A planetary (epicyclic) gear set is provided with a reversible rotating input shaft and individual outputs shafts actuated, respectively, by the ring gear and planet gear carrier. Latch means is positioned to selectively and automatically stop the ring gear or carrier member while releasing the other to provide the desired sequential output operation. The output shafts are reversed in sequence and direction of rotation by reversing rotational direction of the input shaft

Appleberry, W. T.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

United States Patent [NI 
Appleberry 
11 11 4,141,259 
[45] Feb. 27, 1979 
[54] SEQUENCING DEVICE UTILIZING 
[76] Inventors: James C. Fletcher, Administrator of 
the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration, with respect to an 
invention of Walter T. Appleberry, 
Long Beach, Calif. 
PLANETARY GEAR SET 
[21] Appl. No.: 772,168 
[22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1977 
[51] Int. C1.2 .............................................. F16H 37/06 
74/764 
[58] Field of Search ................. 74/764, 753, 674, 705, 
74/812, 817 
[561 References Cited 
1521 U.S. C1. ........................................ 74/67+ 74/705; 
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 
3,116,817 1/1964 Quick et al. ....................... 74/764 X 
3,548,679 12/1970 Woodford .............................. 74/674 
3,886,816 6/1975 De Feo et al. .................... 74/674 X 
Primary Examiner-Benjamin W. Wyche 
Assistant Examiner-Frank H. McKenzie, Jr. 
Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Edward K. Fein; John R. 
Manning; Marvin F. Matthews 
[571 ABSTRACT 
A planetary (epicyclic) gear set is provided with a re- 
versible rotating input shaft and individual outputs 
shafts actuated, respectively, by the ring gear and planet 
gear carrier. Latch means is positioned to selectively 
and automatically stop the ring gear or carrier member 
while releasing the other to provide the desired sequen- 
tial output operation. The output shafts are reversed in 
sequence and direction of rotation by reversing rota- 
tional direction of the input shaft. 
14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19790012206 2020-03-20T18:39:32+00:00Z
U.S. Patent Feb. 27, 1979 Sheet 1 of 3 4,14 1,259 
U.S. Patent Feb. 27, 1979 Sheet 2 of 3 4,14 1,259 
TJ.S. Patent Feb. 27, 1979 Sheet 3 of 3 4,141,259 
1 
4,141,259 
SEQUENCING DEVICE UTILIZING PLANETARY 
GEAR SET 
ORIGIN O F  THE INVENTION 
The invention described herein was made in the per- 
formance of work under a NASA contract and is sub- 
ject to the provisions of Section 305 of the National 
Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 
(72 Stat. 435; 45 U.S.C. 2457). 
FIELD O F  THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to sequencing devices and 
more particularly to such devices having novel modifi- 
cations of an epicyclic gear set to provide two output 15 
shafts sequentially operated by a single input shaft capa- 
ble of being driven to limited and reversible degrees of 
rotation. 
5 
10 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 2o 
Sequencing devices have applications in many indus- 
tries. For instance, arcraft, automotive, home appliance, 
avionics, food processing, packaging, textile procesing, 
and others, may utilize sequencers in automated pro- 
duction and processing equipment to provide intermit- 25 
tent rotary motion of more than one output shaft. How- 
ever, the sequencers heretofore used have certain disad- 
vantages. Geneva mechanisms and mutilated gears are 
not suited for high loading. All, including cam and track 
followers, ratchets, overrunning friction clutches, and 30 
slidercrank linkages ape heavy and bulky and have only 
a single output. Some must be combined, in some cases, 
to produce intermittent rotary motion. All the men- 
tioned prior art devices, except mutilated gears, pro- 
duce varying torque within the stages. There is a need 35 
for a compact, relatively lightweight sequencer incor- 
porated with a speed reducer and utilizing a reversible 
motion input with individual sequential outputs, each 
operating at constant speeds, and which are reversed in 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The object of this invention is to provide such a speed 
reduction-sequencing device to satisfy this need. The 
device disclosed herein consists of a single planetary 45 
differential type or epicyclic gear set having single re- 
versible rotating input shaft rigidly mounting a sun gear, 
a pair of coaxial output shafts, a ring gear member bear- 
ing-mounted for rotation about said input shaft rigidly 
connected to one of said outputs, and planetary gears 50 
meshing with said sun and ring gears and mounted on a 
carrier member connected to the other output. Latch 
rollers are pivotally carried by the fixed housing of the \ 
device and positioned to be engaged by hook like ele- 
ments movable, respectively, with the ring gear and 55 
carrier members for alternately shifting the latch rollers 
and locking and unlocking said members to sequentially 
and automatically actuate said outputs. 
A complete cycle of operation for the device dis- 
closed herein, consists of movement (generally a driven 60 
movement) of the input shaft through an angular mo- 
tion (amount to be established by design), in one direc- 
tion, to a positive stop position, followed by movement 
in the opposite rotational direction by the shaft to its 
“start” position. During maximum excursion of the 65 
input shaft, both output shafts, in sequence, will be 
driven to their positive stop positions, then, in exactly 
inverted sequence, they too will be repositioned to their 
direction of rotation of the input shaft. 40 
2 
“start” positions with operations being reversed in a 
sequence exactly opposite to the original performance 
sequence, as the input shaft is driven back to its “start” 
position. 
Maximum angular excursion of the two output shafts 
and the associated excursion of the input shaft are con- 
trolled by the position at which the outer back edge of 
the two sequencing hooks contact the roller or roller 
support link, depending on direction of input shaft rota- 
tion. If less than maximum output shaft motion is de- 
sired, external restraint means can be employed to limit 
motion of the input shaft. 
Rotation of the input shaft in one direction produces 
sequential motion of the two output shafts, one remain- 
ing stationary while the other operates to perform its 
functions until the second shaft, upon ahalting of the 
first, rotates in a direction opposite to that of the first 
output shaft until it completes its functions. 
Upon reversal of direction of input shaft motion, the 
sequence of operations controlled by the output shafts is 
reversed as is the direction of rotation and sequence of 
motion of the output shafts proper. At any given posi- 
tion of the input shaft, throughout its full range, which 
may be several hundred or a thousand or more degrees 
of rotation, the positions of the output shafts are pre- 
cisely fixed and locked to the position of the input shaft. 
Upon recycle of the device’s motion, operations per- 
formed by the output shafts are reversely recycled so 
that condition of each operation is rigidly fixed to the 
orientation of the input shaft. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION O F  THE DRAWINGS 
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate the 
invention 
FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal center section taken 
substantially ’on line 1-1 of FIG. 3B. 
FIG. 2 is a transverse section taken on line 2-2 of 
FIG. 1. 
FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic sections, taken on line 
3B-3B of FIG. 1, but showing the sequencing parts in 
different operative positions. 
FIG. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a 
modification and is taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 5. 
FIG. 5 is a transverse section taken on line 5-5 of 
FIG. 4. 
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the device in FIGS. 4 
and 5. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION O F  THE 
DRAWINGS 
The form of the invention in FIGS. 1-3D comprises 
a fixed housing wall 10, centrally through which ex- 
tends the drive input shaft 11 received in bearings 12 
and 13 and rigidly mounting at its extremity the sun 
gear 14 of an epicyclic gear train. Meshing with the sun 
gear are planet gears 15 carried in quadrature on spin- 
dles 16 seated in the longitudinally spaced walls 17a and 
176 of the planetary carrier 17. Encompassing the 
planet gears and other parts to be described is the hous- 
ing 18 forming the rear gear with teeth 19 which mesh 
with planet gears 15. The right hand end of housing 18 
is carried through bearing 20 on the periphery of fixed 
housing wall 10. A central hollow boss 21, at the left 
end of housing 18 and in alignment with input-drive 
shaft 11, forms the ring gear output shaft. Supported in 
bearing 23 and coaxial with shaft 21 is the planetary 
output shaft 22. Shafts 21 and 22 have external teeth or 
other configurations for transmitting output torque, 
3 
4,14 1,259 
4 
respectively, from the ring gear-housing and planetary The toothed output shaft 56 projects centrally from 
carrier 17. the end wall portion 57 of housing 49 and coaxially 
A short boss 26 (FIG. 3A) is seated at its right end in supports, through a bearing 58, the carrier output shaft 
fixed wall 10 and inwardly mounts a shaft 68 which 59. 
rotatably mounts the latch pivot arm 27. A shaft 28 5 Projecting radially and circumferentially from planet 
extends transversely through the distal portion of arm carrier inner (right hand) wall 54b and about latch roller 
27 and rotatably mounts on opposite sides of the arm the 40 is the planet hook 62 which forms with the wall the 
latch rollers 29 and 30. The left hand roller 29 (FIG. 1) notch 63. Carrier wall 54 also has a lug 64 in its lower 
is abreast of the inner (right hand) planet carrier wall part receiving and coplanar with a lug 65 projecting 
176 and above the rightwardly projecting hub part 17c 10 inwardly from the lower portion of fixed housing wall 
of the carrier. As best shown in FIGS. 3A-3D, a hook 44 for limiting rotation of the planet carrier. The ring 
31 (carrier hook) projects radially from part 17c, then gear hook 66 projects inwardly from ring gear appen- 
curves upwardly and circumferentially about roller 29. dage ring 47, partly above ring gear latch roller 41 and, 
An approximately semi-circular notch 34 is formed in with the ring 47, forms the notch 67. 
the inner edge of hook 31 adjacent its junction with hub l5 Operation of the Modification: At the start (FIG. 6a) 
portion 17c. latch roller 41 is seated in notch 67, locking the ring 
The other latch roller 30 lies between pivoted arm 27 gear. Clockwise rotation of input shaft 45 causes clock- 
and fixed end wall 10 and is co-planar with a ring gear wise rotation of carrier 54 and its output shaft 59. Ulti- 
appendage ring 35 which is splined to and, thus, rotates mately, carrier hook 62 engages roller 40 in its path in a 
with ring gear housing 18. A curved ring gear latch 2o manner to shift both rollers 80 and 41 (FIGS. 6b and 6c) 
hook 36 projects inwardly from ring 35 forming with releasing ring 47 from roller 41 so that ring gear output 
the latter the slightly more than semi-circular notch or begins movement reversely, while, coincidentally, mov- 
pocket 37. The hooks and notches or pockets 34 and 37 ing roller 40 into notch 63, locking the carrier and its 
are shaped and positioned relative to the pivoted latch 25 output 59. Ring 47 continues its reverse movement until 
rollers to successively cause seating of the carrier latch input shaft 45 stops. As before, reversing of shaft 45 
roller 29 in notch 34, to lock the carrier, and at or about reverses the sequence through FIGS. 6c and 6b posi- 
the same time, unlock the ring gear by shifting its roller tions to the starting position (FIG. 64 .  
30 out of notch 37. Consequently, there is provided in both forms a com- 
Operation: FIGS. 3A-3D illustrate operation of the 3o bined epicyclic gear train and sequencer in which lim- 
first form of the combination sequencing-epicyclic gear ited continuous movement of the input shaft produces in 
train device arranged to produce two sequential re- turn rotation of output 22 at one torque and speed and 
sponses to limited uni-directional motion of the input- then opposite rotation of output 22 at lower torque and 
drive shaft 11. At the start of the cycle (FIG. 3A), latch higher speed. Of course, several of the gear train parts 
roller 30 is seated in notch 37 to lock ring-ear housing 18 35 are utilized in the sequencing action with resultant re- 
and its outpout shaft 21. An input shaft 11 turns clock- duction in bulk, weight, and cost of other apparatus for 
wise, planet carrier 17 turns clockwise and, eventually like purpose, and advantageous in-line operation, more- 
its hook 31 engages planet carrier latch roller 29 (FIG. over the torque output of each stage remains constant, a 
36 and 3c) in a manner to rotate arm 27 so as to cause feature not found in some prior art. The cycle angle of 
roller 29 to move out of notch 37, thereby releasing the 40 either output is fully adjustable by changing the angular 
ring gear. Shortly thereafter, the other latch roller 29 size of the input stroke and the point at which the stroke 
seats in notch 34 locking planet carrier 17. Thus, at the stops and starts with respect to the latch point (where 
transfer, carrier output stops and, in sequence, ring gear one output stops and the other starts). 
output starts in the counter-clockwise direction. In this The invention may be modified in various respects as 
form, there is a brief period of concurrent motion of 45 will occur to those skilled in the art and the exclusive 
outputs 21 and 22, in opposite directions, at the transfer. use of all modifications as come within the scope of the 
Rotation of the ring gear and its output 22 continues appended claims is contemplated. 
until input shaft 11 stops and may be reversed. This I claim: 
brings ring 35 back to the FIG. 3c position, then to FIG. 1. A sequencing device comprising an epicyclic gear 
3b where it stops. Carrier rotation begun at FIG. 3c 50 train having a housing, a sun gear, a ring gear member, 
position continues to the FIG. 3a position where the a plane carrier member, and planet gears on said carrier 
input rotation stops at the end of the cycle. member meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear 
In the form in FIGS. 4,5  and 6, the overlap motion of member, a pair of latch elements pivotally carried by 
the outputs at the transfer is eliminated, essentially by said housing, a pair of output members actuable, respec- 
shortening the pivoted latch arm to equal the latch 55 tively, with said ring gear and said carrier members, and 
roller radius. The latch rollers 40 and 41 are carried side latching notches for said elements, respectively, in said 
by side on the short shaft 42 projecting from a disc 43 ring gear and said carrier members, and latch element 
and eccentric of the disc by a distance equal to the actuators movable, respectively, with said ring gear and 
radius of the rollers. Disc 43 is rotatably secured in and carrier member, and, respectively, substantially co-pla- 
co-planar with the fixed housing wall 44. Input shaft 45 60 nar with different ones of said latch elements and posi- 
is coaxially supported by wall 44 in bearing 46. The ring tioned relative thereto to sequentially shift said latch 
gear appendage ring 47 is splined within and to ring elements into and out of the corresponding latch 
gear housing 49 supported on bearing 50 and has inter- notches and, thereby, sequentially stop and start said 
nal teeth 51 meshing with planet gears 52 carried in ring gear and carrier members and said output mem- 
quadrature by spindles 33 seated in the longitudinally 65 bers. 
spaced walls 54a and 54b of the planet carrier 54. The 2. A sequencing device as described in claim I further 
planets 52 also mesh with sun gear 55 at the inner end of including an input shaft movable uni-directionally dui- 
input shaft 45. ing a sequence of said output members. 
5 
4,141,259 
6 
3. A sequencing device as described in claim 2 in 
which $aid input shaft is movable reversely to reverse 
the order of sequencing of said output members. 
in 
which said latch elements are rollers carried by a pivot 
arm rotatably mounted on said housing. 
which said latch rollers are mounted on a shaft project- 
ing laterally from said arm. 
6. A sequencer as described in claim 4 im which said 
pivot arm comprises a disc co-planar and rotatably 
received in a wall of said housing. 
which said latch actuators are hook shaped elements l5 said 
projecting from appendages of said ring gear and car- 
rier members. 
8. A seqencing device as described in claim 7 in 
which the pivot for said pivoted latch arm and the latch 2o 
roller shaft axis are spaced apart longitudinally of said 
arm a distance substantially equal to the latch roller 
radius whereby the unlocking of said ring gear member 
and locking of said carrier member occur at substan- 
tially the same time. 25 
9. A sequencing device as described in claim 3 in 
which said input shaft is movable reversely to reverse 
the direction of said output member. 
10. A sequencing device as described in claim 3 in 
5 which said input shaft is reversible at any point in its 
rotation cycle. 
11. A sequencing device as described in claim 2 in 
opposite to the direction of rotation of the other of said 
10 output members during the unidirectional rotation of 
said input shaft. 
12. A sequencing device as described in claim 2 in 
which said sequencing of said outputs is automatically 
and directly controlled by the unidirectional rotation Of 
4. A sequencing device as described in claim 
5. A sequencing device as described in claim in which one of said output members rotates in a direction 
7. A sequencing device as described in elaim 5 in 
shaft* 
13. A sequencing device as described in claim 1 in 
which said output members’ motions are sequenced, 
with one member remaining motionless while the other 
rotates. 
in 
which, for any given angular position of said input 
shaft, the angular position of both of said output mem- 
bers, relative to position of said input shaft, is fixed and 
repeatable during any sequencing cycle. 
14. A sequencing device as described in claim 
* * * * *  
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35 
40 
45 
50 
55 
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Sequencing device utilizing planetary gear set

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