GB2096268A

GB2096268A - Vibrating systems

Info

Publication number: GB2096268A
Application number: GB8105555A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: MACDONALD DOUGLAS JOHN
Current assignee: MACDONALD DOUGLAS JOHN
Priority date: 1981-02-21
Filing date: 1981-02-21
Publication date: 1982-10-13

Abstract

A floating mass dynamic drive has a system of planetary gears comprising a fixed sun wheel (C), with interposed idler gears (F) driving planet wheels (B) which have captive satellites (b). The idler gears (F) and planet wheels (B) rotate with respect to a carrier (A) on which they are mounted and rotate with the carrier (A) about the fixed sun wheel (C). Each satellite is a weight which disturbs the balance of the rotating carrier and because each weight changes its position, relatively in each carrier revolution, the overall balance is changed uniformly to create a uni- directional force. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Floating mass dynamic drive This invention is a method of gaining unidirectional force from a rotating mass and the force so generated being applied, by means of suitable attachment or suspension, to a body free to move will cause that body to move in the direction of the force The force will be directly related to dimensions, magnitude (weights) and velocities all of which are infinitely variable subject to design and performance requirements; the unit which is the subject of this specification is to be driven by extraneous means, a conventional prime mover or other convenient arrangement.

The system is a planetary arrangement in which planets, each of which has a captive satellite, rotate about a fixed stationary sunwheel; one or more planets may be employed but the number will be limited by dimensional considerations and the need to conform to angular limitations as regards their rotation about the sunwheel.

The sunwheel, planets and associated components will be housed between two discs (for convenience the singular will be used in this specification) which may rotate freely about a fixed, tubular shaft through which the sunwheel shaft passes; it is provided that the sunwheel shaft is not free to rotate but, by means of suitable mechanical control it may be caused to turn through 1 80 degrees. Sunwheel and planets will be of the same size, they will be gear cut to provide engagement and drive, an idle pinion will be provided between each planet and the sunwheel to ensure that planets rotate in the opposite direction from the disc as it rotates about the sunwheel.

It is the function of this invention to provide an out of balance element in an otherwise uniformly balanced rotating mass and that this element shall fall as a vector; the out of balance element is provided by the satellites which are weights attached to the outer extremity of arms extending radially from each planet, they rotate uniformly about the planets as the planets orbit the sunwheel. The centre of the sunwheel is the common centre of rotation of the disc upon which is provided a pulley or chain wheel whereby the disc is driven by the extraneous prime mover.

The cycle of operation is, and must be precise, uniform and in phase, reference to the diagrams will make this clear. Figure 1 shows an arrangement employing four planets 'B' with satellites bl, b2, b3 and b4. It will be seen that satellites b1 and b3 lie upon the horizontal axis YY and that bl is at the periphery whilst b3 locates precisely with the centre of the sunwheel, the common centre of rotation. The disc will be rotated through 90 degrees in a clockwise direction when satellites b2 and b4 will be engaged in the same manner; if the disc is then freely rotated this pattern will recur continuously and in phase. The consistent path of the satellites is seen in Figure 2 circle 'X' whilse circle 'Z' is the path of the planet centres.These conditions are fulfilled by the appropriate engagement of the gear cut planets with the sunwheel through the medium of the idler pinions. It may be necessary to refer to relative direction of force, left and right are indicated though the direction of the force may be varied by turning the sunwheel by the means provided.

Figure 3 is a section at W (transposed to the vertical for convenience). 'A' and 'Al' are the discs 'Al' being regarded as a cover and a means of providing secondary bearings for the planets together with the main running shaft 'M'; running shafts 'G' and 'M' are carried in side supports 'D' which are part of the main supporting frame or chassis. The gap between the discs is established by distance pieces 'L'. The pulley 'E' is integral with or secured to disc 'A'. The idler pinions 'F' are seen to be situated between the planets 'B' and the sunwheel 'C'. The disc 'A' is free to rotate about the shaft 'G' which is secured in the side support 'D' and is not free to rotate; it is a tubular shaft and accommodates the sunwheel shaft 'H'.

The sunwheei is integral with its shaft 'H' and is not free to rotate but provision is made for it to be turned through a limited number of degrees and it is by this means that the direction of the force vector may be varied. The end of shaft 'H', remote from the sunwheel is formed as a half pinion which may be engaged by a controlled rack 'J'; operation of this rack will cause the shaft 'H' to turn as required whilst, otherwise it will prevent rotation. Figure 4 'Hh' indicates an arrangement, the satellite weights are shown as 'b' and 'b' attached, to the radial arms 'P' extending from the planets.

Figure 5 shows a general arrangement of the unit together with its prime mover.

Normal engineering practice will be followed by the provision of side and thrust bearings, bushes and distance pieces together with all necessary sundry fittings, nuts, bolts etc. Idler pinions may be of any convenient size, satellite weights, as regards shape, size and weight may be as desired but should be made of relatively dense material.

Adequate lubrication will be provided by any suitable conventional means and the unit will be closed circumferentially.

1. A floating mass dynamic drive comprising, a sun wheel, a plurality of planet wheels drivingly connected to the sun wheel, each planet wheel being rotatably mounted in a carrier and rotatable with the carrier, and a satellite secured to each planet wheel for rotation with the respective planet wheel, the carrier being rotatably drivable, and the drive between the sun wheel and the planet wheels being such as to cause the planet wheels to rotate in the opposite sense to that of the carrier.

2. A drive as claimed in claim 1 in which the sun and planet wheels are all gear wheels and idler gears are located between the sun wheel and the planet wheels.

3. A drive as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Floating mass dynamic drive This invention is a method of gaining unidirectional force from a rotating mass and the force so generated being applied, by means of suitable attachment or suspension, to a body free to move will cause that body to move in the direction of the force The force will be directly related to dimensions, magnitude (weights) and velocities all of which are infinitely variable subject to design and performance requirements; the unit which is the subject of this specification is to be driven by extraneous means, a conventional prime mover or other convenient arrangement. The system is a planetary arrangement in which planets, each of which has a captive satellite, rotate about a fixed stationary sunwheel; one or more planets may be employed but the number will be limited by dimensional considerations and the need to conform to angular limitations as regards their rotation about the sunwheel. The sunwheel, planets and associated components will be housed between two discs (for convenience the singular will be used in this specification) which may rotate freely about a fixed, tubular shaft through which the sunwheel shaft passes; it is provided that the sunwheel shaft is not free to rotate but, by means of suitable mechanical control it may be caused to turn through 1 80 degrees. Sunwheel and planets will be of the same size, they will be gear cut to provide engagement and drive, an idle pinion will be provided between each planet and the sunwheel to ensure that planets rotate in the opposite direction from the disc as it rotates about the sunwheel. It is the function of this invention to provide an out of balance element in an otherwise uniformly balanced rotating mass and that this element shall fall as a vector; the out of balance element is provided by the satellites which are weights attached to the outer extremity of arms extending radially from each planet, they rotate uniformly about the planets as the planets orbit the sunwheel. The centre of the sunwheel is the common centre of rotation of the disc upon which is provided a pulley or chain wheel whereby the disc is driven by the extraneous prime mover. The cycle of operation is, and must be precise, uniform and in phase, reference to the diagrams will make this clear. Figure 1 shows an arrangement employing four planets 'B' with satellites bl, b2, b3 and b4. It will be seen that satellites b1 and b3 lie upon the horizontal axis YY and that bl is at the periphery whilst b3 locates precisely with the centre of the sunwheel, the common centre of rotation. The disc will be rotated through 90 degrees in a clockwise direction when satellites b2 and b4 will be engaged in the same manner; if the disc is then freely rotated this pattern will recur continuously and in phase. The consistent path of the satellites is seen in Figure 2 circle 'X' whilse circle 'Z' is the path of the planet centres.These conditions are fulfilled by the appropriate engagement of the gear cut planets with the sunwheel through the medium of the idler pinions. It may be necessary to refer to relative direction of force, left and right are indicated though the direction of the force may be varied by turning the sunwheel by the means provided. Figure 3 is a section at W (transposed to the vertical for convenience). 'A' and 'Al' are the discs 'Al' being regarded as a cover and a means of providing secondary bearings for the planets together with the main running shaft 'M'; running shafts 'G' and 'M' are carried in side supports 'D' which are part of the main supporting frame or chassis. The gap between the discs is established by distance pieces 'L'. The pulley 'E' is integral with or secured to disc 'A'. The idler pinions 'F' are seen to be situated between the planets 'B' and the sunwheel 'C'. The disc 'A' is free to rotate about the shaft 'G' which is secured in the side support 'D' and is not free to rotate; it is a tubular shaft and accommodates the sunwheel shaft 'H'. The sunwheei is integral with its shaft 'H' and is not free to rotate but provision is made for it to be turned through a limited number of degrees and it is by this means that the direction of the force vector may be varied. The end of shaft 'H', remote from the sunwheel is formed as a half pinion which may be engaged by a controlled rack 'J'; operation of this rack will cause the shaft 'H' to turn as required whilst, otherwise it will prevent rotation. Figure 4 'Hh' indicates an arrangement, the satellite weights are shown as 'b' and 'b' attached, to the radial arms 'P' extending from the planets. Figure 5 shows a general arrangement of the unit together with its prime mover. Normal engineering practice will be followed by the provision of side and thrust bearings, bushes and distance pieces together with all necessary sundry fittings, nuts, bolts etc. Idler pinions may be of any convenient size, satellite weights, as regards shape, size and weight may be as desired but should be made of relatively dense material. Adequate lubrication will be provided by any suitable conventional means and the unit will be closed circumferentially. CLAIMS

3. A drive as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which the sun wheel is mounted on a shaft which is angularly displaceable through an angular range.

4. A drive as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the carrier comprises two spaced apart, parallel plates, each planet wheel being mounted on a shaft, the shaft being rotatably mounted in the two carrier plates.

5. A floating mass dynamic drive constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

6. A drive as claimed in any one of the preceding claims attached to a vehicle and driven by a motor such as a heat engine or an electric motor.