Variable stiffness support ring
US4843912A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jul 4, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T74/19623
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An improved support ring (50) is disclosed for supporting a plurality of planetary gear sets (20) which are driven by a centrally disposed input shaft (12) having a sun gear (16) attached thereto in which the planetary gear sets are subject to radially inward loads. The support ring (50) includes an inner ring (52) and an outer ring (57). The inner ring (52) has a bore (54) which is disposed around the input shaft (12) and an outside surface (56) and the outer ring (57) has a bore (58) with a diameter greater than the diameter of the outside surface of the inner ring. The outside surface (60) of the outer ring rotatably supports the planetary gear sets (20). Preferably, the outer ring (57) has a spring rate which is less than the inner ring (52) to readily permit absorption of radial loads when the outer ring does not contact the inner ring. A retaining ring (62) may be provided to maintain a fixed axial relationship between the inner (52) and outer rings (57).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.