Posted by David Bamford on August 09, 2005 at 01:19:17 from 220.253.55.58 user David.
In Reply to: Re: Rattletrap? posted by Peter H on August 08, 2005 at 20:22:11:
Epicyclic gears are activated by a brakeband clamping on to an outer ring gear,so the gears cannot be 'crashed'. An epicyclic gear set consist of a central sun gear, which meshes with 3 planetary gears, which in turn mesh with the outer ring gear. Power is applied to the sun gear, and when not clamped, the outer ring gear revolves freely in the opposite direction. When it is clamped, the power exits via the planetary gears at a lower speed. Q.E.D. [Quite Easily Done]. The T model Ford had a similar gearbox, and it is quite possible that Trojan may have bought the Ford gearbox and used it.
David.