Compliant gear assembly and work machine using same

A gear assembly of comprising:

• a hub defining a first axis;
• a gear ring positioned about said hub and defining a second axis, said gear ring being configured to translate in a direction perpendicular to said first axis responsive to a torque on said gear assembly;
• and
• at least one actuator coupled between said hub and said gear ring and configured to bias said gear ring toward coaxial alignment with said hub;
• wherein said at least one actuator comprises a biasing spring;
• wherein said hub is a first hub portion and said gear ring is configured to rotate about said first hub portion, said gear assembly further comprising a hub subassembly that includes said first hub portion and a second hub portion configured to translate with said gear ring relative to said first hub portion;
• wherein said first hub portion defines said first axis, said first and second hub portions being configured to mate with one another and movable between a first, abutting, position and a second, separated, position, and wherein said at least one actuator is configured to bias said first and second hub portions toward said second position at which said gear ring is coaxially aligned with said first hub portion;
• wherein the biasing spring of said at least one actuator is coupled with a hydraulically actuated compensation piston;
• wherein said first hub portion defines at least one fluid cavity, wherein said hydraulically actuated compensation piston includes a pressure surface exposed to a fluid pressure of said at least one fluid cavity;
• the gear assembly further comprising at least one fluid pressurization piston configured to translate with said gear ring and operable to supply a pressurized hydraulic fluid to said at least one fluid cavity;
• wherein said first hub portion includes first and second fluid pressurization chambers disposed at opposite positions about said first axis;
• wherein said at least one fluid pressurization piston comprises a first and a second fluid pressurization piston disposed at least partially within said first and second fluid pressurization chambers, respectively;
• wherein said at least one fluid cavity includes a first and a second fluid cavity each having a fluid inlet connecting with each of said fluid pressurization chambers, and a fluid outlet;
• and
• wherein said at least one actuator comprises first and second actuators each comprising a movable sleeve positioned about one of said hydraulically actuated compensation pistons and movable relative to said first hub portion to selectively block or open said fluid outlet.