Patent ID: 8133147

Claim:
A clutching device for modulating the speed of an output device, the clutching device comprising: a planetary gear set directly connectable to a crankshaft of a prime mover, the planetary gear set comprising: a ring gear comprising a first end and a second end, the first end rigidly fixed to a cover rigidly fixable to the crankshaft; at least one planet gear engaged with the ring gear; a planet carrier comprising a first end and a second end, the first end housing the at least one planet gear; a first bearing abuttingly and supportingly disposed between an inner surface of the second end of the ring gear and an outer surface of the second end of the planet carrier, the first bearing having an inner diameter, wherein the second end of the planet carrier is rigidly fixable to the output device by an arrangement of a plurality of fastening bolts receivable in the second end of the planet carrier, wherein a width of the arrangement is less than the inner diameter of the first bearing; a sun gear disposed in the planet carrier and engaged with the at least one planet gear, wherein the sun gear is connectable to a modulating device, whereby the planetary gear set and the output device are supportingly mountable on the crankshaft; wherein speed modulation between the prime mover and the output device is controllable by controlling speed of rotation of the sun gear, whereby energy from the speed modulation is recoverable by the modulating device.