Abstract: The infinitely variable cone disk-wrapping vee belt drive comprises a pair of coaxial cone disks defining between them a vee-shaped groove and comprising an axially fixed, first cone disk and a second cone disk, which is axially displaceable relative to said first cone disk. A vee belt is trained around said first and second cone disks in said vee-shaped groove. First spring means urge said second cone disk axially toward said first cone disk. Locking means are provided, which are non-rotatably connected to one of said cone disks and movable to a locking position, in which said locking means hold said second cone disk against an axial displacement. Second spring means are provided, which urge said locking means to said locking position. Said locking means are arranged to unlock said second cone disk in response to a centrifugal force acting on said locking means and overcoming the force of said second spring means.

Abstract: A variable drive ratio pulley system has longitudinally adjustable pulley halves operated by fluid pressure which acts on piston and cylinder structures operatively connected with the adjustable pulley halves. The fluid pressure in one of the piston and cylinder structures is controlled by a valve spool responsive to an actuator on which a lever member is pivotally disposed and maintained in abutment with the drive surface on the adjustable pulley half. The lever member also abuts a control rod which is linearly movable in response to command signals. Linear movement of the control rod initiates pivoting of the lever member and enforces or permits resultant linear movement of the actuator so that the spool valve is operated to change the pressure level operating on the piston thereby permitting movement of the pulley half resulting in a change of the drive ratio.

Abstract: An infinitely variable cone-pulley, belt-type transmission having at least two cone-pulley pairs each mounted on a respective shaft, with one axially displaceable cone-pulley of each pair being formed as a rotating pressure cylinder of a piston firmly connected with the associated shaft, and the pressure application forces are generated hydraulically in the cylinder in dependence upon load and transmission ratio. Such transmissions are further provided with a transmission ratio setting member and a control slide valve coupled therewith which distributes the pressure fluid to the pressure cylinders, at least one adjustable pressure control valve controlling the application pressure, in dependence on load and transmission ratio, in the return conduit of the control slide valve for the hydraulic pressure necessary on the drive-output side of the transmission. The pressure control valve is mounted to rotate with one shaft and includes a valve body which is actuatable by a movable intermediate member, e.g.

Abstract: A torque-sensing pulley is disclosed wherein one of the pulley sections is attached to a central shaft, the other pulley section has a cam operatively connected to a matching cam carried by the shaft, means are provided for biasing the cams apart and biasing the pulley sections together, and including damping means for preventing sudden change in the axial spacing of the pulley sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerative braking device (10) for an automotive vehicle. The device includes an energy storage assembly (12) having a plurality of rubber rollers (26, 28) mounted for rotation between an input shaft (36) and an output shaft (42), clutches (38, 46) and brakes (40, 48) associated with each shaft, and a continuously variable transmission (22) connectable to a vehicle drivetrain and to the input and output shafts by the respective clutches. The rubber rollers are torsionally stressed to accumulate energy from the vehicle when the input shaft is clutched to the transmission while the brake on the output shaft is applied, and are torsionally relaxed to deliver energy to the vehicle when the output shaft is clutched to the transmission while the brake on the input shaft is applied. The transmission ratio is varied to control the rate of energy accumulation and delivery for a given rotational speed of the vehicle drivetrain.