Abstract: A bicycle bottom bracket structure is provided that has a dynamo for generating electricity when the rider is pedaling the bicycle. The dynamo has a stationary part fixed to a portion of a bicycle frame and a rotational part coupled to rotate relative to the portion of the bicycle frame. Preferably, the rotational part of the dynamo is coupled to an axle of the bicycle bottom bracket structure via a planetary gear unit. Thus, the planetary gear unit is coupled between the axle and the rotational part of the dynamo such that the rotational part of the dynamo rotates faster than the axle.

Abstract: The invention starts from an actuating drive (10) with an electric motor (12), which drives an output shaft (32) via a toothed wheel gear (14) in a planetary design, which includes a first housing-mounted central wheel (16) and a second rotatable central wheel (18), whereby both central wheels (16, 18) each form gear steps with different step-down ratios with at least one planet wheel (20, 22) and the planet wheel (20) belonging to the first central wheel (16) is connected to the planet wheel (22) belonging to the second central wheel (18) in a torque-proof manner. It is proposed that the electric motor (12) drive a planet carrier (26) on which the planet wheels (20, 22) are pivoted.

Abstract: An engine starter equipped with an impact absorber. The impact absorber is arranged between a planetary gear train and an overrunning clutch of the starter. The absorber includes a friction plate which is disposed between a clutch outer and a carrier plate of the overrunning clutch and urged elastically into frictional abutment with the carrier plate. This structure eliminates the need for installing the friction plate on an internal gear of the planetary gear train, thus permitting the internal gear to be reduced in size.

Abstract: A steering actuator of an independent type steer-by-wire system comprises a housing fixed to a vehicle body and an ultrasonic motor. The ultrasonic motor has a stator internally fixed to the housing and a rotator rotating relative to the stator when an electric current is applied. A steering rod having a first end and a second end penetrates through a center portion of the ultrasonic motor. The first end of the steering rod extends out of the housing for connection to a tie rod. In one embodiment, a ring gear, planetary gears, sun gear and/or racks formed at the steering rod are operably associated with converting rotating movement of the ultrasonic motor into linear movement of the steering rod. In another embodiment, a rotator ring, a plurality of pinions, worm gears and a plurality of racks formed at the steering rod are operably associated with converting rotating movement of the ultrasonic motor into linear movement of the steering rod.

Abstract: A clutch-driven limited force actuator is disclosed having a motor, a planetary gear mechanism in operative communication with the motor and a clutch plate. The clutch plate includes a contact surface selectively in frictional contact with the planetary gear mechanism to drive an actuator arm. In operation, the frictional force between the planetary gear mechanism and the clutch plate causes the actuator arm to actuate. The actuator arm can be connected to any element that requires actuation. The actuator of the present invention is preferably used in a wheelchair lift to actuate any mechanism that must have a safe limit on the amount of force applied to obstacles and that must have provision for direct manual operation.

Abstract: A noise reduction structure is provided for use with a meshing gear assembly, such as in a power take-off unit for selectively providing power to one or more rotatably driven accessories. The meshing gear assembly includes meshing input and output gears that are supported within a housing and are rotatably driven during use. A helical coil wrap spring extends about and is frictionally engaged with a portion of the output gear. A first end of the wrap spring extends outwardly therefrom to form a control tang that extends adjacent to an abutment surface provided on the housing of the power take-off unit. As a result, the wrap spring is prevented from rotating relative to the housing as the output gear is rotatably driven.

Abstract: A power transmission employs a plurality of torque-to-thrust apparatus to control the engagement and disengagement of the transmission ratios. Each of the torque-to-thrust apparatus is operatively connectible with a pair of electric motors, which are individually operable to control the operation of the torque-to-thrust apparatus. During transmission operation, one of the electric motors is operable to disengage a friction device within the transmission while the other electric motor is operable to engage a different friction device within the transmission, thus permitting controlled ratio upshifts and downshifts.

Abstract: A control system controls a DC motor which operates a shifting mechanism. The control system includes switch circuit with a plurality of switches which connect terminals of the motor to a power supply. In order to limit the speed and torque, the control system operates the DC motor via pulse-width modulation so that the DC motor is alternately operated in a supply mode and in a short-circuit mode. The alternating supply and short-circuit modes result in operating states in which the motor is alternately driven and decelerated. Consequently, the speed and torque of the DC motor can be limited by the pulse-width modulation of control signals.

Abstract: A transfer case includes a two-speed range unit, a friction clutch, an actuation mechanism, and a control system. The actuation mechanism includes an electric motor, a geartrain driven by the motor, a range actuator assembly and a mode actuator assembly. The range actuator assembly includes a driveshaft driven by the geartrain, a cam driven by the driveshaft, and a shift fork having a follower retained in a groove formed in the cam and a fork engaging a shift collar associated with the range unit. The mode actuator assembly has a cam member with ramp surfaces and a control gear with rollers engaging the ramp surfaces. The control gear is rotatively driven by the geartrain. The cam member is axially moveable for controlling engagement of the friction clutch. An anti-rotation mechanism limits rotation of the cam member in response to continued rotation of the control gear.

Abstract: An actuator for a motor vehicle transmission has a shift cylinder performing rotary actuating movements. An electric motor is arranged inside the shift cylinder and drives the latter either through a harmonic drive mechanism or a planetary drive mechanism. The arrangement provides a high reduction ratio and an efficient use of limited space.

Abstract: A window operator with means for electric operation of windows and comprising a magazine (8, 9) for an opening member (80), a drive member (10) for the opening member (80), an electric motor (5) and a worm gear (15, 40) coupled with the shaft (41) of the motor. A preferably static self-locking reduction gear is inserted between the worm gear (40, 15) and the drive member (10). The worm (40) and the worm wheel (15) of the worm gear are furthermore supported so that their respective axes of rotation (41, 63) are mutually movable.

Abstract: A modular gear system for transmitting power from a motor to a device such as a pump which requires power to operate. The system includes a gearbox and first and second planetary gearset assemblies connectable between an output shaft of the motor and a drive shaft of the pump. The system may be configured as either a single-stage mode wherein the first gearset assembly is received in the gearbox to produce a rotational speed adjustment between the shafts, or a multi-stage mode wherein both the first and second gearset assemblies are received in the gearbox and are connected in series to produce a different rotational speed adjustment. The system provides flexibility for different speed and power requirements and is adaptable to a variety of motors.

Abstract: A series of motors with speed reducers which can meet user demands for reduction ratios or requests for the types of speed reducers with flexibility and reliability and can lower noise and vibration level. When a plurality of types of speed reducers are combined with motors to make arbitrary motors with speed reducers selectable, a plurality of simple planetary roller units 120 each including a sun roller 121, planetary rollers 122, and a ring roller 123 are provided. The plurality of simple planetary roller units 120 are selected and coupled to covers 110 around the output shafts of the motors to make a plurality of medium-speed motor groups SMC configurable. The plurality of types of speed reducers are selectable and connectable to medium-speed motors of the same size through a carrier 100 for synchronizing with the revolution component of the planetary rollers 122.

Abstract: In a starter, an output shaft is disposed on a same axial line with a motor shaft through a planetary gear reduction device. The output shaft has an accommodation recess at the rear end thereof and rotatably receives the top end of the motor shaft therein through a ball. The output shaft and the motor shaft have respective end surfaces opposing each other in the axial direction with a spacing therebetween under a condition that the ball is disposed between the output shaft and the motor shaft. A thrust receiving member thinner than the spacing is disposed in the spacing. The thrust receiving member limits a movement of the output shaft toward the motor due to wear of the accommodation recess.

Abstract: A rotary actuator has a synchronous motor and an internally meshing planetary reduction gear having a first shaft rotated by the synchronous motor, an outer gear mounted to said first shaft with an eccentric part so as to be eccentrically rotatable around said first shaft, an inner gear with which said outer gear meshes internally, and a second shaft connected to said outer gear with a transmission means that only transmits said outer gear rotation on its axis to the second shaft. The synchronous motor and the internally meshing planetary reduction gear are accommodated inside a housing, and the first shaft doubles as a rotor shaft of the synchronous motor. An incremental encoder provided along a rotary shaft of the synchronous motor detects the rotation angle of a rotor of the synchronous motor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a gearbox (8) for a vehicle (2), comprising a housing (26) and a gear-shifting device which is arranged inside the housing. Said gearbox also comprises an electromechanical actuator (24) having a first electric motor (32) for performing a selection movement of the gear-shifting device, a second electric motor (34) for performing a gear-shifting movement of the gear-shifting device, and a control system (22) for receiving sensor signals, for processing said sensor signals and for transmitting control signals to the electric motors (32, 34). The rotational axis of the first electric motor (32) and the rotational axis of the second electric motor (34) are parallel.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical power transmission equipment, consisting of casing (3-3d) and inside the casing (3-3d) the power transfer arrangement having the power-in-axle (1) and the power-out axle (8), and between them an electricity generating and torque-transferring main generator arrangement (17,20,21,22) rotated by the axle (1), and an electric motor arrangement (29,30,31,31) that rotates axle (8), and the incoming rotational power is divided by the first planetary gear set (e.g.2b,4,5,6,7) between power-out axle (8) and the electric power transmission.

Abstract: A new, useful and compact wheel motor drive arrangement for applications on such construction equipment as scissor lifts and other similar scaffolding equipment where hydraulically driven systems have historically been used to provide power to the wheels to move the equipment is disclosed. An electric motor is mounted to a spindle bracket which is pivotably connected to the frame of the equipment to allow the unit to be pivoted around a vertical axis for steering purposes. A gear reducing planetary gear system is mounted around the drive shaft of the motor is positioned totally within the rotating wheel hub. The output ring gear of the planetary gear system is integrally formed to the interior of the wheel hub so that there is a direct application through the planetary gear system to the wheel hub to provide greater efficiency.

Abstract: A planetary gear unit (7) in an electrically operated brake transmits a brake applying rotational movement with reduced speed to the brake. The unit has two stages with an ingoing first shaft (16), a second shaft (22) and an outgoing gear (26) as well as planet wheels (19, 24), sun wheel gearings (18, 23) and housing gearings (20, 25). The first and second shafts are journalled in relation to each other, and the outgoing gear is journalled on the second shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is an electro-magnetic clutch apparatus that includes a plurality of planetary gears. The plurality of gears is configured so that the plurality of gears engages with and revolves around the a first rotatable body when the first rotatable body is rotating. A second rotatable body provides support for the plurality of gears around the first rotatable body. The first rotatable body and the second rotatable body are configured so that when an electromagnetic force supplied by an electromagnetic force generating means is applied or removed, the internal gear is fixed or free to rotate. The first rotatable body and the second rotatable body couple when the internal gear is fixed causing torque to be transmitted from the first rotatable body to the second rotatable body. When the internal gear is freely rotatable or not fixed, the first rotatable body and the second rotatable body are decoupled and torque is not transmitted from the first rotatable body to the second rotatable body.

Abstract: A transfer case for use in motor vehicles for transferring drive torque from a powertrain to first and second drivelines includes a first output shaft that is connected to the powertrain of the vehicle and is adapted to transmit drive torque from the powertrain to the first driveline. A second output shaft is adapted to transmit drive torque to the second driveline, and a transfer clutch is adapted to transfer drive torque from the first output shaft to the second output shaft. A ball screw assembly is adapted to actuate the transfer clutch.

Abstract: An automatic powershift gearbox with at least one gearbox assembly for selecting the respective gear ratios and with at least one multiple-disk clutch capable of being actuated in a controlled manner for holding or releasing individual elements of the planet gear, which allows gear shift operations without interrupting the torque flow. The multiple-disk clutch comprises a first and a second disk set which are in mutual engagement and can be brought into friction engagement by axial compression against one another. The first disk set is connected with a first shaft, and the second disk set is connected with a second shaft. The multiple-disk clutch is coupled by a transmission with an electric machine comprising a rotor and a stator, for bringing the two disk sets into and out of friction engagement by means of the electric machine. The rotor of the electric machine is supported rotatably and axially movable on one of the shafts by means of a gearbox for converting a rotary motion into a thrust motion.

Abstract: An actuating unit for use on an electromechanically actuated disc brake for automotive vehicles including a drive unit or an electric motor, an actuating element for actuating one of two friction linings displaceably arranged in a brake caliper, and a first and a second reducing gear. The first reducing gear is comprised as a ball screw, while a planetary gear is used as the second reducing gear. To increase the efficiency, the present invention discloses a coupling shaft used to transmit forces from the planet cage of the planetary gear to the threaded spindle of the ball screw. The ends of the coupling shaft form universal joints with the planet cage and the threaded spindle.

Abstract: A brake (15) is arranged between a drive motor (1) and reduction steps (3, 11). By arranging the reduction steps (3, 11) directly adjacent one another, adequate cooling of one of the reduction steps is achieved. The wheel bearing (13) is located radially outside but axially in the area of the first reduction step (3). By this arrangement, a very compact final drive, is thereby created, in the axial direction, characterized by a favorable efficiency and ease of service.

Abstract: An actuator for an automated transmission in a motor vehicle drive train has a central actuating shaft with a shift finger. Two sleeves are supported concentrically on the actuating shaft and can be driven in mutually independent rotation. Two grooves of opposite helical pitch are arranged on the actuating shaft, and each of the sleeves has at least one inward-directed guide pin engaging one of the grooves.

Abstract: A transmission actuator has a torque generating mechanism for generating a torque from a drive shaft, a speed reduction mechanism for multiplying a torque from the torque generating mechanism through a differential motion produced by a difference in gear ratio between a gearset of a first internally toothed gear and a first externally toothed gear and a gearset of a second internally toothed gear and a second externally toothed gear, a motion direction changing mechanism for converting the torque multiplied into a thrust and a friction engagement mechanism for transmitting power from an input shaft to an output shaft by virtue of the thrust so converted, wherein the drive shaft is made hollow so that the input shaft and the output shaft are disposed in a hollow portion of the drive shaft.

Abstract: An automotive transmission is equipped with a variety of gears that may be combined to yield one or more output speeds as compared to an input speed. One or more electromechanical actuators is used to engage or disengage a particular desired mix of gears. The electromechanical actuator engages one mix of gears or another to set the desired ratio of input speed to output speed. The transmission may be used to provide a straight-through, an underdrive speed range, or an overdrive speed range in an automotive transmission.

Abstract: A drive system for a motor vehicle with a starter and generator unit (1) connected to a drive shaft (6) integrated in a drive train. The starter and generator unit (1) possesses an electrical machine (8, 9) operable as an electric motor with start-function or as an electrical generator and a planetary drive (10) with at least one sun gear (16, 28), at least one planet gear (17, 17′) and at least one internal gear (18, 27). In this arrangement, the planetary drive (10) is so connectable by means of shafts (12, 13, 31) and clutches (14, 15, 15′, 15″, 15′″, 29, 30, 32, 34, 36 to 41) to the electrical machine (8, 9), to the drive shaft (6) and to a housing (3, 4) of an assembly located in the said drive train, that in a start operation, adjustment can be made for a ratio of i>1 and in a generator operating mode, a ratio of i=1.

Abstract: A fault-tolerant actuator module, in a single containment shell, containing two actuator subsystems that are either asymmetrically or symmetrically laid out is provided. Fault tolerance in the actuators of the present invention is achieved by the employment of dual sets of equal resources. Dual resources are integrated into single modules, with each having the external appearance and functionality of a single set of resources.

Abstract: A drive includes a motor (5) and at least one gear assembly (7) that is connected downstream of the motor (5) for vehicles comprising a door (1) that can be closed automatically. The output shaft (28) of the gear assembly (7) is disengaged from the drive shaft (27) in such a way that during the manual actuation of the units connected to the output shaft (28), (e.g. tailgate of the vehicle,) their displacement is not restricted by the units connected to the drive shaft (27) of the coupling (e.g. electromotor (5) or intermediate gear (6)), thus preventing wear of the units. The gear assembly (7) can be disengaged and comprises a gear-assembly housing (21) with a cylindrical cavity (22), in which a planetary gear (23;38), provided with a housing (26;39) and concentric drive and output shafts (27,28), is rotatably mounted.

Abstract: A gear assembly for a power tool. The gear assembly includes a gear assembly housing, a ring gear supported by the gear assembly housing, one of the gear assembly housing and the ring gear having an end defining a first bearing race, a planetary gear carrier member supported for rotation relative to the ring gear and defining a second bearing race, the carrier member being drivingly engageable with a tool element to drive the tool element, a plurality of planet gears supported by the carrier member and drivingly connectable to the gear end of the drive shaft of the motor, the plurality of planet gears interacting with a ring gear to rotatably drive the carrier member, and a plurality of bearing members supported between the first bearing race and the second bearing race.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical transmission system, driven by a prime mover, includes two epicyclic gearsets connected between input and output shafts, and two electrical machines having their rotors connected to respective elements of the two gearsets. The torque on the output shaft is boosted by a controller, which dumps energy from the system when one of the machines is acting as a generator and the other as a motor.

Abstract: A drive unit for wiper assemblies includes a housing (2, 3; 91) surrounding a drive motor, which is associated with a gear (13, 30, 50, 60, 80, 90), whose drive shaft (5, 40, 65, 97) drive wiper components. On the housing (2, 3; 91), a connecting point (27) for a control and regulating electronics, as well as for connecting to an on-board system of a motor vehicle and a position detector (12), are provided. The drive shaft (5, 40) lies either coaxial to the drive shaft of a rotationally symmetrical motor and drive unit (1, 30, 50, 80) or the axis of symmetry (93) of the motor and gear unit (60, 90) lies in a mirror plane (78).

Abstract: A rotary actuator has a synchronous motor and an internally meshing planetary reduction gear having a first shaft rotated by the synchronous motor, an outer gear mounted to said first shaft with an eccentric part so as to be eccentrically rotatable around said first shaft, an inner gear with which said outer gear meshes internally, and a second shaft connected to said outer gear with a transmission means that only transmits said outer gear rotation on its axis to the second shaft. The synchronous motor and the internally meshing planetary reduction gear are accommodated inside a housing, and the first shaft doubles as a rotor shaft of the synchronous motor. An incremental encoder provided along a rotary shaft of the synchronous motor detects the rotation angle of a rotor of the synchronous motor.

Abstract: A one-way output device with a clockwise-counterclockwise unit includes a lengthwise hollow sleeve formed with a recessed fixing base. An inner gear cover is covered on the fixing base. A solar gear and two planetary gears are positioned between the fixing base and the inner gear cover, and the two planetary gears mesh with the inner teeth of the inner gear cover. A shaft is fitted thereon with an inner and an outer drive ring positioned interposing each other and fitted thereon with a clutch with balls. The shaft has its opposite ends respectively extending out of the fixing base and the inner gear cover and stably positioned. The inner and the outer drive ring and the balls are respectively fitted with the solar gear and the inner gear cover, carrying out one-way output whether the shaft is driven to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise.

Abstract: The motor actuator includes a driving motor, and a motor gear formed on a rotary shaft of the driving motor. The motor actuator further includes an input gear which meshes with the motor gear, and a planet gear revolving around a rotation axis of the input gear when the input gear is rotated. It further includes a stationary gear which is fixed in a coaxial relation with the input gear, and meshes with the planet gear. It further includes an output gear which is disposed rotatably in a coaxial relation with the input gear, has an output shaft and teeth whose number is different from that of the stationary gear, and meshes with the planet gear. With this configuration, the motor actuator is preferably small and reliable, and provides preferable output characteristics in torque and rotational speed.

Abstract: A transfer case, which may be used to distribute the torque selectively between the primary and secondary driving wheels of an automotive vehicle, includes an input element and two output elements located along a common axis. It also includes a magnetic particle clutch and a planetary gear set which are both organized by about the same axis. The clutch and planetary set are connected together such that they provide a direct path through which torque is transferred from the input element to one of the output elements without slippage. The arrangement further provides a slip path through which torque is transferred from the input element to the other output element with slippage, and this path has two segments, one through the planetary set and the other through the clutch and planetary set. The clutch path accommodates slippage and the proportion of torque transferred through the slip path depends solely on the electric current conducted through the clutch.

Abstract: A reduction gear which facilitates the mounting of a motor while securing a hollow space in a portion of the rotation center of the reduction gear, and which makes it possible to easily change the reduction ratio. A hollow space is formed in a portion of the rotation center of a reduction gear, a motor mounting member (24) for maintaining a distance between the center of rotation and a rotating shaft of the motor to a fixed distance, and a front-stage reducing portion (32) for reducing the output rotation of the motor is provided between the center of rotation and the rotating shaft of the motor.

Abstract: A clutch-driven limited force actuator is disclosed having a motor, a planetary gear mechanism in operative communication with the motor and a clutch plate. The clutch plate includes a contact surface selectively in frictional contact with the planetary gear mechanism to drive an actuator arm. In operation, the frictional force between the planetary gear mechanism and the clutch plate causes the actuator arm to actuate. The actuator arm can be connected to any element that requires actuation. The actuator of the present invention is preferably used in a wheelchair lift to actuate any mechanism that must have a safe limit on the amount of force applied to obstacles and that must have provision for direct manual operation.

Abstract: A series of motors with speed reducers which can meet user demands for reduction ratios or requests for the types of speed reducers with flexibility and reliability and can lower noise and vibration level.

Abstract: An electrostatic unit for location of members of mechanical devices includes a housing of the electrostatic location unit, a locating member arranged in the housing and movable from one position to another, an electrostatic location apparatus for location of the locating member in one of the positions, placed in the housing and including two electrically conductive members and a layer of a dielectric therebetween, conformal surfaces of the electrically conductive members and the dielectric for electrostatic interaction and location of one relative to the other when they are in close proximity to each other and an electric charge is applied to the electrically conductive members. At least one of the members of the electrostatic location apparatus includes a layer of an elastic material on a conformal surface.

Abstract: Electrically powered actuator, particularly for controlling a bicycle component, for example a front or rear bicycle derailleur, comprising an electrical motor with an output shaft, a driven shaft rotationally mounted in the casing of the actuator and connected to the output shaft of the electrical motor by means of a reducer, and a angular position sensor of said driven shaft, incorporated inside said actuator casing, consisting of a rotary potentiometer.

Abstract: A motor-gear unit, having an eccentric wheel gear, driven by a rotary drive (3), which eccentric wheel gear has an eccentric element (8), an eccentric wheel (10) rotatably supported on the eccentric element, and a driver (15), and the driver (15) cooperates with the eccentric wheel (10) by intermittent meshing, further having at least one guide bolt (22), which cooperates with the eccentric wheel (10) and both assures the eccentric motion of the eccentric wheel (10) and prevents an undesired rotation of the eccentric wheel 10. It is proposed that the eccentric wheel gear is disposed in a free installation space of the rotary drive (3).

Abstract: The invention relates to a drive for adjustment devices in motor vehicles, especially for a window lift. Said drive comprises a motor and a toothed gearing coupled with said motor, said toothed gearing being mounted in an at least two-piece housing and being driven by an internal gear. According to the invention on at least one housing part and bears the drive element.

Abstract: There is provided a planetary reduction gear 10 between a gas turbine 1 and a generator 5. The planetary reduction gear includes elastic deformation means 12 on an output side, and for the elastic deformation means, a strain energy within an elastic limit is set to be larger than a fluctuation torque energy of the generator of a momentary voltage drop time. The elastic deformation means 12 includes an elastic member which elastically connects an output shaft 10a of the planetary reduction gear to an outer ring 10b. Thereby, when an excessive torque is generated in the generator by a momentary voltage drop, service interruption, and the like for a short time, it is possible to maintain the operation of a power generation facility, and secure a power supply of an important load, and an installation length is shortened and the facility can be downsized.

Abstract: A window operator with means for electric operation of windows and comprising a magazine (8, 9) for an opening member (80), a drive member (10) for the opening member (80), an electric motor (5) and a worm gear (15, 40 ) coupled with the shaft (41) of the motor. A preferably static self-locking reduction gear is inserted between the worm gear (40, 15) and the drive member (10). The worm (40) and the worm wheel (15) of the worm gear are furthermore supported so that their respective axes of rotation (41, 63) are mutually movable.

Abstract: An electric screw actuator system, e.g. for an electrically driven and controlled steering device, comprises a screw actuator, an electric motor (2) engaging the screw actuator through a reduction gear mechanism (3), electronic operating means for operating the screw actuator electrically, and a mechanical back-up system for operating the screw actuator in the absence of electric power e.g. in the case of an electric power failure of in the case the electric power is switched off, maintenance, garage parking etc. The mechanical back-up system comprises a manually controllable operation member (4) and an electromagnetic coupling (6), said coupling disengaging the rotation member from the screw actuator in the case of nominal operation and availabitity of electric power, and engaging the rotation member with the screw actuator in the case of electric power failure.

Abstract: Continuously variable speed ratio transmissions (CVT) for an in-wheel application use one or more magnetorheological (MR) or oil-shear clutch assemblies, each of which can have a unique speed ratio, to transmit torque between an input shaft and an output shaft. The clutch assemblies comprise an input drive element, input idler assemblies, a number of clutch assemblies output idler assemblies, and an output shaft assembly. Preferably, the CVT can be structured and arranged to occupy a volume between about 10- and 11-inches in diameter and between about 4 and 5 inches in axial length. The MR clutch assembly includes a rotateable input cylinder and a rotateable output cylinder that are coaxial about a stationary shaft. The input cylinder and output cylinder are separated by a gap that is filled with an MR fluid. A multitude of coil windings are disposed on the stator of each of the MR clutch assemblies. When current flows through the coil windings, a magnetic flux field is produced in the MR fluid.

Abstract: A shifting device of the automatic transfer includes a rack formed on a sleeve in the lengthwise direction of an output shaft, and a rotation torque supplying means is meshed to the rack, for linearly moving the sleeve over the output shaft. The response characteristics are improved when shifting from AUTO mode to LOW mode and vice versa, and the number of the involved components and the number of the assembling steps are decreased, thereby minimizing the manufacturing cost.

Abstract: An electromechanical drive for track-laying vehicles in which the two drive sides have no mechanical coupling and permits smaller overall lengths and overall diameters. As a result, the flexibility of the arrangement of the drive components compared is further increased. The drive includes an electric traction motor, at least one variable-speed mechanical gear unit, and at least one brake. At least one of these components is arranged inside the rotor of the electric motor, and the remaining components are arranged laterally at the electric motor in such a way as to lie coaxially in approximately one plane.