| 摘要 |
A compound gear system and method comprising a flexible gear defining an array of gear elements in an articulating relationship, a rigid structure defining first and second spaced parallel pluralities of articulating gear support structures arrayed in a ring, the articulating gear reeved tightly about and engaging the support structures, thereby restraining the flexible articulating gear from moving inwardly or rotationally relative to the rigid structure while enabling the flexible gear to expand outward, and at least one sprocket gear having a plurality of sprocket teeth aligned to engage flexible gear element middle areas. The support structures transmit torque between the flexible gear elements and the rigid structure responsive to interaction of the flexible gear element middle areas with the sprocket gear teeth. |
