IP Library Granted Patent US 7,578,273
Granted Patent B2
US 7,578,273 · App. 11/715,837 · Granted Aug 25, 2009

Device for adjusting the phase angle between two rotating, drive-connected element

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,578,273
App. No.
11/715,837
Granted
Aug 25, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

In a device for adjusting the phase angle between two rotating, drive-connected elements, which are interconnected by means of an adjustment device, a control arrangement is provided for the energy-saving adjustment of the phase angle based on an alternating torque of one element which is also used in the event of a fault, to provide for an emergency operation in which the relative angular phase position between the two elements is kept essentially constant.

Claims (16)

1. A device for adjusting the phase angle between two elements ( 10 , 20 ) comprising an adjustment device disposed between, and operatively interconnecting, the two elements ( 10 , 20 ) for joined rotation at an adjustable phase angle and means for utilizing an alternating torque of one element ( 10 ) for establishing, in the event of a fault, a predetermined relative angular phase position between the two elements ( 10 , 20 ) suitable for emergency operation, comprising a free-running mechanism ( 21 ) with a locking mechanism which uses the alternating torque of the one element ( 10 ) for relative angular adjustment between the two elements ( 10 , 20 ) in order to reach the emergency running phase position.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the free running mechanism ( 21 ) comprises a spring-loaded latch member ( 22 ) disposed on a tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) of a corresponding element ( 24 , 32 , 33 ), which tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) permits a direction of movement of the latch member ( 22 ) in a first free-running direction ( 27 , 28 ), but blocks it in the other.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the emergency running position is defined by a tooth gap ( 29 ) at which two tooth structures ( 25 , 26 ) for opposing free-running directions ( 27 , 28 ) of the latch member ( 22 ) meet.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the free-running mechanism ( 21 ) is arranged in such a way that the alternating torque acts between a bearing of the latch member ( 22 ) and the corresponding element ( 24 , 32 , 33 ) which supports the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ).

5. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein means are provided for lifting the latch member ( 22 ) during normal operation off from the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) in order to release an operative engagement between the latch member ( 22 ) and tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ).

6. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, in a hydraulic adjustment device ( 12 ) with a hydraulic motor including a vane cell element ( 17 ), the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) is arranged on an impeller wheel ( 15 ) which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the first element ( 10 ).

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the latch member ( 22 ) is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the second element ( 20 ).

8. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, in a hydraulic adjustment device ( 12 ) including a hydraulic motor with a vane cell element ( 17 , the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the second element ( 20 ).

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the latch member ( 22 ) is arranged on an impeller wheel ( 15 ) which is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to the first element ( 10 ).

10. The device as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the hydraulic motor is a two-chamber hydraulic motor whose two chambers can be emptied in the event of a fault.

11. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, in an electric adjustment device ( 12 ), the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to an actuating shaft ( 32 ) of a gear drive ( 31 ), the first element ( 10 ) being connected to the second element ( 20 ) by means of the gear drive ( 31 ) which has the actuating shaft ( 32 ).

12. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, in an electric adjustment device ( 12 ), the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) is connected in a rotationally fixed fashion to an output ( 33 ) of a gear drive ( 31 ), the first element ( 10 ) being connected to the second element ( 20 ) by means of the gear drive ( 31 ) which has the actuating shaft ( 32 ).

13. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, in an electric adjustment device ( 12 ), the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) is arranged in a gear drive ( 31 ), the first element ( 10 ) being connected to the second element ( 20 ) by means of the gear drive ( 31 ) which has an actuating shaft ( 32 ).

14. The device as claimed in claim 2 , wherein during normal operation the latch member ( 22 ) can be lifted off from the tooth structure ( 25 , 26 ) by magnetic force.

15. The device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the electric adjustment device ( 12 ) comprises an electric motor as rotational actuator ( 30 ).

16. The device as claimed in claim 11 , wherein the electric adjustment device ( 12 ) comprises a hysteresis brake as a rotational actuator ( 30 ).

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 24, 2009
From: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
To: DAIMLER AG
Reel/Frame 022846/0912 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2007
From: MELNTSCHEL, JENS; STOLK, THOMAS; VON-GAISBERG-HELFENBERG, ALEXANDER
To: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
Reel/Frame 019255/0302 →