Friction Gear Engages Facing Concave Surfaces Patents (Class 475/216)
  • Patent number: 11697998
    Abstract: An aircraft power system includes an auxiliary power unit (APU), a generator, and a constant speed drive (CSD). The APU drives an APU drive shaft at a first rotational speed during a first condition and a second rotational speed during a second condition. The generator is rotatably coupled to a generator shaft and produces an AC voltage having a target frequency in response to rotation of the generator shaft at a target rotational speed. The CSD unit receives the first rotational speed from the APU drive shaft and rotates the generator shaft at the target rotational speed based on the first rotational speed. The CSD further receives the second rotational speed from the APU drive shaft and rotates the generator shaft at the target rotational speed based on the second rotational speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventors: Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr., Jonathan C. Dell, David S. Behling
  • Patent number: 11362566
    Abstract: A toroidal continuously variable transmission comprises an input disc and an output disc which are disposed to face each other; a power roller which is tiltably disposed between the input disc and the output disc and transmits a rotational driving force of the input disc to the output disc in a transmission ratio corresponding to a tilt motion angle of the power roller; a trunnion including a base on which the power roller is rotatably mounted, and a pair of side walls provided on both sides of the power roller in an axial direction of a tilt motion shaft of the power roller in such a manner that the pair of side walls extend upward from the base and face a peripheral surface of the power roller, and a beam mounted on the pair of side walls, the beam extending in the axial direction of the tilt motion shaft, on a side opposite to the base when viewed from a position of the power roller, wherein the beam includes a pair of contact portions, each of the contact portions being configured to contact an end surfac
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: KAWASAKI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenichiro Tanaka, Hideyuki Imai, Akihito Abe
  • Patent number: 11247680
    Abstract: A transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a prime mover, a countershaft, main shaft, and an output shaft, with gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. A shift actuator selectively couples the input shaft to the main shaft by rotatably coupling gears between the countershaft and the main shaft. The shift actuator is mounted on an exterior wall of a housing including the countershaft and the main shaft. An integrated actuator housing includes a single external power access for the shift actuator. A controller interprets controls the shift actuator with actuating and opposing pulses, and interprets a shaft displacement angle, determines if the transmission is in an imminent zero or zero torque region, and performs a transmission operation in response to the transmission in the imminent zero or zero torque region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Tech., LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Connolly, Joseph Paul Furner, Jeff Hawarden, Ian Daniel McKenzie, Christopher DeBoer, Graeme Andrew Jackson
  • Patent number: 11215268
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling transmissions having CVTs are disclosed with multiple modes and gearing arrangements for range enhancements, where embodiments include synchronous shifting to allow the transmission to achieve a continuous range of transmission ratios, while minimizing “empty” cycling of the CVT during mode shifts. Embodiments provide for wide ratio range and performance and efficiency flexibility, while maximizing CVT usage through synchronous shifting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventor: Brian Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 11105417
    Abstract: A continuous speed variation device includes a input friction disc, a output friction disc, and at least three idle oscillating friction roller members. The input and output friction discs have a friction surface of toroidal shape and the idle oscillating roller members have a friction surface shaped in the form of a spherical dome.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventor: Antonio Francisco Cesaroni
  • Patent number: 10704662
    Abstract: A variator unit of a power-split continuously variable transmission device is fixed to a rotationally fixed component and has a primary side rotationally fixed to an input shaft and a secondary side rotationally fixed to each respective first element of the first and a second planetary gear sets via a third shaft. A third element of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to a third element of the second planetary gear set via a fourth shaft and is fixable to the rotationally fixed component via a first shift element. A fifth shaft is rotationally fixed to a second element of the second planetary gear set, which is fixable to the rotationally fixed component via the third shift element, and is connectable to the input shaft via the second shift element. A second element of the first planetary gear set is rotationally fixed to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: ZF FRIEDRICHSHAFEN AG
    Inventors: Stefan Beck, Viktor Warth, Michael Wechs, Gerhard Niederbrucker, Jens Moraw, Lara Ruth Turner
  • Patent number: 10145471
    Abstract: A dog clutch operable to bypass a variator of a transmission is disclosed. The dog clutch includes a housing engaged with an input ring of the variator. The dog clutch also includes a piston engaged with the housing and movable from a first position in which the piston is disengaged from an output ring of the variator to a second position in which the piston is engaged with the output ring. The variator input ring and output ring are locked together when the dog clutch is in the second position to prevent the variator from producing continuously variable torque output. The variator is operable to produce continuously-variable torque output when the dog clutch is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: James A. Raszkowski, Jeremy A. Turner, Brad Philip Pohl
  • Patent number: 9944292
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes: a power transmission device which selects a four-wheel drive state and a two-wheel drive state; a hydraulic continuously variable transmission device which includes a trunnion arm displaceable to a forward movement position, a neutral position, and a backward movement position; a pedaling operation detection unit which detects a pedaling operation for a brake pedal; and a control unit which performs a process of moving the trunnion arm to the neutral position by controlling an actuator when the pedaling operation detection unit detects the pedaling operation and which sets the operation speed of the actuator to be slow in the four-wheel drive state during the process compared to the two-wheel drive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: ISEKI & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Tsuji, Yoshitaka Tani
  • Patent number: 9850998
    Abstract: A variator having at least one roller which runs upon at least one race to transfer drive from one to the other at variable ratio. The variator has a fluid supply for supplying fluid to the race and roller thereby to provide a fluid film by which the roller and the race are separated in use. The roller has a running surface with root means square roughness Rq(roller) and the race having a root means square roughness Rq(race). The variator's specific film thickness is the minimum thickness of the fluid film in normal operation divided by the composite roughness, and is less than 1.0. At least one of the roller and the race has a powder metal surface with a Ra roughness above 0.1 micrometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Richard Ruebusch, Adrian Lee
  • Patent number: 9752500
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine including at least one high pressure turbine rotor and at least one high pressure compressor rotor drivingly engaged to a rotatable high pressure spool, a low pressure spool rotatable independently of the high pressure spool, at least one low pressure turbine rotor drivingly engaged to the low pressure spool, and a rotatable load drivingly engaged to the low pressure spool. A fixed rotational speed ratio is defined between rotational speeds of the at high pressure turbine and compressor rotors. A fixed rotational speed ratio is defined between rotational speeds of the low pressure turbine rotor(s) and of the low pressure spool. A low pressure compressor rotor is in driving engagement with the low pressure spool through a variable transmission which defines a variable rotational speed ratio between the rotational speeds of the low pressure spool and of the low pressure compressor rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Richard Ullyott, Lazar Mitrovic, Jean Dubreuil, Stephen Christopher Kenny, Guy Bouchard, Ilya B. Medvedev, Keith Morgan, Darius Jehangir Karanjia, Nashed Azer Youssef
  • Patent number: 9638301
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Dana Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Thibaut E. Duchene, Matthias W. J. Byltiauw
  • Patent number: 9476487
    Abstract: A transmission includes a toroidal variator including a nested endload assembly. The nested endload assembly has two chambers configured to develop a clamping force on components of the variator. The endload assembly includes a housing, a backing plate, a piston positioned adjacent the backing plate and cooperating with the backing plate to define a first chamber for receiving pressurized fluid to act on the piston. The endload assembly also includes a load plate and an input race that cooperate to define a second chamber. The input race of the variator is acted upon by the piston when the piston is acted upon by pressurized fluid in the first chamber. The input race is also acted upon by pressurized fluid in the second chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Schoolcraft
  • Patent number: 9435416
    Abstract: A rotary drive transmission having a rotary drive input (20) and a rotary driven output (30), the drive transmission being capable of selectively varying the drive ratio between the rotary drive input (20) and rotary driven output (30), the drive transmission including a main drive shaft defining the rotary drive input (20), a differential transmission assembly (40) having a rotary output member (30) which defines said rotary driven output (30), the differential assembly (40) including a first rotary drive input (I1) and a separate second rotary drive input (I2), the first (I1) and second rotary drive (I2) inputs and said rotary driven output (30) member being drivingly interconnected with one another such that changes in the relative rotation of the first (I1) and second rotary drive (I2) inputs causes a rotational change in said rotary output member (30), and selectively operable rotary adjustment means (53, 56) for adjusting the rotation of the second rotary drive input (I2) for selectively controlling rot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Inventor: Michael Nassim
  • Patent number: 9353842
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: DANA LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Matthias W. J. Byltiauw
  • Patent number: 9341246
    Abstract: Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC
    Inventors: Donald C Miller, Robert A Smithson, Brad P Pohl, Charles B Lohr, Jon M Nichols
  • Patent number: 9316300
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: DANA LIMITED
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Matthias W. J. Byltiauw
  • Patent number: 9309970
    Abstract: The present invention provides a CVT including a transmission mechanism and a planetary gear mechanism which includes a plurality of rotation elements. The transmission mechanism can differentially operate in a predetermined operation mode. The CVT includes a vehicle speed specifying unit for specifying a vehicle speed based on a rotation speed of a rotation member. The unit specifies the vehicle speed from the rotation speed when the rotation speed exceeds a threshold, and specifies the vehicle speed based on a target driving force, a running resistance and a weight of the vehicle when the rotation speed is not more than the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Kamiyamaguchi, Takumi Shinojima
  • Patent number: 9074645
    Abstract: A driving force transmission control system includes: an electric motor; a multi-disc clutch; a cam mechanism that converts rotation output from the electric motor into cam thrust force that is axial force in the axial direction of the multi-disc clutch; a pressure-conversion mechanism that converts reaction force against the cam thrust force into pressure of a fluid; a pressure sensor that detects the pressure; and a control unit that computes a command value of a current supplied to the electric motor. The control unit stores the pressure of the fluid during disengagement of the multi-disc clutch, and computes the current command value based on the pressure of the fluid to which the reaction force against the cam thrust force has been applied, and the stored pressure of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Hosokawa, Kunihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8961352
    Abstract: A drive train provided with a CVT that can be used in both CVT and Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) configurations and that include a High-Low gear selection assembly is described herein. Transitions between configurations are seamless to the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Transmission CVTCORP Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Girard, Jean-François Dionne, Jean-Robert Desmeules
  • Patent number: 8926468
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Dana Limited
    Inventors: Mark R. J. Versteyhe, Thibaut E. Duchene, Matthias W. J. Byltiauw
  • Patent number: 8888645
    Abstract: A CVT is provided that includes an input member, an output member, an input disk rotationally coupled to the input member, an output disk having an output gear, a roller disposed between the input disk and the output disk and configured to transfer torque from the input disk to the output disk, a counter gear intermeshed with the output gear, and a planetary gear set connected to the output member. The planetary gear set includes a ring gear, a carrier member, and a sun gear. The ring gear is rotationally coupled to the counter gear. The counter gear and the planetary gear set are co-planar with the output disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventor: Hai Xu
  • Patent number: 8888646
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes a gearbox with two forward modes and a reverse mode. The gearbox includes a plurality of gear members and further includes at least three torque transmitting devices such as, clutches and brakes that are selectively employed to engage various combinations of the gear members such that a particular combination is associated with one of the two forward modes and the reverse mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, LLC
    Inventors: Philip C. Lundberg, Andrew W. Phillips, Edwin T. Grochowski
  • Patent number: 8882626
    Abstract: A multi-regime continuously variable ratio transmission has a transmission input shaft, a transmission output shaft, and a ratio varying unit having a rotating input and a rotating output, the rotational axes of the input and the output being coaxial. A shunt having first and second epicyclic gear sets is connected across the ratio varying unit. One gear set has an input driven by the input shaft and an input driven by one side of the ratio varying unit and the other gear set has an input from the first gear set and an input from one side of the ratio varying unit. The gear sets rotate about a common axis and are offset with respect to, and parallel to, the rotational axes of the input and output of the ratio varying unit. A clutch is operable to selectively connect the output of the second gear set to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Philip Duncan Winter
  • Patent number: 8721486
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a variator (5) comprising input discs (2) coupled to an input shaft (12) and an output disc (3) providing a rotary variator output. The input and output discs are mounted for rotation about a common axis and at last one roller (4) is arranged between the discs to transfer drive from one to the other at a continuously variable variator drive ratio. The roller is mounted in a carrier (30) in a manner which permits it to spin about its own axis and to tilt relative to the disks to vary the variator drive ratio. A hydraulic actuator (22) is arranged to apply to the carrier (30) a reaction force determined by a hydraulic pressure difference acting on the actuator. The reaction force opposes a traction force applied to the roller (4) by the action of the discs (2, 3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Stephen William Murray, Yusuke Okada
  • Patent number: 8617020
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission having a transmission input (60) and a transmission output (114) is described. The transmission has a variator (56). This is a device which transmits drive at steplessly variable ratio. It further comprises an epicyclic gear arrangement (58) incorporating a clutch arrangement (152). The epicyclic gear arrangement has three rotary members. One of these is coupled to a planet carrier (86) having at least one planet gear (94). Another of the rotary members is coupled to a main gear (90) meshing with the planet gear. The clutching arrangement serves to couple the remaining rotary member to either of first and second alternative gears (96, 98), both of which mesh with the planet gear and which rotate at different speeds. One of the aforesaid rotary members is coupled to the transmission input at a fixed drive ratio. One of them is coupled to the variator output. The last of the rotary members is coupled to the transmission output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Philip Duncan Winter
  • Publication number: 20130310208
    Abstract: Construction is achieved that is capable of ensuring reliability of a learned value for a step position of a stepping motor 24 which becomes the criterion for the transmission gear ratio control of a toroidal continuously variable transmission 4 without losing opportunities for learning more than necessary even when the ignition switch is turned OFF during learning of the step position. The controller 11 determines the ON/OFF state of the ignition switch 33, and when it is determined that the ignition switch 33 is in the OFF state, the controller 11 prevents learning control from being executed. The state in which the rpm of the engine 1 is dropping from after the ignition switch 33 is turned OFF is eliminated from being an object of learning control for learning the step position, such that erroneous learning is prevented, while the state in which the rpm of the engine 1 becomes stable after the ignition switch 33 is turned ON is not eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Takumi Shinojima, Hiromasa Nakamura
  • Patent number: 8579753
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic transmission for a motor vehicle having a compact single mode transfer gear continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a compound planetary gear carrier for use in front wheel drive vehicles. The automatic transmission includes an input shaft, a variator or other, similar device which provides a continuously variable input to output speed ratio over a limited range, a compound planetary gear assembly having a sun gear, a planet gear carrier with compound gear sets and a ring gear, a friction brake, a friction clutch and a plurality of transfer gears and layshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott William Heitzenrater, Edwin T. Grochowski
  • Patent number: 8578802
    Abstract: An apparatus for multiplexing gear engagement control in an automatic transmission is provided. At least two friction engagement devices are configured to selectively engage and disengage a different gear ratio of the transmission. A trim system is configured to selectively supply engagement and disengagement pressures to at least one fluid passageway. A first control valve is fluidly coupled directly to the at least one fluid passageway and directly to each of the at least two friction engagement devices. The first control valve is configured to selectively route the engagement and disengagement pressures through the first control valve directly to the at least two friction devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles F. Long, Darren J. Weber, John William Edward Fuller
  • Patent number: 8500593
    Abstract: A transmission arrangement is disclosed which comprises first and second variators (166, 169) each of which comprises an input race (150, 154) and an output race (152, 156). A plurality of rollers (276, 278) is arranged to run upon the input and output races to transfer drive from one to the other. The races are mounted for rotation about a common axis and the inclination of the first variator's rollers is variable independently of the inclination of the second variator's rollers, so that the two rollers are able to provide independently and continuously variable drive ratios. To provide traction between the rollers and races, a biasing device (216, 217) applies an axial force to one of the races, urging the rollers and races into engagement with each other. Each variator is provided with a shunt gear for providing forward, reverse and g eared neutral ratios, and to couple the variator input to the shunt gear a coupling member (160) passes through the outer variator races.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Brian J. Dutson
  • Patent number: 8417411
    Abstract: A control system may include a polarity determination module, a torque variation module, and a torque sensor diagnostic module. The polarity determination module determines a first polarity of a torque signal that indicates a transmission torque. The torque sensor diagnostic module diagnoses an error of a torque sensor when an detected polarity of the torque signal is opposite from the first polarity. A control system may include a torque variation module and a torque sensor diagnostic module. The torque variation module determines a maximum torque variation during a predetermined diagnostic period based on the torque signal. The torque sensor diagnostic module diagnoses an error of a torque sensor when the maximum torque variation is outside of a torque variation range. The torque variation range is defined by a minimum torque variation threshold and a maximum torque variation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Randall B. Dlugoss
  • Patent number: 8393990
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, Philip Duncan Winter, David Burt
  • Patent number: 8382631
    Abstract: A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator for varying a ratio of an output speed and an input speed, a gearset including a first and second components driveably connected to the engine and pulley, respectively, and a third component connected to the output, and a second gearset for increasing an input speed relative to an pulley speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald E. Hoffman, David A. Janson
  • Patent number: 8257217
    Abstract: An infinitely variable power transmission comprising an input shaft, a layshaft, a variator transmitting power from the input shaft to the layshaft, an output shaft, and an internal/external gear pair transmitting power from the layshaft to the output shaft. The output shaft axis may be offset a limited distance from the input shaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Donald Edward Hoffman
  • Patent number: 8171636
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has a number of tiltable ball-leg assemblies configured angularly about a longitudinal axis. Each ball-leg assembly is in contact with, and guided through a tilting motion by an axially translating shift cam having a convex shape. The convex shape of the shift cam can have a profile defined by a set of parametric equations. The profile of the shift cam can vary according to the location of the contact point between an idler and the ball-leg assembly as well as the amount of relative axial motion between the ball-leg assembly and the idler. The profile of the shift cam can be configured to control the axial translation of the idler relative to the change in tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly. A roll-slide factor can be used to characterize the axial translation of the idler relative to the tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A Smithson, Brad P Pohl, Oronde J Armstrong, Donald C Miller, Daniel J Dawe, Fernand A Thomassy, Matthew P Simister, Wesley R Poth, Jon M Nichols, Charles B Lohr
  • Patent number: 8142323
    Abstract: In a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) using a toroidal-race continuously variable ratio device and a planetary gear mechanism, the rotation of the input shaft (12) is directly transmitted to the carrier C of the planetary gear mechanism (61), and rotation resulting from gearing and reversal by the variator (5) is transmitted to the sun gear (S1). When the low clutch L is engaged, the rotation of the ring gear (R3) is transmitted via the reversing gear mechanism (71) to the output shaft (13), and when the high clutch H is engaged, the rotation of the sun gear (S2) is transmitted to the output shaft (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignees: Torotrak (Development) Limited, KK Equos Research
    Inventors: Saoto Tsuchiya, Masahiro Hasebe, Norihiro Kai, Alan Fielding
  • Patent number: 8060284
    Abstract: A work machine includes an internal combustion (IC) engine having an output, and an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) coupled with the IC engine output. The IVT includes a hydraulic module and a mechanical drivetrain module. A pressure transducer is associated with and provides an output signal representing a hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic module. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for controlling the IC engine output, dependent upon the output signal from the pressure transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Alec Benjamin Hendryx
  • Patent number: 7955210
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, Andrew Damian De Freitas, Robert Andrew Oliver
  • Patent number: 7835843
    Abstract: An ECU executes a program that includes a step of determining whether an output shaft rotation speed NOUT is equal to or greater than a reference rotation speed at which determining regions with all of the gear speeds in a stepped automatic transmission do not overlap, a step of determining that there is an abnormality in the gear speed by dividing the turbine rotation speed NT by the output shaft rotation speed NOUT if the output shaft rotation speed NOUT is not equal to or greater than that reference rotation speed, and a step of determining that there is an abnormality in the gear speed by subtracting a value, which is obtained by multiplying the output shaft rotation speed NOUT by the gear ratio, from the turbine rotation speed NT if the output shaft rotation speed NOUT is equal to or greater than that reference rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Kawamura, Toshio Sugimura, Hideo Masaki
  • Patent number: 7618341
    Abstract: In a continuously variable transmission apparatus, by adjusting the transmission ratio of a toroidal continuously variable transmission, an output shaft can be stopped while an input shaft is left rotating in one direction by a drive source. And, when, while the vehicle is running, a select lever is operated to a select position in the reverse direction to the vehicle running direction, in a state where a clutch device is connected, the speed ratio of the continuously variable transmission apparatus is changed from a value corresponding to the vehicle running state to a value 0 capable of realizing the above-mentioned stopping state along a preset condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Takumi Sinojima
  • Patent number: 7601088
    Abstract: A control unit is imparted a function in which the engagement of a high-speed clutch which had been in disengagement until then is started (or the energization of a high-speed clutch solenoid switch valve is put to ON) before a change-speed of a toroidal continuously variable transmission has reached an optimal value for performance of a mode switch (a point A, for example, 0.46 in a speed increasing ratio) or at a point B (for example, 0.6 in the speed increasing ratio). As a result of this, the problem can be solved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takumi Sinojima, Eiji Inoue
  • Publication number: 20090203487
    Abstract: A vehicle driveline having an axle assembly with an input pinion, which is configured to receive a rotary input, a input ring gear, which is meshingly engaged with the input pinion, a first output member, a second output member and a power distribution system. The first output member is configured to drive a first vehicle wheel on a first side of a vehicle. The second output member is configured to drive a second vehicle wheel on a second side of the vehicle opposite the first side. The power distribution system is driven by the input ring gear and distributes drive torque between the first and second output members. The power distribution system includes a first continuously variable transmission. A method for operating a vehicle driveline is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Winston Platt
  • Patent number: 7530916
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher John Greenwood
  • Patent number: 7497798
    Abstract: A hybird power train structure having a toroidal variator. The hybird power train structure is constructed such that drive force generated by an engine and drive force generated by a motor are appropriately combined and transmitted to a drive wheel, thus having a quiet variable speed change characteristic despite having a relatively simple structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Yeon-Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20090048054
    Abstract: In a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) using a toroidal-race continuously variable ratio device and a planetary gear mechanism, the rotation of the input shaft (12) is directly transmitted to the carrier C of the planetary gear mechanism (61), and rotation resulting from gearing and reversal by the variator (5) is transmitted to the sun gear (S1). When the low clutch L is engaged, the rotation of the ring gear (R3) is transmitted via the reversing gear mechanism (71) to the output shaft (13), and when the high clutch H is engaged, the rotation of the sun gear (S2) is transmitted to the output shaft (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicants: Torotrak (Development ) Ltd., KK Equos Research
    Inventors: Saoto Tsuchiya, Masahiro Hasebe, Norihiro Kai, Alan Fielding
  • Publication number: 20090017959
    Abstract: A first embodiment of a vehicle transmission with continuously variable transmission ratio contains a CVT variator with two variator shafts, an input shaft that can optionally be brought into rotational engagement with one or the other of the variator shafts, and an output shaft that can optionally be brought into rotational engagement with one or the other of the variator shafts, such that two forward driving ranges with opposite torque transmission directions of the CVT variator are present, whose transmission ratio ranges are constantly contiguous with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Andreas Triller
  • Patent number: 7461626
    Abstract: A powertrain for driving a motor vehicle includes an internal combustion engine including first and second rotors supported for rotation about an axis, a first epicyclic gear unit including a first component fixed against rotation, a first driving component, and a first driven component, a first power path alternately producing a first drive connection between the driven component and the first rotor, and opening said first drive connection, and a second power path producing a second drive connection between the driven component and the second rotor, and opening said second drive connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: John W. Kimes
  • Publication number: 20080269001
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: TOROTRAK (DEVELOPMENT) LIMITED
    Inventors: Christopher John Greenwood, Andrew Damian De Freitas, Robert Andrew Oliver
  • Publication number: 20080261746
    Abstract: The thrust force of a sun gear is supported by a first thrust bearing that supports a first output shaft in the direction of an axis thereof. The thrust force of a ring gear is supported by a second thrust bearing that supports a second output shaft in the direction of the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takahiro YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20080261747
    Abstract: An adjusting device including a CVT planetary roller transmission having two axially-spaced sun wheels that are rotatable about a common axis of rotation and at different speeds of rotation. Planet wheels contact and ride against peripheral surfaces of each of the sun wheels, and an axially displaceable ring wheel lies radially outwardly of the sun wheels and engages a peripheral groove formed in the sun wheels. When the ring wheel is axially displaced relative to the sun wheels the axes of rotation of the planet wheels tilt relative to the sun wheel axis resulting in a difference in the rotational speed of the sun wheels changes. The device can be employed as an adjusting device for adjusting the rotational speed of connected units, and also as a drive line component having a variable transmission ratio and situated in a power train of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Andreas Triller, Andreas Englisch, Andreas Gotz, Laszlo Man, Marco Grethel
  • Patent number: 7396309
    Abstract: A split power transmission with a variable drive, a brake, a clutch, an integrating transmission containing a planetary set, the internal gear forming the output of the transmission, and an additional planetary set located between the drive shaft and the transmission. A portion of the transmission drive shaft power is transferable to the transmission which includes a secondary shaft located axially parallel to the variable drive. The power of the variable drive is directed towards the integrating transmission via the secondary shaft by using a defined transmission ratio. Torque division in the low cruising range and is achieved by locking the brake connecting the internal gear of the planetary set located between the drive shaft, and the transmission to the unit. Whereas in the high cruising range, by engaging the clutch the sun gear of the transmission is interlocked with the internal gear of the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Uwe Heitz, Gabor Diosi, Jürgen Wafzig, Gerhard Gumpoltsberger, Bernd Vahlensieck, Pedro Casals