Patent US3757912A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3757912A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load equalizing clutch controls
Assignee: Philadelphia Gear Corp
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Filing: 1972-06-07
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A load-sharing control system controls the division of power among different prime movers driving a common load. In one basic form, the control system utilizes a positive drive in one power path and slipping-clutch means in one or more other power paths. The power delivered to each of the various prime movers is sensed and compared, and used to regulate the torque transmitted by the slipping clutch means.
Inventors
- 👤 R Ball
- 👤 J Liu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:10
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H37/00; F16D; F16D48/00; F16D48/06; F16D48/062; F16D48/064; F16D2500/00; F16D2500/30; F16D2500/302; F16D2500/3022; F16D2500/3028; F16D2500/306; F16D2500/50; F16D2500/502; F16D2500/50287; F16D2500/70; F16D2500/704; F16D2500/70402; F16D2500/70406; F16D2500/70422; F16D2500/70438; F16D2500/7044; F16D2500/70442; F16H2700/00; F16H2700/02; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19014
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A divided load-sharing drive system comprising: a. a power source; b. at least two prime movers; c. means coupling said prime movers to said power source for operating said prime movers; d. a common load; e. power drive paths from each prime mover to said common load; f. direct drive means in one of said power drive paths; g. variable torque-transmitting coupling means in other of said power drive paths; h. sensing means operatively associated with said power coupling means for sensing the power delivered from said power source to each of said prime movers; i. comparison means for comparing the power delivered to each prime mover and for generating a differential signal proportional to the difference; j. means responsive to said differential signal for controlling the torque transmitted by said variable torque-transmitting coupling means as a function of said differential signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A divided load-sharing drive system comprising: a. a power source; b. at least two prime movers; c. means coupling said prime movers to said power source for operating said prime movers; d. a common load; e. power drive paths from each prime mover to said common load; f. direct drive means in one of said power drive paths; g. variable torque-transmitting coupling means in other of said power drive paths; h. sensing means operatively associated with said power coupling means for sensing the power delivered from said power source to each of said prime movers; i. comparison means for comparing the power delivered to each prime mover and for generating a differential signal proportional to the difference; j. means responsive to said differential signal for controlling the torque transmitted by said variable torque-transmitting coupling means as a function of said differential signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. a first speed changer is provided in said one power drive path; b. a second speed changer is provided in said other power drive path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that said speed changers are speed reducers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. said common load includes a ring gear; b. each of said power drive paths includes at least one pinion in mesh with said ring gear.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. said prime movers are electric motors; b. said means responsive to said differential signal for controlling the torque transmitted by said torque-transmitting coupling means includes means for adjusting the clamping pressure on the torque-transmitting coupling.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that said sensing means includes: a. a first power transducer coupled to a first of said power coupling means by a first voltage transformer and by a first current transformer; and b. a second power transducer coupled to a second of said power coupling means by a second voltage transformer and by a second current transformer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 characterized in that said comparison means comprises: a. a differential amplifier having first and second input terminals connected respectively to said first and second power transducers, and having an output terminal coupled to said torque-transmitting control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 characterized in the provision of: a. an adjustable pre-set-torque signal; b. means for combining said pre-set-torque signal with said output signal of said differential amplifier; c. means for applying said combined signal to said torque-transmitting control means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 characterized in that said torque-transmitting control means includes a servo valve.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
58 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 characterized in that: a. said common load comprises a ring gear and at least first and second pinions engaged peripherally with said ring gear for driving the same; b. said first speed changer is connected to a first of said pinions; c. SAID second changer is connected to a second of said pinions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 characterized in that said direct drive means in said one path includes clutch means and control means for locking said clutch means against slipping.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that said system comprises: a. at least three prime movers; b. variable torque-transmitting coupling means in each of said power drive paths except said one direct drive path.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 characterized in that: a. said comparison means includes means for comparing the power delivered to each prime mover in a variable torque-transmitting torque path with that delivered to the prime mover in the direct drive path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 12 characterized in that: a. said comparison means includes means for comparing the power delivered to each prime mover with that delivered to one other prime mover.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. a first speed reducer is provided in said one of said power paths between said direct drive means and said common load; b. a second speed reducer is provided in said other of said power paths between said variable torque-transmitting coupling means and said common load; c. the reduction ratio of said first speed reducer is greater than that of said second speed reducer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 15 characterized in that said variable torque-transmitting coupling means is a hydro-viscous type clutch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. said common load comprises a ring gear and at least first and second pinions engaged peripherally with said ring gear for driving the same; b. said first and second pinions having the same number of teeth.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 characterized in that: a. a first speed changer is provided in said one power drive path and is connected to said first pinion; b. a second speed changer is provided in said other power drive path and is connected to said second pinion; c. said first and second speed changers have different speed-change ratios.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 characterized in that: a. said common load comprises a ring gear and at least first and second pinions engaged peripherally with said ring gear for driving the same; b. said first and second pinions have unequal numbers of teeth.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
59 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 characterized in that: a. a first speed changer is provided in said one power drive path and is connected to said first pinion; b. a second speed changer is provided in said other power drive path and is connected to said second pinion; c. said first and second speed changers have equal speed-change ratios.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |