Electric motors are disclosed. The motors are preferably for use in an automated vehicle, although any one or more of a variety of motor uses are suitable. The motors include lift, turntable, and locomotion motors.

A power swivel is disclosed that is configured to rotate tubular string and drill bit to form or extend a subterranean borehole. In an embodiment, the power swivel includes a motor, a gear box coupled to the motor, and a lubrication system coupled to the gear box. The lubrication system includes a pump disposed within the gear box, the pump including an outlet. In addition, the lubrication system includes a recirculation line fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pump. Further, the lubrication system includes a first injector fluidly coupled to the recirculation line. The injector is configured to deliver lubricant to one of a bearing and a gear disposed within the gear box.

A power swivel is disclosed that is configured to rotate tubular string and drill bit to form or extend a subterranean borehole. In an embodiment, the power swivel includes a motor, a gear box coupled to the motor, and a lubrication system coupled to the gear box. The lubrication system includes a pump disposed within the gear box, the pump including an outlet. In addition, the lubrication system includes a recirculation line fluidly coupled to the outlet of the pump. Further, the lubrication system includes a first injector fluidly coupled to the recirculation line. The injector is configured to deliver lubricant to one of a bearing and a gear disposed within the gear box.

In a process for the adjustment of backlash between a pinon (20) and a rack (10) in a rack-pinion drive, a motor-gearbox assembly (30) including a motor and a gearbox is supported on a carrier (40) via a positioning mechanism (42) for precisely positioning the assembly (30) in a radial position relative to the rack (10). In the process, the assembly (30) is positioned in a first radial distance relative to the rack (10), using the positioning mechanism (42) and a first circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at a first position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), based on measurements taken on an input side of the gearbox. Then, the assembly (30) and/or the rack (10) are positioned in a second position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), different from the first position, and a second circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at the second position, based on measurements taken on the input side of the gearbox A minimal circumferential backlash is determined from the determined first circumferential backlash and the determined second circumferential backlash (and possibly further measurements), and a radial adjustment distance is determined based on the determined minimal circumferential backlash. Finally, the motor-gearbox assembly (30) is repositioned in a radial direction, towards the rack (10), by the determined radial adjustment distance, using the positioning mechanism (42).

In a process for the adjustment of backlash between a pinon (20) and a rack (10) in a rack-pinion drive, a motor-gearbox assembly (30) including a motor and a gearbox is supported on a carrier (40) via a positioning mechanism (42) for precisely positioning the assembly (30) in a radial position relative to the rack (10). In the process, the assembly (30) is positioned in a first radial distance relative to the rack (10), using the positioning mechanism (42) and a first circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at a first position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), based on measurements taken on an input side of the gearbox. Then, the assembly (30) and/or the rack (10) are positioned in a second position of the pinion (20) along the rack (10), different from the first position, and a second circumferential backlash between the pinon (20) and the rack (10) is determined at the second position, based on measurements taken on the input side of the gearbox A minimal circumferential backlash is determined from the determined first circumferential backlash and the determined second circumferential backlash (and possibly further measurements), and a radial adjustment distance is determined based on the determined minimal circumferential backlash. Finally, the motor-gearbox assembly (30) is repositioned in a radial direction, towards the rack (10), by the determined radial adjustment distance, using the positioning mechanism (42).

A worm reducer includes a worm shaft; a worm wheel; a housing that houses the worm shaft and the worm wheel; a bearing that holds the worm shaft inside the housing; a coil spring that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the bearing and applies an urging force toward the worm wheel; and a preload member that is screwed into and fixed to the housing and pressurizes the coil spring. A winding direction of the coil spring is different from a winding direction of a thread of the preload member, and contact resistance between the coil spring and the preload member is greater than contact resistance between the coil spring and the bearing.

A worm reducer includes a worm shaft; a worm wheel; a housing that houses the worm shaft and the worm wheel; a bearing that holds the worm shaft inside the housing; a coil spring that contacts an outer peripheral surface of the bearing and applies an urging force toward the worm wheel; and a preload member that is screwed into and fixed to the housing and pressurizes the coil spring. A winding direction of the coil spring is different from a winding direction of a thread of the preload member, and contact resistance between the coil spring and the preload member is greater than contact resistance between the coil spring and the bearing.

A steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle includes a housing, a gearwheel, a pinion meshing with the gearwheel, and a pinion shaft with the pinion. The pinion shaft is mounted on one side of the pinion in a floating bearing that includes a rotary bearing that receives the pinion shaft. The rotary bearing is connected to a stop element, which is simultaneously arranged displaceably and non-rotatably within a receiving space. The pivoting mobility of the pinion shaft guided by a fixed bearing, on the other side of the pinion, is limited by a stop between the stop element and a wall of the receiving space. The stop element and the receiving space are configured such that, only in the event of such a stop, pivoting mobility of the pinion shaft is blocked about an axis oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis.

A steering gear for a steering system of a motor vehicle includes a housing, a gearwheel, a pinion meshing with the gearwheel, and a pinion shaft with the pinion. The pinion shaft is mounted on one side of the pinion in a floating bearing that includes a rotary bearing that receives the pinion shaft. The rotary bearing is connected to a stop element, which is simultaneously arranged displaceably and non-rotatably within a receiving space. The pivoting mobility of the pinion shaft guided by a fixed bearing, on the other side of the pinion, is limited by a stop between the stop element and a wall of the receiving space. The stop element and the receiving space are configured such that, only in the event of such a stop, pivoting mobility of the pinion shaft is blocked about an axis oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis.

A center take off rack and pinion steering system is disclosed having a rack housing which houses a rack gear having first and second ends extending through the housing. A pinion gear is coupled to the rack gear to input steering power to the rack gear. A rack yoke is coupled to, and extends between, the first and second ends of the rack gear. A yoke support is coupled to the rack housing and a yoke support slider is coupled to the rack yoke and is movable with the rack yoke relative to the yoke support. Tie rod end mounts are supported by the rack yoke, the tie rod end mounts positioned laterally intermediate the first and second ends of the rack gear.