Flex-gear power transmission system for transmitting EMF between Sun and ring gears
Abstract
A plurality of flexible cylindrical members, termed flex-gears and having gear tooth type perimeters are located in an annular space between two concentric rotating gear members, one an inner gear member and the other an outer ring gear member, both of which have mutually facing toothed surfaces which engage the flex-gears. The flex-gears rotate and orbit around the annular space as planetary gears when the inner and outer gear members rotate with respect to one another. Pairs of these elements located in two mutually parallel planes and separated by insulators provide two electrical conductor paths across which an electrical signal source, AC or DC, can be connected and coupled to an electrical device. Alternatively, one set of elements including outer gears segmented into mutually insulated semicircles and inner gears segmented into mutually insulated quadrants can be used.
- Publication:
-
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Report
- Pub Date:
- October 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994nasa.reptU....V
- Keywords:
-
- Cylindrical Bodies;
- Electromechanical Devices;
- Gear Teeth;
- Gears;
- Robotics;
- Alternating Current;
- Insulators;
- Interfacial Energy;
- Patents;
- Rotation;
- Segments;
- Mechanical Engineering