• a first transmission stage with a constant transmission ratio connecting said at least one auxiliary drive to said planet carrier;
• and
• an auxiliary drive connection with a constant transmission ratio having one side disposed at said at least one auxiliary drive and another side disposed at said internal gear or a pinion on said input shaft;
• said auxiliary drive connection including a switchable clutch configured to activate or interrupt said auxiliary drive connection, said switchable clutch maintaining an activated connection between said at least one auxiliary drive and said planet carrier through said first transmission stage upon an occurrence of an interruption.

A method for rotational speed limitation on a drive device, the method comprising the following steps:

• providing a drive device including:
• a main drive machine;
• at least one auxiliary drive;
• a superposition transmission including an input shaft connected to the main drive machine, an output shaft to be connected to a work machine, a planetary transmission having an internal gear connected to the input shaft, a sun gear connected to the output shaft, a planet carrier and a plurality planet gears;
• a first transmission stage with a constant transmission ratio connecting the at least one auxiliary drive to the planet carrier;
• and
• an auxiliary drive connection with a constant transmission ratio having one side disposed at the at least one auxiliary drive and another side disposed at the internal gear or a pinion on the input shaft, the auxiliary drive connection including a switchable clutch configured to activate or interrupt the auxiliary drive connection, the switchable clutch maintaining an activated connection between the at least one auxiliary drive and the planet carrier through said first transmission stage upon an occurrence of an interruption;
• and
• upon a failure or fast shutdown of the main drive machine or of an auxiliary drive:
• a) detecting the failure or fast shutdown of the main drive machine or of the auxiliary drive;
• and
• s) subsequently closing the clutch.