Elastomeric load sharing device
First Claim
1. In a split power transmission system having torque-splitting gear train assemblies defining load paths for transmitting torque from an engine to an output member, each torque-splitting gear train assembly comprising:
- driven gear means for receiving torque from the engine, said driven gear means being further operative for transmitting torque;
central torque drive shaft means disposed in combination with said driven gear means and operative in response to torque transmitted by said driven gear means for transmitting torque from said driven gear means to the output member; and
elastomeric load sharing means interposed in combination with said driven gear means and said central torque drive shaft means for providing balanced torque distribution between respective load paths of each torque-splitting gear train assembly, said elastomeric load sharing means includingfirst elastomeric bearing means interposed in first combination between said driven gear means and said central torque drive shaft means for radially centering said driven gear means, andsecond elastomeric bearing means interposed in second combination between said driven gear means and said central torque drive shaft means for compressively transmitting torque from said driven gear means to said central torque drive shaft means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An elastomeric load sharing device, interposed in combination between a driven gear and a central drive shaft to facilitate balanced torque distribution in split power transmission systems, includes a cylindrical elastomeric bearing and a plurality of elastomeric bearing pads. The elastomeric bearing and bearing pads comprise one or more layers, each layer including an elastomer having a metal backing strip secured thereto. The elastomeric bearing is configured to have a high radial stiffness and a low torsional stiffness and is operative to radially center the driven gear and to minimize torque transfer through the elastomeric bearing. The bearing pads are configured to have a low radial and torsional stiffness and a high axial stiffness and are operative to compressively transmit torque from the driven gear to the drive shaft. The elastomeric load sharing device has spring rates that compensate for mechanical deviations in the gear train assembly to provide balanced torque distribution between complementary load paths of split power transmission systems.
43 Citations
8 Claims
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1. In a split power transmission system having torque-splitting gear train assemblies defining load paths for transmitting torque from an engine to an output member, each torque-splitting gear train assembly comprising:
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driven gear means for receiving torque from the engine, said driven gear means being further operative for transmitting torque; central torque drive shaft means disposed in combination with said driven gear means and operative in response to torque transmitted by said driven gear means for transmitting torque from said driven gear means to the output member; and elastomeric load sharing means interposed in combination with said driven gear means and said central torque drive shaft means for providing balanced torque distribution between respective load paths of each torque-splitting gear train assembly, said elastomeric load sharing means including first elastomeric bearing means interposed in first combination between said driven gear means and said central torque drive shaft means for radially centering said driven gear means, and second elastomeric bearing means interposed in second combination between said driven gear means and said central torque drive shaft means for compressively transmitting torque from said driven gear means to said central torque drive shaft means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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Specification