Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part.

Abstract: The invention concerns a kinetic energy recovery system for use in a vehicle driveline. The system has a flywheel (24) serving to store energy. A continuously variable transmission (32) serves to transfer drive between the flywheel and a driveline of the vehicle at a steplessly variable CVT speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission has a variator (34) which has a rotary variator input (40) and a rotary variator output (42). The variator serves to transfer drive between its input and output at a continuously variable variator speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission further comprises a shunt gear arrangement (36) having a first rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator input, a second rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator output, and a shunt rotary output which is drivably coupled to the flywheel.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels 120L, 120R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissions 122L, 122R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a continuously variable transmission incorporating a variator of the type having at least two co-axial races (D1-D4) between which drive is transferred at a continuously variable variator ratio. The variator races are mounted for rotation about a variator shaft (15). The transmission has a layshaft (18) which is laterally separated from the variator shaft. It has two epicyclic gears. A splitter epicyclic (14) has an input member driven from the transmission input (10) and two output members arranged respectively to drive the layshaft and the variator shaft. A recirculater epicyclic has first and second input members for coupling respectively to the variator shaft and to the layshaft and a recirculater output member. An arrangement of clutches is provided for selectively engaging any of at least three regimes. In one regime the recirculater output member drives the transmission output. In another the layshaft drives the transmission output.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a continuously variable transmission incorporating a variator of the type having at least two co-axial races (D1-D4) between which drive is transferred at a continuously variable variator ratio. The variator races are mounted for rotation about a variator shaft (16). The transmission has a layshaft (18) which is laterally separated from the variator shaft. It has two epicyclic gears. A splitter epicyclic (14) has an input member driven from the transmission input (10) and two output members arranged respectively to drive the layshaft and the variator shaft. A recirculater epicyclic has first and second input members for coupling respectively to the variator shaft and to the layshaft and a recirculater output member. An arrangement of clutches is provided for selectively engaging any of at least three regimes. In one regime the recirculater output member drives the transmission output. In another the layshaft drives the transmission output.

Abstract: A variator transmission comprises an input disc (10), an input disc drive shaft (20) on which the input disc is mounted, a transmission input shaft (28) for rotating the input disc drive shaft (20), an output disc (12) facing the input disc and arranged to be rotatable coaxially therewith. The input and output discs have a toroidal cavity, rollers (14, 16), means for varying the inclination of the rollers, means (40, 42, 44) for applying to one of the input disc (10) and the output disc (12) a first end load proportional to the input torque applied by the transmission input shaft (28) and means (52, 54, 56) for applying a second end load proportional to the output torque of the variator.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels 120L, 120R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissions 122L, 122R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.

Abstract: A transmission comprises a toroidal variator having first and second spaced-apart drive discs (12, 14) defining a toroidal cavity about a rotational axis (x-x), a transmission input (22) arranged to drive the first and second drive discs (12, 14) in opposite directions and supported on pivotal mountings between the drive discs (12, 14), one or more rollers (18, 20) arranged to contact the said drive discs (12, 14) and be driven thereby, wherein the transmission output (44) is driven by orbiting of the pivotal mountings around the rotational axis of the variator.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels 120L, 120R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissions 122L, 122R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.

Abstract: The invention concerns a kinetic energy recovery system for use in a vehicle driveline. The system has a flywheel (24) serving to store energy. A continuously variable transmission (32) serves to transfer drive between the flywheel and a drive-line of the vehicle at a steplessly variable CVT speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission has a variator (34) which has a rotary variator input (40) and a rotary variator output (42). The variator serves to transfer drive between its input and output at a continuously variable variator speed ratio. The continuously variable transmission further comprises a shunt gear arrangement (36) having a first rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator input, a second rotary shunt input which is drivably coupled to the rotary variator output, and a shunt rotary output which is drivably coupled to the flywheel.

Abstract: In a broad respect, vehicles that are capable of making a low- to zero-radius turn using the independent rotation of drive wheels and by turning the non-driving steerable structure or structures (such as wheels) with a steering input device (in some embodiments, the driving wheels also may be capable of being turned). This may be accomplished using a steering system, a speed control system and an integration device (together, a control system) that are configured to work together to provide correct steering in forward and reverse, and, in some embodiments, to reduce the speed of the outboard drive wheel of the vehicle when it enters an extreme turn under constant speed input. Different systems configured for use in such vehicles are included.

Abstract: In a broad respect, vehicles that are capable of making a low- to zero-radius turn using the independent rotation of drive wheels and by turning the non-driving steerable structure or structures (such as wheels) with a steering input device (in some embodiments, the driving wheels also may be capable of being turned). This may be accomplished using a steering system, a speed control system and an integration device (together, a control system) that are configured to work together to provide correct steering in forward and reverse, and, in some embodiments, to reduce the speed of the outboard drive wheel of the vehicle when it enters an extreme turn under constant speed input. Different systems configured for use in such vehicles are included.

Abstract: A variator transmission comprises an input shaft (18), an input disc (10) mounted on the input shaft for rotation therewith and an output disc (12) facing the input disc and arranged to rotate coaxially therewith, the input and output discs defining between them a toroidal cavity. Two rollers (14, 16) are located in the toroidal cavity and first and second roller carriage means are provided upon which the first and second rollers respectively are rotatably mounted and end load means (34, 36) urge the rollers into contact with the input and output discs to transmit drive. The two roller carriage means are mounted on opposite sides of the pivotal axis of a lever (50) and the pivotal axis of the lever (50) is movable in the radial direction with respect to the rotational axis of the input and output discs.

Abstract: A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a continuously variable transmission incorporating a variator of the type having at least two co-axial races (D1-D4) between which drive is transferred at a continuously variable variator ratio. The variator races are mounted for rotation about a variator shaft (16). The transmission has a layshaft (18) which is laterally separated from the variator shaft. It has two epicyclic gears. A splitter epicyclic (14) has an input member driven from the transmission input (10) and two output members arranged respectively to drive the layshaft and the variator shaft. A recirculater epicyclic has first and second input members for coupling respectively to the variator shaft and to the layshaft and a recirculater output member. An arrangement of clutches is provided for selectively engaging any of at least three regimes. In one regime the recirculater output member drives the transmission output. In another the layshaft drives the transmission output.

Abstract: The invention concerns a simple mechanical arrangement for controlling a multi-regime continuously variable transmission. The transmission in question comprises a variator (10) and a gearing arrangement including a low regime clutch (CL) and a high regime clutch (CH). Engaging the low regime clutch places the transmission in the low regime. Engaging the high regime clutch places it in the high regime. The control system comprises a control part (such as a lever) which is movable by the user along a control path from a low ratio end to a high ratio end. The position of the control part dictates variator ratio and transmission ratio. The system further incorporates a low regime clutch control device which engages the low regime clutch when the control part is between the low ratio end of its path and a low clutch transition point, and which releases the low regime clutch when the control part is between the low clutch transition point and the high ratio end of its path.

Abstract: A continuously variable ratio transmission unit having first and second discs mounted for rotation about a main axis, a toroidal cavity being defined between the discs by facing surfaces thereof and containing a plurality of rollers which serve to transmit drive from one disc to the other, each roller being coupled to a respective carriage through a respective bearing arrangement and each carriage being coupled at a first extremity to a first linear actuator and at a second extremity to a second linear actuator whereby the carriage is movable along a direction transverse to the main axis, the first and second linear actuators working in opposition to exert an adjustable net force on the carriage, the orientation of the carriage being constrained and the bearing arrangement being such as to enable the roller to rotate about a roller axis to thereby transmit drive from one of the discs to the other and also being such as to enable the roller axis to precess relative to the carriage to vary the transmission rati

Abstract: An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheels 120L, 120R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissions 122L, 122R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.

Abstract: A multiple-regime continuously variable ratio transmission system has a system input shaft (I), a system output shaft (0) and a continuously variable ratio transmission unit (variator) connected to the system input shaft and having a variator output shaft. A first mixing epicyclec gear train (P1) having inputs drivably connected to the variator output shaft (V) and the system input shaft via a first clutch (H) and a second mixing epicyclic gear train having inputs drivably connected to the variator output shaft and the system input shaft has an output (28) connected to a third epicyclic gear train (E2) having an output which is selectively connectable to the to the system output shaft via a first braking element (L). A second braking element (B) is adapted to lock the output (28) of the second mixing epicyclic gear train in a stationary position.