Inventors:
Hermann A. Wutherich - Rancho Palos Verdes CA
Assignee:
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air
Force - Washington DC
International Classification:
F16H 5518
F16H 5700
F16H 5512
Abstract:
A novel load proportional antibacklash gear drive system is provided wherein each portion of a split pinion gear is provided with a pressure chamber connected to a torque sensor and servo control unit for controlling the pressure applied individually to each split gear portion, against opposing tooth faces of the driven gear. The servo control unit provides high pressure (hydraulic or pneumatic) to a first split gear portion for drive in one direction while providing low pressure to the second split gear portion in the opposing rotational sense to maintain contact of the split gear with both faces of the driven gear at all times, thereby eliminating backlash. Upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the gear system, the servo unit provides high pressure to the second split gear portion which then acts as the driving gear, and maintains low pressure to the first split gear portion to maintain it in contact with the driven gear to prevent backlash upon reversal of the direction of drive of the gear system.