Fairfield Manufacturing Company, Inc.

Trw Automotive U.S. LLC

Other

Benjamin Warren Schoon

Kevin E Boyle

James R Dammon

Ryan L Noerenberg

An apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels includes a steering column having a pinion connected with a vehicle steering wheel such that rotation of the steering wheel results in rotation of the pinion. An electrically powered steering unit includes an electric motor having a first output shaft rotatable about an axis. A first planetary gear stage has a first gear reduction ratio and is driven by the first output shaft. A second planetary gear stage is driven by the first planetary gear stage and the pinion and has a second gear reduction ratio different from the first gear reduction ratio. A second output shaft is driven by the second planetary gear stage and coupled to the steerable wheels such that rotation of the second output shaft affects steering of the vehicle wheels.

Apparatus for use in turning steerable vehicle wheels

A steering gear includes a housing defining a chamber. A piston divides the chamber into first and second chamber portions. The piston is moveable along a linear axis relative to the housing upon pressurization of fluid in one of the first and second chamber portions. A pressure relief vents pressurized fluid from one of the first and second chamber portions to one other of the first and second chamber portions upon movement of the piston to a predetermined position. The pressure relief assembly includes a first valve at a first end of the pressure relief assembly and a second valve at a second end of the pressure relief assembly. The pressure relief assembly is axially movable relative to the piston to adjust the position of the first valve and the second valve relative to the piston.

Manually adjustable poppet valves for a power assist steering gear

A pressure relief valve for a fluid power assist steering system. The valve includes a housing and a spool disposed in the housing. The spool defines a cavity and has a first end and a second end. The spool is movable in the housing to limit an output pressure of the pump. A poppet seat is secured to the second end of the spool. A poppet is disposed in the cavity. A poppet spring biases the poppet into engagement with the poppet seat. A set screw is received in the first end of the spool. The set screw is rotatable relative to the spool to adjust a compression level of the poppet spring.

Pressure relief valve

A brake mechanism includes a fixed housing in which the brake mechanism substantially resides. A plate closes the fixed housing and includes a cylindrical portion extending partially within the fixed housing. A parking piston and a service piston are employed to act against a brake stack which includes a plurality of stators and rotors interleaved together. A wear adjuster is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the plate and engages the service piston during actuation of the service piston and compensates for wear of friction material from the rotors or stators such that the distance between the service piston and the brake stack is substantially the same during the life of the brake mechanism. If neither the service piston nor the parking piston engage the brake stack prohibiting rotation of the input drive, the planetary gear set drives the rotating output drive with respect to the fixed housing.

Planetary gearbox with integral service brake

A wheel driven utility vehicle includes a frame and two small volume high speed alternating current electric motors arranged side by side for driving the vehicle. Alternatively high speed direct current, hydraulic or pneumatic direct current motors may be used with suitable controls. Each motor has an output shaft which drives an offset planetary gear reducer. Each offset planetary gear reducer is affixed to the electric motor and includes an output carrier interconnected with an output shaft. Each output shaft includes first and second chain drive sprockets which drive chains interconnected with shafts driving the front and rear wheels respectively. Each offset planetary gear reducer enables use of space saving high speed relatively low-torque alternating current electric motors with attendant large speed reductions. Gear reduction enables the production of sufficient torque at the wheels of the vehicle. Applications in addition to utility vehicles are also specifically contemplated.

Offset drive system for utility vehicles

A steerable wheel motor assembly for moving construction lifts and scaffold equipment is disclosed and claimed which includes a spindle bracket configured to be pivotably mounted at an upper end to a steering mechanism for rotation about a vertical axis. The output shaft is supported by a first set of bearings and a second set of bearings with the second set of bearings including a speed and direction sensor integral therewith for detecting the speed and direction of rotation of the output shaft. The sensor outputs to a control system which controls the speed and direction of the equipment. A thrust washer is used to position the output sun gear accurately reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs of the assembly. Use of the thrust washer reduces the cost of machining the output shaft to a high tolerance.

Integral electric motor with speed sensor, planetary gearbox and steering means

A wheel drive assembly includes a rotatable spindle-carrier affixed to a wheel. A fixed housing includes an output ring gear and the spindle-carrier resides generally within the housing. An output sun gear driven by an input carrier drives output planetary gears which, in turn, interengage the output ring gear driving and rotating the spindle-carrier. A fixed drive end housing includes an input ring gear and houses a noise reducing radially floating input carrier and a plurality of input planet gears rotatably mounted in the input carrier. The input sun gear is driven by an electric motor and drives the plurality of input planet gears which mesh with the input ring gear causing rotation of the input carrier about its true center. The input carrier is partially nested within the spindle-carrier and the motor is partially nested within the fixed drive end housing.

Integrated spindle-carrier electric wheel drive

A compact gear reducer electric motor assembly with an internal brake disclosed and claimed wherein a high speed electric motor is interconnected with a gear reducer having substantial gear reduction. The assembly includes a spindle, a brake mounted substantially within said high speed electric motor and operable against a spring biasing said brake into engagement with ground. The brake is electrically actuated to permit transmission of energy to the gear reducer. The gear reducer includes an input, intermediate and output planetary stages. The input and intermediate stages residing within the spindle, and, the output planetary stage drives an output ring gear. Releasing means for releasing the output ring gear from the brake allowing rotation thereof.

Gear reducer electric motor assembly with internal brake

A bearing lubrication device in a right angle gear reducer includes a gear housing having an interior portion and a lubricating fluid reservoir therein. An oil slinger, rotating pinion shaft, pinion shaft housing, and bearings for supporting the pinion shaft within the pinion shaft housing work together to provide a continuous supply of oil to the bearings. The pinion shaft includes two radially and longitudinally extending passageways therethrough which supply oil from a recess in one end of the pinion shaft to the bearings. Oil is slung from the reservoir into the recess of the rotating pinion shaft where it is forced outwardly and through the passageways to a chamber formed by the rotating pinion shaft, shaft housing and bearings. The roller bearings pump the oil from the chamber back to the fluid reservoir. Oil passageways in the shaft housing enable the return of oil from one bearing set.

Lubrication system for right-angle drives used with utility vehicles

A new, useful and compact wheel motor drive arrangement for applications on such construction equipment as scissor lifts and other similar scaffolding equipment where hydraulically driven systems have historically been used to provide power to the wheels to move the equipment is disclosed. An electric motor is mounted to a spindle bracket which is pivotably connected to the frame of the equipment to allow the unit to be pivoted around a vertical axis for steering purposes. A gear reducing planetary gear system is mounted around the drive shaft of the motor is positioned totally within the rotating wheel hub. The output ring gear of the planetary gear system is integrally formed to the interior of the wheel hub so that there is a direct application through the planetary gear system to the wheel hub to provide greater efficiency.

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Lafayette, IN, United States of America

Benjamin Warren Schoon