Abstract

A discretely variable diameter gear set having a planetary configuration. The gear set may vary a diameter of a gearwheel by whole numbers of gear teeth in response to changes in input speed of a rotor shaft. Typically, the diameter may be shifted in increments of one gear tooth at a time. A variable effective number of teeth in the sun gear of the gear set may be achieved. Four embodiments of the planetary gear set are outlined: (i) a gear set with a ring and two idler/pinion sets around the sun gear (ii) a gear set with a ring and three idler/pinion sets around the sun gear, (iii) a gear set with a secondary sun (and no ring) and two idler/pinion sets around the sun gear and (iv) a gear set with a secondary sun (and no ring) and three idler/pinion sets around the sun gear.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 55/00 - Elements with teeth or friction surfaces for conveying motionWorms, pulleys or sheaves for gearing mechanisms

Abstract

A wind turbine includes a rotor shaft having thereon rotor blades exposed to wind energy, a first stage gear set on the rotor shaft, a discretely variable ratio gear set coupled to the first stage gear output shaft and having a gear set output shaft, a differential on the gear set output shaft having a differential control shaft facilitating changing the gear box ratio by whole numbers of gear teeth, and a generator operating at a constant frequency coupled to an electric grid operating at the constant frequency. The wind turbine may take a variable speed input of the gear box to create a fixed speed output fed to the generator operating at constant frequency and coupled directly to the power grid without power electronics. Existing wind turbines whether fixed speed fixed pitch or variable speed variable pitch can be retrofitted with the gear box of the present invention.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 37/08 - Combinations of mechanical gearings, not provided for in groups comprising essentially only toothed or friction gearings with a plurality of driving or driven shaftsCombinations of mechanical gearings, not provided for in groups comprising essentially only toothed or friction gearings with arrangements for dividing torque between two or more intermediate shafts with differential gearing

Abstract

Apparatus for use in a variable ratio transmission has gear teeth (12) formed for engaging a facing gear wheel, each having a plane of symmetry (P) parallel to a width of the tooth. Links (30) rigidly associated with the gear teeth are sequentially interconnected to form hinge joints (32) between adjacent pairs of gear teeth, thereby forming a gear tooth sequence (11). The hinge joint (32) for each pair of adjacent gear teeth has an axis of rotation (34) lying on a plane (B) bisecting an angle between the planes of symmetry (B) of the adjacent gear teeth.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 55/17 - Toothed wheels
• F16H 55/30 - Chain wheels
• F16H 3/42 - Toothed gearings for conveying rotary motion with variable gear ratio or for reversing rotary motion without gears having orbital motion with gears having teeth formed or arranged for obtaining multiple gear ratios, e.g. nearly infinitely variable

Abstract

A variable diameter gear device for variable ratio transmission systems has a displaceable gear tooth sequence (11) formed from interconnected gear teeth (12) with uniform pitch lying on a virtual cylinder coaxial with an axle (20) of the device. A torque linkage (24) transfers a turning moment between the axle and the gear tooth sequence. A diameter changer includes at least one disc (14) with a spiral track (16) to which each of the gear teeth is linked. Rotation of the discs relative to the axle causes variation of an effective diameter of the virtual cylinder while the gear tooth sequences remain on a virtual cylinder centered on the axis (22) and the uniform pitch remains constant.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 55/17 - Toothed wheels
• F16H 55/30 - Chain wheels

Abstract

A variable diameter gear device for use in a variable ratio transmission system includes a gear tooth set deployed around an axle which defines an axis of rotation. The gear tooth set includes at least two displaceable gear tooth sequences, each including a multiple gear teeth spaced at a uniform pitch, and a diameter changer mechanically linked to the axle and to the gear tooth set. The diameter changer is deployed to transfer a turning moment between the axle and the gear tooth set, and to displace the gear tooth set so as to vary a degree of peripheral coextension between the gear tooth sequences. Specifically, the diameter changer transforms (he gear device between at least two states in which the gear tooth set is deployed to provide an effective cylindrical gear with differing effective numbers of teeth. The gear device may be used either in direct engagement with another- gear wheel or as part of a chain-based transmission system.

IPC Classes  ?

• F16H 55/30 - Chain wheels