Abstract: A gear train having an internal gear mechanism is disclosed for use with a continuously variable transmission unit of the nutating traction drive type. The gear train includes a body rotatable about a central axis, a first pinion gear rotatably mounted on the body on an inclined axis, a second pinion gear rotatably mounted on the central axis, and either one or two tapered internal gears rotatably mounted on the body on a nutating axis for transferring torque between the pinion gears. The gear train is simple, compact, and relatively efficient.

Abstract: A torque proportioning differential (10/110) is disclosed for a wheeled vehicle or the like which has a driven carrier (18/112), first and second output members (68,72/138,140), first and second radially outer gears (44,48/122,124), first and second radially inner gears (56,58/126,128), a gear mechanism (26,28/116,118) rotatably mounted on the carrier for cross connecting the outer and inner gears, and first and second coupling devices (78,80/130,134,142,144) for delivering more than 50% and less than 100% of the input torque to the slower output member, with the coupling devices being connected to the output members and at least one of each of the outer and inner gears. Positive drive of each output member is achieved in each direction of rotation of the carrier without a significant degree of energy dissipation.

Abstract: A drive apparatus (10) includes a drive member (11) and a connected driving ring gear (23) rotatable about a first axis (21) for supplying power to a torque converter (13). A compact speed change mechanism (16) interconnects the driving ring gear (23) and torque converter (13) and includes a driven ring gear (25) connected to the torque converter, and a support device (17,20,32,50). The support device (17,20,32,50) rotatably supports the driven ring gear (25) on a second axis (27) offset from the first axis (21), and the meshed ring gears (23,25) have a preselected tooth differential to effect a speed change therebetween. The support device includes a support member (17) having a portion (18) journalled in the drive member (11), and an arm (50) on the support member is rotationally fixed while it is allowed to have a preselected amount of play movement.

Abstract: A compact reversible variable speed clutch transmission and differential including a rotable input shaft having a drive gear (76), forward and reverse gears (88,84) engaged with the drive gear on opposite sides thereof, and a pair of selectively operable clutches each having an input (92) connected to an associated one of the forward and reverse gears and an output (94). The clutch outputs are connected to the inputs (110) of a variable speed nutating transmission (120) which includes a pair of independently rotatable outputs (116). The transmission includes a pair of nutating elements (130) each having a surface (132) which is a non-cylindrical surface of revolution. The elements are mounted for rotation by a mounting device (126,128) for rotation and there is included a pair of drive units (134) one for each nutating element, fixedly connecting thereto and to an associated one of the outputs.

Abstract: A hydromechanical vehicle transmission system for an engine most efficiently operated at a single speed is disclosed providing an infinitely variable reduction ratio for a given constant input speed requiring minimum operator skill in operation of the vehicle speed control and the engine torque control in both full and part load operation. The transmission consists of a multi-speed hydrostatic mechanical arrangement using a variable displacement hydrostatic pump-motor in conjunction with a fixed displacement hydrostatic pump-motor providing two power paths through the transmission, one hydrostatic and one mechanical. The preferred embodiment discloses four gear ranges although three gear ranges are sufficient to fulfill the objects of the invention.