An apparatus and method for reducing edge contact stress concentrations in a press-fit. The apparatus and method of the present disclosure specifically provide for a press-fit collar having a channel circumscribing a collar axis. The channel having an asymmetrical cross-sectional profile in a radial face. The asymmetrical cross-sectional profile being configured to reduce an edge contact pressure.

A universal driving device includes a sun gear rotatably provided, a ring gear, wherein a rotation axis of the ring gear is moved relative to a rotation axis of the sun gear in a plane of rotation parallel to a plane of rotation of the sun gear, at least one gear train configured to allow relative motion between the rotation axes of the sun gear and the ring gear and to form a continuous power transmission state between the sun gear and the ring gear, and at least one balance gear engaged with the ring gear.

A carrier assembly has a pair of axially spaced-apart plates defining an axial gap therebetween. The plates have a plurality of planetary bores on a plurality of planetary axes. A plurality of planetary gear mount assemblies are disposed on the planetary axes and mounted within the planetary bores of the gear carrier. Each assembly comprises a journal bearing shaft having a pair of compliance grooves extending axially from opposed axial ends of the shaft. An inner cylindrical surface of each compliance groove defines a shaft mounting surface. A pair of collars is provided to assemble each journal bearing shaft to the carrier. Each collar has a mounting socket mating the shaft mounting surface and an external collar surface matching the planetary bore diameter.

A torque transfer device has plural planets arranged for planetary rotation about one or more sun gears and within one or more ring gears. Each planet includes at least one planetary gear set comprising plural planetary gears connected to rotate together, but having a different diameter to form a differential gear system. To improve load sharing, the plural planetary gears of each planetary gear set may have a different helical angle, the plural planetary gear sets being axially movable with respect to one another. Alternatively or in addition, the planetary gears may be made flexible with respect to radial forces.

An electrically-actuated variable camshaft timing (VCT) phaser assembly, comprises a sun gear configured to receive input from an electric motor and one or more planet gears having radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth that engage the sun gear; a first ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to receive rotational output provided by a crankshaft; a second ring gear, having radially-inwardly extending gear teeth that engage the radially-outwardly-extending gear teeth of the sun gear, configured to couple to a camshaft; one or more planet gear pins that carry the planet gear(s) and engage a planetary gear set to prevent the relative rotation of the planet gear pin(s) relative to the planetary gear set; and one or more springs that bias the planet gear pin(s) and the planetary gear(s) toward the first ring gear and the second ring gear.

An arrangement includes a planet carrier. The planet carrier includes a web, a journal and a bushing. A first end of the journal is fixed in the web, at least a part of the journal projects into the bushing, and a second end of the journal is fixed in the bushing. The planet carrier further includes a stiffening element, an annular support ring, and a cap placed onto a first axial end of the bushing. An axis of symmetry of the annular support ring coincides with a center axis or axis of rotation of the planet carrier. The stiffening element is fixed in the bushing and in the support ring. The bushing and the stiffening element are connected to each other as two pieces. The stiffening element is joined to the cap.

A planetary gear system is provided in one example embodiment and may include a planet gear further comprising a bearing system, the bearing system further comprising an inner bearing assembly comprising a spherical bearing and an outer race; an outer bearing assembly comprising a plurality of cylindrical roller bearings, an inner race, and an outer race; and a race element comprising an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the race element is the inner race for the outer bearing assembly and the inner surface of the race element is associated with the outer race for the inner bearing assembly.

An epicyclic gear assembly includes a carrier that includes a first plate axially spaced from a second plate. At least one epicyclic gear set is located between the first plate and the second plate. The first plate is configured to rotate with an output of the epicyclic gear assembly. A first bearing race is attached to the first plate for supporting a first bearing. A second bearing race is attached to the second plate for supporting a second bearing.

A disclosed fan drive gear system includes a sun gear rotatable about an axis of rotation, a plurality of intermediate gears rotatable about an intermediate gear rotation axis in meshing engagement with the sun gear and a ring gear circumscribing the intermediate gears. A bearing assembly supports at least one of the plurality of intermediate gears and includes a first beam extending in a first direction and a second beam extending from an end of the first beam in a second direction. The bearing surface supported on the second beam such that first and second beams are configured to maintain the bearing surface substantially parallel to the intermediate gear rotation axis during operation.

A planet gear assembly comprising a planet carrier provided with at least one crankpin carrying a planet gear, the planet gear comprising a toothing provided with teeth, the toothing being situated around the crankpin and outside the crankpin. A planet gear bearing is arranged at least partially inside the crankpin, the planet gear comprising a foot that extends along an elevation axis at least partially into the crankpin, the planet gear comprising a rim connecting the foot and the toothing, outside the crankpin, the planet gear bearing extending radially from the foot to the internal face of the crankpin.