Abstract: A charging system (20) of an internal combustion engine has a compressor (22) that compresses intake air (41) to a pressure higher than a boost pressure of the internal combustion engine. A first energy recovery turbine (25) recovers energy from an exhaust gas mass flow (45) discharged from a cylinder (12). The compressor (22) and the first energy recovery turbine (25) are disposed on a first shaft (31) and the recovered energy is transmitted directly to the compressor (22). A cooling turbine (24) expands and cools the (intake) air (41) compressed by the compressor (22) to the boost pressure required by the cylinder (12). A second energy recovery turbine (26) recovers energy from the exhaust gas mass flow (45). The second energy recovery turbine (26) and the cooling turbine (24) are on a common second shaft (32), and the second shaft (32) is coupled to at least one energy sink.

Abstract: A high-speed low runout spindle assembly is provided. The spindle assembly includes a friction drive wheel configured to be coupled to an output shaft of a motor. The friction drive wheel is configured and disposed to directly contact a shank of a bit. A set of bearings is configured to contact the shank of the bit. A bit clamp assembly includes a clamp bearing having a central through-hole dimensioned to accept a lower portion of the shank of the bit. The bit clamp assembly is configured to hold the bit in contact with the set of bearings.

Abstract: Devices convert non-uniform rotational motion into uniform rotational motion and vice versa. A motion conversion mechanism includes a housing, a common shaft, a symmetrical differential reduction gear, rings for differential power flows, cams having an inner working surface, cams having an outer working surface, and sliders with fingers. The inner working surface cam profile is described by the polar radius as a function of the polar angle and is an equidistant curve distanced outwardly from a first-order derivative of a basic closed curve by the size of the finger's radius. The outer working surface cam profile is described by the polar radius as a function of the polar angle and is an equidistant curve distanced outwardly from a second-order derivative of a basic closed curve by the size of the finger's radius. In a single revolution of the shaft, each ring performs two half revolutions back and forth.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, the input shaft is adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission. In some embodiments, a stator assembly is coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft. The IVT has a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly. The planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, a traction ring is operably coupled to the planets. The IVT is provided with a housing that is operably coupled to the traction ring. The housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. The traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. In some embodiments, the IVT is provided with a lubricant manifold that is configured to supply a lubricant to the input shaft.

Abstract: A speed reducer includes an internal gear, an input shaft coaxial with the internal gear, and an eccentric disk on the input shaft and rotatable inside the internal gear. A cage, at an end of an output shaft, coaxial with the input shaft, and rotatable between the internal gear and the eccentric disk has pockets fewer in number than the internal gear's internal teeth. Rollers are received in the respective pockets such that when the input shaft rotates once, the rollers circumferentially move by a distance equal to one internal tooth width, causing the output shaft to be rotated at a reduced speed. The root radius of the internal gear, the radius of the circumcircle of the rolling bearing, and the outer diameter of the rollers are determined such that roller gaps defined between the rollers and the tooth bottoms of the internal gear are controlled to reduce vibration.

Abstract: Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT) are provided. In one aspect, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. A control system includes a control reference nut coupled to a feedback cam and operably coupled to a skew cam. In some cases, the skew cam is configured to interact with carrier plates of a CVT. Various inventive feedback cams and skew cams can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some transmissions described, the planet subassemblies include legs configured to cooperate with the carrier plates. In some cases, a neutralizer assembly is operably coupled to the carrier plates. A shift cam and a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are provided.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously and infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a variator is adapted to receive a control system that cooperates with a shift nut to actuate a ratio change in an IVT. In another embodiment, a neutral lock-out mechanism is adapted to cooperate with the variator to, among other things, disengage an output shaft from a variator. Various inventive mechanical couplings, such as an output engagement mechanism, are provided to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT for maintaining a powered zero operating condition. In one embodiment, the output engagement mechanism selectively couples an output member of the variator to a ratio adjuster of the variator. Embodiments of a ratio adjuster cooperate with other components of the IVT to support operation and/or functionality of the IVT. Among other things, user control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.

Abstract: System comprising an epicyclic arrangement. In some embodiments, the epicyclic arrangement can comprise: a first input element; a second input element fixed to an input drive shaft; a geared carrier that includes at least a portion that is disposed axially between the first and second input elements, the geared carrier being engaged with an output member; and planets associated with the geared carrier. Some embodiments of the present systems comprise a housing in which the epicyclic arrangement is disposed; and/or fluid contained within the housing.

Abstract: In an engine start control device of a hybrid vehicle including a power dividing mechanism which has a sun roller, a carrier, and a first disc with which a rotating shaft of a first motor/generator, an output shaft of an engine, and an output shaft of a second motor/generator are coupled, respectively and by which differential rotating operations between the sun roller, the carrier, and the first disc are controlled using an alignment chart on which rotation speeds of the sun roller, the carrier, and the first disc are disposed in the sequence of the sun roller, the carrier, the first disc and shown by straight lines.

Abstract: A variable transmission device and method are disclosed.

Abstract: A first rotary shaft and a second rotary are rotatable around a rotation axis. The second rotary shaft has a cylindrical supporting part that covers an end section of the first rotary shaft. A case supports the first and second rotary shafts. A first rolling bearing is disposed between the first rotary shaft and the case and rotatably supports the first rotary shaft. A second rolling bearing is disposed between the supporting part and the first rotary shaft and supports the first rotary shaft and the second rotary shaft such that they are rotatable relative to each other. A transmission part of the second rotary shaft transmits to the second rolling bearing a preload force that pushes the second rotary shaft to the first rotary shaft side. A load-receiving part of the case receives the preload force transmitted from the second rolling bearing to the first rolling bearing.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, the input shaft is adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission. In some embodiments, a stator assembly is coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft. The IVT has a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly. The planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, a traction ring is operably coupled to the planets. The IVT is provided with a housing that is operably coupled to the traction ring. The housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. The traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. In some embodiments, the IVT is provided with a lubricant manifold that is configured to supply a lubricant to the input shaft.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes: first and second rotating elements that has a common first rotation axis; a planetary ball that is rotatably supported by a support shaft having a second rotation axis separate from the first rotation axis, and is sandwiched between the first rotation member and the second rotating member such that torque transmission is possible between them; grooves, etc., that permit change in a rotation ratio between the first and second rotating members by tilting and rolling the planetary ball; an inclined surface that pushes the support shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of tilt of the support shaft in accordance with spin moment occurring at the planetary ball when moving in an axial direction; and a thrust force transmitting section, such as a movable shaft, etc., by which radial thrust force applied from the planetary ball is transmitted to the inclined surface based on spin moment occurring at the planetary ball.

Abstract: A transmission 7 includes three ball bearings 81A, 81B, 81C, an input shaft 74, an output holding member 83, and an output shaft 72. Each of the ball bearings 81A, 81B, 81C has an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of rolling elements. The input shaft 74 has an insertion portion inserted into the inner race, and is rotated about the rotation axis of the ball bearing 81A, thereby rotating the inner race. When the inner race is rotated, the rolling elements roll in accordance with the rotation of the inner race. The output holding member 83 includes a holding portion 831 which is held by the rolling elements, and is rotated about the rotation axis of the ball bearing 81C in accordance with rolling of the rolling elements, whereby the output shaft 72 is rotated about the rotation axis of the ball bearing 81C.

Abstract: A traction drive system for an articulated robotic arm. The traction drive system can include an input drive disk, a spider, an array of traction balls, a traction plate, an output drive shaft, a clamping device to load the traction balls, and an absolute rotation position sensor system. The rotation of the output drive shaft can be coupled to the rotation of the input drive disk while the traction balls are frictionally engaged to the drive disk surface and traction plate surface. The rotational connection can be decoupled when the traction balls are not frictionally engaged to the drive disk surface and traction plate surface. A rotational position sensor located in proximity to the traction drive can provide absolute rotational position feedback of the output drive shaft.

Abstract: A drive arrangement connects a drive gear of a vehicle transmission/transfer to a prop shaft that drives a set of wheels, and includes a driven gear journaled for rotation on a housing and having teeth meshing with teeth provided on the drive gear. The driven gear has an axially extending cylindrical central bore. A yoke attached to the prop shaft has a shaft extending into the central bore of the driven gear. An annular inner race has a central bore encircling the yoke and an outer surface. Matching splines provided on the central bore of the inner race and the yoke couple the inner race and the yoke for rotation. A plurality of balls are located between the outer surface of the inner race and the central bore of the driven gear, each of the balls is seated within a longitudinally extending first groove provided on the outer surface of the inner race and a longitudinally extending second groove provided on the central bore of the driven gear.

Abstract: To provide a control system for carrying out a speed change operation of a geared transmission mechanism continuously by controlling a continuously variable transmission mechanism. A continuously variable transmission mechanism configured to increase and decrease speeds of a first and a second output discs simultaneously, and a geared transmission mechanism configured to change a speed change ratio stepwise are connected in series. The output discs are connected individually with intermediate shafts. The control system is adapted to synchronize a rotational speed of a switching mechanism and a rotational speed of a member to be engaged with the switching mechanism, by tilting a rolling member when carrying out a speed change in the geared transmission mechanism thereby increasing a rotational speed of one of the intermediate shaft while decreasing a rotational speed of the other intermediate shaft (at steps S3, S4 and S5).

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for electric traction drives employing a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a variator provided with a plurality of tilting traction planets and opposing traction rings. In one embodiment, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device configured to transfer power to or from a traction sun of a CVT, In other embodiments, an electric traction drive is provided with an electromotive device that couples to certain components of a CVT such as a traction ring, a carrier assembly, and a main axle. Various inventive shifting assemblies having shift cams and shift cam cages can be used to facilitate adjusting the transmission speed ratio of a CVT. Various related devices include embodiments of, for example, a power input apparatus, a speed ratio shifter, a shift cam actuator, a shift nut, and a carrier assembly configured to support the tilting traction planets.

Abstract: A fixed ratio traction drive is disclosed that uses multidiameter planet rollers. The high speed traction drive provides speed reduction from a high speed shaft. A planet carrier is used to rotationally mount the multidiameter rollers. A continuously variable transmission that uses planetary ball traction is also disclosed that provides infinitely variable speed ratios.

Abstract: A drive system includes a pulley, an engine, a variator for varying a ratio of an output speed and an input speed, a gearset including a first and second components driveably connected to the engine and pulley, respectively, and a third component connected to the output, and a second gearset for increasing an input speed relative to an pulley speed.

Abstract: Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) having a rotatable input shaft arranged along a longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, the input shaft is adapted to supply a lubricant to the interior of the transmission. In some embodiments, a stator assembly is coupled to, and coaxial with, the input shaft. The IVT has a plurality of planets operably coupled to the stator assembly. The planets are arranged angularly about the longitudinal axis of the transmission. In one embodiment, a traction ring is operably coupled to the planets. The IVT is provided with a housing that is operably coupled to the traction ring. The housing is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. The traction ring is substantially fixed from rotating with the input shaft. In some embodiments, the IVT is provided with a lubricant manifold that is configured to supply a lubricant to the input shaft.

Abstract: A drive arrangement connects a drive gear of a vehicle transmission/transfer to a prop shaft that drives a set of wheels, and includes a driven gear journaled for rotation on a housing and having teeth meshing with teeth provided on the drive gear. The driven gear has an axially extending cylindrical central bore. A yoke attached to the prop shaft has a shaft extending into the central bore of the driven gear. An annular inner race has a central bore encircling the yoke and an outer surface. Matching splines provided on the central bore of the inner race and the yoke couple the inner race and the yoke for rotation. A plurality of balls are located between the outer surface of the inner race and the central bore of the driven gear, each of the balls is seated within a longitudinally extending first groove provided on the outer surface of the inner race and a longitudinally extending second groove provided on the central bore of the driven gear.

Abstract: The gear unit for use with a manually adjustable electric component has a manually operable adjusting shaft and a reduction gear including a rotatable ball cage and a plurality of balls as well as a race ring element having a spring and retaining portion that encircles the race ring externally. Such a gear unit allows greatly reduced dimensions and furthermore offers a considerable dielectric strength.

Abstract: A torsional pulse dampener including a pulley rotationally coupled to a piston that is axially displaceable and adapted to give torsional compliance from an engine for at least one-half revolution of an angular differential displacement between the pulley and the piston.

Abstract: A gearless speed reducer or increaser consists of an input shaft, an output shaft, and a motor connected to the input shaft. There is an external race connected to one of the shafts, and an internal race attached to the other shaft. Two ball bearings are disposed between the races. After the ball bearings have been inserted, the shafts are tilted relative to each other so that the balls become fixed in pockets created between the races and cannot slide within the races. Rotating one of the shafts thus rotates the other shaft, since the balls do not slip but only rotate between the races. The system acts as a speed reducer or increaser due to the different diameters of the inner and outer races. The system can be uncoupled by pivoting the shafts back into alignment so that the balls can slide freely within the races.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes: first and second rotating elements that has a common first rotation axis; a planetary ball that is rotatably supported by a support shaft having a second rotation axis separate from the first rotation axis, and is sandwiched between the first rotation member and the second rotating member such that torque transmission is possible between them; grooves, etc., that permit change in a rotation ratio between the first and second rotating members by tilting and rolling the planetary ball; an inclined surface that pushes the support shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of tilt of the support shaft in accordance with spin moment occurring at the planetary ball when moving in an axial direction; and a thrust force transmitting section, such as a movable shaft, etc., by which radial thrust force applied from the planetary ball is transmitted to the inclined surface based on spin moment occurring at the planetary ball.

Abstract: Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.

Abstract: An adjusting device including a CVT planetary roller transmission having two axially-spaced sun wheels that are rotatable about a common axis of rotation and at different speeds of rotation. Planet wheels contact and ride against peripheral surfaces of each of the sun wheels, and an axially displaceable ring wheel lies radially outwardly of the sun wheels and engages a peripheral groove formed in the sun wheels. When the ring wheel is axially displaced relative to the sun wheels the axes of rotation of the planet wheels tilt relative to the sun wheel axis resulting in a difference in the rotational speed of the sun wheels changes. The device can be employed as an adjusting device for adjusting the rotational speed of connected units, and also as a drive line component having a variable transmission ratio and situated in a power train of a motor vehicle.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.

Abstract: Embodiments of the inventions disclosed include a continuously variable transmission (CVT) where power is transmitted from a group of balls to a shaft via an idler. In one application, the CVT couples to a gearbox and to a generator of a wind turbine. Traction elements of a CVT can be coated and/or textured, using various coating materials and textures, via disclosed coating and/or texturing methods. Methods and systems for shifting a CVT are disclosed. Certain components for a CVT are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment, a CVT includes a shaft having a spline and a shift flange. In another embodiment, a CVT includes a stator adapted to cooperate with shifter components. Disclosed is a CVT configured to produce a variable output speed that is always greater than an input speed. In one embodiment, a CVT produces a variable output speed that is always lower than an input speed.

Abstract: A super-turbocharger utilizing a high speed, fixed ratio traction drive that is coupled to a continuously variable transmission to allow for high speed operation is provided. A high speed traction drive is utilized to provide speed reduction from the high speed turbine shaft. A second traction drive provides infinitely variable speed ratios through a continuously variable transmission.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: The gear unit for use with a manually adjustable electric component has a manually operable adjusting shaft and a reduction gear including a rotatable ball cage and a plurality of balls as well as a race ring element having a spring and retaining portion that encircles the race ring externally. Such a gear unit allows greatly reduced dimensions and furthermore offers a considerable dielectric strength.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: An automatic tool changer in which the load produced when a turret is rotation-driven is reduced, and abrasion in the balls and the like of a speed reducer, and mal-distribution of an axial pressing force are prevented. The speed reducer that drives the turret in the automatic tool changer is constructed by superposing a driving plate, a holder, and a driven plate in the order named. In the driven plate fitted with tools, there is formed a ball groove in a concave-convex shape having the number of cycles corresponding to the number of the tools. In the driving plate, there is provided a ball groove obtained by enlarging the ball groove of the driven plate in the angular direction and copying two cycles. The holder is provided with a plurality of guide holes in the radial direction, which hold their respective balls. The driving plate is rotated by spindle rotation, and the driven plate is driven at a reduced speed of (the number of tools/2) through the balls.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.

Abstract: The inventive differential (57) Abstract: The inventive differential rotation speed transducer can be used for drives of general use machines and mechanisms. Said transducer relates to gears provided with intermediate members and comprises a wave generator and a transferring unit which is embodied in the form of coaxial cages (1, 3, 4, 5) mated to each other around a circle. Clutch surfaces are embodied in the form of periodical roller ways interacting with a chain of balls (2) on each clip along the trace of said circle. The cage (1) is linked to the generator and embodied in such a way that it affects rolling bodies in the direction selected from any directions on the plane of the axial section of the transducer. The unit comprising four cages is used for transferring increased power. Spaced in azimuth grooves are embodied on two cages which are oppositely disposed with respect to the chain of balls and mechanically connected to each other.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler.

Abstract: An infinitely variable speed ratio planetary ball transmission comprising planetary members in rolling contact with moveable inner and outer races and a constant speed accessory drive system utilizing the transmission. The transmission is infinitely variable between ratios of approximately 0.3 and 1.0. A transmission input shaft is connected to a prime mover such as a vehicle engine crankshaft by a drive belt. The transmission comprises at least one output shaft that is coaxial with the input shaft. An output pulley is attached to the output shaft. A belt is engaged between the output pulley and various engine accessories. A second end of the transmission output shaft may be directly coupled to an engine accessory mounted on the transmission. An included control system senses a crankshaft speed. A processor analyses the crankshaft speed and accordingly adjusts the transmission ratio using a stepper motor connected to a worm drive to maintain a constant output speed regardless of crankshaft speed.

Abstract: A differential gear includes a cylindrical power transmission member, two cam members accommodated in an inner space of the power transmission member, and a plurality of cam follower members. Each of the cam follower elements is fitted to a respective one of a plurality of engagement grooves, formed on an inner peripheral surface of the power transmission member in an axially longitudinal direction thereof, such that the each of the cam follower elements partially sticks out of the inner space. The stick-out portions of the cam follower elements are interposed between cam lobes formed on opposing surfaces of the two cam members. Drive power of the power transmission member is distributed to the two cam members via the cam follower elements.

Abstract: A differential gear includes a cylindrical power transmission member, two cam members accommodated in an inner space of the power transmission member, and a plurality of cam follower members. Each of the cam follower elements is fitted to a respective one of a plurality of engagement grooves, formed on an inner peripheral surface of the power transmission member in an axially longitudinal direction thereof, such that the each of the cam follower elements partially sticks out of the inner space. The stick-out portions of the cam follower elements are interposed between cam lobes formed on opposing surfaces of the two cam members. Drive power of the power transmission member is distributed to the two cam members via the cam follower elements.

Abstract: A wheel transmission for mobility vehicle includes an input component capable movement at a first rate of motion for selectively driving an output component at either the first rate of motion or a second rate of motion. Operably connected between the input component and the output component is a conversion apparatus which enables the selective drive between the input component and the output component to take place. In addition, the conversion apparatus is capable of preventing the output component from being backdrivable, and thereby acting as a brake, when the vehicle is at rest.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for smoothing the transition in rolling element/cam type nested speed converters and as motorized in a compact pancake package. More specifically, the apparatus for translating motion from a first to a second velocity includes drive devices made up of a conjugate pair of devices and a motion translating device mounted about a common axis. The pair of conjugate devices includes a first cam and a second cam. Each of the cams has at least one flank, the flank having a main drive segment formed according to a first function and at least one transition segment formed according to a second function. In one embodiment, the motion translating device, which is radially nested in between the two cams, has a plurality of radially extending slots, each slot containing one of a plurality of elements. The element is capable of traveling radially within its respective slot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for translating angular velocity and rotary motive force of an input drive to angular velocity and rotary motive force of an output drive, by providing a pair of devices rotatable at, relative to or about a common axis, and translating means for transmitting angular velocity and rotary motive force of a first of the devices to angular velocity and rotary motive force of a second of the devices.