US1909160A - Mining machine - Google Patents

Description

C. P. BALDWIN May 16, 1933.

MINING MACHINE Filed Dec. 4. 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet l y 6, 1933. c. P. BALDWIN 1,909,160

MINING MACHINE Filed'Dec. 4. 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

C. P. BALDWIN MINING MACHINE May 16, 1933.

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Patented May 16, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLYDE I. BALDWIN, F CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, AS SIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application filed December 4, 1930. Serial No. 500,021.

This invention relates to mining machines, and more particularly to improved feeding mechanism for coal mining machines of the flexibly fed, bottom cutting type.

4, An object of this invention is to provide an improved mining machine feeding mechanism. Another object is to provide an im proved feeding mechanism for a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, bottom cutting type. A further object is to provide an improved variable speed feeding mechanism which is extremely flexible in operation whereby an extremely Wide range of feeding speeds may be obtained. Yet another object is to provide in a feeding mechanism of the eharacter set forth improved means for regulating the rate of feed to obtain any desired speed between 'zero and a predetermined maximum, thereby to provide varied rates of continuous feed. A further object is'to provide an improved variablespeed trans-' mission mechanism of the fluid controlled type. A still further object is to provide an improved hydraulic power transmission means of the difi'erential pumping type adapted to vary the relative motion between driving and driven elements. Still another object is to provide an improved'variable speed transmission gearing of the fluid controlled type whereby a variable speed ratio or a reduction ratio may be" obtained between the driving member and the member to be driven without necessitating the shifting of gears or mechanical adjustment of the driv- F ing elements and without any fixed ratio of gear reduction. Yet another object is to provide an improved hydraulic variable speed transmission mechanism or what may be termed a hydraulic clutch for driving the feeding member upon which the machine depends for its movement, and having associated therewith improved. planetary reduction gearing. These and other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter-more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a coal mining machine having embodied therein an illustrative form of the improved variable speed feeding mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view, with parts broken away to show details of construction, of the feeding mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken substantially on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view taken on line 77 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig 4.

Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view taken substantially-on line 99 ofFig 6.

In this illfustrative construction the improved variable-speed feeding mechanism is shown embodied in a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed; bot-tom cutting, longwall type although evident that the same may be incorporated machines of various other types. The minmgmachine illustrated generally comprise'js'a frame 1 having a plane bottom surface 2 upon which the machine rests and slides during movement over the mine bottom. The body 1 comprises a central motor section 3, a cutter carrying section 4 and a feed section 5, these sections being rigidly united in any suitable manner. Pivotally mounted on the cutter section 4 for horizontal swinging movement about a vertical axis is a cutter. bar 6 carrying on its margin an endlesscutter ehain7 of a usual design. Suitable locking means 8 is employed for locking the cutter bar in its different positions of adjustment relative to the machine body and herein comprises a pin cooperating with recesses 9 in a flange 10 formed on the cutter section 4. The motor section 3 houses a motor 11 which is preferably of the reversible electric type and has its armature shaft 12 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine. As any usual type of transmission mechanism may serve to connect the armature shaft in driving relation with the cutter chain 7, and as such transmission mechanism does not per se enter into this invention, detail description of the same is thought unnecessary. The feed frame section 5 carries the flexible feeding mechanism for feeding the machine over the mine bottom during cutting at a cutting speed and for moving the machine from one place to another about the mine at a relatively fast haulage speed and for effecting swinging movement of the cutter bar about its pivot. This feeding mechanism in the present instance includes a feed operating or haulage member illustrated herein as a feed drum 13 mounted on the feed frame for rotation about a vertical axis and cooperating with a flexible feeding element for haulage cable 14. Arranged at opposite sides of the forward end of the frame adjacent the feed drum and rotatable about vertical axes on the feed frame are guide rolls or sheaves 15 about which the feed cable 14 may be led in a. suitable manner for facilitating the performance of the various operations of the machine.

Now referring to the improved combined variable speed transmission mechanism and planetary reduction gearing between the motor armature shaft and the feed drum for driving the latter in winding direction at a wide range of feeding speeds, it will be observed that fixed to the armature shaft 12 is a spur pinion 17 meshing with and driving an internal gear 18 housed within a chamber 19 formed in the feed,frame 5 and fixed to a horizontal shaft 20 extending longitudinally of the machine as shown in Fig.2. This shaft is suitably journaled within the feed frame 5 and drives throughthe improved hydraulic variable speed transmission mechanism or so-called hydraulic clutch and its associated planetary speed reducing gearing generally designated 21, a hollow shaft 22 surrounding the shaft 20 and likewise suitably journaled within the feed frame 5. Herein formed on the shaft 22 is a worm 23 which meshes with a worm wheel 24 rotatable about a vertical axis. This worm wheel is supported in coaxial relation with a vertical shaft 25 which carries at its lower end a spur pinion 26 meshing with an internal gear 27 carried by the feed drum 13. The worm wheel 24 may be connected to drive the shaft 25 by a sliding clutch mechanism including a toothed clutch element 28 rigidly secured to the upper end of the shaft 25, a clutch element 29 keyed to the hub of the worm wheel 24, and an internally toothed vertically slidable clutch member 30 which is movable downwardly to connect the -toothed elements 28, 29 to effect drive of the pinion 26 by means of a manually controllable clutch shipper mechanism 31. When the slidable clutch member 30 is in its uppermost or raised position the drive is interrupted.

Again referring to the improved hydraulic transmission or so-called hydraulic clutch and its associated planetary speed reducing gearing for transmitting rotation from the shaft 20 to the shaft 22, it will be noted that this mechanism permits complete disconnection of the driving and driven elements, direct connection between the driving and driven elements and transmission of rotation from the driving element to the driven element at a wide variety of different speeds, the speed variation possible being, practically speaking, unlimited within the range of the mechanism. This hydraulic clutch transmits power at variable speeds by the resistance of the fluid which when under full or partial confinement is utilized to effect a corresponding degree of resistance between the driving element and the driven element and to hydraulically couple the driving and driven elements for direct drive or drive with varying degrees of relative motion between the driving and driven elements. In other words, the fluid may be circulated without resistance sufficient to cause any drive upon suitable adjustment of the control or the control may be adjusted to cause the fluid to resist relative rotation of the parts and if desired lock the parts together.

In specifically describing the improved combined hydraulic clutch and planetary speed reducing gearing 21, it will be observed that the shaft 20 has preferably formed integral therewith a spur pinion 32 which herein constitutes the driving element and meshes with a plurality of planet gears 33, herein three, the latter in turn meshing with an internal gear 34 which is herein the driven element. This internal gear 34 is secured to a plural part rotatable casing or housing 35 and the parts of this housing and the internal gear are secured together by bolts 36 arranged at intervals about the periphery of the casing which, in the present instance, is cylindrical in form. As illustrated, this casing is provided with a hub 37 keyed at 38 to the hollow shaft 22 and also with a hub 39 rotatably supported on a cylindrical support member 40. The casing 35 is provided with a chamber 41 in which is mounted a rotatable composite support member 42 which is'also generally cylindrical in outline and which is provided with three peripheral pockets or chambers 43 in which the planet gears 33 are arranged, these planet gears being loosely journaled on-transverse shafts 44 supported at their ends by the support member 42 as shown in Fig. 4. In the present construction the member 42 is transversely split at 45 and the two parts thereof are united as a. unit by means of a series of rivets 46. The hydraulic clutch comprises a plurality of spur gears 47 also journaled on the shafts 44. These spur gears 47 mesh with an internal gear 48 secured to therasing 35 by the bolts 36 as shown in F i s. 4 and 6. The member 42 is provided wit three peripheral pockets 49 in which the gears 47 are arranged. Intermediate the chambers 49 is a series of partition-like portions 50 and each of these are transversed by a pair of passages 51 and 52. The passages 51, 52 each comprise radially extending portions and portions at right angles to the radially extending portions. The latter portions of the passages 51 herein designated 53 all open in one direction through the walls of the partition elements and the corresponding portions 54 of the passages 52 open through the opposite sides of the partition elements. The internal diameter of the gear 48 is such that the circumferential por tions of the member 42, those at the outer ends of the partition-like portions 50, are a close fit for the ends of the teeth of the gear 48. The member 42 is provided with a hub portion 55 rotatably supported within the hub portion 39 of the casing 35, as shown in Fig. 4, and this hub portion 55 is provided with a bore 56. The pairs of passages 51 and 52 communicate with parallel passages 57 and 58 respectively extending longitudinally of the member 42 and communicating through radial passages 59 and 60 respectively, with the bore 56.

Reciprocably mounted in the bore 56 is a hollow valve member 61 having a bore 62 extending axially therethrough, which communicates with a bore or chamber 63 formed in the support member 40. The chamber 63 as shown in Fig. 4 communicates with an oil sump 64 within the gear housing in the frame section 5, through depending conduits 64 and 64", one connecting the inlet side and the other the exhaust side of the motor with the oil sump. The valve member 61 is reciprocable in opposite directions by a manually rotatable nut member 65 which cooperates with a screw 66 rotatably connected to the forward end of the valve member 61. The screw 66 is held against rotation by a sliding head 67 having lateral projections 68 fitting grooves 69 formed in the wall of the bore 63. The adjacent end of the valve member is provided with a radial flange 70 with which grooves in the lateral projections 68 cooperate, thereby connecting the valve with the screw for axial movement therewith, while at the same time permitting free relative rotative movement of the parts. The nut member 65 is rotatably mounted within a support 71 which, together with the support member 40, is rigidly secured to the feed frame by screws 72. Keyed to the nut member 65 is a hand wheel 73 for rotating the nut. The flange 70 on the valve forms a partition which separates the bore 63 into two chambers 74 and 75 with which the oil conduits 64 and 64 respectively communicate as shown in Fig. 4. The valve member 61 is provided with a peripheral groove 77 and a head 78 whose dimension longitudinally of the valve is slightly greater than the width of the passages 59 and 60 communi eating with the bore 56 so that the valve head can cut off fluid flow through either passage. level within the sump 64 always stands high enough to insure oil flow into the bore 63 when a reduced pressure is produced therein by operation of the mechanism in the manner to be described.

The mode of operation of the improved transmission mechanism will be readily understood, and as the mode of operation of a longwall coal mining machine is well known to those skilled in the art, no detail description of that needs to be given. The motor 11 causes rotation of its armature shaft 12 and the pinion 17 drives the internal ear 18 and thereby rotates the shaft 20. ssume that the ports 59, 60 are at least partly open.

The shaft 20 will cause the pinion 32 to ro-- tate, and accordingly the planet gears 33 will commence to roll around the internal gear 34. If the gear 34 remains stationary it will be evident that a vacuum will be produced to the rear of each of the gears 47 and accordingly oil will be drawn from the sum up through the conduit 64 past the groove 77 in the valve and thence through the ports 60 and the passages 52 and into the ports of the spaces 49 at the suction side of the gears 47. Rotation of the pinions 47 will also serve to force out from the portions of the spaces 49 at the pressure side of the gears 47, fluid which will flow through the passages 51 into the bore 56 at the rear side of the valve 61 and through the valve and conduit 64 back to the oil sump. Accordingly, air will first be displaced from the portionsofthe spaces 49 to the rear of the gears 47 and then oil will be transferred from these portions of the spaces in the portions of the spaces 49 in advance of the gears 47, and finally all the spaces between the members 35 and 42 will be completely filled with oil. The machine may then be caused to feed at full s eed simply by moving the spool or head 78 o the valve 61 to the left from the position shown in Fig. 4 to completely obstruct the ports 59 communicating with the passages 51. It will be evident that since no fluid can then be displaced from the portions of the spaces 49 in advance of the gears 47, these gears can not rotate and they will therefore lock the member 42 against rotation relative to the casing 35. The planet gears 33 then cannot move orhitally relative to the casing 35 about the casing axis, and as a result, the casing 35 is moved at the same angular speed as the shaft 20, or in other words, the driving and driven elements are hydraulically coupled together for direct drive. If a slower speed or rotation of the driven element is desired the valve 61 may be shifted to the right and It will be understood that the oil a controlled flow of fluid from the passages 57 through the passages 51 to the portions of the spaces 49 at the rear of the gears 47 may be permitted, thereby permitting rotation ot the member 4;? relative to the casing 35 and consequently orbital movement of the planet gears 33 about the casing axis. It will be evident that dependent upon the flow area provided, any speed practically, will be possible, for if the passages 51 and 52 are placed in free communication with the chamber 63 then the gears 47 can rotate freely and will simply pump up the fluid from the spaces in advance of them to the spaces in the rear of them, and as a result, all planet gears 33 roll t'reely around the internal gear 34 with no driving of the driven element at that time. .\s the rate of fluid flow from the passages .32 to the passages 51 is progressively diminished there will be a retardation in the rate of rotation of the gears 47 upon their axes, thereby resisting rotation of the member 42 relative to the casing and movement of the planet gears 33 in their orbit about the casing axis, and accordingly a building up of rotation of the internal gear 34, and as said above any speed of rotation can, within the limits of the device, he obtained by proper adjustment of the valve 61.

It will be understood that with rotation of the worm 23 rotation of the worm wheel 24 will be effected and that by connecting the clutch 30 as shown in Fig. 3 drive of the pinion 26 and resultant drive of the feed drum 13 will be accomplished. It will of course he understood that upon reversal of the motor the feed drum will be driven in the opposite or unwinding direction and fluid will tend to discharge from the spaces 49 through the passages 52 and ports 77 into the bore 62 in the valve 61. By moving the valve 61 substantially to the right in Fig. 4 control of the speed during reverse rotation i obviously readily possible.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved combined speed reducing and variable speed transmission mechanism is provided whereby the very wide variation in the rate of feeding speeds is obtained and a precise adjustment of said speed to the cutting and other conditions emountered. It will still further be noted that an improved hydraulic transmission or so-called hydraulic clutch is provided Whereby an exceedingly flexible feed may be attained. the device having associated therewith planetary reduction gearing. These and other objects and advantages of the improved transmission mechanism will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

\Vhile there is in this application specifically described one form which this invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

\Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, and fluid controlled means including intermeshing fluid controlled gears also housed within said rotatable casing associated with said reduction gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements, one of said gears being arranged coaxially with and rigidly fixed to said driven element for rotation therewith.

2. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, and fluid controlled means including intermeshing fluid controlled gears also housed within said rotatable casing associated with said planetary gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements. one of said gears being arranged coaxially with and rigidly fixed to said driven element for rotation therewith.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, and fluid controlled means including intermcshing gearing also housed within said rotatable casing associated with said reduction gearing and including a gear arranged coaxially with and rigidly fixed to said driven element for rotation therewith to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements.

4. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, planetary reduction gearing arranged within said casing in the drive between said elements and including a planet gear movable orbitally relative to said driven element about the axis of the latter, and fluid controlled means ineluding intermeshing gearin also arranged within said casing and associated with said planetary gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged Witl in said casing, and fluid controlled means a so 'arranged within said casing and including planetary gearing associated with said reduction gearing and including a planet gear movable orbitally relative to said driven element about the axis of the latter to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements.

6. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, fluid controlled means also arranged within said casing and including fluid controlled gears in said casing associated with said reduction gearing and includinga gear coaxial with and rigidly fixed to said casing for rotation therewith to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements.

7. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casin planetary gearing within said casing embo ying a driving gear, an internal driven gear, and planet gears movable orbitally relative to said casing and meshing with said driving and driven gears, and fluid controlled means in said casing including intermeshing gearing for controlling the rate of orbital movement of said planet gears relative to said casing to vary the speed ratio of said driving and driven elements.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing, planetary gearing within said casing embodying a driving gear, an internal gear, and planet gears meshing with said driving and driven gears, and fluid controlled means in said casing including planet gears and an internal gear meshing therewith for controlling the rate of orbital movement of said first mentioned planet gears to vary the speed ratio of said driving and driven elements.

9. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing, planetary gearing within said casing embodying a driving gear, an internal driven gear, and planet gears meshing with said driving and driven gears, a support rotatably mounted within said casing and by which said planet gears are carried, and fluid controlled means including intermeshing gearing for varying the rate of relative rotation of said casing and support to vary the speed ratio of said driving and driven elements.

10. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing, planetary gearing within said casing embodyinga driving gear, an internal driven gear, and planet gears meshing with said driving and driven gears, a support rotatably mounted within said casing and by which said planet gears are carried, and fluid controlled means including intermeshing gearing for varying the rate of relative rotation of saidcasing and support to vary the, speed ratio of said driving and driven elements, said fluid controlled means including passage means in said rotatable support, and means for controlling said passage means.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, and including a gear arranged coaxially with and rigidly fixed to said driven element for rotation therewith, and a hydraulic gear clutch also arranged within said rotatable casing for variably controlling the drive of said driven element through said reduction gearing.

12. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, and fluid controlled means including a rotatable casin containing said reduction gearing, a cham er in said casing for containing fluid, planetary gearing within said chamber, said gearing embodying an internal gear secured to said casing and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, fluid passage means for circulating the fluid to and from the teeth of said last mentioned gears, and means for controlling said passage means to vary the speed ratio of the driving and driven elements.

13. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing, planetary gearing in said casing embodying a driving gear, an internal driven gear, and planet gears meshing with said driving and driven gears, and fluid controlled means in said casing including a fluid contained in said casing, planetary gearing within said casing including an interal gear and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, fluid passage means for circulating the fluid to and from the teeth of said last mentioned gears, and means for controlling said passage means to vary the speed ratio of said driving and driven elements.

14. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, a rotatable casing containing said reduction gearing and having a chamber for containing fluid, planetary gearing contained in said chamber and embodying an internal gear secured to said casing and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, a support rotatably mounted in said casing and carrying said planet gears, passage forming means for circulating fluid to and from the teeth of said internal and planet gears including passages formed in said rotatable support, and means for controlling said passages to vary the speed ratio of the driving and driven elements.

15. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element. a. driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, a rotatable casing containing said planetary gearing and having a chamber for contaimng fluid, other planetary gearing contained in said chamber and embodying1 an internal gear secured to said casing an planet gears meshing with said internal gear, a support rotatably mounted in said casing and carrying said planet gears, passage forming means for circulating fluid to and from the teeth of said internal and planet gears including passages formed in said rotatable support, and means for controlling said passages to vary the speed ratio of the driving and driven elements.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and including and embodying a driving gear, an internal driven gear and planet gears meshing with said driving and driven gears, a rotatable casing containing said planetary reduction gearing and having a chamber fer containing fluid, other planetary gearingscontained in said casing, said gearin embodying an internal gear secured to sai casing and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, a support rotatably mounted in said casing and carrying the planet gears of both gear trains, passage forming means for circulating fluid to and from the teeth of said second mentioned set of said planetary gearing including passages formed in said rotatable support, and means for controlling said passages to vary the speed ratio of the driving and driven elements.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, a rotatable casing containing said reduction gearing and having a chamber for containing fluid, planetary gearing contained in said chamber, said last mentioned gearing embodying an internal gear and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, a rotatable support mounted within said casing and carrying said planet gears, said support being freely rotatable relative to said casing, passage forming means for circulating fluid to and from the teeth of said planetary gearing, and means for controlling said passage means to vary the speed ratio of said driving and driven elements.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, a drivin element, a driven element, intermeshing re uction gearing in the drive between said elements, a rotatable casing containing said reduction gearing and hav ing a chamber for containing fluid. planetary gearing contained in said chamber, said last mentioned gearing embodying an internal gear and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, a rotatable support mounted within said casing and carrying said planet gears and certain of the gears of said reduction gearing, said support being freel rotatable relative to said casing, passage torming means for circulating fluid to and from the teeth of said planetary gearing, and means for controlling said passage means to vary the speed ratio of said driving and driven elements.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, a rotatable casing containing said planetary reduction gearing and having a chamber for containing fluid, other planetary gearing contained in said chamber and embodying an internal gear and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, a rotatable support within said casing and carrying the planet gears of said second mentioned planetary gearing, said support being freely rotatable relative to said casing, passage forming means including fluid conducting passages formed in said rotatable sup port for conducting fluid to the teeth of the gears of said second mentioned set of planetary gearing, and means for controlling said passage means to vary the speed ratio of the driving and driven elements.

20. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between saidelements and embodying a driving gear, an internal driven gear, and planet gears meshing with said driving and driven gears, and fluid controlled means including a rotatable casing containing said planetary caring and having a chamber for containing fluid, planetary gearing within said chamber and embodying an internal gear and planet gears meshing with said internal gear, passage forming means for conducting fluid to the teeth of the gears of said second mentioned planetary gearing, and means for controlling said passage means to vary the speed ratio of the driving and driven elements.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing operatively connected to said driven element, a support within and rotatable relative to said casing, reduction gearing in the drive between said driving and driven elements including a planet gear carried by said rotatable support and driving and driven gears meshing with said planet gear, and fluid controlled means for varying the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements including a planet gear carried by said rotatable support and a gear operatively connected to said casing and with which said last mentioned planet gear meshes, and means for variably controlling the flow of fluid to and from said latter gears.

22. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing operatively connected to said driven element, a support within said casing and rotatable relative thereto, reduction gearing in the drive between said driving and driven elements including a driv ng gear operatively connected to said driving element, a planet gear meshin with said driving gear and carried by said rotatable support and a gear fixed to said casing and with which said planet gear meshes, and fluid controlled means associated with said reduction gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements including a planet gear carried by said rotatable support and a gear fixed to said casing and with which said last mentioned gear meshes, and, means for variably controlling the flow of fluid to and from said latter gears.

23. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing fixed to said driven element, a support within said casing and ro tatable relative thereto, reduction gearing inclosed in said casing and including a driving gear fixed to said driving element, a gear fixed to said casing and a planet gear carried by said rotatable support and meshing with said gears, and fluid controlled means for varying the relative speeds of said driv ing and driven elements including a gear fixed to said casing and a planet gear meshing therewith and carried by said support, and means for variably controlling the flow of fluid to and from said latter gears.

24. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing fixed to said driven element, a support within and rotatable relative to said casing, reduction gearing in the drive between said driving and driven elements including a gear fixed to said driving element, an internal gear fixed to said casing and a planet gear meshing with said gears, a shaft carried by said support on which said planet gear is mounted, and fluid controlled means associated with said reduction gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements including an internal gear fixed to said casing, and a planet gear meshing with said last mentioned internal gear and likewise like said first mentioned planet gear, mounted on said shaft, and means for variably controlling the flow of fluid to and from said latter gears.

25. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a rotatable casing fixed to said driven element, reduction gearing in the drive between said driving and driven elements, said reduction gearing inclosed in said casing and including a gear fixed to said driving element, an internal gear fixed to said casing and a planet gear meshing with said gears, and fluid controlled means associated with said reduction gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements including fluid controlled gears inclosed in said casing, said gears including an internal gear fixed to said casing and a planet gear meshing with said internal gear, and means for variably controlling the flow of fluid to and from said latter gears.

26. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, and fluid controlled means including intermeshing fluid controlled gears, one of which is an internal gear and said internal gear being fixed to said driven element for rotation therewith, said fluid controlled means being associated with said planetary gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven element.

In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, said gearing including an internal gear rotatable with said casing and a planet gear meshing with said internal gear and movable orbitally relative to said casing, and fluid controlled means also arranged within said casing and including intermeshing gearing associated with said planetary gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements.

28. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a driving element, a driven element, planetary reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, and fluid controlled means including planetary gearing associatedwith said reduction gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven element, said planetary fluid controlled gearing including an internal gear rotatable with said driven element, and a planet gear meshing with said internal gear and movable orbitally relative to said driven element.

29. In an apparatus of the character described, a driving element, a driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements, fluid controlled means including a rotatable casing in which said reduction gearing is contained, and fluid controlled gears in said casing associated with said reduction gearing to vary the relative speeds of said driving and driven elements, said fluid controlled gears including an internal gear fixed to said casing for rotation therewith, and a gear meshing with said internal gear.

30. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of' a driving element, a driven element, a casing rotatable with said driven element, intermeshing reduction gearing in the drive between said elements and arranged within said casing, said gearing including an internal gear fixed to said casing for rotation therewith and a gear meshing with said internal gear, and a hydraulic gear clutch also arranged within said rotatable casing for variably controlling the 6 drive of said driven clement through said reduction gearing.

In testimony whereof I afilx my signature.

CLYDE P. BALDVIN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,909,160. May 16, 1933 CLYDE P. BALDWIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 96, for

that the said Letters Patent the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of October, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,909,160. May 16, 1933.

CLYDE P. BALDWIN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 3, line 96, for "ports" read portions; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 30th day of October, A. D. 1934.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

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