Ball-worm and Wheel

[Intermesher]

Excluding the patents, does anyone know of any sources of information or actual products related to worm & wheel reducers that use balls (or rollers) between the two rotating members?

Thanks.

 

[CESSNA1]

INTERMESHER: It sounds like you are talking about a recirculating ball system. They were commonly used in automotive steering systems until the popularity of the rack and pinion system. They are also avaialble as linear motion systems. Try "

http://www.amacoil.com"

and/or do a search on "ball screw systems". Recirculating ball systems are very efficient, smooth, and compact.

Regards
Dave

 

[tbuelna]

Intermesher,

Take a look at planetary ball screws. It's not a crossed axis design like a worm gear, but it may provide you some inspiration.

http://www.nookindustries.com/pdf/NookRollerScrew.pdf

Good luck,
Terry

 

[Intermesher]

Dave & Terry,

Thanks for the information.

It is appearing that there are dozens of patents on ball-worm drives but, so far, only one product has been found.

Dave J