Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between an engine and a power train has two coaxial flywheels and at least one damper which operates between and opposes rotation of the flywheels relative to each other. The damper employs at least two arcuate coil springs which are adjacent each other in the axial direction of the flywheels and are disposed in a lubricant-containing annular chamber of the flywheel which receives torque from the engine. The springs are angularly offset relative to each other and react against stops which are provided in the chambered flywheel. Each spring bears against stops which are provided on a flange constituting the output element of the damper and serving to transmit torque to the other flywheel by way of a second damper.

Abstract: A continuously variable speed transmission with first and second adjustable sheaves and an endless flexible element which is trained over the sheaves. A torque sensor is installed between a prime mover and the shaft for the first sheave to determine the axial position of the axially movable flange of the first sheave in dependency on the transmitted torque and the selected transmission ratio. The torque sensor employs an annulus of spherical rolling elements between the surfaces of two ramps one of which is movable axially of the shaft for the first sheave to initiate controlled radial and/or axial movements of the rolling elements. The surfaces of the ramps generate torque- and transmission ratio-dependent forces.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting torque from the output shaft of the engine to the input shaft of the variable-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has a primary flywheel which is connectable to the output shaft, a secondary flywheel which is connectable to the input shaft by engaging a friction clutch, and one or more dampers which oppose rotation of the flywheels relative to each other. The flywheels define an annular chamber for the damper or dampers, and such chamber surrounds two closely adjacent portions of the flywheels which define a radially extending clearance for the flow of cooling air. The radially inner portion of the chamber is separated from the clearance by an annular seal which is located at most midway between the radially innermost and radially outermost portions of an annular friction surface on the secondary flywheel. Such friction surface is adjacent one friction lining of a clutch plate forming part of the friction clutch and being connectable to the input shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting torque from the engine to the variable-speed transmission of a motor vehicle has a primary flywheel which is connectable to the crankshaft of an engine, a secondary flywheel which is coaxial with and is rotatable relative to the primary flywheel against the opposition of one or more dampers and is connectable to the input shaft of a transmission by the clutch plate of a friction clutch having a cover which is permanently separably affixed to the secondary flywheel. An antifriction bearing between the two flywheels is located at least in part radially inwardly of fasteners which extend through holes in the first flywheel to separably connect the first flywheel to the crankshaft. At least one race of the at least one bearing is or can be integral with one of the flywheels.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between at least two flywheels in the power train of a motor vehicle wherein one flywheel rotates with the output shaft of the engine and another flywheel can drive the input shaft of a transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The flywheels are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of one or more dampers which are installed in an annular chamber of the one flywheel. The chamber contains a supply of viscous damping fluid and the one flywheel has two disc-shaped sections which are made of sheet metal and define the chamber. The sections are welded to each other radially outwardly of the chamber.

Abstract: A front wheel drive for use in motor vehicles has an engine which extends transversely of the direction of forward movement of the vehicle. The output element of the engine drives the input component of a continuously variable chain or belt transmission with adjustable sheaves which drives a differential with two coaxial output components serving to drive the front wheels. The axis of rotation of the output element of the engine is normal to the axes of rotation of primary and secondary cones of the infinitely variable gearing, and to the axes of rotation of the output components of the differential. The axes of rotation of the output components are parallel to axes of rotation of the primary and secondary cones.

Abstract: A continuously variable speed transmission wherein an input member is driven by an engine through a torque sensor and the input member drives an output member at a selected RPM through a pair of adjustable sheaves and an endless belt or chain which is trained over the sheaves. Each sheave has a fixed flange and an axially movable flange. The movable flanges can be shifted by hydraulic motors, and the pressure of fluid in such motors is determined by torque which is detected by the sensor as well as by the selected ratio of the transmission. The device which controls the pressure of fluid in the motors in dependency on the magnitude of torque and in dependency on the selected transmission ratio employs a pressure regulating valve which is connected with the torque sensor and with the motors and which is adjustable in automatic response to variations of transmission ratio.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt or chain transmission wherein the input shaft carries a first adjustable sheave and the output shaft carries a second adjustable sheave. The axially movable flanges of the sheaves are displaceable toward the associated fixedly mounted flanges by hydraulic cylinder and piston units. The pressure of fluid in such units is regulated by a torque sensor which is a hydrostatic pump installed between a prime mover and the input shaft and further serves as a means for eliminating peaks of transmitted torque and/or as a clutch. A second pump is provided to supply pressurized fluid to one or more additional cylinder and piston units which are used to change the ratio of the transmission. The cylinder and piston unit for the axially movable flange of the sheave on the output shaft can contain a diaphragm spring serving to permanently bias the respective movable flange against an endless belt or chain which is trained over the sheaves.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input shaft of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable within the limits relative to each other against the opposition of two series-connected dampers. One of the dampers has an input element in the form of two coaxial discs which are affixed to one of the flywheels and bear against the radially outwardly extending arms of a flange-like torque transmitting output element constituting the input element of the other damper. The output element of the other damper is constituted by two discs which are disposed radially inwardly of the discs of the one damper, which directly or indirectly bear against the adjacent portion of the flange-like output element of the one damper, and which rotate with the other flywheel.

Abstract: A power train for use in a motor vehicle has an infinitely variable transmission with two sheaves and a belt which is trained over the sheaves. The sheaves have fixed and axially movable flanges, and one of the sheaves is driven by the engine through a torque sensor. A first hydraulic circuit has a first pump which can supply pressurized oil to the hydraulic motors for the axially movable sheaves at a pressure determined by the torque sensor. A second hydraulic circuit has a second pump serving to supply pressurized oil to a further motor which varies the ratio of the transmission and to two friction clutches between the second sheave and an output member. The pressure of oil in the second circuit is determined by a pressure regulating valve which is adjustable by a control unit in dependency on one or more parameters of the engine.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmission of torque between the crankshaft of an engine and the input shaft of a variable-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has a primary flywheel with a membrane which is connectable to the crankshaft, a secondary flywheel which is connectable to the input shaft by way of a friction clutch, a damper with circumferentially acting coil springs in an annular chamber of the first flywheel radially outwardly of the membrane, and torque transmitting arms which are carried by the second flywheel and alternate with the coil springs of the damper. A slip clutch can be installed between the torque transmitting arms and the second flywheel to limit the magnitude of transmittable torque.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting torque from the output shaft of the engine to the input shaft of the variable-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has a primary flywheel which is connectable to the output shaft, a secondary flywheel which is connectable to the input shaft by engaging a friction clutch, and one or more dampers which oppose rotation of the flywheels relative to each other. The flywheels define an annular chamber for the damper or dampers, and such chamber surrounds two closely adjacent portions of the flywheels which define a radially extending clearance for the flow of cooling air. The radially inner portion of the chamber is separated from the clearance by an annular seal which is located at most midway between the radially innermost and radially outermost portions of an annular friction surface on the secondary flywheel. Such friction surface is adjacent one friction lining of a clutch plate forming part of the friction clutch and being connectable to the input shaft of the transmission.

Abstract: Apparatus for transmitting torque from the engine-driven crankshaft to the input shaft of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of three series-connected dampers including a pair of annular slip clutches and an elastic damper between the slip clutches. One of the slip clutches opposes all angular movements of the flywheels relative to each other and its output element transmits torque from the flywheel which is driven by the crankshaft to the input element of the elastic damper. The output element of the elastic damper is the input element of the other slip clutch which is mounted on the other flywheel and opposes rotational movements of the flywheels relative to each other within a preselected angle.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A torsion damping apparatus which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the friction clutch in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other against the opposition of a composite damper. The composite damper has two dampers which operate in series and a friction generating device which operates between one of the dampers and one of the flywheels. One of the flywheels has an axial projection which centers a flange of the composite damper.

Abstract: A continuously variable speed transmission with parallel rotary input and output shaft which respectively carry first and second adjustable sheaves for an endless belt or chain. Each sheave has a first flange which is affixed to the respective shaft and a second flange which is movable axially of the respective shaft toward and away from the adjacent first sheave. A first cylinder and piston unit can receive hydraulic fluid from a first pump to urge the second flange of the first sheave against the adjacent portion of the belt or chain, and the same pump supplies fluid to a second cylinder and piston unit which urges the second flange of the second sheave against the adjacent portion of the belt or chain. A second pump serves to supply hydraulic fluid to a third cylinder and piston unit which is located radially inwardly of the first unit and is operable to change the transmission ratio.