Quill drive

Aquill driveis amechanismthat allows adrive shaftto shift its position (eitheraxially,radially,or both) relative to itsdriving shaft.It consists of a hollow driving shaft (the quill) with a driven shaft inside it. The two are connected in some fashion which permits the required motion.

The running gear of a quill drive-equippedEP-3 electric locomotive

Examples

Drill press

One example of a quill drive is found in adrill presswhere the quill allows thechuckto move vertically while being driven rotationally.

Railroad locomotive

Quill drives have been extensively used in railroadelectric locomotivesto connect between frame-mountedtraction motorsand the driven wheels. The two are linked by a flexible drive which allows a degree of radial motion and possibly a small amount of axial motion. This allows the motors to be mounted on top of the suspension system, moving independently of the wheels. This smooths the drive from the motors and isolates them from mechanical shock. This also decreases theunsprung weightborne directly by the wheels, thus decreasing wear on the track.

Quill drives were used by many electric locomotives in theUnited States,particularly those of thePennsylvania Railroad—their long-lastingGG1design being perhaps the best known. Many locomotives built inFrance,Germany,ItalyandPolandused quill drives as well, allowing higher locomotive speed. TheEnglish Electric–builtNZR ED classused a quill drive, but was found to be hard on the track.

See also

• Buchli drive
• Radial axle
• Tschanz drive
• Winterthur universal drive

References

• "Electric traction: axles drives: Quill drive".IEC 60050 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary.std.iec.ch.RetrievedJuly 6,2008.