Abstract In combination, a centrifugal pump means having an enclosed pumping chamber with an inlet and an outlet, along with an impeller journaled for rotation within the chamber and a drive shaft arranged to provide rotational energy to the impeller; and a power transmission means coupled to the centrifugal pump for driving the drive shaft, the power transmission means having an input coupling for direct mounting onto a tractor power takeoff shaft with the input energy being coupled to the drive shaft for the pump. The power transmission means comprises a planetary gear system with a drive hub coupled to the input coupling, along with a plurality of planetary gears mounted on the drive hub, each gear being fabricated from relatively soft material such as nylon or the like, and journaled for rotation on the drive hub means. A sun gear is in mesh with the planetary gears and is mounted directly on the centrifugal pump drive shaft. A ring gear is in mesh with the plurality of planets, the ring gear being retained within the power transmission housing and arranged for limited arcuate motion within the power transmission housing, the ring gear having an outer cylindrical surface with a plurality of radially extending ribs arranged to fit within arcuate slots formed in the power transmission housing, with resilient pads having tip portions with a relatively large cross section, and shank portions with a reduced cross section, these pads being disposed arcuately laterally on either side of the radially extending ribs on the ring gear and thereby adapted to permit limited relative arcuate motion between the power transmission housing and the ring gear in response to torque loading of the drive shaft.
In combination: a centrifugal pump means having an enclosed pumping chamber with an inlet and an outlet, an impeller jourNaled for rotation within said chamber and a drive shaft arranged to provide rotational energy to said impeller; and a power transmission means coupled to said centrifugal pump means for driving said drive shaft, said power transmission means being mounted within a housing and having an input coupling for direct mounting onto a tractor power takeoff shaft with the input thereof being coupled to said drive shaft; a. said power transmission means comprising a planetary gear system with drive hub means coupled to said input coupling; b. a plurality of planetary gear retaining shafts coupled to said drive hub means, each with a sacrificial planetary gear secured for journaled rotation thereon, and a sun gear in mesh with said plurality of planetary gears and being coupled to said drive shaft; c. ring gear means in mesh with said plurality of planetary gears retained within said power transmission housing and arranged for limited arcuate motion within said power transmission housing, said ring gear means having an outer cylindrical surface with a plurality of radially extending ribs arranged to fit within arcuate slots of a certain predetermined radial dimension and formed in said power transmission housing, and d. resilient pads having tip portions with a cross section substantially equal to said certain predetermined radial dimension and with a central shank portion having a crosssectional thickness substantially less than said predetermined radial dimension received within said arcuate slots and disposed arcuately laterally on either side of said radially extending rib and adapted to permit limited relative arcuate motion between said power transmission housing and said ring gear in response to torque loading of said drive shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
292 words
In combination: a centrifugal pump means having an enclosed pumping chamber with an inlet and an outlet, an impeller jourNaled for rotation within said chamber and a drive shaft arranged to provide rotational energy to said impeller; and a power transmission means coupled to said centrifugal pump means for driving said drive shaft, said power transmission means being mounted within a housing and having an input coupling for direct mounting onto a tractor power takeoff shaft with the input thereof being coupled to said drive shaft; a. said power transmission means comprising a planetary gear system with drive hub means coupled to said input coupling; b. a plurality of planetary gear retaining shafts coupled to said drive hub means, each with a sacrificial planetary gear secured for journaled rotation thereon, and a sun gear in mesh with said plurality of planetary gears and being coupled to said drive shaft; c. ring gear means in mesh with said plurality of planetary gears retained within said power transmission housing and arranged for limited arcuate motion within said power transmission housing, said ring gear means having an outer cylindrical surface with a plurality of radially extending ribs arranged to fit within arcuate slots of a certain predetermined radial dimension and formed in said power transmission housing, and d. resilient pads having tip portions with a cross section substantially equal to said certain predetermined radial dimension and with a central shank portion having a crosssectional thickness substantially less than said predetermined radial dimension received within said arcuate slots and disposed arcuately laterally on either side of said radially extending rib and adapted to permit limited relative arcuate motion between said power transmission housing and said ring gear in response to torque loading of said drive shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said planetary gears are spaced at three arcuate points forming an isosceles triangle on said drive hub means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination as defined in claim 2 being particularly characterized in that said triangle has included angles of 112* 30'', 112* 30'' and 135* respectively.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said planetary gears are formed of molded nylon.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 being particularly characterized in that said power transmission housing is provided with four arcuate slots for receiving said resilient pads, said arcuate slots being disposed at 90*, one from another.