Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include a prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.

Abstract: A drive clutch including a primary post, a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, an activation assembly is provided. The fixed sheave is statically coupled to the primary post. The movable sheave is slidably mounted on the primary post. The activation assembly is in operational communication with the movable sheave to move the movable sheave on the primary post away from and towards the fixed sheave based on a centrifugal force experienced by the drive clutch. The activation assembly includes a spider, at least one trunnion slidably mounted on a spider arm and a main activation biasing member. The at least one trunnion has opposable extending trunnion arms. A roller is rotationally mounted on each trunnion arm. Each roller is positioned to engage a ramp profile associated with a sheave post extending from the movable sheave. The main activation biasing member is positioned to assert a biasing force on the spider.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include an prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.

Abstract: A clutch is provided that includes a fixed sheave portion, a movable sheave portion, a movable sheave assembly, an idler bearing and a torque drag member. The movable sheave assembly is configured to axially move the movable sheave portion in relation to the fixed sheave portion in response to a change in a rotational speed of the clutch. The idler bearing is rotationally mounted on a central post of the fixed sheave portion. The idler bearing is positioned to engage an inside face of a belt when the fixed sheave portion and the movable sheave portion are located a select distance away from each other. The torque drag member is operationally coupled to exert a select amount of torque drag on the idler bearing.

Abstract: A drive clutch including a primary post, a fixed sheave, a movable sheave, an activation assembly is provided. The fixed sheave is statically coupled to the primary post. The movable sheave is slidably mounted on the primary post. The activation assembly is in operational communication with the movable sheave to move the movable sheave on the primary post away from and towards the fixed sheave based on a centrifugal force experienced by the drive clutch. The activation assembly includes a spider, at least one trunnion slidably mounted on a spider arm and a main activation biasing member. The at least one trunnion has opposable extending trunnion arms. A roller is rotationally mounted on each trunnion arm. Each roller is positioned to engage a ramp profile associated with a sheave post extending from the movable sheave. The main activation biasing member is positioned to assert a biasing force on the spider.

Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include a prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.

Abstract: A clutch is provided that includes a fixed sheave portion, a movable sheave portion, a movable sheave assembly, an idler bearing and a torque drag member. The movable sheave assembly is configured to axially move the movable sheave portion in relation to the fixed sheave portion in response to a change in a rotational speed of the clutch. The idler bearing is rotationally mounted on a central post of the fixed sheave portion. The idler bearing is positioned to engage an inside face of a belt when the fixed sheave portion and the movable sheave portion are located a select distance away from each other. The torque drag member is operationally coupled to exert a select amount of torque drag on the idler bearing.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include an prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.

Abstract: Systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include an prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards systems, vehicles, and assemblies that include an prime mover, a transmission, and a coupler. The coupler couples the prime mover and the transmission. A preferred embodiment includes a system for forming a rigid body that includes a rotational prime mover and a transmission assembly. The transmission assembly transmits at least a portion of the rotational energy from the prime mover to a driven member at a frequency. The system includes a first and a second bridging member. Coupling the first bridging member to the second bridging member forms a symmetric bridge or coupler. The symmetric bridge is symmetric about a first plane of symmetry. Furthermore, coupling a first portion of the bridge to the rotational prime mover and coupling a second portion of the bridge to the transmission assembly forms the rigid body. The rigid body further includes the bridge.

Abstract: Friction plates (53, 67) have a friction surface which contacts a friction surface on reaction plates (54, 68) to limit the torque transferred in a drive train, after the engine, in a snowmobile, while still allowing torque transmission at a predetermined level.

Abstract: A driven element (100) has a first sheave (13) and a second moveable sheave (9). The sheaves (9 and 13) are rotatably tied together so that there is no relative motion between the two sheaves (9 and 13).

Abstract: A one-way bearing or clutch is provided to decouple a continuously variable transmission from the final drive member during reverse torque conditions.

Abstract: A continuously variable drive element (100) has its torque transmission separate from its belt-squeezing function. The torque transmission is provided by only a first and second torque transmission tower and the belt-squeezing function is provided only by first and second belt-squeezing features. The preload of a compression spring is remotely adjustable without the need of disassembling the drive element.

Abstract: A one-way bearing or clutch is provided to decouple a continuously variable transmission from the final drive member during reverse torque conditions.