Abstract: A two speed transmission and belt drive system utilizing the transmission. The two speed transmission comprises a planetary gear train comprising an input pulley connected to an input carrier, and a sun gear and a ring gear. The input carrier also comprises a plurality of planetary gears disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear. The sun gear is engaged with an electromagnetic brake member. The ring gear is engaged with an output pulley. A one-way clutch is disposed between the input carrier and the output shaft. The brake member is engaged at engine idle and is disengaged at engine speeds above idle. When the brake member is engaged the sun gear does not rotate, thereby driving the ring gear and output pulley at a greater speed than the input pulley. An accessory pulley operates with the transmission output pulley resulting in an accessory speed that is proportional to an engine speed at idle.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle comprising a first engine having an accessory belt drive system comprising a belt and at least one driven pulley, the belt drivable by a driver pulley, the accessory belt drive system further comprising a motive member for driving the accessory belt drive system, the motive member comprises a motor engaged with the accessory belt drive system, a second engine operable to drive an electric power source, the electric power source electrically connected to the motive member, an alternate power source other than the electric power source connected to the motive member, a switch for selecting between the electric power source and the alternate power source, and the motive member, drivable by the electric power source or the alternate power source in order to drive the accessory belt drive system when the first engine is not operating.

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.

Abstract: The invention is an improved internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an accessory, a motor/generator, and a belt-drive system. The belt drive systems includes a crankshaft pulley, an accessory pulley, a motor/generator pulley, a belt tensioner, a belt tensioner pulley, and a power transmission belt trained about the crankshaft pulley, the accessory pulley, the motor/generator pulley, and the belt tensioner pulley. The belt tensioner pulley contacts the belt at a start-slack-side span. It is improved by the tensioner being asymmetrically biased in a direction tending to cause the power transmission belt to be under tension.

Abstract: A method of operating a belt drive accessory system comprising the steps of transmitting a torque with a first endless member from a driver member to a planetary ball transmission input, coaxially aligning the planetary ball transmission input with a planetary ball transmission output, transmitting a torque by a second endless member from the planetary ball transmission output to a driven accessory, selecting a speed ratio of the planetary ball transmission according to a driver member rotational speed, thereby operating the driven accessory at a substantially constant speed at a point of substantially maximum efficiency over a drive member rotational speed range, and frictionally locking the speed ratio of the planetary ball transmission when a drive member speed is constant.

Abstract: A belt drive system comprising a driver member, the driver member rotatably connected to a first driven member by a first endless member, a second endless member rotatably connected between the driver member and a second driven member, a first clutch disposed between the first endless member and the second endless member for selectively transmitting torque from the first endless member to the second endless member, and a second clutch disposed between the second endless member and the driver member for selectively decoupling the second endless member from the driver member.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle primary engine used to drive primary engine accessories when the primary engine is not operating. The system comprises a secondary engine that drives a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is connected to a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is integrated with an accessory belt drive system on a primary engine. The secondary engine drives the ABDS system through the hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor when the primary engine is not operating, thus allowing various primary engine accessories such as air conditioning to be operated while the primary engine is off. A one-way clutch on the primary engine crankshaft prevents the primary engine crankshaft from being turned when the hydraulic motor is driving the belt. A one-way clutch on the hydraulic motor prevents it from being driven when the primary engine is in operation.

Abstract: An expandable pulley. The expandable pulley comprises a plurality of belt blocks arranged about an axis of rotation. Each belt block bears upon a radial surface extending normally to the axis of rotation. Another surface of each belt block bears upon a conical member surface which is moveable coaxially with the axis of rotation. A spring bears upon the conical member which urges the conical member in an axial direction, which in turn urges the belt blocks radially outward to compensate for a belt length change and to maintain a belt tension. An elastic member holds the belt blocks in contact with the conical member.

Abstract: An auxiliary power system for a motor vehicle primary engine used to drive primary engine accessories when the primary engine is not operating. The system comprises a secondary engine that drives a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump is connected to a hydraulic motor. The hydraulic motor is integrated with an accessory belt drive system on a primary engine. The secondary engine drives the ABDS system through the hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor when the primary engine is not operating, thus allowing various primary engine accessories such as air conditioning to be operated while the primary engine is off. A one-way clutch on the primary engine crankshaft prevents the primary engine crankshaft from being turned when the hydraulic motor is driving the belt. A one-way clutch on the hydraulic motor prevents it from being driven when the primary engine is in operation.

Abstract: An asymmetric damping mechanism for use in a belt tensioner. The damping mechanism comprises two parts having substantially similar arcuate shapes for engaging a tensioner. The first part is in contact with the second part at a pivotable point of contact. The point of contact position is determined according to the desired asymmetric damping factor. The first part is also in contact with a spring. The second part is in contact with a tensioner arm. The damping mechanism also comprises two damping shoes, each having a damping band. The damping band is joined to the damping shoe by a plurality of vertical grooves on the damping shoe cooperating with a plurality of grooves on the damping band. The damping mechanism has an asymmetric damping factor in the range of approximately 1.5 to 5.

Abstract: The invention is an improved power transmission belt tensioner of the type having a first pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of a power transmission belt, a first arm supporting the first pulley upon which the first pulley is rotatably mounted via a first pulley bearing, a second pulley adapted to communicate with a surface of the power transmission belt, a second arm supporting the second pulley upon which the second pulley is rotatably mounted via a second pulley bearing. It is improved by the inclusion of a strut, a first attachment point for the strut, and a second attachment point for the strut, with the strut attached to the first and the second attachment points. The first arm is rotatably supported at a first pivot. The second arm is rotatably supported at a second pivot. The first pulley and the first attachment point are each laterally offset in relation to the first pivot and substantially balanced in terms of parasitic torque across the first pivot.

Abstract: A motorized tensioner that is controllable for adjusting a belt tension. The tensioner comprises a tensioner arm and a spring. One end of the spring is connected to a moveable member that is connected to a gearbox driven by an electric motor, whereby a spring position is adjustable. The other spring end is connected to a damping mechanism, which is in turn engaged with the tensioner arm. The motor and gearbox position the moveable member, and thereby a spring end, according to a control signal received from a controller. The spring end position determines the spring force and thereby the belt tension in the system. The damping mechanism frictionally interacts with a tensioner body to damp oscillatory movements of the tensioner arm.

Abstract: A dual ratio belt drive system for powering rotating accessories. The system comprises a clutch unit rotatably connected to a rotating shaft and an overrunning clutch mounted directly to the rotating shaft. The system also comprises a plurality of rotating accessories rotatably connected to said clutch unit and rotatably connected to said rotating shaft through said over-running clutch such that said accessories are driven by said clutch unit at a first speed ratio and driven directly by said rotating shaft at a second speed ratio, with said clutch unit operating at a predetermined value of an engine operating condition thereby defining the transition between said first and second speed ratios, with said clutch unit being engaged at engine start.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.

Abstract: A two speed transmission and belt drive system utilizing the transmission. The two speed transmission comprises a planetary gear train comprising an input pulley connected to an input carrier, and a sun gear and a ring gear. The input carrier also comprises a plurality of planetary gears disposed between the sun gear and the ring gear. The sun gear is engaged with an electromagnetic brake member. The ring gear is engaged with an output pulley. A one-way clutch is disposed between the input carrier and the output shaft. The brake member is engaged at engine idle and is disengaged at engine speeds above idle. When the brake member is engaged the sun gear does not rotate, thereby driving the ring gear and output pulley at a greater speed than the input pulley. An accessory pulley operates with the transmission output pulley resulting in an accessory speed that is proportional to an engine speed at idle.

Abstract: An asymmetric damping mechanism for use in a belt tensioner. The damping mechanism comprises two parts having substantially similar arcuate shapes for engaging a tensioner. The first part is in contact with the second part at a pivotable point of contact. The point of contact position is determined according to the desired asymmetric damping factor. The first part is also in contact with a spring. The second part is in contact with a tensioner arm. The damping mechanism also comprises two damping shoes, each having a damping band. The damping band is joined to the damping shoe by a plurality of vertical grooves on the damping shoe cooperating with a plurality of grooves on the damping band. The damping mechanism has an asymmetric damping factor in the range of approximately 1.5 to 5.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.

Abstract: The invention comprises a belt drive system for automatically controlling a belt tension. The system comprises an actuator controlled by a control module. The actuator operates on a pivoted pulley. A belt is trained about the pivoted pulley as well as other pulleys driving various accessories. A series of sensors in the system detect a belt condition including a belt tension. Sensor signals are transmitted to the control module. The control module processes the signals and instructs the actuator to move the pivoted pulley, thereby increasing or decreasing a belt tension. A feedback loop from the sensors to the control module allows the belt tension to be continuously monitored and adjusted many times per second. The system may actively control a belt tension by anticipating a system condition to prevent a belt noise by comparing sensor signals to instructions stored in a control module memory.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a CVT belt having two multi-ribbed belts. Each belt is engaged in an opposing slot in a transversely mounted clip. Each belt is retained in each slot by a flat belt which is sandwiched into each slot with the multi-ribbed belt.