GB556585A - Improvements relating to epicyclic mechanisms - Google Patents

Abstract

556,585. Turning-gear. ROTAX, Ltd., and TATLOW, P. March 7, 1942, No. 3012. [Class 7 (v)] [Also in Group XXIV] Relates to epicyclic mechanisms and particularly those employed in engine starters and of the type consisting of a number of epicyclic trains with the object of enabling a mechanism of this type to be arranged in a more compact compass, and of producing a self-contained unit comprising the combination of an electric motor, a driven member and an epicyclic reduction gear, according to the invention, the planet-pinion carriers of the different trains are mutually supported through the medium of the intermediate pinions and lateral thrust rings. The mechanism comprises three trains a, b, c each consisting of a sun pinion e, a fixed annulus d and a planet carrier f on which are mounted equally spaced planet pinions g engaging both the sun and annulus. The trains are arranged side-by-side and as close together as possible. The armature spindle n of an electric motor m carries a driving sun e; the suns e of the second and third trains are formed respectively on the planet carriers f of the preceding train. Besides the carriers f, mutually supported through the associated sun and planet pinions e, g, further support is afforded by thin thrust rings or washers i, j, k arranged, respectively, between (1) the planet carrier f of the first train a and the annulus d of the second train b, (2) the sun of train b and the adjacent face of the planet carrier f of the same train and (3) the sun of train c and the adjacent face of the planet carrier f of the same train.