A gear mechanism according to the invention includes a first shaft, a second shaft disposed at an angle with the first shaft, a first gear group including a plurality of first gears that transmit rotation of the first shaft to the second shaft; and a second gear group including a plurality of second gears that transmit, to an output side, rotation of the second shaft transmitted from the first shaft. A first second gear is situated closest to the second shaft among the plurality of second gears, a last second gear is situated closest to the output side among the plurality of second gears. A straight line that connects a rotation center of the first second gear and a rotation center of the last second gear form an angle with the first shaft when viewed in a direction along the second shaft.

A gear mechanism according to the invention includes a first shaft, a second shaft disposed at an angle with the first shaft, a first gear group including a plurality of first gears that transmit rotation of the first shaft to the second shaft; and a second gear group including a plurality of second gears that transmit, to an output side, rotation of the second shaft transmitted from the first shaft. A first second gear is situated closest to the second shaft among the plurality of second gears, a last second gear is situated closest to the output side among the plurality of second gears. A straight line that connects a rotation center of the first second gear and a rotation center of the last second gear form an angle with the first shaft when viewed in a direction along the second shaft.

An adjustment device configured to move first bevel gear and second bevel gear that are disposed on base and are meshed with each other. Adjustment device includes first adjustment assembly, and second adjustment assembly. First adjustment assembly includes first fluid-driven power source, first brake component and first displacement sensor. First fluid-driven power source includes first cylinder housing and first piston. First cylinder housing is configured to be disposed on base. First piston is movably disposed on first cylinder housing. First bevel gear is configured to be disposed on first piston. First piston is configured to move first bevel gear along first axial direction. First brake component is configured to be disposed on base and configured to stop or release first piston. First displacement sensor is disposed on first cylinder housing and configured to generate displacement data related to first piston.

An adjustment device configured to move first bevel gear and second bevel gear that are disposed on base and are meshed with each other. Adjustment device includes first adjustment assembly, and second adjustment assembly. First adjustment assembly includes first fluid-driven power source, first brake component and first displacement sensor. First fluid-driven power source includes first cylinder housing and first piston. First cylinder housing is configured to be disposed on base. First piston is movably disposed on first cylinder housing. First bevel gear is configured to be disposed on first piston. First piston is configured to move first bevel gear along first axial direction. First brake component is configured to be disposed on base and configured to stop or release first piston. First displacement sensor is disposed on first cylinder housing and configured to generate displacement data related to first piston.

A gear system includes a gear assembly having a shaft that is at least partially disposed within a housing of the gear system. A thrust bearing has inner and outer races with the outer race coupled to the housing. A bearing flexure is disposed between the inner race of the thrust bearing and the shaft. The bearing flexure includes a cylindrical cage having at least one shaft journal ring and a plurality of circumferentially distributed axially extending fingers coupled thereto with the shaft journal ring coupled to the shaft. A cylindrical bearing journal has inner and outer surfaces with the outer surface coupled to the inner race of the thrust bearing. Each of a plurality of circumferentially distributed radially extending struts extends between one of the fingers and the inner surface of the cylindrical bearing journal. The bearing flexure has an axial stiffness that is greater than its radial stiffness.

A gear system includes a gear assembly having a shaft that is at least partially disposed within a housing of the gear system. A thrust bearing has inner and outer races with the outer race coupled to the housing. A bearing flexure is disposed between the inner race of the thrust bearing and the shaft. The bearing flexure includes a cylindrical cage having at least one shaft journal ring and a plurality of circumferentially distributed axially extending fingers coupled thereto with the shaft journal ring coupled to the shaft. A cylindrical bearing journal has inner and outer surfaces with the outer surface coupled to the inner race of the thrust bearing. Each of a plurality of circumferentially distributed radially extending struts extends between one of the fingers and the inner surface of the cylindrical bearing journal. The bearing flexure has an axial stiffness that is greater than its radial stiffness.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

A solar tracking system is provided and includes a solar array, a support structure configured to support the solar array, a base configured to rotatably support the support structure, and an articulation system configured to articulate the support structure relative to the base. The articulation system includes a gearbox that is coupled to the support structure and an actuator that is configured to extend and retract. The actuator includes a first end portion and a second, opposite end portion, wherein the first end portion is rotatably coupled to the base and the second end portion is coupled to the gearbox. Extension of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the base in a first direction and retraction of the actuator causes the support structure to rotate about the based in a second, opposite direction.

A speed and torque optimizer for a drive train includes an input shaft coupled with a primary driver having a pinion gear thereon that engages an input ring gear. The input ring gear is affixed to a first end of a carrier shaft having an output ring gear on an opposing end. The output ring gear engages an output pinion gear mounted on an output shaft. The input ring gear is larger in diameter than the output ring gear and therefore has more teeth. Because the input and output ring gears are mounted on the same shaft, they rotate at the same speeds thereby rotating the output pinion gear at a faster speed than the input pinion gear. The intermeshing gear teeth have a predefined curvature, pitch diameter and length to further accomplish increased speed at the output shaft while minimizing torque loss.

A speed and torque optimizer for a drive train includes an input shaft coupled with a primary driver having a pinion gear thereon that engages an input ring gear. The input ring gear is affixed to a first end of a carrier shaft having an output ring gear on an opposing end. The output ring gear engages an output pinion gear mounted on an output shaft. The input ring gear is larger in diameter than the output ring gear and therefore has more teeth. Because the input and output ring gears are mounted on the same shaft, they rotate at the same speeds thereby rotating the output pinion gear at a faster speed than the input pinion gear. The intermeshing gear teeth have a predefined curvature, pitch diameter and length to further accomplish increased speed at the output shaft while minimizing torque loss.