Abstract: A traction drive transmission has an outer ring 40, a sun roller 10, support rollers 30, and one or more loading rollers 20. The outer ring 40 includes a raceway 42 presented inwardly. The sun roller 10 includes a raceway 12 presented outwardly toward the raceway 42 of the outer ring 40. The sun roller 10 is offset eccentrically with respect to the outer ring 40 so that a wedge gap 112 exists between the raceways 42, 12 of the outer ring 40 and sun roller 10. The support rollers 30 are located between the outer ring 40 and sun roller 10. Each support roller 30 has first and second raceways 36, 38 that have different diameters and contacts the raceway 12 of the sun roller 10 along its first raceway 36 and the raceway 42 of the outer ring 40 along its second raceway 38. Each loading roller 20 is located at the wedge gap 112 between the raceway 42 of the outer ring 40 and the raceway 12 of the sun roller 10.

Abstract: A steering wheel mounting assembly comprising first and second stationary rings, the second stationary ring being adapted for connection to a vehicle frame. The assembly further comprises a steering hub having a spindle with a radial flange extending therefrom. The spindle is adapted for connection with a steering shaft and the radial flange is adapted for connection with a steering wheel. The spindle has a first bearing raceway for engaging a bearing of the first stationary ring and a second bearing raceway for engaging a bearing of the second stationary ring. The steering hub has at least one opening that defines a bearing surface. A friction roller assembly, having a shaft with a third bearing thereabout, is positioned in the opening such that as the third bearing rotates relative to the bearing surface, the third bearing moves radially outward and the shaft engages the first and second cylindrical raceways.

Abstract: A drive (A) for imparting rotation about an axis (X) includes an axial flux motor (4) having a stator (38) and a rotor (44), an output drive element (8), an epicyclic gear system (6) located between the rotor of the axial flux motor and the drive element. The gear system is located within and surrounded by the motor, thus rendering the drive highly compact along its axis.

Abstract: A spindle unit (A) for effecting a manufacturing or repair procedure includes a spindle assembly (2) having a spindle (12) that holds a tool (B), an electric motor (4), and a friction drive transmission (6) located between the spindle assembly and the motor. The transmission includes a sun roller (86) driven by the motor, an outer ring (110) coupled to the spindle, and a pair of support rollers (90) located between the sun roller and outer ring to position the outer ring eccentric to the sun roller and create a wedge gap (126) between the sun roller and the outer ring. The transmission also has a loading roller (96) located at the wedge gap such that it can displace laterally and lodge tightly in the wedge gap. The spindle rotates in bearings (14, 16), one of which is a single row tapered roller bearing that transfers thrust loads developed during the procedure.

Abstract: A wheel end (A) has a housing (2, 70, 80, 90) and a hub (4) provided with a spindle (32) that projects into the housing, and the hub rotates relative to the housing on an antifriction bearing (6) located between the housing and hub spindle. The housing has a tubular core (12, 72, 82, 92) that encloses the bearing and ring mounts (14, 74, 84, 94) spaced outwardly from the core and also webs (16,76,86,96) that connect the ring mounts to the core. A road wheel (B) is attached to the hub and rotates with the hub relative to the housing. The housing is secured to a suspension upright (C) at its ring mounts. The core deflects relative to the ring mounts, owning to forces and moments transferred through the bearing from the suspension upright to the road wheel and vice versa, and the magnitude of those forces and moments are reflected in signals derived from strain sensor modules (SM) attached to the webs of the housing.

Abstract: An integrated electric motor hub drive 1 that combines an electric motor subassembly (30), a sunless differential planetary gear drive subassembly (20), and a hub bearing assembly (10) together in a coaxial assembly to provide a compact high gear reduction electric hub drive system.

Abstract: A steering wheel mounting assembly comprising a stationary support carrier, first and second drive rings, and a drive roller assembly. The stationary support carrier defines first and second ring receiving areas. The first drive ring has a first cylindrical raceway, is supported in the first ring receiving area, and is adapted for connection to a steering wheel. The second drive ring has a second cylindrical raceway, is positioned in the second ring receiving area, and is adapted for connection to a steering shaft. The drive roller assembly is supported within the first and second cylindrical raceways and comprises first and second roller planets, a sun roller supported in frictional engagement with the first and second roller planets, a first loading planet frictionally positioned between the sun roller and the first cylindrical raceway, and a second loading planet frictionally positioned between the sun roller and the second cylindrical raceway.

Abstract: A wedge loading mechanism for an eccentric planetary traction drive in which a roller having a flexibly mounted shaft is positioned between two raceways forming a convergent wedge. Rotation of either of the two raceways wedges the roller within the convergent wedge squeezing the roller between the two raceways thereby transmitting rotational motion and torque between the two raceways. The flexibly mounted shaft generates differences between an effective supporting stiffness of the roller and an contact effective stiffness at the points where the roller contacts the two raceways. The difference in the effective stiffness allow the roller to operate efficiently at smaller convergent wedge angles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the speed of a target object passing a pair of sensor units (12) displaced apart by a predetermined distant L in the direction of motion of the target object (16). Passage of one or more features of the target object (16) past the first sensor unit (12A) results in the generation of a signal (x1), and passage of the same feature of the target object (16) past the second sensor unit (12B) results in the generate of a second signal, (x2). A signal processor (18) is configured to determine a mathematical correlation between signals (x1) and (x2), and an associated time delay (?0). The speed (v) of the target object (16) is calculated by the signal processor (18) as the ratio of the predetermined distance (L) to the time delay (?0).

Abstract: An eccentric planetary traction drive transmission which includes at least two planetary rollers, sun roller member, and a carrier member. One of the planetary rollers is flexible and is positioned between and in contact with an outer ring member and the sun roller member. Rotation of either the outer ring member or the sun roller member wedges the flexible planetary roller within a convergent wedge gap which squeezes the flexible planetary roller between the outer ring member and the sun roll member. Friction between the flexible planetary roller, the sun roller member, and the outer ring member transmits rotational motion and torque between the outer ring member and the sun roller member. The other at least one supporting planetary roller is a supporting roller which supports the sun roller member and the carrier member. A plurality of bearings supports the sun roller member within the outer ring member and the at least one supporting planetary roller.

Abstract: An integrated speed reducer and gerotor pump is disclosed. The device comprises a motor, a speed reducer, and a gerotor pump. The motor provides torque at an elevated speed. The speed reducer is coupled with the motor and converts the torque at an elevated speed into torque at a reduced speed. The gerotor pump is coupled with the speed reducer and uses the torque at the reduced speed for pumping fluids.

Abstract: A method for power management in an electro-mechanical power-split infinitely variable transmission (eVT) designed to be operated within a designated speed ratio range for vehicular applications. The eVT is comprised of an input shaft coupled to the output shaft of a drive engine to receive power, a drive shaft, two electric machines, and a pair of planetary trains each having a sun member, a ring member, a set of planetary members, and a planet carrier. The eVT further contains one or more torque transfer devices to connect or disconnect members of the planetary trains for transferring torque. The drive shaft is coupled with a final drive of a vehicle for delivering or recapturing power to or from the vehicle drive wheels. The two electric machines are interconnected electronically via a power control unit and are coupled respectively with members of the planetary train.

Abstract: A method for power management in an electro-mechanical power-split infinitely variable transmission (eVT) designed to operated within a designated speed ratio range for vehicular applications. The eVT is comprised of an input shaft coupled to the output shaft of a drive engine to receive power, a drive shaft, two electric machines, and a pair of planetary trains each having a sun member, a ring member, a set of planetary members, and a planet carrier. The eVT further contains one or more torque transfer devices to connect or disconnect members of the planetary trains for transferring torque. The drive shaft is coupled with a final drive of a vehicle for delivering or recapturing power to or from the vehicle drive wheels. The two electric machines are interconnected electronically via a power control unit and are coupled respectively with members of the planetary train.

Abstract: A two speed transmission having an input shaft and an output shaft, the two speed transmission being capable of changing the rotating speed of the output shaft from a first speed ratio to a second speed ratio, the shift between the first rotating speed ratio and the second rotating speed ratio being smoothly accomplished by the present invention's combination of two sets of planetary gear clusters and two electric motors, the electric motors being used to smooth the mechanical shift between the first speed ratio and the second speed ratio.

Abstract: A hub assembly includes a carrier that is attached to a supporting structure, a shaft having a pair of sun rollers located in the carrier, a hub having a pair of rings, each surrounding a different sun roller, and planet rollers arranged in two rows between the sun rollers and the rings. The carrier has axles about which the planet rollers rotate. The planet rollers bear against each other at beveled end faces such the rollers on each axle back each other. Each roller contains an antifriction bearing which enables it to revolve on its axle and transfer radially and/or axially directed loads to the carrier. The planet roller axles are supported in the carrier such that wheel loads are transferred from the hub to the carrier and then to a supporting structure to which the carrier is mounted such that the wheel loads bypass a central shaft which extends through the hub and carrier.

Abstract: A traction drive has inner and outer rings and drive and idler rollers organized in two rows between the rings, with the drive rollers being in an inner row and the idler rollers being in an outer row. The drive rollers contact the inner ring and the idler rollers contact the outer ring. At least one idler roller exists for every drive roller, with the idler roller and its drive roller being in contact between the two rings. Moreover, each idler roller is offset slightly circumferentially with respect to its drive roller such that the idler roller occupies a convergent space between its drive roller and the outer ring. The drive rollers rotate within an inner carrier, while the idler rollers rotate within an outer carrier and one of the carriers can rotate slightly relative to the other carrier. Each drive roller may be coupled with an electric motor.

Abstract: A power split hybrid wheel drive system of the present invention comprises a planetary gear train (16) coupled to the output shaft of a driving engine (12). A primary motor or generator (18) is coupled to an output shaft of the planetary gear train (16) for receiving power therefrom, and a secondary motor or generator (30, 32) is associated with each driven vehicle wheel (14) to provide an electrical power pathway. A mechanical differential gear train (20) is coupled between the output shaft of the planetary gear train (16) and each driven vehicle wheel; (14) to provide a mechanical power pathway, while a mechanical clutch (22) and brake system (24) is configured to regulate the mechanical power routed to the differential gear train (20). A control system (48) is included to regulate the flow of electrical power between the primary motor (18) and secondary motors or generators (30, 32).

Abstract: An electro-mechanical vehicle power transmission (10) comprises two planetary trains (12, 14) defining mechanical pathways, two electric machines (20, 22) defining an electrical pathway, and at least one torque transfer device (24) that can selectively couple between one component and another component or components to transfer torque. Each planetary train includes a sun member (12A, 14A), a ring member (12B, 14B), and a plurality of planet members (12C, 14C) engaged with the ring member and the sun member. Each planetary train includes a planet carrier (12D, 14D) configured to hold the planet members in an annular space between the ring member and the sun members. Each electric machine can be operated either as a motor to covert electrical energy to mechanical energy or as a generator to convert mechanic energy to electric energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the speed of a target object passing a pair of sensor units (12) displaced apart by a predetermined distant L in the direction of motion of the target object (16). Passage of one or more features of the target object (16) past the first sensor unit (12A) results in the generation of a signal (x1), and passage of the same feature of the target object (16) past the second sensor unit (12B) results in the generate of a second signal, (x2). A signal processor (18) is configured to determine a mathematical correlation between signals (x1) and (x2), and an associated time delay (?0). The speed (v) of the target object (16) is calculated by the signal processor (18) as the (ratio of the predetermined distance (L) to the time delay (?0).

Abstract: An integrated electric motor and traction drive is disclosed. The device comprises an electric motor and a traction drive. The electric motor provides power at a high angular velocity to a sun roller. The sun roller transfers the power to the traction drive which reduces the power to a lower angular velocity and delivers it via an output shaft.