Abstract: A traction device including a ring member, a carrier, and a sun member and an electric motor, wherein the electric motor is coupled to at least one of the ring member, the carrier, and the sun member.

Abstract: Described herein is a control system for a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (WT) having a ball planetary variator (CVP), providing a smooth and controlled operation. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a fork lift truck. An operator commands a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, and a direction switch (or gear selector), which are evaluated by the control system to determine a current operating state of the vehicle. Some operating states include, forward drive, reverse drive, vehicle braking, automatic deceleration, inching, power reversal, vehicle hold, and park, among others.

Abstract: Regular series-parallel hybrid electric powertrains (powersplit eCVT) are two-motor HEV propulsion systems mated with a planetary gear, and most mild or full parallel hybrid systems are single motor systems with a gearbox or continuously variable transmission (CVT) coupled with an electric machine. Coupling a ball-type continuously variable planetary (CVP), such as a VariGlide®, with one electric machine enables the creation of a parallel HEV architecture with the CVP functioning as a continuously variable transmission, and the motor providing the functionality of electric assist, starter motor capability, launch assist and regenerative braking. Two motor variants provide series-parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) architectures.

Abstract: A method of controlling a continuously variable electric drivetrain (CVED) including a high ratio traction drive transmission and at least one of a first motor-generator and a second motor-generator is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving a an output speed, determining a kinematic output speed, and determining a slip state of the high ratio traction drive transmission based on a comparison of the output speed to the kinematic output speed.

Abstract: Provided herein is an electric axle powertrain includind: a continuously variable electric drivetrain having a motor/generator and a ball-type continuously variable planetary having a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly in contact with a plurality of balls; a mode selection mechanism coupled to the continuously variable electric drivetrain; a differential coupled to the mode selection mechanism; a drive wheel axle operably coupled to the differential; and-a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the drive wheel axle.

Abstract: Regular series-parallel hybrid electric powertrains are two-motor HEV propulsion systems mated with a planetary gear, and most mild or full parallel hybrid systems are single motor systems with a gearbox or continuously variable transmission coupled with an electric machine. Coupling a ball-type continuously variable planetary (CVP), such as a VariGlide®, with one electric machine enables the creation of a parallel HEV architecture with the CVP functioning as a continuously variable transmission, and the motor providing the functionality of electric assist, starter motor capability, launch assist and regenerative braking. Two motor variants provide series-parallel hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) architectures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for echoing media via a mobile device are disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the method can include displaying automatically to a user, on the mobile device, a list of one or more respective identifiers of one or more other users experiencing respective media within a selectable geographic area. The user is then allowed to select whether to play one or more of the respective media on the mobile device, and can connect with the one or more other users via a social networking site. As a result, the user can network with previously unknown people, based on a common taste in music or other media, for example, as well as a geographic location.

Abstract: A control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission is described as having a ball planetary variator operably coupled to multiple-mode gearing. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. In some embodiments, the system is configured to predict, detect, and compensate for a torque reversal module through the ball planetary variator.

Abstract: A powertrain including: a main shaft; a first variator having a first plurality of balls in contact with a first traction ring assembly and a second traction ring assembly, and each ball operably coupled to a first carrier assembly; a second variator having a second plurality of balls in contact with a third traction ring assembly and a fourth traction ring assembly, and each ball operably coupled to a second carrier assembly; and a planetary gear set having a ring gear, a planet carrier supporting a plurality of planet gears coupled to the ring gear, and a sun gear coupled to the plurality of the planet gears. The first variator, second variator, and planetary gear set are arranged coaxially along the main shaft. The first traction ring assembly is coupled to the planetary gear set and the second traction ring assembly is coupled to the third traction ring assembly.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including: an electric axle powertrain including: a continuously variable electric drivetrain comprising a motor/generator and a ball-type continuously variable planetary (CVP), a drive wheel axle operably coupled to the continuously variable electric drivetrain, and a first wheel and a second wheel coupled to the drive wheel axle; and a controller configured to control a CVP speed ratio and determine a request for torque vectoring, wherein the controller commands a change in the CVP speed ratio based on the request for torque vectoring,

Abstract: Provided herein a vehicle including an engine, a first motor/generator, a second motor/generator, a ball-type planetary variator (CVP) and a controller configured to detect an over-temperature mode of operation, wherein the controller commands a change in a lube flow to the CVP based on the over-temperature mode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission having a ball planetary variator. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. The system also has a dither control module configured to store at least one calibration map, and configured to determine an oscillating change in speed ratio applied to a commanded speed ratio signal during operation of the CVP to manage thermal and mechanical stress on the surface of the ball.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including an engine; a first motor/generator; a second motor/generator; a variator; and a controller configured to detect an energy dissipation mode of operation, wherein the controller commands a change in the variator ratio based on the energy dissipation mode.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including: an engine; a continuously variable planetary (CVP) operably coupled to the engine; a cooling system in fluid communication with the engine and the CVP, the cooling system comprising a control valve and a working fluid; and a control system including a controller configured to control the CVP and the control valve and a working fluid temperature sensor, wherein the controller commands a change in the CVP ratio based on the working fluid temperature.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including a powertrain including a prime mover operably coupled to a transmission, wherein the transmission is operably coupled to a plurality of wheels; a plurality of sensors configured to monitor operating conditions of the vehicle including an accelerator pedal position; and a controller configured to receive signals from the plurality of sensors and send an output signal to control a torque request to the powertrain, wherein the controller includes a calibrateable map having values of the torque request based on the accelerator pedal position and an estimated weight of the vehicle.

Abstract: A control system to control the operating conditions of a Continuous Variable Transmission configured to receive signals and execute commands based at least in part on a driver's torque or load request. The control system includes a ratio controller incorporating binary logarithmic processes applied to a commanded CVP ratio and an actual CVP ratio. The binary logarithmic processes provide linearized signals to a PID controller to thereby provide a commanded CVP ratio to form a commanded CVP shift actuator position.

Abstract: Provided herein is a vehicle including a continuously variable planetary (CVP), wherein the CVP is a ball-type variator assembly having an input traction ring assembly, an output traction ring assembly, and an idler assembly in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball of the plurality of balls has a tiltable axis of rotation; and a controller configured to control a CVP speed ratio and apply a kinematic ratio constraint and a speed-based ratio constraint to a commanded CVP speed ratio near operation at unity speed ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle including: a CVP having a first traction ring and a second traction ring in contact with a plurality of balls, wherein each ball o has a tiltable axis of rotation and is supported in a carrier assembly having a first carrier member and a second carrier member, wherein a relative position of the first carrier member with respect to the second carrier member guides the tiltable axis of rotation; an electric shift actuator operably coupled to the carrier assembly, the electric shift actuator having a first rotor coupled to the first carrier member and a second rotor coupled to the second carrier member, wherein the first rotor is aligned with a first stator and the second rotor is aligned with a second stator; and a controller configured to control the electric shift actuator and a phase angle between the first rotor and the second rotor.

Abstract: Provided herein is a control system for a multiple-mode continuously variable transmission having a ball planetary variator. The control system has a transmission control module configured to receive a plurality of electronic input signals, and to determine a mode of operation from a plurality of control ranges based at least in part on the plurality of electronic input signals. The transmission control module includes a CVP control module and a clutch control module. The transmission control module is configured to control the variator and the clutches during a canceled power on upshift, a canceled power on downshift, and a transitional shift based on a driver's command.

Abstract: Provided herein is a computer-implemented system for a ball-planetary variator (CVP) having a plurality of tiltable balls supported in a carrier, the computer-implemented system including: a digital processing device including an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory device; a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device and including a shift actuator controller configured to control a plurality of operating conditions of the CVP; and a plurality of sensors configured to monitor the operating conditions of the CVP including: a CVP speed ratio setpoint and an input torque to the CVP. The shift actuator controller includes an actuator force model configured to provide a shift force setpoint based on the CVP speed ratio set point and the input torque to the CVP and commands a change in a carrier position of the CVP based at least in part on the shift force setpoint.