A solution to transmit torque, motion and thrust all at once?

[spggodd]

I have a problem which I cannot crack, I am currently looking into the use of a universal joint but I want to explorer other routes too.

I am working on a gearbox test rig which requires a means of transmitting a thrust (5000 N), a torque (1800 Nm) and a speed (2000 RPM) all in the same "shaft". There is also a requirement for a 32mm rod to travel through the middle of all this.

I also need a means of providing the thrust load, currently the use of a Hollow Hydraulic Cylinder looks to be the most effective solution.

Space constraint of the system (length) is around 14".

The input side will be attached to a spline, the thrust load will have to be applied to this splined shaft, the output end is open to ideas.

Many Thanks!
Steve

 

[tygerdawg]

Ha, you don't ask for much, do you?

Without regard to the size / configuration of all the supporting equipment required to make this motion, my "one-cup-of-coffee-through-the-morning-fog" answer is to take a hollow-shaft gearmotor (torque & speed) and mount it on a driven linear slide slide (thrust). Then another driven linear slide for the 32mm extension of the rod. "Drive slide" could be anything from pneumatic cylinders to ballscrews+motor rigs.

Better answers may come with more coffee.

TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering

http://www.bluetechnik.com

 

[spggodd]

Thanks for the swift feedback!

I've also just finished my coffe and realised I should probably add some extra information...
------------

The gearbox specimen is already powered so the speed and torque are already happening. I just need to transfer this torque and motion from the specimen output to a seperate spur gearbox which is then linked in a loop through a few more gearboxes to the input of the specimen again.

The other main problem I have is possible misalignment and to make matters even more complicated. The solution should ideally be simple enough to be a production solution.

The rod through the centre is going to go all the way through the spur gearbox and attach to a linear actuator/screw jack. Giving me control of the linear movement.

The linear slide is an interesting idea, I'll keep thinking..

 

[IRstuff]

Isn't this what thrust bearings were invented for? Unless I'm completely not understanding the diagram, pushing a thrust bearing installed on the ledge to the right of the spline would given you a thrust to the left.

TTFN
faq731-376

 

[MiketheEngineer]

What are you building??? A co-axial helicopter blade??

 

[tgrimley]

This looks very similar to a variable pitch prop arrangement. I'd look into that a little.

 

[MintJulep]

Hollow shaft.

Spline on one end.

Open-center coupling on the other to accommodate misalignment. Need to select a design that will transmit the thrust load.

Bearing and yoke somewhere in the middle of the shaft, connected to an actuator of your choosing to introduce the thrust.

 

[dhengr]

WoW! Do you want this thing to feed you lunch and dinner too? It sounds like you are pretty close to a perpetual motion machine with the gear box loop you describe, so keep going. There isn’t much doubt that you could do a better job explaining what you are really trying to do and a real sketch of the entire system might help elicit more meaningful discussion.