Patent ID: 7140994
Filing Date: 2006-11-28
Classification: B66C,F16D,F16H

Abstract:
1. A planetary gearbox with transmitted torque sensor comprising: a gear housing defining a longitudinal axis; a first coupling member mounted in the gear housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, the first coupling member having a first engaging portion adapted for receiving torque from a power source shaft, and having a first axial face substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a second coupling member mounted in the gear housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, the second coupling member having a second engaging portion adapted for transmitting torque to a first gearbox shaft, and having a second axial face substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; a ball disposed in each opposing pair of conical seats between the first coupling member and the second coupling member; a sensing assembly positioned between the gear housing and at least one of coupling members, the sensing assembly urging at least one of the coupling members toward the other coupling member and detecting axial movement of the coupling members relative to one another; a primary sun gear disposed on the first gearbox shaft for receiving torque therefrom; a primary annular ring gear radially spaced apart from and encircling the primary sun gear; and a primary planet carrier unit including a carrier frame rotatable about the longitudinal axis, at least one planet gear simultaneously engaging the primary sun gear and the primary ring gear and rotatably mounted on the carrier frame, and an engaging portion for transmitting torque to a second gearbox shaft; wherein the balls roll partway up the conical seats when transmitting torque between the first and second coupling members, thereby causing the coupling members to move axially away from one another a distance substantially proportional to a torque transmitted between the power source shaft and the second gearbox shaft, the distance being detected by the sensing assembly as indicative of the torque transmitted.