Abstract Rotational power is transmitted to a roll of the type having a cylindrical, hollow shell rotatably mounted on a stationary, central through-shaft by a gear system composed of an internally spur gear affixed to the shell, a pair of pinion gears mounted for rotation by self-aligning bearings carried on shafts affixed to the through-shaft of the roll and an external spur gear positioned within a cavity in the main shaft. The pinion gears partially project through openings formed in walls that define a cavity in the shaft, and the axis of each pinion gear shaft is oriented parallel to the shell of the roll in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane along which the shell and shaft will deflect when loaded. The external spur gear is connected to a drive shaft that is composed of two portions connected to each other by a universal coupling, the portion of the drive shaft carrying the external spur gear thus being mounted for articulation relative to the main power input shaft. The elements of the gear system are maintained in parallel relation to each other and in proper mesh, regardless of the extent of deflection of the shell and through-shaft of the roll under load.
Apparatus for transmitting rotational power to a roll of the type having a cylindrical shell rotatably mounted by selfaligning bearings on a stationary central shaft that is supported at each end comprising an internal spur gear affixed to the shell and coaxial therewith, a pair of pinion gears mounted for rotation by self-aligning bearings carried on shafts affixed to the central shaft of the roll, the pinion gears being positioned to mesh with the internal spur gear and the axis of each pinion gear shaft being oriented parallel to the shell in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane along which the shell and shaft will deflect when loaded, and a driven external spur gear positioned within a cavity in the shaft and meshing with the pinion gears, the pinion gears partially projecting through openings in the walls of the central shaft that define the cavity, and the external spur gear, pinion gears and internal spur gear constituting a gear system for transmission of driving power to the shell to rotate it about the central shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Apparatus for transmitting rotational power to a roll of the type having a cylindrical shell rotatably mounted by selfaligning bearings on a stationary central shaft that is supported at each end comprising an internal spur gear affixed to the shell and coaxial therewith, a pair of pinion gears mounted for rotation by self-aligning bearings carried on shafts affixed to the central shaft of the roll, the pinion gears being positioned to mesh with the internal spur gear and the axis of each pinion gear shaft being oriented parallel to the shell in a plane that is perpendicular to the plane along which the shell and shaft will deflect when loaded, and a driven external spur gear positioned within a cavity in the shaft and meshing with the pinion gears, the pinion gears partially projecting through openings in the walls of the central shaft that define the cavity, and the external spur gear, pinion gears and internal spur gear constituting a gear system for transmission of driving power to the shell to rotate it about the central shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 and further comprising a first drive shaft component carrying the external spur gear, a second drive shaft component mounted for rotation about an axis substantially coincident with the axis of the central shaft of the roll, and a universal coupling between the drive shaft components to afford articulation between the drive shaft components while transmitting rotation between them.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
ApparatUs according to claim 2 wherein the distances, measured axially of the roll, (1) from the axial center of the bearings by which the shell is mounted on the shaft to the axial center of the external spur gear and (2) from the axial center of the external spur gear to the fulcrum of the universal coupling are substantially equal.