Compound epicyclic cog belt speed reducer

A compound epicyclic speed reducer comprising:

• a frame;
• at least two suns;
• means mounting said suns on said frame in coaxial relationship, the common axis of said two suns defining a primary axis;
• means for maintaining one of said suns stationary relative to said frame;
• at least two planets, one for each of said suns;
• planet shaft means for carrying said planets for conjoint rotation;
• an idler carrier assembly rotatably supporting said planet shaft means spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said primary axis, the axis of said planet shaft means supported by said idler carrier assembly defining a secondary axis;
• at least two endless loop force-transmitting elements connecting, respectively, one of said suns and one of said planets, and the other of said suns and the other of said planets;
• rotary input means for effecting rotation of said planet shaft means and thereby effecting conjoint rotation of said two planets about said secondary axis, rotation of said planets effecting rotation of said idler carrier member about said primary axis for orbiting of said planet shaft and said planets about said primary axis;
• and
• a rotary output member rotatably mounted on said frame and driven by rotation of said planets about said secondary axis in combination with orbiting of said planets about said primary axis.

Rotary drive mechanism comprising a high-speed electric motor having a rotary output member rotating at a high speed of at least 3,000 rpm, and a compound epicyclic speed reducer having a velocity ratio of at least 1,000:1 and including:

• an input shaft rotatable about a first axis by rotation of said motor rotary output member;
• an output shaft coaxial with the input shaft and rotatable relative thereto, three suns, all concentric about said first axis, including a stationary reaction sun, an input sun rotatable with said input shaft and an output sun rotatable with said output shaft;
• three planets, including a reaction planet for said reaction sun, an input planet for said input sun and an output planet for said output sun;
• planet shaft means carrying said three planets for conjoint rotation;
• an idler carrier member mounting said planet shaft means spaced from and extending substantially parallel to said first axis for orbiting of said planet shaft means about the primary axis;
• and three endless loop force-transmitting elements for connecting, respectively, said reaction sun and said reaction planet, said input sun and said input planet, and said output sun and said output planet.