Abstract: A continuously variable transmission provides an increased transmission speed ratio with fewer parts. A kinematic arrangement can provide at least a squared kinematic arrangement of the variator for two or more modes, for example, and can provide an increased range transmission speed ratio with fewer moving parts. In many embodiments, the continuously variable transmission provides synchronous gear ratios and a continuously variable speed ratio.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission provides an increased transmission speed ratio with fewer parts. A kinematic arrangement can provide at least a squared kinematic arrangement of the variator for two or more modes, for example, and can provide an increased range transmission speed ratio with fewer moving parts. In many embodiments, the continuously variable transmission provides synchronous gear ratios and a continuously variable speed ratio.

Abstract: A transmission family has a plurality of members that each provide six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio and a neutral condition. Each family member has three planetary gear sets that are serially arranged and interconnected to form a planetary gear arrangement and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets may each be of the single pinion type or double pinion type. In either event each planetary gear set has three rotatable members, namely a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a planet carrier assembly member. One member of each of the three planetary gear sets are continuously interconnected, in other words three members are interconnected. Another member in each of two planetary gear sets are also continuously interconnect. At least one member of one of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an input shaft and at least one member of another of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an output shaft.

Abstract: A planetary transmission includes four planetary gearsets, two of which are simple planetary gearsets and two of which are compound planetary gearsets. A first of the planetary gearsets has members selectively connectible with a ground or stationary member through a synchronizer clutch. A second, third, and fourth of the planetary gearsets have at least one member continuously interconnected with a ground or stationary member. A plurality of synchronizer clutches are employed between the planetary gearsets, which are manipulatable to establish at least seventeen forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: A dual input clutch transmission has two planetary gearsets that are selectively connectible between an input shaft and an output shaft through two selectively engageable input clutches. One of the planetary gearsets is controlled by three synchronizer clutches to provide a reverse speed ratio and two forward speed ratios between the input shaft and the output shaft, and the other of the planetary gearsets is controlled by one selectively engageable synchronizer clutch assembly to establish three forward speed ratios between said input shaft and said output shaft.

Abstract: A power transmission has two selectively engageable input clutches, four selectively manipulatable synchronizer clutches, and a planetary gearset. The input clutches and the synchronizer clutches are manipulated to establish at least seven forward power paths and a reverse power path between an input shaft and an output shaft. Interchanges between adjacent speed ratios are controlled by preselecting the synchronizer condition and then interchanging the selectively engageable input clutches.

Abstract: A planetary manual transmission has two planetary gearsets and five synchronizer clutches which are effective to establish at least six forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. One of the planetary gearsets is a compound planetary gearset and the other is a simple planetary gearset. These two planetary gearsets are interconnected through two of the synchronizer clutches. The third of the synchronizer clutches connects one of the planetary gearsets with the input shaft. The fourth of the synchronizer clutches connects the other of the planetary gearsets with an output shaft, and the fifth of the synchronizer clutches selectively connects two members of the planetary gearsets connected with the output shaft to a transmission housing or stationary component. In one embodiment, the planetary gearsets will provide six forward speed ratios and in another embodiment, the planetary gearsets will provide eight forward speed ratios.

Abstract: A power transmission has two selectively engageable input clutches, four selectively manipulatable synchronizer clutches, and a planetary gearset. The input clutches and the synchronizer clutches are manipulated to establish at least seven forward power paths and a reverse power path between an input shaft and an output shaft. Interchanges between adjacent speed ratios are controlled by preselecting the synchronizer condition and then interchanging the selectively engageable input clutches.

Abstract: A full toroidal continuously variable unit (CVU) has a caster angle control and a trunnion position control that permits the caster angle to be greater than 60 degrees, which is the angle of critical damping for the torus and traction roller assembly of the CVU. The trunnion position control and the caster angle control are connected with the roller through a spherical bearing. The trunnion position control acts on the ball portion of the bearing and the caster angle control acts on the housing portion of the bearing. The traction roller is rotatably mounted on the housing of the bearing. The trunnion position control is grounded through a central member such that the axial and radial components imposed thereon are grounded and not transferred to the traction roller or the caster angle control. The caster angle control includes a linkage that maintains a constant angular orientation of the axis of the roller tilt at all roller positions.

Abstract: A powertrain has a continuously variable transmission that incorporates a continuously variable unit in the form of a belt drive, a summing differential gearing assembly in the form of a planetary gear set and a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms. A continuous mechanical input path is provided between an engine and one member of the summing differential gearing assembly. One of the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged to provide a low continuously variable reverse range, neutral condition and a continuously variable low forward range between the transmission input and output shafts. Another of the torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engaged to establish a continuously variable high forward range between the transmission input and output shafts. A third torque transmitting mechanism is selectively engaged to establish a fixed mechanical ratio drive path between the transmission input and output shafts.

Abstract: A transmission family has a plurality of members that each provide six forward speed ratios, a reverse speed ratio and a neutral condition. Each family member has three planetary gear sets that are serially arranged and interconnected to form a planetary gear arrangement and five torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear sets may each be of the single pinion type or double pinion type. In either event, each planetary gear set has three rotatable members, namely a sun gear member, a ring gear member, and a planet carrier assembly member. One member of each of the three planetary gear sets are continuously interconnected; in other words, three members are interconnected. Another member in each of two planetary gear sets are also continuously interconnect. At least one member of one of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an input shaft and at least one member of another of the planetary gear sets is continuously connected with an output shaft.

Abstract: A power transmission has a planetary gear arrangement that includes three planetary gear sets. One of the planetary gear sets is a dedicated gear set in that one of the planetary members (reaction member) is continuously connected to a stationary member and another (input member) is continually connected with an input drive member. The dedicated planetary gear set can be arranged to provide either an underdrive or an over drive depending on the input and reaction members. The other two planetary gear sets are disposed in downstream power flow relation to the dedicated planetary gear set and are selectively connectable with both the output member of the dedicated gear set and the input drive member through a plurality of rotating torque transmitting mechanisms and at least one stationary torque transmitting mechanism. The torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged in combinations of two to provide at least seven forward drive ratios and one reverse drive ratio.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, a continuously variable transmission, (CVT) a starting mechanism, and a final drive gearing. The CVT includes a continuously variable unit (CVU) in the form of a full toroidal traction unit, a planetary gear arrangement, and a pair of mechanical clutches that are connectable with the starting mechanism through a synchronizing assembly. The planetary gearing arrangement provides both a forward and reverse ratio path and a torque splitting or summing function.

Abstract: A powertrain has an engine, a continuously variable transmission, (CVT) a starting mechanism, and a final drive gearing. The CVT includes a continuously variable unit (CVU) in the form of a full toroidal traction unit, a planetary gear arrangement, and a pair of mechanical clutches that are connectable with the starting mechanism through a synchronizing assembly. The planetary gearing arrangement provides both a forward and reverse ratio path and a torque splitting or summing function.

Abstract: A powertrain has a continuously variable transmission that incorporates a continuously variable unit in the form of a belt drive, a summing differential gearing assembly in the form of a planetary gear set and a plurality of torque transmitting mechanisms. A continuous mechanical input path is provided between an engine and one member of the summing differential gearing assembly. One of the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engaged to provide a low continuously variable reverse range, neutral condition and a continuously variable low forward range between the transmission input and output shafts. Another of the torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engaged to establish a continuously variable high forward range between the transmission input and output shafts. A third torque transmitting mechanism is selectively engaged to establish a fixed mechanical ratio drive path between the transmission input and output shafts.

Abstract: A traction drive transmits power between an input shaft and an output shaft through a friction drive that includes an input disc, an output disc and a plurality of traction rollers. A slip speed occurs between the discs and the traction rollers which is maintained within a predetermined range which is limited by the coefficient of traction of the fluid on the surface of the discs and rollers. The angle of the rollers relative to the discs is recorded and the offset of the rollers relative to the one to one ratio is calculated from data including the speeds of the input and output discs and the traction rollers. The determination of the offset is made at a zero torque transmission condition. This offset is used to determine the appropriate normal force to be applied to the discs and roller interface to maintain the slip speed in the predetermined range when torque is being transmitted.

Abstract: A powertrain has a planetary gear arrangement that is controllable to establish six forward speed ratios and one reverse ratio through the selective engagement of six torque transmitting mechanisms. The planetary gear arrangement includes three sun gear members, a ring gear member and a planet carrier assembly member having groups of three intermeshing pinion gear members axially arranged in three gear mesh planes. A first of the gear mesh planes has a sun gear member/pinion gear member mesh, a pinion gear member/pinion gear member mesh, and a ring gear member/pinion gear member mesh. A second of the gear mesh planes has a sun member/pinion gear member mesh, and at least one pinion gear member/pinion gear member mesh. A third of the gear mesh planes has a sun gear member/pinion gear member mesh. The ring gear member is continuously connected with a transmission output shaft.

Abstract: A powertrain has a planetary transmission having three interconnected planetary gear sets which are controlled with a plurality of clutches and brakes to provide five forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio. The first forward ratio is established through a first of the planetary gear sets. The second forward ratio is established through a combination of the first and a second of the planetary gear sets. The third forward ratio is a direct drive. The fourth forward ratio is established through the second planetary gear set. The fifth forward ratio is established through a combination of the second planetary gear set and a third planetary gear set. The reverse ratio is established through the second planetary gear set. The fourth and fifth forward ratios are overdrive ratios.

Abstract: A continuously variable toric transmission has rollers which engage semi-toroidal disc members to establish a drive relation therebetween. The annular disposition of the rollers relative to the toroidal members determines the speed relationship between the toroidal members. The rollers are urged into a space between the discs by one force and the discs are urged together by another force. Thus, the discs have a normal force and a traction force, the ratio of which is equal to the coefficient of traction. Controlling the ratio of the traction force to the normal force controls the coefficient of traction within a predetermined range of values. The traction force is affected by a controlled pressure differential across a piston which forces the rollers into the space between the discs, and a pressure urging the discs toward each other affects the normal force. By controlling these pressures, the coefficient of traction is controllable.

Abstract: An all wheel drive transmission has a transfer gearing apparatus disposed in axial alignment between a hydrodynamic input drive and an input member of a planetary transmission. The transfer gearing apparatus delivers power from the hydrodynamic drive to the planetary transmission and from a differential output of the planetary transmission to a first output drive member. A second output drive member is connected to the differential output. One output drive member is connectable with the front drive wheels of a vehicle and the other output drive member is connected with the rear drive wheels of the vehicle.