20120046141 | TRANSMISSION TEST SYSTEM - An automated system for testing a variety of transmissions and drive line gearbox components, and more particularly helicopter transmissions, for reliability, life expectancy, efficiency, and the like on a semi-automated basis. The system powers a unit under test with a pair of AC, variable speed drive motors connected to the transmission through relatively low speed gearboxes which in turn drive the input(s) of the test unit through geared cartridge spindles (GCSs) employing planetary gearset inputs driving a higher speed machine tool type spindle with an output chuck system which can automatically couple to adapters preloaded on the unit under test. Similar GCSs couple the outputs of the test unit to AC motors which act as generators to power the driving motors and thereby reduce the required electric power input to the losses in the system. A unit to be tested is loaded onto a positioning fixture supported on a rollable test pallet, equipped with sensors and GCS adapters, and moved into the test module where it is clamped into position and connected to the GCSs to provide input and output connections. The main rotor shaft is connected to the regenerative motor generators through a dual, 90 degree combiner gear box that includes a hydraulic thrust loading actuator for imposing axial forces against the mast. The gearboxes between the motors and the unit under test will accommodate several different types of unit under test and can be replaced to accommodate still other types. | 02-23-2012 |