Abstract: An all-gear differential designed primarily for motor vehicle use, employing a “cross-axis” arrangement defined by a pair of helical “side” or “S” gears rotatable about a common first axis and mountable on respective opposite vehicle axles, and one or more pairs of “balance” or “B” gears rotatable about second axes orthogonal to the first axis. The B gears have helical central portions for meshing with the helical S gears, and have spur gear end portions for meshing with each other. The B/S helical gear tooth ratio between each balance gear and its respective side gear greater than 0.60 and preferably is about 0.75, and the B/S helical angle ratio between each balance gear and its respective side gear is less than 43°/47°, more preferably is less than 40°/50° and about 35°/55°, and most preferably is about 27°/63°.

Abstract: The differential steering drive for a tracked vehicle includes a drive differential interconnecting the drive shafts for the tracks and a steering differential for superimposing additive and subtractive rotations to the tracks for steering and pivot turning. In the preferred embodiment for high speed tracked vehicles, the drive differential is an all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differential, and the steering differential is an unlimited-slip differential. The differentials are arranged to provide no-slip track operation traveling in straight paths or when steering so long as at least one track has traction. In another embodiment for pivot-turning slow-moving off-road vehicles, both the drive differential and the steering differential are all-gear no-clutch type limited-slip differentials.

Abstract: A process provides energy from a hydrogen flame to produce ultra high temperature steam, which is water vapor having a temperature over 1200° C., as an energy transfer medium to drive a steam turbine. The hydrogen fuel may be supplied to the system from a source of isolated hydrogen such as compressed or liquefied H2, but is more preferably generated near its site of combustion, e.g., by irradiating an aqueous solution of one or more inorganic salts or minerals with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation having a spectrum and intensity selected for optimal hydrogen production. The ultra high temperature steam is produced by contacting the hydrogen flame and its combustion gases with surfaces in a ceramic steam generation unit. In one embodiment, a radiofrequency generator produces hydrogen gas from sea water to provide hydrogen fuel to produce steam to drive the turbine.

Abstract: The transmission includes a minimal-orbiter gear complex and a single infinitely-variable rotary control device. The minimal orbiter includes only a control gear and an output gear interconnected by the different gearing portions of at least one cluster gear supported by an orbiting web responsive to an input drive provided by a primary engine. The rotary control device may be any kind of apparatus that is capable of providing resistance torque that can match the torque of the primary engine to slow and stop the control gear of the orbital complex. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the rotary control device is a hydraulic jack machine having a drive shaft connected to an adjustable swash plate that provides primary control of the flow of fluid through the machine.

Abstract: A compact, all-gear full-traction differential including meshing pairs of side gears and worm wheel balance gears wherein the numbers of teeth in the spur gear portion and worm wheel portion of each balance gear and in each side gear are all evenly divisible by 2 or by 3, preferably by both 2 and 3. Examples of such a configuration are: spur=12 teeth; worm wheel portion=6 teeth; side gear=12 teeth or spur=18 teeth; worm wheel portion=6 teeth; side gear=12 teeth. The invention is applicable to all cross-axis differential gear assemblies.

Abstract: The compact, all-gear full-traction differential includes meshing pairs of side-gear worms and worm-wheel balance gears having a “hybrid” design. Preferably, the teeth of each side-gear worm have an involute profile but are cut with only plunge feed, while the teeth of the worm-wheel portions of the balance gears are helicoid worms having tip and root modifications made by a concave-shaped cutter. The side-gear worm teeth have a helix angle equal to or greater than 45° and significantly chamfered ends, and the gears are designed to provide a gear ratio between 1.5:1 and 2.5:1. The numbers of teeth in the spur-gear portion and worm-wheel portion of each balance gear and in each side-gear worm are all divisible by 2 or by 3, preferably by both 2 and 3.

Abstract: A process provides energy from a hydrogen flame to produce ultra high temperature steam, which is water vapor having a temperature over 1200° C., as an energy transfer medium to drive a steam turbine. The hydrogen fuel may be supplied to the system from a source of isolated hydrogen such as compressed or liquefied H2, but is more preferably generated near its site of combustion by irradiating an aqueous solution of one or more inorganic salts or minerals with radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation having a spectrum and intensity selected for optimal hydrogen production. The ultra high temperature steam is produced by contacting the hydrogen flame and its combustion gases with surfaces in a ceramic steam generation unit. In one embodiment, a radiofrequency generator produces hydrogen gas from sea water to provide hydrogen fuel to produce steam to drive the turbine.

Abstract: The transmission includes an orbital gear complex in combination with a variable hydraulic pump and motor. The input to the transmission is increased in speed by the orbital gearing such that, when the pump and motor are not operating, the orbiter is stationary, and the orbital gearing produces an overdrive condition. A gear reduction is accomplished by rotating the web with the web-rotating device, providing a high gear reduction. The pump and motor are preferably long-piston hydraulic machines with infinitely variable swash plates. The hydraulic machines preferably have wobblers stabilized by full gimbals and hold-down plates with elongated holes for the long pistons to eliminate possible impacts between the hold-down plates and the head ends of the long pistons when the swash-plates are at or near their maximum angle of inclination.

Abstract: The transmission includes a minimal-orbiter gear complex and a single infinitely-variable rotary control device. The minimal orbiter includes only a control gear and an output gear interconnected by the different gearing portions of at least one cluster gear supported by an orbiting web responsive to an input drive provided by a primary engine. The rotary control device may be any kind of apparatus that is capable of providing resistance torque that can match the torque of the primary engine to slow and stop the control gear of the orbital complex. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the rotary control device is a hydraulic jack machine having a drive shaft connected to an adjustable swash plate that provides primary control of the flow of fluid through the machine.

Abstract: In the basic embodiment, the transmission includes (a) a minimal-orbiter gear complex having only a control gear and an output gear interconnected by the gearing portions of at least one cluster gear supported by an orbiting web responsive to an input drive provided by a primary engine and (b) a single, infinitely-variable rotary control device providing resistance torque to counter engine torque to slow and stop the control gear of the orbital complex. The rotary control device, which may be a hydraulic jack or an electrically braked magnetic wheel, provides no propelling motion but rather only provides a resistive torque. In a preferred embodiment for automotive use, the engine torque is split at all times between two mechanical paths. One path drives the web of a minimal orbiter gear set, and the other drives the sun gear of a single, standard planetary gear set.

Abstract: The differential steering drive for a vehicle includes a drive differential and a steering differential. The vehicle includes respective left and right driving traction elements, a propulsion engine with an engine crankshaft, and a steering wheel rotatable by an operator to indicate an intended direction of travel. At least one of the drive differential and the steering differential includes an all-gear limited slip differential. In another embodiment, both the drive differential and the steering differential include an all-gear limited slip differential.

Abstract: The compact, all-gear full-traction differential includes meshing pairs of side-gear worms and worm-wheel balance gears having a “hybrid” design. Preferably, the teeth of each side-gear worm have an involute profile but are cut with only plunge feed, while the teeth of the worm-wheel portions of the balance gears are helicoid worms having tip and root modifications made by a convex-shaped cutter. The side-gear worm teeth have a helix angle equal to or greater than 45° and significantly chamfered ends, and the gears are designed to provide a gear ratio between 1.5:1 and 2.5:1. The numbers of teeth in the spur-gear portion and worm-wheel portion of each balance gear and in each side-gear worm are all divisible by 2 or by 3, preferably by both 2 and 3.

Abstract: Differential reduction drives on opposite sides of a vehicle are steer driven by a pair of worm gears (110) meshed with worm wheels (111) inputting steering torque into each reduction drive. The worm gears are rotationally interconnected so that the steering torque applied to the reduction drives is respectively equal and opposite. The arrangement allows a simple steering control shaft (46) to receive steering control torque for normal turning and driving torque for propulsion drive-assisted pivot turning. A pivot turn brake (120), applied to the drive torque train, can make pivot turning precise.

Abstract: A no-slip, imposed differential uses a first unlimited slip differential 15 connected for driving a pair of axle shafts 16 and 17 and a second unlimited slip differential 20 connected between a pair of control shafts 22 and 23. One of the axle shafts and one of the control shafts are connected for rotation in the same direction, and the other axle shaft and the other control shaft are connected for rotation in opposite directions. An input control gear 40 meshed with a ring gear 21 for second differential 20 can rotate control shafts 22 and 23 to impose differential rotation on axle shafts 16 and 17 via the shaft connecting means. This provides a no-slip drive when control gear 40 is not turning and a steering drive by imposed differential rotation when control gear 40 turns. A clutched power take-off 82 can direct propulsion torque to the steering control input for rapid pivot turns.

Abstract: A no-slip, imposed differential uses a first unlimited slip differential 15 connected for driving a pair of axle shafts 16 and 17 and a second unlimited slip differential 20 connected between a pair of control shafts 22 and 23. One of the axle shafts and one of the control shafts are connected for rotation in the same direction, and the other axle shaft and the other control shaft are connected for rotation in opposite directions. An input control gear 40 meshed with a ring gear 21 for second differential 20 can rotate control shafts 22 and 23 to impose differential rotation on axle shafts 16 and 17 via the shaft connecting means. This provides a no-slip drive when control gear 40 is not turning and a steering drive by imposed differential rotation when control gear 40 turns.