OPTIONAL MULTI-RATIO GEAR TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

摘要

Successive roll stands in a rolling mill are driven at selectively different drive speed ratios by a transmission system having a pair of drive shafts and a least one idler shaft journalled for rotation about parallel axes. First and second gear trains each include intermeshed drive gears freely rotatable on the drive shafts, and a pair of idler gears on the idler shaft; each being in meshed engagement with at least one of the drive gears of each drive train. Clutches operated to selectively couple the drive gears of the first and second drive trains with their respective drive shafts.