Variable and differential output drive system
First Claim
1. A drive system with the capability for providing continuously variable and differential outputs, the drive system comprising:
- a power source system;
first, second, and third variable drive units coupled to the power source system;
first and second planetary gear assemblies, each planetary gear assembly including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and a plurality of planetary elements;
the first variable drive unit mechanically coupled to the first planetary gear assembly;
the second variable drive unit mechanically coupled to the second planetary gear assembly;
the third variable drive unit mechanically coupled to the first planetary gear assembly and to the second planetary gear assembly; and
first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to the first and second planetary gear assemblies.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A drive system with the capability for providing continuously variable and differential outputs is provided. The drive system may include a power source system and first, second, and third variable drive units coupled to the power source system. The drive system may also include first and second planetary gear assemblies, each planetary gear assembly including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and a plurality of planetary elements. The first variable drive unit may be mechanically coupled to the first planetary gear assembly. The second variable drive unit may be mechanically coupled to the second planetary gear assembly. The third variable drive unit may be mechanically coupled to the first planetary gear assembly and to the second planetary gear assembly. The drive system may also include first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to the first and second planetary gear assemblies.
20 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A drive system with the capability for providing continuously variable and differential outputs, the drive system comprising:
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a power source system;
first, second, and third variable drive units coupled to the power source system;
first and second planetary gear assemblies, each planetary gear assembly including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and a plurality of planetary elements;
the first variable drive unit mechanically coupled to the first planetary gear assembly;
the second variable drive unit mechanically coupled to the second planetary gear assembly;
the third variable drive unit mechanically coupled to the first planetary gear assembly and to the second planetary gear assembly; and
first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to the first and second planetary gear assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A drive system with the capability for providing continuously variable and differential outputs, the drive system comprising:
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a power source system including a combustion engine coupled to an electric generator;
first, second, and third electric drive units coupled to the electric generator;
first and second planetary gear assemblies, each planetary gear assembly including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and a plurality of planetary elements;
the first electric drive unit mechanically coupled via a first gear to the ring gear of the first planetary gear assembly;
the second electric drive unit mechanically coupled via a second gear to the ring gear of the second planetary gear assembly;
the third electric drive unit mechanically coupled to the sun gear of the first planetary gear assembly and to the sun gear of the second planetary gear assembly; and
first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to the carrier of the first planetary gear assembly and to the carrier of the second planetary gear assembly. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A drive system with the capability for providing continuously variable and differential outputs, the drive system comprising:
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a power source system including a combustion engine coupled to an electric generator;
first, second, and third electric drive units coupled to the electric generator;
first and second planetary gear assemblies, each planetary gear assembly including a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and a plurality of planetary elements;
the first electric drive unit coupled to the sun gear of the first planetary gear assembly;
the second electric drive unit coupled to the sun gear of the second planetary gear assembly;
the third electric drive unit coupled to the ring gear of the first planetary gear assembly and to the ring gear of the second planetary gear assembly; and
first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to the carrier of the first planetary gear assembly and to the carrier of the second planetary gear assembly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method for providing continuously variable and differential outputs to first and second output shafts coupled, respectively, to first and second planetary gear assemblies, the method comprising:
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providing a first variable drive unit coupled to the first planetary gear assembly;
providing a second variable drive unit coupled to the second planetary gear assembly;
providing a third variable drive unit coupled to both the first and the second planetary gear assemblies;
operating the first drive unit to drive the first output shaft;
operating the second drive unit to drive the second output shaft; and
operating the third drive unit to drive the first and the second output shafts.
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Specification