GEARING

摘要

A twin screw extruder drive system includes a pair of parallel juxtaposed output shafts each of which is fixed to a sun gear of a planetary gear set. Each gear set includes a plurality of planet idler gears which are only rotatable about their axes and engage both the sun gear and a ring gear. Symmetrically disposed about the circumference of the ring gear are at least two drive pinions. The two gear sets have parallel axes and are axially offset from one another with the output shafts extending through a space between the planet gears of the other gear set. In one embodiment each drive pinion is driven by a separate electric motor and all motors are electronically and mechanically speed synchronized. A single electric motor is employed to drive all drive pinions in an alternate configuration.