Abstract: A continuously variable transmission assembly includes a driving pulley rotatable about a driving pulley axis and a driven pulley rotatable about a driven pulley axis. An endless belt operatively connecting the pulleys defines a belt reference plane, the driving and driven pulley axes passing therethrough. A housing encloses a space, the driving pulley, the driven pulley, and the belt being disposed at least in part therein. A driven pulley inlet and outlet defined in the housing are disposed closer to the driven pulley than the driving pulley. The driven pulley inlet, disposed on a first side of the belt reference plane, is configured to direct air from outside the housing into the space toward the driven pulley. The driven pulley outlet is disposed on a second side of the belt reference plane. Air flows from the space to the outside of the housing via the driven pulley outlet.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission assembly includes a driving pulley rotatable about a driving pulley axis and a driven pulley rotatable about a driven pulley axis. An endless belt operatively connecting the pulleys defines a belt reference plane, the driving and driven pulley axes passing therethrough. A housing encloses a space, the driving pulley, the driven pulley, and the belt being disposed at least in part therein. A driven pulley inlet and outlet defined in the housing are disposed closer to the driven pulley than the driving pulley. The driven pulley inlet, disposed on a first side of the belt reference plane, is configured to direct air from outside the housing into the space toward the driven pulley. The driven pulley outlet is disposed on a second side of the belt reference plane. Air flows from the space to the outside of the housing via the driven pulley outlet.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission has at least three transmission gears. The at least three transmission gears are selectively engaged by at least three shifting sleeves. The shifting sleeves are actuated by two shift forks. Each shift fork is moved by a corresponding shift drum. The shift drums are disposed on a shift drum shaft. By rotating the shift drum shaft, each of the at least three transmission gears can be engaged in sequence. The two shift drums are spring biased.

Abstract: A method of supplying air to an air spring biasing one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to a closed position is disclosed. The method includes: driving an air compressor with a motor prior to starting of the internal combustion engine, the air compressor fluidly communicating with the air spring to supply air to the air spring; determining that a predetermined condition has been reached; starting the engine once the predetermined condition has been reached; and driving the air compressor with a rotating shaft of the engine once the engine has started.

Abstract: A method of supplying air to an air spring biasing one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine to a closed position is disclosed. The method includes: driving an air compressor with a motor prior to starting of the internal combustion engine, the air compressor fluidly communicating with the air spring to supply air to the air spring; determining that a predetermined condition has been reached; starting the engine once the predetermined condition has been reached; and driving the air compressor with a rotating shaft of the engine once the engine has started.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor is operatively connected to a rotating shaft of the engine to be selectively driven thereby. A motor is operatively connected to the air compressor to selectively drive the air compressor. A method of supplying air to the air spring of the above engine is also disclosed. A method of supplying air to an air spring of an engine having both a mechanical and an electrical air compressor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A shifting sleeve for selectively engaging a transmission gear in a vehicle transmission is provided. The transmission gear has at least one opening defined therein. The shifting sleeve comprises at least one tooth for selectively engaging the at least one opening defined in the transmission gear. The at least one tooth extends from the shifting sleeve body and has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion has a top surface disposed at a first height and the second portion has a top surface disposed at a second height, the first height being greater than the second height. The third portion is disposed between the first and second portions, and has a top surface disposed at an angle and extending between the top surfaces of the first and second portions.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission has at least three transmission gears. The at least three transmission gears are selectively engaged by at least three shifting sleeves. The shifting sleeves are actuated by two shift forks. Each shift fork is moved by a corresponding shift drum. The shift drums are disposed on a shift drum shaft. By rotating the shift drum shaft, each of the at least three transmission gears can be engaged in sequence. The two shift drums are spring biased.

Abstract: A shifting sleeve for selectively engaging a transmission gear in a vehicle transmission is provided. The transmission gear has at least one opening defined therein. The shifting sleeve comprises at least one tooth for selectively engaging the at least one opening defined in the transmission gear. The at least one tooth extends from the shifting sleeve body and has a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. The first portion has a top surface disposed at a first height and the second portion has a top surface disposed at a second height, the first height being greater than the second height. The third portion is disposed between the first and second portions, and has a top surface disposed at an angle and extending between the top surfaces of the first and second portions.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has at least one intake valve and at least one exhaust valve. A first spring biases the at least one intake valve to a closed position. A second spring biases the at least one exhaust valve to a closed position. At least one of the first and second springs is an air spring. An air compressor fluidly communicates with the air spring to supply air to the air spring. The air compressor is operatively connected to a rotating shaft of the engine to be selectively driven thereby. A motor is operatively connected to the air compressor to selectively drive the air compressor. A method of supplying air to the air spring of the above engine is also disclosed. A method of supplying air to an air spring of an engine having both a mechanical and an electrical air compressor is also disclosed.