Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Borealis Technical Limited

Shawn M Green

DuWayne R Cookman

Chad M Orthaus

Scott Perkins

Yonatan Rotenberg

Robert Wesley Anderson

DuWayne E Paul

Patrick W Kruper

A lubrication distribution system is provided for mechanical systems, including gearboxes, to evenly and precisely apply lubricant to system structures during operation. The system includes a rotating lubrication distribution component that functions both to pump and to precisely direct lubricant. Machined locator elements enable accurate positioning of the rotating lubrication distribution component within the system. A plurality of lateral ports and surface features in the rotating lubrication distribution component receive and distribute lubricant transferred during rotation from one or more lubricant collection components with profiled lubricant transfer elements that enables collection of lubricant from eddies produced by profiles of the lubricant transfer elements during rotation of the rotating lubrication distribution component. Collected lubricant is directed into the rotating lubrication distribution component ports and distributed evenly and precisely to mechanical system or gearbox structures requiring lubrication. An existing gearbox thrust bearing may be modified to receive and precisely distribute lubricant.

Lubrication distribution system

A gear assembly includes an actuation gear and plural separate pinion bodies. The actuation gear has first gear teeth on one or more surfaces of the gear and is configured to rotate around an actuation axis of rotation. The pinion bodies have second gear teeth configured to mesh with the first gear teeth of the actuation gear in plural separate mesh zones of the actuation gear. Each of the plural separate pinion bodies are configured to be rotated about respective pinion axes of rotation to cause rotation of the actuation gear around the actuation axis of rotation.

Synchronized dual drive gear assemblies and methods

A torque transmission system is provided for an aircraft drive wheel drive system mounted on nose or main landing gear wheels to move the aircraft autonomously on the ground that effectively transmits torque through drive system components. The drive system includes a drive means capable of generating sufficient torque to move the aircraft, a drive system capable of generating a high torque capacity that activates the drive means, a clutch assembly that can be selectively engaged to control torque transmission to the drive system and activate the drive means, and a landing gear torque takeout element. The clutch assembly is configured to be inactivated and prevented from transmitting torque to other drive wheel drive system components when an overtorque event occurs. Aircraft drive wheel drive system components in the present torque transmission system are designed to withstand torque in excess of a determined maximum for the system.

Torque transmission in an aircraft drive wheel drive system

A power takeoff and gearbox is configured for use with an associated vehicle transmission to provide rotational power to an associated auxiliary component. The power takeoff and gearbox includes a housing. An input gear set includes an input gear and a transfer gear mounted for common rotation. The input gear is driven by the associated vehicle transmission. A primary drive gear is disposed on a drive shaft. The primary drive gear is meshed with the transfer gear for rotation with the transfer gear. A planetary gear system includes a carrier, a plurality of planet gears mounted for rotation within the carrier and a sun gear disposed central to the planet gears. The carrier is connected to the primary drive shaft for rotation with the shaft and for rotation of the planet gears relative to the carrier. An output is mounted to the sun gear for providing rotational power to the associated auxiliary component. The input gear set and the output are disposed, at least in part, within the housing and the primary drive gear and the planetary gear system are disposed within the housing. A clutch can also be included mounted within the housing.

Growing community of inventors

Alexandria, MN, United States of America

Shawn M Green