Patent ID: 7481396
Filing Date: 2009-01-27
Classification: B64C,B64D

Abstract:
1. A transmission system for use with a microturbine engine, the transmission system comprising: a bearingless floating input member operably coupled to rotational output of the microturbine engine, the bearingless floating input member rotating about a first rotational axis, the bearingless floating input member including a first shaft and an input pinion gear integral thereto; a first reduction stage comprising a plurality of self-equilibrating gears that mesh to said input pinion gear and that drive a plurality of intermediate shafts, the plurality of intermediate shafts rotating about fixed rotational axes that are offset relative to said first rotational axis; and a second reduction stage comprising a plurality of pinion gears that are affixed to said plurality of intermediate shafts and that mesh to an output gear that is integral to an output shaft, the output shaft rotating about a fixed rotational axis that is offset relative to said first rotational axis; wherein said first and second reduction stages cooperate to drive the output shaft at a reduced rotational speed relative to the rotational output of the microturbine engine; and wherein said bearingless floating input member is not directly supported by bearings and floats such that radial and thrust loads applied thereto are effectively cancelled by the self-equilibrating gears of the first stage.