Small-size traction drive transmission system for use in microturbine-powered aircraft
First Claim
1. A transmission system for use with a microturbine engine having an output shaft, the transmission system comprising:
- a first shaft operably coupled to the output shaft of the microturbine engine;
a traction drive stage that utilizes a planetary system of rollers to drive a second shaft at a reduced rotation speed with respect to said first shaft.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transmission system that is used in conjunction with a microturbine engine for propelling an aircraft body, such as a propeller-based fixed-wing aircraft or a rotor-based vertical lift aircraft, or for a wide variety of other applications. The output shaft of the microturbine engine preferably operates at a rotational speed in a range between 72,000 RPM and 150,000 RPM with an output power between 150 HP and 5 HP (and most preferably operates in an extended range between 50,000 RPM and 200,000 RPM with an output power between 200 HP and 5 HP). The transmission system includes a traction drive stage that provides a reduction ratio preferably having a value of at least 7, and most preferably greater than 9. The transmission system is of small-size preferably having a maximum diameter less than twelve inches. Preferably, the input stage of the transmission system is self-equilibrating such that first shaft can be supported without bearings and is operably coupled to the output shaft of the microturbine engine by an outside diameter piloted spline coupling mechanism. For vertical lift applications, a single traction stage along with a bevel gear assembly or other shaft transmission mechanism can be used to provide the necessary RPM reduction.
37 Citations
29 Claims
-
1. A transmission system for use with a microturbine engine having an output shaft, the transmission system comprising:
-
a first shaft operably coupled to the output shaft of the microturbine engine;
a traction drive stage that utilizes a planetary system of rollers to drive a second shaft at a reduced rotation speed with respect to said first shaft. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
-
Specification