Abstract: A variable transmission comprises an input shaft; three planetary gear sets; a Ravigneaux gear set; a variator comprising, a first ring assembly, a second ring assembly, a carrier assembly; various arrangements of brakes and clutches; and the output shaft. The variable transmissions comprise a continuously variable mode, an infinitely variable mode, or a combination thereof and can provide an input-coupled powersplit solution function. At least one configuration of the variable transmission comprises a direct drive mode.

Abstract: A method and a device for calibrating a wet clutch is provided. The clutch comprises a pump, a piston, a proportional valve, a controller, and a pressure sensor. The method comprises the steps of closing the clutch by sending a pressure profile with fill parameters from the controller to the proportional valve, recording a pressure signal of the hydraulic fluid, comparing the pressure profile with the pressure signal, determining whether at least one defined feature is in the pressure signal that is indicative of errors in the fill parameters, and if said feature is determined in the pressure signal, modification of the pressure profile by changing at least one of the fill parameters.

Abstract: A parallel, torque additive torsional compensating device for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensating device comprises a first gear, a first joint assembly, an intermediate shaft, a second joint assembly, a torsional element, and a second gear. The first gear and the second gear are in respective driving engagement with a first engagement portion and a second engagement portion of an output of the engine. The intermediate shaft is in driving engagement with the first joint assembly and the second joint assembly. The torsional element is in driving engagement with the second joint assembly and the second gear. An angular deviation of at least one of the first joint assembly and the second joint assembly causes a cyclical acceleration of the torsional element. The cyclical acceleration applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine through the second gear and the second engagement portion.

Abstract: A variable transmission comprises an input shaft; three planetary gear sets; a Ravigneaux gear set; a variator comprising, a first ring assembly, a second ring assembly, a carrier assembly; various arrangements of brakes and clutches; and the output shaft. The variable transmissions comprise a continuously variable mode, an infinitely variable mode, or a combination thereof and can provide an input-coupled powersplit solution function. At least one configuration of the variable transmission comprises a direct drive mode.

Abstract: A torque vectoring device includes a drive member engaged with a power source, a plurality of variator ball assemblies configured to be tiltable and rotatable with respect to the drive member, a first output frictionally engaged with the variator ball assemblies, and a second output frictionally engaged with the variator ball assemblies. A torque distribution between the first output and the second output may be adjusted by tilting the plurality of variator ball assemblies. The variator ball assemblies also facilitate a differential action between the first output and the second output.

Abstract: A transmission having a variator drive capable of being placed in a continuously variable operating mode or an infinitely variable operating mode, capable of having a wide ratio range, and capable of integrating a clutching capability within the transmission. The variable transmissions can be operated in at least two different operating modes, depending on an engagement status of the clutches therein. Methods of running the variable transmissions and drivelines that incorporate such variable transmissions are provided.

Abstract: A variable transmission comprises an input shaft; three planetary gear sets; a Ravigneaux gear set; a variator comprising, a first ring assembly, a second ring assembly, a carrier assembly; various arrangements of brakes and clutches; and the output shaft. The variable transmissions comprise a continuously variable mode, an infinitely variable mode, or a combination thereof and can provide an input-coupled powersplit solution function. At least one configuration of the variable transmission comprises a direct drive mode.

Abstract: A method of vehicle and operator guidance by pattern recognition begins with collecting data on vehicle and operator patterns through sensors. The collected data is combined and analyzed with a pattern recognition algorithm. The combined and analyzed data is compared with patterns in a pattern database. If data matches a pattern in the pattern database, the pattern can be selected. If the data does not match a pattern in the pattern database, a new pattern can be created and selected. Based on the selected pattern, a determination is made to passively assist the operator, selectively assist the operator or passively and actively assist the operator. The determined action is then implemented.

Abstract: A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable output ratios.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the mass flow rate of a positive displacement expander comprises pumping a working fluid to a heat exchanger to convert the fluid into a working vapor. At least a portion of the working vapor is stored in an accumulator connected to the heat exchanger. At least a portion of the working vapor stored in the accumulator is selectively released into a positive displacement expander via a pulse width modulated valve to increase the efficiency of the expander.

Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a lubricant in a transmission are provided. The system comprises a first speed sensor, a temperature sensor, and a processing unit. The first speed sensor is positioned adjacent a first clutch, which forms a portion of the transmission. The first speed sensor is configured to detect a rotational difference between portions of the first clutch. The temperature sensor is disposed within the transmission. The temperature sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the lubricant. The processing unit is in communication with the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor. In response to information from the first speed sensor and the temperature sensor, the processing unit determines a condition of the lubricant used in the transmission.

Abstract: A variable transmission includes an input shaft, a planetary gear set drivingly engaged with a variator comprising, a variator carrier assembly, a first ring assembly, and a second ring assembly; and the output shaft, arranged to produce transmissions with continuously variable or infinitely variable output ratios.

Abstract: A torsional compensator for an internal combustion engine is provided. The torsional compensator comprises a rotor portion and a stator portion. The rotor portion is in driving engagement with an output of the internal combustion engine. The first rotor portion comprises at least one of first magnetic array and a first ferromagnetic array. The stator portion is disposed about the rotor portion. The stator portion is coupled to at least one of the internal combustion engine, a transmission, and a compensator housing. The stator portion comprises at least one of a second magnetic array and a second ferromagnetic array. In response to rotation of the rotor portion within the stator portion, a magnetic reluctance force is generated. The magnetic reluctance force applies a torque to the output of the internal combustion engine to dampen a torque ripple of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a set of filling parameters for a wet clutch system is provided. The clutch comprises a piston, a proportional valve, a controller, and a sensor. The method comprises the steps of providing the wet clutch system, providing the set of filling parameters, actuating the wet clutch system based on at least one of the set of filling parameters, sensing a response of the wet clutch system during actuation of the wet clutch system, comparing an observed filling parameter to at least one of the set of filling parameters, calculating a fill error between the observed filling parameter and the at least one of the set of filling parameters, and adjusting a plurality of the set of filling parameters based on the fill error.

Abstract: A transmission is provided. The transmission includes an input portion drivingly engaged with a power source, a planetary gear, a continuously variable variator, and a clutching device. The planetary gear arrangement has a portion drivingly engaged with the input portion. The continuously variable variator includes a portion which is drivingly engaged with at least one of the planetary gear arrangement and the input portion. The clutching device may be selectively drivingly engaged with a portion of the continuously variable variator. The clutching device and the planetary gear arrangement facilitate a transition between at least two operating modes of the continuously variable variator.

Abstract: A method for selecting a trajectory for container locking uses at least one twistlock sensor on a machine to sense a location of a twist lock hole on an object. The sensed location is transmitted to a processor to calculate a sensed trajectory for a twistlock to engage the twist lock hole. At least one operator input sensor is used to sense an input from an operator moving the twist lock to engage the twist lock hole. The sensed operator input is transmitted to the processor to calculate an operator trajectory for the twist lock to engage the twist lock hole. The sensed trajectory is compared with the operator trajectory to determine which should be used.

Abstract: A method for shifting a transmission capable of operating in a hydrostatic power transmission mode or a blended hydrostatic and mechanical power transmission mode is provided. The transmission includes a mechanical portion and a hydraulic portion. The method comprises the steps of placing the transmission in the hydrostatic power transmission mode, reducing an amount of engagement of a primary clutch, adjusting a rotational speed of the hydraulic portion, increasing an amount of engagement of a secondary clutch, and engaging the secondary clutch and disengaging the primary clutch. The method for shifting the transmission minimizes torque interruption, increases a fuel efficiency of a vehicle, and increases a range of operating speeds of the vehicle the transmission is incorporated in.

Abstract: A method for improving the efficiency of an internal combustion engine changes the volume in a piston chamber of an expander device. The expander device generally operates at a fixed expander device speed to perform work on a swash plate expander shaft. The swash plate expander shaft is connected to a first end of a piston in the piston chamber.

Abstract: A hydrostatic driveline is provided. The hydrostatic driveline comprises a power source, a hydrostatic pump, a hydrostatic motor, a direct drive link, and a transmission portion. The power source is drivingly engaged with an input member. The hydrostatic pump is in driving engagement with the input member. The hydrostatic motor is in fluid communication with the hydrostatic pump. The direct drive link is in driving engagement with the input member. The transmission portion is in driving engagement with a vehicle output and at least one of the hydrostatic motor and the direct drive link The transmission portion includes at least one engagement device and a drive ratio. The hydrostatic pump, the hydrostatic motor, and the transmission portion form a first power path for the hydrostatic driveline and the direct drive link forms a second power path for the hydrostatic driveline.

Abstract: Variable transmissions and drivelines using such transmissions having a direct drive mode, a reverse mode, and a continuously variable mode of operation using a continuously variable variator in combination with a gearbox having a one or two speed forward gear, a reverse gear, and a direct drive clutch. The direct drive clutch transfers power from the input shaft directly to the gearbox by running the variator in a unitary (1) speed ratio configuration, or by bypassing the variator altogether by using a set of clutches that disconnect the variator from the input shaft. Additional gears may be provided in the gearbox.