Patent ID: 8343008
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: F03D,F16H,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A variable speed drive apparatus comprising: an input shaft rotating at a variable rate; a rotating output shaft coaxially aligned with and operatively connected to said input shaft; a rotating cage mounted on said input shaft and said output shaft by bearings such that the rotation rate of said cage and the rotation rate of said input shaft may be different; an input bevel gear mounted on said input shaft within said cage; an output bevel gear mounted on said output shaft within said cage; a pair of opposing bevel pinions mounted to and within said cage; said bevel pinions operatively connecting said input bevel gear and said output bevel gear; a retarding mechanism operatively connected to said cage; an actuator sensor sensing the rate of revolution of said output shaft and controlling said retarding mechanism; wherein said retarding mechanism alters the rotation rate of said cage when said actuator sensor senses the rate of rotation of said output shaft to be greater than desired; and wherein said retarding mechanism comprises: