Drive system with harmonic drive for self-propelled aircraft wheel

摘要

A drive system with harmonic drive designed to meet the high power and torque requirements required to drive an aircraft independently on the ground is provided. The drive system includes an electric motor driven by a harmonic drive assembly that may be configured to be integral with the motor. This drive system with harmonic drive can be effectively installed in an existing aircraft nose wheel or main wheel without changes to other components.

主权项

1. A compact drive system for installation completely within an aircraft nose or main landing gear wheel to drive the aircraft on the ground independently of the aircraft's engines or tow vehicles, comprising:
a. an electric motor assembly comprising at least a stationary stator element and a rotatable rotor element adapted to produce torque required to drive one or more aircraft landing gear wheels and drive an aircraft independently on the ground; and b. a harmonic drive assembly mounted integrally with the electric motor to drive said electric motor, comprising at least a wave generator element, a toothed flex spline element, and a toothed circular spline element rotatably and concentrically mounted for rotation on a shaft comprising an input shaft coaxial with an output shaft and adapted to produce a desired gear reduction ratio during operation of said electric motor assembly and said harmonic drive assembly to drive said aircraft, wherein the electric motor assembly and the harmonic drive assembly are integrally configured and sized to fit completely and operationally within space defined by interior structures of an aircraft nose or main landing gear wheel, wherein said stator element comprises said toothed circular spline element; and said toothed flex spline element has an elliptical configuration during rotation, and wherein selected ones of a plurality of teeth on said toothed flex spline element mesh with corresponding teeth on said circular spline element at opposed points 180 degrees apart along a major axis of the elliptical toothed flex spline element.