Nalional Aeronautics and

Space Administration

TO: NIT-44/Scientific and T e c h n i c a l Information Division

Attn: Shirley Peigare

FROM : GP-4/0ffice of A s s i s t a n t G e n e r a l Counsel

f o r P a t e n t Matters

SUBJECT: Announcement o f NASA-Owned U . S . P a t e n t s i n STAR

I n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e procedures a g r e e d upon by Code GP-4 a n d

Code NST-44, t h e a t t a c h e d NASA-owned U . S . P a t e n t i s b e i n g
f o r w a r d e d f o r a b s t r a c t i n g a n d a n n o u n c e m e n t i n NASA STAR.

The f o l l o w i n g i n f o r m a t i o n i s p r o v i d e d :

U.S. Patent No.

Government o r
C o n t r a c t o r Employee:

N A S A Case N o . Lee-\d:( D w - b - (
NOTE - I f t h i s p a t e n t c o v e r s a n I n v e n t i o n made by a c o n t r a c t o r
e m p l o y e e u n d e r a NASA c o n t r a c t , t h e f o l l o w i n g is a p p l i c a b l e :
I

Pursuant t o S e c t i o n 3 0 5 ( a ) of t h e N a t i o n a l Aeronautics and Space

Act, t h e name o f t h e A d m i n i s t r a t o r o f NASA a p p e a r s o n t h e f i r s t
p a g e o f t h e p a t e n t ; however, t h e name o f t h e a c t u a l i n v e n t o r
( a u t h o r ) appears a t t h e h e a d i n g o f Column N o . 1 o f t h e
. s p e c i f i c a t i o n , f o l l o w i n g t h e words l r . . . w i t h r e s p e c t t o a n
invention of.. .. I'
United States Patent [19] 4,446,757
La Fever 1451 May 8,1984

DIRECTIONAL GEAR RATIO Attorney, Agent, or Firm-HowGd J. Osborn; John R.

TRANSMISSIONS Manning; Wallace J. Nelson
Inventor: Alan E. La Fever, La Habra [57l
calif.
A directional geai ratio trans which transfers all
Assignee: The United States of America as clockwise inputs at different from all
represented by the Administrator of counter clockwise inputs. A transmission housing 10
the National Aeronautics and Spa&. encloses first and second epicyclic gear assemblies, 20
Administration, Washington, D.C. and 60,which are controlled by first and second undi-
Appl. No.: 387,728 rectional clutches, 90 and 95, and has a fmt shaft 11and
a second shaft 12 extending therefrom. Within the fust
Filed: Jun. 11,1982 epicyclic gear assembly 20 is a fmt sun gear 21 con-
Int. Cl.3........................ F16H 57/10;?F16H 3/44, nected to the first shaft 11.First planet gears, 24,25 and
F16H 5/52 26, mesh with the first sun gear 2l’and are held symmet-
us. a......................................... 74/758; 74/753; rically about the fmt sun gear by a first planet gear
74/812 carrier 36. A first ring gear 33 surrounds, and is also in
Field of Search ..................... 74/810,812,750 R, mesh with the, first planet gears 24,25 and 26. Within
74/753,789,764,758,762,770,801,765 the second epicyclic gear assembly 60 is a second sun
References Cited gear 61 interconnected with the first planet gear carrier
36,by a connecting shaft 50. Second planet gears, 64,65
U.S.PATENT DOCUMENTS and 66, mesh with the second sun gear 61 and are held
2,467,627 4/1949 Olson ................................ 14/812 X symmetrically about the second sun gear by second
3,017,796 2/1963 Johnson et al. ....................... 74/810 planet gear carrier 76 which is connected to the first
3,307,426 3/1961 Whitalter ...............................
14/675 ring gear 33, by a connecting portion 51. Surrounding
3,361,010 1/1968 Miller .................................... 74/810 and in mesh with the second planet gears is a second
3,521,505 7/1970 Sebring ................................. 74/785
4,137,798 2/1979 S i k et al. ..............................
74/812 ring gear 73 which is connected to the second shaft 12.
First and second unidirectional clutches, 90 and 95, only
FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS allow rotation of the first planet gear carrier 36, and the
114370 6/1945 Sweden ................................. 74/812 first ring gear 33 in a common direction with respect to
399391 10/1933 United Kingdom ..................
74/812 the transmission housing 10. This transmission inher-
500054 2/1939 United Kingdom .................. 74/762 ently reverses all inputs to either the first or second
586724 3/1947 United Kingdom .................. 74/367 shafts, and transmits all clockwise inputs to either shaft
879040 10/1961 United Kingdom . at a gear ratio different from all counterclockwise in-
242630 4/1969 U.S.S.R. ................................ 74/812
puts.
Primary Examiner-Lawrence J. Staab
Assistant Examiner-Bruce F. Wojciechowski 15 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
U.S.Patent May 8,1984 Sheet 1 of 3 4,446,757

FIG. 1
24

FIG. 2
US. Patent May 8,1984 Sheet 2 of 3 4,446,757

FIG.3

90
\ ?4

FIG. 4
U.S. Patent m y 8,1984 Sheet 3 of 3 4,446,757

34

12

10
9
8
7
6

c2
5

4
'.6
3

2
 4,M6,75 7
1 2
gear to a common direction. Interconnecting first and
DIREKTIONAL GEAR RATIO TR4NSMISSIONS second epicyclic gear assemblies in combination ,with
unidirectional clutches, as described above, results in a
ORIGIN OF THE INVENTION transmission that inherently transmits all rotational in-
The invention described herein was made in the per- puts in that direction for which the clutches engage at a
formance of work under a NASA contract and is sub- lower gear ratio than do those rotational inputs in that
ject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National direction for which the unidiirectional clutches are dis-
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 engaged.
(72 Stat. 435; 42 USC 2457).
10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a directional gear ration
This invention relates to gear transmissions using two transmission;
epicyclic gear assemblies in combination with unidvec- FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, at l i e
tional clutches to transmit all clockwise inputs at a gear 11-11 showing the first epicyclic gear assembly in
ratio different from that of counterclockwise inputs. l5 greater detail;
Epicyclic gear assemblies and unidirectional: sprag FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, at line
type clutches are both well known in the art of gear 111-111 showing the second epicyclic gear assembly in
transmissions, and have been interconnected in various greater detail;
combinations to provide many different types of input- FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, at line
/output relationships. Those transmissions using two 20 IV-IV showing the first unidirectional clutch in
epicyclic gear assemblies in combination with unidirec- greater detail;
tional clutches can be categorized into two groups. One FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a directional gear
group uses a third input shaft that is interconnected ratio transmission showing a mddified projection of a
with the epicyclic assemblies to control the transmis- first epicyclic wheel assembly; and
sion’s overall gear ratio and output direction. The other 25
FIG. 6 shows the overall gear ratio for directional
group uses an independent means that engages non- gear ratio transmissions illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.
directional clutches or discs within the transmission to
change output direction and overall gear ratio. These DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
transmissions transmit rotational inputs to an output INVENTION
shaft at a direction and overall gear ratio independent of 30
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a directional gear ratio
the direction of the input rotation.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to pro- transmission, and particularly illustrates how first and
vide a torque transfer mechanism wherein all clockwise second epicyclic gear assemblies, generally designated
inputs produce an output at a gear ratio different from 20 and 60, are interconnected within a transmission
that for counterclockwise inputs. 35 housing 10.Both epicyclic gear assemblies consist of a
Another object is to transmit all inputs at selectable ring gear, sun gear, planet carrier, and planet gears.
clockwise and counterclockwise gear ratios. Extending from within the transmission housing are
A further object of the invention is to transmit inputs first and second shafts, 11 and 12,supported by first and
at selected gear ratios dependent only upon direction of second shaft bearings, 13 and 14.The shaft bearings are
the input. 40 attached to the transmission housing, and allow each
A still further object of the invention is to provide an shaft to rotate freely in either a clockwise or a counter-
output torque with direction opposite to that of the clockwise direction while the transmission housing is
input. held stationary.
An additional object of the invention is to transmit The first shaft 11 is connected to a first sun gear 21
torques at selected forward and reverse gear ratios 45 that has teeth 22 which mesh with teeth, 27,28and 29,
using two epicyclic gear assemblieshaving interchange- on first planet gears, 24,25and 26,respectively. FIG. 2,
able elements. a view along line 11-11 in FIG. 1, shows first planet
gear bearings. 40,41 and 42,that allow the first planet
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION gears 24,25and 26, to rotate freely about first pins, 31,
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are 50 38 and 39. The first pins, 31, 38 and 39 extend from a
achieved by interconnecting two epicyclic gear assem- first planet gear carrier 36 to hold the first planet gears,
blies in combination with unidirectional clutches. A first 24,25and 26,symmetrically about the first sun gear 21,
shaft is connected to the sun gear of a first epicyclic and first planet gear pitch lines, 30,31and 32,tangent to
gear assembly. First planet gear assemblies mesh with the first sun gear pitch l i e 23. A first ring gear 33,also
the first sun gear and first ring gear. A first planet gear 55 has teeth 34 in mesh with the first planet gears, and the
carrier holds the first planet gear assemblies symmetri- first ring gear pitch line 35,tangent to the first planet
cally about the first sun gear, and transmits its rotational gear pitch lines, 30,31 and 32.
displacements to the second epicyclic gear assembly’s In the preferred embodiment, the first planet gear
sun gear by a connecting shaft. A connecting portion carrier 36 is connected to a first unidirectional clutch 90
transmits rotational displacement of the first ring gear 60 that allows the first planet gear carrier 36 to rotate only
to a second planet gear carrier. Second planet gear in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the
assemblies mesh with the second sun gear and a second transmission housing 10. A second unidirectional
ring gear, and are held symmetrically about the second clutch, 95, connected to the first ring gear 33, allows
sun gear by the second planet gear carrier. A second only a counterclockwise rotation of the first ring gear
shaft extends from the second ring gear. First and sec- 65 33.The first planet gear carrier 36,is then held station-
ond unidirectional clutches are each secured to a sta- ary by the first unidirectional clutch 90 while the first
tionary transmission housing, and restrict the indepen- sun gear 21,is rotated clockwise; thus, clockwise first
dent rotation of the first planet gear carrier and first ring sun gear rotation induces the first planet gears 24, 25
 4,446,757
3 4
and 26,to rotate counterclockwise with respect to the second sun gear 61'to only rotate counterclockwise.
first planet gear carrier 36, and the first ring gear 33, Within the first unidirectional clutch shown in FIG.4,
rotate counterclockwise. Counterclockwise rotation of y e an outer race 91,attached to the transmission h o w
the fist S u n gear 21 induces the first planet gears, 2 4 25 ing 10;an inner race 92, attached to the first planet gear
and 245, to rotate clockwise with respect to the first 5 carrier 36; sprags 93, located between the inner and
Planet gear carrier 36,and wfiile the first ring &ar 33 is outer races; and sprag springs 94 which pass through
held Stationary bY the second unidirectional Clutch 95, the sprags to prevent the sprags from jamming when the
the first planet gear carrier 36, rotates counterclock- inner race 92is count=&&w relative to the
wise. The gear ratios at which rotational inputs are outer race 91.Rotating the inner m e Clockwh c a m
transferred are discussed in the Operation Of the Inven- 10 the sprags 93 to rotate counterclockwise and jam any
tion. relative motion between the inner and outer races;
FIGS. 1 and 3 illustrate a second epicyclic gear as- counterclockwise rotation of the her race is not ob-
sembly 60 Which is S h i h to the first epicyclic gear structed by the Spmp. The second edir&i0nal clutch
20* A second sun gear 61 has teeth 62 which 95 prevents clockwise rotation of the first ring gear 33
mesh with teeth, 67 68 and 69,on second planet gears, 15 and second planet gear der 76 with respect to fie
64965 and 66-second Planet gear bearings, 80,81and transmission housing 10, and is in s t r u h e to
82,allow free rotation of the second planet gears, 64,65 the first unidirectional clutch 90. The unidirectional
and 66,about second Pins, 77978 and 79,which extend clutches, 90 and 95, may alsobe of any other type that
a Planet gear carrier 76*The second Planet restrict all rotation in one direction, and allow free
gear 76, extends from, and may either be at- 2o rotation in the other; such types include: rachet and
tached to or part of the connecting portion 51 and first pawl, friction, and locking roller units.
ring gear 33. Second pins hold the second planet gears The directional gear ratio transmission,s specificgear
s ~ e t r i c a l l Y about the second sun gear, and second
gear pitch lines, 70,71and 72,tangent to the second sun ratio for each input direction is determined by
gear Pitch line 63*The the number of teeth on the first and second sun gears,
shaft l2 is
a second ring gear 73,which also has teeth 74 in mesh to 25 Stand S2, relative to the number ofteeth on,the first d& ,
with the second planet gear teeth, and a second ring second ring gears*R1and R2* A special case results
gear pitch line 75 tangent to the second planet gear when Si =S2 and Ri=R2 because the various types of
pitch lines, 70,71 and 72. gears within the first epicyclic gear assembly become
FIG. 1 shows how the second epicyclic gear assem- 30 similar to those in the ePiqclic gear
bly 60 is connected to the first epicyclic gear assembly and are therefore interchangeable.
20,by a connecting shaft 50 and a connecting portion 51 how the gears in may be
which are both co-linear with the first and second replaced with friction wheels. A first Shaft 111 PaSSeS
shafts, 11 and 12. The connecting portion 51 extends though the stationary transmission housing 110,and is
from, and may either be attached to or part of the first 35 attached to a first sun 121-The first sun
ring gear 33;its function is to rotate the second planet 121 has a friction 122 located where the first sun
gear carrier 76 at the Same speed and direction as the gear pitch line 23 is in FIG. 1. The first planet Wheel
first ring gear 33.The connecting shaft 50 extends from friction surfaces in FIG. 5, 1% 127 and 1% are also
the first planet gear carrier 36, to the second sun gear located in a Position as the first Planet gear Pitch
61,and rotates the second sun gear 61,at the same speed 40 lines, 30931 and 32*shown in FIG- 1,and are tangent to
and direction as the first planet gear carrier 36. the first sun wheel friction surface 122.First pins, 129,
In the preferred embodiment, the connecting shaft 50 130 and 113,hold the first Planet Wheels SYmmetriCallY
holds the second sun gear 61 stationary while the con- about the f i t sun Wheel, and tangent to the first rink?
netting portion 51 rotates the second planet gear carrier Wheel friction S u r f a c e 133. Power and rotational dis-
76 counterclockwise when the first shaft 11, is rotated 45 Plaments are then tmmdtted from the first Shaft 111
clockwise. These inputs to the second epicyclic gear to the first Planet Wheel Carrier 134 and ring Wheel 132
assembly 60 induce counterclockwise rotation of the via the described friction surfacesin a similar manner as
second planet gears, 64 65 and 66,with respect to the the gears transmit Power along their respective Pitch
second planet gear carrier 76,and rotate the second ring lines in FIG. 1.
gear 73 and attached second shaft 12 counterclockwise. 50 Other variations to the &cribed structure while
When the first shaft 11,is rotated counterclockwise, the maintaining the disclosed function and result include
connecting shaft 50 rotates the second sun gear 61, the use of compound gear assemblies in lieu of the de-
counterclockwise while the connecting portion 51 scribed planet gears; each compound gear assembly
holds the second planet gear carrier 76 stationary. would have a first pinion in mesh with a sun gear and a
These inputs induce the second planet gears 64,65 and 55 second pinion attached to the first pinion, in mesh with
66,to rotate clockwise with respect to the second planet a ring gear which may be of either an internal or exter-
gear carrier 76,and the second ring gear 73 and second nal type.
shaft 12 to rotate clockwise. Other permutations, in-
cluding inputs to the second shaft 12, are more fully OPERATION OF THE INVENTION
described in the Operation of the Invention. 60 The structure described in FIGS. 1 4 results in a
First and second unidirectional clutches, generally transmission that transmits all rotational inputs in the
disignated 90 and 95 in FIG. 1, restrict the rotation direction which the unidirectional clutches engage at a
direction of the first planet gear carrier, 36 second sun lower gear ratio than inputs in the direction which the
gear 61,first ring gear 33,and second planet gear carrier unidirectional clutches are free. The direction which
76 to a common direction with respect to the transmis- 65 the first and second unidirectional clutches, 90 and 95,
sion housing 10. engage merely determines the direction of input that
In the preferred embodiment, the first unidirectional will be transmitted at the higher or lower gear ratio, and
clutch 90 allows the first planet gear carrier 36,and the does not materially effect the invention's operation.
 4,446,757
5 6
Epicyclic gear assemblies have three input/output continued
points at which rotation8 may be transmitted: sun gears,
rlng gears, and planet gear assemblies by holding one
input point stationary:
5

R/Slp=R/S=C 10

where: 15 Thus, rotational inputs to the first shaft 11 in a direction

R =number of teeth in ring gear which the unidirectional clutdws, 90 and 95, engage
S=number of teeth in sun gear will be transmitted at a lower gear ratio and higher
P =planet g w carrier speed than all inputs the first shaft in the direction
CrWS which the unidirectional clutches we free.
20
Subsequmt desuriptions of rotation within the pre- Input may also be transmitted from the second SW
ferrqd embodiment are as viewed from left to right in 12, in lieu of the first shaft 11, without effectbg the
FIG. 1,Rotqting the first shaft 11 and sun gear 21 clock- internal relative rotations as described above, However,
wise induces a counterclockwise rotation on the first the transmission’s gear ratios are the inverse of those
planet gears, 24, 25 and 26, with respect to the fmt 25
described above. The directiod gear ratio transmis-
plauqt gear carrie~36,and a counterclockwise rotation sion’s overall gear ratios for inputs to the second shaft
of the fmst rine gear 33. The forces resulting from clock- 12 are disclosed below:
wise first s~ p a r rotation tend to rotate the first planet
gqar carrier 36 cl~~@ise,but the first unidirectional
clutch 90 allows only counterclockwise rotation; thus 30
the first planet gear carrier 36 is held stationary. The
connecting shaft 90 holds the second sun gear 61 sta-
tionary yhile the coqiecting portion 51 rotates the
second planet gear parrier 76,counterclockwise. These
inputs to the secwcf qpicyclic gear assembly 60 induce 35
a counterclockwise rotation OP the second planet gears,
64,65 and 66,with respect to the second planet gear
carrier 76,and rotate the m o n d ring gew and shaft, 13
and 12,counterclockwise. The stepdown gear ratio for
inputs to tbe first shaft 11 in the direction at which the 40 where again:
Fmt clutch 90 engages is equal to:

GRenguge~i= (Wsiln)(RdpLIS2)
45

Similar gear ratios result from the use of wheels, in lieu

Counterclockwise rotatiop of the first shaft 11,and first of gears, within the first and second epicyclic gear as-
sun gear 21 induce clockwise rotation gn the first planet 50 semblies where R is equal to the pitchline diameter of
gears, 24,sand 26,wi* respect to the first planet gear the ring gear and S is the p i t c m e diameter of the sun
carrier 36 which is then rotated cowterclockwise.The gear.
first planet gears, 24,25 aJld 26, tend to rotate the first FIG. 6 illustrates how suq and ring ge@r shes may be
ring g e q 33 clockwise, but the second unidirectional varied within the first and sctcond epicyclic gear assem-
55
clutch qllows oply counterclockwise rotatiop; thus the blies to change the specific gear ratios at which input to
first ring gear 33 is held stationary. The connecting the first shaft 11 i s transmitted. Gear ratios for inputs to
portion 51 holds the second planet gear carrier 76 sta- the second shaft 12 are the inverse of those found from
tionary while connecting shaft 50 rotates the secopd sun FIG. 6.The transmission’s overall gear ratio, and others
gear 61 counterclockwise. The second planet gears, 64, 60 identified in the figure’s legend, we found by interpolat-
65 and 66,rotate clockwise with respect to the second ing values from that point corresponding to Ci=Ri/Si
plan@ gear carrier 76,as does the second ring gear 73 and C2=Rz/S2.
aqd attached second shaft 12.The stepdown gear ratio Although the invention has been described relative to
for inputs to the fmt shaft 11 in the direction at which a particular embodiment thereof, there are obviously
the first clutch is free is: 65 numerous variations and modificaticms readily apparent
to those skilled in the art in the light of the above teach-
ings. It is therefore to be qnderstood that the invention
may be practiced other than as specifically claimed.
 4,446,757
7 R-
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by 7. A device as in claim 1wherein:
Letters Patent of the United States is: said first and second epicyclic assembly means are
1.A directional gear ratio transmission comprising: gear assemblies.
transmission housing means; 8. A device as in claim 1 wherein:
first shaft means; 5 said first epicyclic assembly means includes a first sun
second shaft means; means, first ring means, first planet carrier means,
first epicyclic assembly means for receiving input and first planet means; and
from said first shaft means in a first or a second said second epicyclic assembly means includes a sec-
direction with respect to said transmission housing ond sun means, second ring means, second planet
means; 10 carrier means, and second planet means.
first and second output means, within said first epicy- 9. A device as in claim 8 wherein:
clic assembly means, for transmitting output from said first ring means is located at a distance equal to
said first epicyclic assembly means; the diameter of said first planet means away from
first means for restricting transmission of said output said first sun means; and
from said first output means in said first direction; 15 said second ring means is located at a distance equal
second means for restricting transmission of said out- to the diameter of said second planet means away
put from said second output means in said first from said second sun means.
direction; 10.A device as in claim 5 wherein:
second epicyclic assembly means for transmitting said first and second unidirectional clutch means
output to said second shaft means in said first or 20 includes an inner race means, outer race means
said second direction; attached to said transmission housing means, sprag
first and second input means, within said second epi- means located between said inner and outer race
cyclic assembly means, for receiving said output means for jamming said inner race means when
from said first and said second output means; rotated in an engaging direction, and sprag spring
first connecting means for transmitting said output 25 means for holding said sprag means in positions
from said first output means to said first input that allow said inner race means to be rotated
means; freely in said second direction;
second connecting means for transmitting said output said inner race means of said first unidirectional
from said second output means to said second input clutch means is attached to said first output means;
means; 30 and
said input from said first shaft means is transmitted by said inner race means of said second unidirectional
said directional gear ratio transmission to said sec- clutch means is attached to said second output
ond shaft means at a higher speed and lower gear means.
ratio when said input is in said first direction than in 11.A device as in claim 8 wherein:
said second direction. 35 said first and second sun means are similar;
2. A device as in claim 1 wherein: said first and second ring means are similaq and
input to said directional gear ratio transmission is said first and second planet means are similar,
applied to said second shaft, in lieu of said first whereby elements of the first epicyclic assembly
shaft; and means are interchangeable with corresponding
said input to said second shaft is transmitted by said 40 elements of the second epicyclic assembly means.
first shaft at a higher speed and lower gear ratio in 12.A device as in claim 8 wherein:
said first direction than in said second direction. said first planet means includes first pinions in contact
3. A device as in claim 1 wherein: with said first sun means and second pinions in
said first output means is a first planet carrier means; contact with said first ring means; and
and 45 said second planet means includes first pinions in
said second output means is a first ring gear means. contact with said second sun means, and second
4.A device as in claim 1 wherein: pinions in contact with said second ring means.
said first input means is a second sun gear means; and 13.A device as in claim 8 or claim 12 wherein said
said second input means is a second planet carrier first ring means is an internal ring wheel means; and
means. 50 said second ring means is an internal ring wheel
5. A device as in claim 1 wherein: means.
said first means for restricting transmission of said 14. A transmission device as in claim 8 or claim 12
output is a first unidirectional clutch; and wherein said first and second ring means are external
said second means for restricting transmission of said ring wheel means.
output is a second unidirectional clutch. 55 15.A transmission device as in claim 8 wherein said
6. A device as in claim 1 wherein: first sun means, first ring means, and first planet means
said transmission housing means, first and second are ring wheel means, and said second sun means, sec-
epicyclic assembly means, first and second unidi- ond ring means and second planet means are ring wheel
rectional clutches, and first and second shaft means means.
are symmetric about a common axis. 60 * * * * *

65