Abstract: A torque-limiting coupler for connecting an electric motor to a rotatable input of a vehicle is provided, including: a rigid frame that is configured to be coupled to one of the rotatable input or an output shaft of the electric motor; and an clastic member, configured to engage the other of the rotatable input or the output shaft of the electric motor, that engages the rigid frame such that the elastic member substantially maintains its shape and inhibits angular displacement between the rotatable input and the output shaft when an amount of torque received from the output shaft is below a predetermined torque limit, the elastic member changes shape permitting angular displacement between the rotatable input and the output shaft when an amount of torque received from the output shaft exceeds the predetermined torque limit.

Abstract: A biostimulator transport system, such as a biostimulator retrieval system, having a torque limiter to allow a torque shaft to slip rotationally relative to a handle, is described. The torque limiter can connect the torque shaft to the handle, and can include a slip mechanism, such as a flat spring or apposed clutch faces, that allow the torque shaft to slip relative to the handle when a resistance torque at a distal end of the torque shaft exceeds a torque threshold. Accordingly, torque can be applied to a biostimulator by the torque shaft with a reduced likelihood of over-torqueing the biostimulator within the target tissue. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A rotor for an aircraft capable of hovering includes a stationary support structure and a rotative element, which is rotatable about a first axis with respect to said stationary support structure with a first rotational speed. The rotor includes at least one blade, which is operatively connected with said rotative element; and a transmission group, which includes an output element rotatable about first axis with a second rotational speed different from first rotational speed.

Abstract: An infinitely variable gear transmission system for vehicles includes a differential gear unit for input, a planetary gear unit, an automatic gear coupling, a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, the hydraulic pump rotating with the first output shaft of the differential gear unit and one of the three gear elements of the planetary gear unit, the hydraulic motor rotating with one of the two remaining gear elements, the automatic gear coupling for coupling the two output shafts of the differential gear unit, and a Microprocessor unit to selectively control the fluid pressure in the hydraulic circuit by adjusting the flow control valve, and control the speed of the third gear element connected to the vehicle.

Abstract: A method of controlling output torque in a hybrid or electric vehicle transmissions includes calculating a first long-term output torque constraint and a first short-term output torque constraint. A first effective output torque constraint is determined from at least one of the first long-term and short-term output torque constraints. The first effective output torque constraint is bounded by both of the first long-term and short-term output torque constraints. The method may further include calculating a rate limit, such that determining the first effective output torque constraint includes restricting the magnitude of changes in the first long-term output torque constraint to the calculated rate limit. A spread between the first short-term output torque constraint and the first effective output torque constraint may be measured, and the rate limit calculated as a function of that spread. The rate limit may also be calculated with an inversely-proportional relationship to the spread.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle having first and second wheels is provided that includes a differential apparatus adapted to distribute torque between the first and second wheels and a traction controller for controlling operation of the differential apparatus from vehicle launch up to a predetermined vehicle speed. The traction controller is configured to engage the differential apparatus in a first operating state according to at least one vehicle operating parameter indicative of a low traction operating condition and to further control engagement of the differential apparatus in a second vehicle operating state during the low traction operating condition according to a difference between an actual vehicle yaw rate and a predetermined target vehicle yaw rate. The control system also includes a stability controller for controlling engagement of the differential apparatus at or above the predetermined vehicle speed.

Abstract: This invention provides the use of a pump to regulate torque in a planetary gear system. The pump is provided with a bore and a valve, which operates to control the flow of fluid within the bore. When the valve is positioned within the bore to block the flow of fluid between the inlet and outlet of the pump, pressure is generated within the pump. The pump pressure is sufficient to generate torque in the planetary gear system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to axle and intermediate differential mechanisms applicable in vehicles. The inventive differential distributes the torque to the driven shafts automatically and in proportion to the loadings without mounting of any additional control means and actuating means. The proposed construction includes two hydraulic volumetric clutches having a common drive part, in which the driven parts with immovably connected driven shafts are placed. Each of the hydraulic clutches has its own loop of circulating channels, which are separated by means of a common gate unit, containing a cylindrical gate with two openings. Two guide channels connect the discharged sides of the circulating channels, the suction sides of which being connected to volumetric compensators. The gate blocks hydraulically both clutches when the loads on the driven shafts are equal, and releases the less loaded shaft in case of breaking the balance proportionally to the loading.

Abstract: A variable speed, reversible transmission that utilizes two gerotor pumps for variable controlling the speed of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input member connectable to a drive source drives first and second epicyclic gear trains, which drive the two pumps. As the fluid flow through each pump is variably restricted, the epicyclic gears associated therewith revolve about the input member, causing a worm gear intermediate the input member and the output member to variably rotate in a forward or reverse direction. The worm gear transmits rotational power from the input member to the output member in response to the fluid flow restriction through each pump. The present invention also provides for the two pumps comprising a modular pump unit and a system of transmissions employing a common modular pump assembly.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission or transaxle that utilizes a pump for variable braking of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input shaft connectable to a drive source extends into a transmission housing and is operatively connected to a gear train that transmits rotational power to a transmission output shaft. A gerotor pump mounted within the housing utilizes a ring gear of an epicyclic gear of the gear train as an inner gerotor gear that meshes with an outer gerotor gear to pump fluid along a fluid conduit. By adjustably varying the resistance of the pump, the revolution rate of the epicyclic ring gear is adjusted which in turn results in a controlling of the speed of rotation of the transmission output shaft. In an alternate embodiment, a reversible transmission is provided by employing two gerotor pumps and two gear trains which allow forward and reverse speeds of rotation of the output shaft to be variably controlled.

Abstract: A torque enhancer for use between a driving member and a driven member includes a housing and a gear set rotatably supported within the housing. The gear set has an input member, an output member, and a reaction member. Torque is transferred between the input member and the output member when rotation of the reaction member is resisted. A braking element is disposed within the housing and operably engages the reaction member to resist the rotation of the reaction member, thereby causing torque to be transferred between the input member and the output member. A controller means connected to the brake means modulates engagement of the reaction member by the brake means to maximize output member acceleration.

Abstract: A geared torque transfer device is provided having a planetary type gear arrangement disposed within a sealed housing that is filled with a viscous fluid. In operation, rotation of the planet gears within the housing in response to a speed differential between the input and output members causes the viscous fluid to be forcibly pumped through passages formed within the housing. Valves responsive to changes in the operating temperature and/or viscous fluid pressure of the geared traction unit adjust the amount of resistance to the flow of the fluid as it is pumped through the passages. The hydraulic resistance created by pumping the viscous fluid is adapted to resist the free rotation of the device, thereby causing torque to be transferred between the input and output members as a function of the differential speed therebetween.

Abstract: A transfer torque control device for a rotational speed responsive type control coupling is provided for providing a desired variation of a transfer torque in response to a variation of a rotational speed differential. The control coupling has orifices for restricting fluid flow therethrough and for thereby producing a transfer torque between first and second axle shafts. The transfer torque control device controls the orifices in such a manner that the openings of the orifices are varied successively in response to variations of the rotational speed differential to obtain the desired torque transfer characteristic.

Abstract: A device for changing the flow rate of a liquid damping medium is a torsional vibration damper. This damper has a rotating cylindrical damper housing, connected between a drive shaft and a power takeoff shaft. Pinions are surface-mounted in a planetary fashion without axle journals between the axial faceplates of a gear pump in recesses in the pump interior. The pinions are engaged with a central gear seated on the power takeoff shaft or on drive shaft, which form gear pumps for closed circulation of the damping medium.

Abstract: A constant speed drive differential assembly (10) has an input end plate (11), a rotatable housing (17), and an output end plate (18). A gear motor (12) comprising meshing spur gears (13, 14) mounted on shafts (15, 16) are arranged in the housing (17). A driving gear (20) is fixed to one of the shafts (15 or 16) and meshes with an ouput gear (21) fixed to a cover plate (19) which is rotatable with respect to the housing (17) as a result of differential over-or-under-rotation effected by the spur gears (13, 14). A governor/speed controlled valve (28) external of the housing (17) connects a fluid source from an external pump (27) to one side (40) or the other side (41) of the meshing spur gears (13, 14) in response to an overspeed or underspeed condition of the input speed transmitted to the assembly (10).