Centrifugal Actuator Patents (Class 476/62)
  • Patent number: RE41892
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission. The transmission includes a plurality of power adjusters, such as spherical balls, frictionally interposed between a driving and a driven member. The driving and the driven member are each rotatably disposed over a main shaft. The spherical balls are configured to rotate about a modifiable axis and thereby provide a continuously variable shifting capability by adjusting the ratio between the angular velocity of the driving member in relation to the driven member. The system includes automatic and manual shifting gearing for adjusting the speed of the transmission. The system also includes a support a support member which is rotatably disposed over the main shaft and frictionally engaged to each of the spherical balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Donald C. Miller