GB947070A - Improvements in or relating to epicyclic gears - Google Patents

Abstract

947,070. Change speed and reverse gear. ZAHNRAEDERFABRIK RENK A.G. Sept. 15, 1960, No. 31772/60. Heading F2D. In a two-speed or forward-reverse gear for hydraulic power plants comprising two alternative trains in parallel between shafts 1, 53, first and second train wheels 39, 16 are selectively clutched at 25 to the high speed shaft 53 through outer and inner, concentric, toothed coupling sleeves 36, 19 respectively, the second train inner sleeve 19 passing through the first train wheel 39. The clutch 25, which may be electronically, optically synchronized for shift during operation, comprises a sliding clutch sleeve 25 actuated through a shift ring 29 and having two positions viz. lower, "A," in which a primary clutch member 28 secured on the shaft 53 is clutched to the shaft 19 through the sleeve 25 and a secondary clutch member 22 coupled to the sleeve 19 and journalled on the shaft 53, and higher, " B," in which the primary member 28 is clutched to the shaft 36 through the sleeve 25 and a further secondary clutch member 32 coupled to the sleeve 36. The alternative ratios are used for drive in opposite directions, the shaft 1 being that of a driving turbine which may also act as a driven pump, the blades being suitably adjusted, and the shaft 53 being that of a driven generator which may act as a driving motor. The reverse rotation required during motor/ pump drive may be effected electrically, or mechanically in the gearing. In the non-reversing, all epicyclic gear shown, a carrier 2 fast with the shaft 1 supports first train planets 40 meshing a sun 39 and a reaction ring 41 and second train planets 11 meshing a sun 16 and a reaction ring 12. The secondary clutch member 32 is journalled on a carrier extension 5. The rings 41, 12 are each circumferentially split to facilitate assembly and are resiliently mounted in a gear housing 10 by peripherally distributed springs 13. The first and second train planet axles are arranged relatively circumferentially off-set in a common central wall 4. For ratios necessitating a first train sun which is too small to permit through passage of the shaft 19, a double stage first train may be provided. In operation, for turbine/ generator drive the sleeve 25 is shifted to "A" for drive through the second train 16, 11, 12 and the sleeve 19, the first train idling, and for motor/pump drive the sleeve 25 is shifted to " B " for drive through the sleeve 36 and the first train 39, 40, 41, the second train idling. In Fig. 2 (not shown) providing reverse rotation for motor/pump drive, a double stage, countershaft, first train comprises gear-coupled stepped wheels on fixed countershafts and respectively meshing a wheel 39 and a ring resiliently mounted in a shell secured to the planetary second train carrier. The secondary clutch member 32 is journalled on a gear housing extension. The reversing train may alternatively be single stage.