# US 7,410,437 B2 · Planetary drive arrangement

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- Number: US 7,410,437 B2
- Document ID: US7410437B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/214,928
- Filed: 2005-08-31
- Published: 2007-03-01
- Granted: 2008-08-12
- Earliest claimed: 2005-08-31
- Assignees: Caterpillar Inc.
- Inventors: Stephen C. Garnett
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7410437B2

## CPC

- F16H 37/0806: {with a plurality of driving or driven shafts}
- B60K 6/365: with the gears having orbital motion
- B60K 6/46: Series type
- B60L 15/2036: {Electric differentials, e.g. for supporting steering vehicles}
- B60L 50/10: using propulsion power supplied by engine-driven generators, e.g. generators driven by combustion engines
- B62D 11/14: differential power outputs being effected by additional power supply to one side, e.g. power originating from secondary power source
- F16H 3/724: {using externally powered electric machines}
- F16H 3/727: {with at least two dynamo electric machines for creating an electric power path inside the gearing, e.g. using generator and motor for a variable power torque path}
- B60K 1/02: comprising more than one electric motor
- B60L 2200/40: Working vehicles
- B60L 2220/42: with use of more than one motor
- B60L 2240/486: Operating parameters
- B60Y 2200/25: Track vehicles
- B60Y 2200/411: Bulldozers, Graders
- F16H 37/065: {with a plurality of driving or driven shafts (F16H37/0806 takes precedence)}
- F16H 2200/201: with three sets of orbital gears
- Y02T 10/62: Hybrid vehicles
- Y02T 10/64: Electric machine technologies in electromobility
- Y02T 10/70: Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
- Y02T 10/7072: Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
- Y02T 10/72: Electric energy management in electromobility
- F16H: GEARING
- B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES
- B60L: PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (arrangements or mounting of electrical propulsion units or of plural diverse prime-movers for mutual or common propulsion in vehicles B60K1/00, B60K6/20; arrangements or mounting of electrical gearing in vehicles B60K17/12, B60K17/14; preventing wheel slip by reducing power in rail vehicles B61C15/08; dynamo-electric machines H02K; control or regulation of electric motors H02P); SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES (electric coupling devices combined with mechanical couplings of vehicles B60D1/64; electric heating for vehicles B60H1/00); ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL (control or regulation of electric motors H02P); MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M)
- B60Y: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- Y02T: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION

## Abstract

A drive arrangement for a machine includes a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a first motor, a second motor, and a third motor. The first, second, and third motors are drivingly connected to the first, second, and third planetary gear sets to simultaneously generate fewer than three separate output rotations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A drive arrangement, comprising:
a first planetary gear set;
a second planetary gear set;
a third planetary gear set;
a first motor;
a second motor; and
a third motor,
wherein the first, second, and third motors are drivingly connected to the first, second, and third planetary gear sets, and the first, second, and third motors simultaneously generate two output rotations to independently transmit power to two traction devices.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The drive arrangement of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third planetary gear sets each include at least three elements, the at least three elements of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets being connected to form five members.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein at least two elements of each of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets are connected to at least two elements of the other sets of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein each of the five members includes fewer than two elements from any one of the first, second, and third planetary gear set.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein each of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets has fewer than three elements connected to any one other of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set, planet carrier of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and sun gear of the second planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the second planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the sun gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and ring gear of the second planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the second planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 10 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set, ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the second planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 11 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and the ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and the planet carrier of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 12 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set, planet carrier of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 13 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and ring gear of the second planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the second planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 14 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the sun gear of the second planetary gear set and the planet carrier of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 15 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and ring gear of the second planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the second planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 16 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the second planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the second planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 17 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the sun gear of the second planetary gear set.

### Claim 18 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set and sun gear of the second planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, planet carrier of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 19 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the planet carrier of the third planetary gear set and the ring gear of the second planetary gear set.

### Claim 20 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set, ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the second planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 21 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set, the ring gear of the second planetary gear set and the sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the planet carrier of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 22 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set, planet carrier of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the second planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 23 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the ring gear of the first planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the first planetary gear set, planet carrier of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the second planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 24 (depends on 2)

The drive arrangement of claim 2, wherein:
the at least three elements includes:
a sun gear;
a planet carrier having planet gears; and
a ring gear;
the first of the five members includes the connected ring gear of the first planetary gear set, sun gear of the second planetary gear set, and sun gear of the third planetary gear set;
the second of the five members includes the planet carrier of the first planetary gear set;
the third of the five members includes the connected sun gear of the first planetary gear set and planet carrier of the third planetary gear set;
the fourth of the five members includes the ring gear of the second planetary gear set; and
the fifth of the five members includes the connected planet carrier of the second planetary gear set and ring gear of the third planetary gear set.

### Claim 25

A machine, comprising:
a power source operable to generate a power output;
a first traction device;
a second traction device;
a planetary gear arrangement configured to drive the first and second traction devices and having:
a first planetary gear set;
a second planetary gear set; and
a third planetary gear set;
a first motor;
a second motor; and
a third motor,
wherein the first, second, and third motors are drivingly connected by way of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets, and the first, second, and third motors simultaneously generate two output rotations to independently transmit power to each of the first and second traction devices.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The machine of claim 25, wherein the first, second, and third planetary gear sets each include at least three elements, the at least three elements of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets being connected to form five members.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The machine of claim 26, wherein at least two elements of each of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets are connected to at least two elements of the other sets of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The machine of claim 26, wherein each of the five members includes fewer than two elements from any one of the first, second, and third planetary gear set.

### Claim 29 (depends on 26)

The machine of claim 26, wherein each of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets has fewer than three elements connected to any one other of the first, second, and third planetary gear sets.