Gearbox epicyclic

The larger atomizer machines cited in Table 12-41 represent a range of very large rotary atomizers available to industry. They are equipped with epicyclic-type gearboxes complete with a lubrication system. An extensive monitoring system is integrated in each machine. 

There are two main types of gearboxes used on decanters. These are the epicyclic gearbox and the Cyclo gearbox, made by Sumitomo of Japan. However there are a number of decanters which have eliminated the gearbox by using a hydraulic system called a Rotodiff manufactured by the Swiss company Viscotherm. The Rotodiff and the Cyclo gearbox will be covered in more detail in Sections 2.3.7 and 2.4.15, respectively. 

The epicyclic gearbox is described in Section 2.2.7. The main alternative is the Cyclo type gearbox. The German Cyclo Company was founded in 1931 when Lorenz Braren invented the Cyclo gearbox. Shortly after this date Sumitomo of Japan licensed the device and eventually absorbed the Cyclo Company into its own group. 

To calculate conveyor differential, the same relationships as described for the epicyclic gearbox are used, except, as already stated, the Cyclo differential is faster than the bowl speed whereas the epicyclic is slower. 

The Cyclo gearbox torque characteristics are different from those of the epicyclic. Its torque capability varies with differential speed while the maximum torque transmission of the epicyclic remains essentially constant for all differentials used. According to the manufacturer s performance data, the torque capacity of the Cyclo gearbox approximately halves when differential is increased from minimum to maximum. 

When an epicyclic gearbox is used, the conveyor rotates at a speed less than the bowl speed, while with a Cyclo gearbox the conveyor rotates at a speed above the bowl speed. This fact can have an effect on process performance... 

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