Abstract: A belt tensioner employing helical compression springs in series arrangement in a housing located on a support structure to rotate another structure pivotally mounted on the support structure. An idler pulley is located on the rotatable structure and bears against a belt to both tension it and dampen vibrations. The helical compression springs operate on a plate rigidly attached to a movable shaft, which shaft bears directly or preferably indirectly through a thrust linkage on a shoulder of the rotatable structure. The springs, a thrust assembly and shaft are all mounted in a housing which is substantially filled with liquid which dampens the movement of the rotatable structure by the liquid being forced to flow through a restriction in the thrust assembly as it passes from one chamber to another inside the housing. The constant diameter shaft passes through the housing and its end cap, it being sealed hydraulically at each end.

Abstract: A variable speed drive system for prime mover driven accessories which includes a self-energized controllable belt tensioner in combination with a variable diameter pulley assembly. The tensioner, upon command, uses a pump continuously driven by a fixed diameter pulley positioned by a rotary or linear actuator to take up and tension the belt passing over the same pulley. In the variable speed drive, this tensioner functions typically together with a variable diameter pulley which operates on the belt by forces which are directed toward increasing the variable pulley diameter. A hydraulic flow system with appropriate pump, valves, lines, and actuator can all be self-contained in the rotary tensioner. Selenoid valves are used in an on-off fashion with an actuator to move a pulley arm attached to the actuator generating the required belt tension to decrease the variable pulley diameter as desired upon command.

Abstract: A continuously variable, regenerative transmission is disclosed in which a continuously variable transmission assembly is employed in conjunction with a regenerative gear assembly incorporating high and low clutches and situated intermediate a prime mover, such as a vehicle engine, and an output, such as the drive train to vehicle wheels.

Abstract: The accessories of a prime mover (such as an engine) are automatically maintained at a more constant speed with varying prime mover speed using a flat belt driving a variable diameter pulley wherein a fixed diameter pulley attached to the variable diameter pulley is used to drive another belt coupled to the accessories.The variable diameter pulley assembly includes a shaft and a pair of pulley sheaves each having a pair of relatively movably guideway disks with belt engaging elements extending between the pulley sheaves. Mutual angular changes between the guideway disks causes a corresponding change in the effective diameter of the pulley assembly. A speed responsive actuator assembly is employed and includes a housing with at least a pair of springs. The actuator assembly is positioned by a balance of forces including the centrifugal force of the belt drive elements, the compression force of the actuator springs, and the forces due to the belt.

Abstract: Variable speed operation for the accessories of a prime mover (such as an engine) is obtained by a flat belt coupling a variable diameter flat belt driving pulley to flat belt pulleys attached to each of the accessories. The variable diameter pulley assembly includes a shaft and a pair of pulley sheaves each having a pair of relatively movable guideway disks lying alongside each other. Inner and outer guideway disks of each pair include, respectively, first and second series of spiral guideways extending in opposite directions such that the guideway intersections locate bearing ends of a circumferential array of belt engaging elements extending between the pulley sheaves. Thus, mutual angular change between the guideway disks causes corresponding change in the effective diameter of the pulley assembly.

Abstract: A flat belt CVT is disclosed in which a geared control system is employed to establish and maintain the effective diameter of each pulley assembly by determining the mutual angular relationship between sets of inner and outer guideway disks provided with spirals oriented in the opposite sense and supporting belt engaging elements at their intersections. The sets of guideway disks are coupled through a planetary gear system which includes a component which can be externally manipulated to adjust the angular relationship between the sets of inner and outer guideway disks while rotating. The planetary gear system includes a first sun gear which meshes with star gears whose shafts are fixed in position with respect to the first sun gear. A second sun gear meshes with planet gears which may orbit around the second sun gear while rotating on a planet carrier.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission employing a flat belt extending between driving and driven pulley assemblies, each having a circumferential array of radially adjustable belt engaging elements, is disclosed in conjunction with a control system. The radial positions of the belt engaging elements of each pulley assembly depend upon the angular relationship between inner and outer guideway disk structures carrying logarithmic spiral guideways oriented in the opposite sense. Each pulley assembly includes a power consuming or producing element, such as an oil pump/motor, which is coupled through harmonic drive differential gearing to the guideway disks. When the load on the hydraulic unit operated as a pump is changed by changing the output pressure against which it pumps, the angular relationship between the inner and outer guideway disk structures changes to correspondingly change the positions of the guideway intersections.

Abstract: A flat belt CVT is disclosed in which an idler pulley is situated intermediate variable diameter driving and driven pulley assemblies and within the axial dimension given by their respective inner guideway discs. the frame supporting the idler pulley is linearly moved on a rail by the slack side belt forces to automatically position the idler pulley in an intermediate position between the belt drive elements of the driving and driven pulley assemblies in accordance with their instantaneous effective diameters. While many arrangements are possible (positioning of the idler may be accomplished on or from either side of the center line between the two pulley assemblies, etc.), a preferred disposition is disclosed in which the idler pulley is situated in a region external to the slack belt side in order that the support apparatus for the idler need not enclose moving belts.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission of the type employing a flat belt extending between driving and driven pulley assemblies, each having a circumferential array of radially adjustable belt engaging elements, is disclosed in conjunction with a self-energized control system for establishing the instantaneous radial position of the belt engaging elements. The radial positions of the belt engaging elements of each pulley assembly depend upon the angular relationship between inner and outer guideway disk structures carrying logarithmic spiral guideways oriented in the opposite sense, the resulting intersections of the spiral guideways supporting bearing regions at the ends of the belt engaging elements. Each pulley assembly includes a power consuming element, such as an oil pump, which is coupled through differential gearing, such as a harmonic drive, to the inner and outer guideway disks and to the power consuming element.