STEADY-STATE AND TRANSITORY CONTROL FOR TRANSMISSION BETWEEN ENGINE AND ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATOR

• US 20090023545A1
• Filed: 09/27/2005
• Published: 01/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Transmission Cvtcorp Inc.
• Original Assignee: Transmission Cvtcorp Inc.
• Inventors: Beaudoin, Samuel
• Application Number:
  US11/576,080
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023545A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 476/42
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/38 with two members B having hollow toroid surfaces opposite to each other, the member or members A being adjustably mounted between the surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2302/04 Determining a modus for shifting selection of shift speed modus F16H2059/0226
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/6648 controlling of shifting being influenced by a signal derived from the engine and the main coupling

Abstract

A system (1) for transforming a variable output into an input having a desired speed value, including a transmission (30) receiving the output having a first speed (Ve) and producing the input having a second speed (Vgen), first, second and third sensors (12,10,7) producing data (39,32,37) corresponding to the first speed (Ve), second speed (Vgen) and a power demand (Pdem) for the input, a ratio set point controller (34), a ratio controller (36) and a speed controller (4). The ratio set point controller (34) receives the data (39,32,37) and calculates an available power (Pav), a stability level of the system (S,U1,U2), a desired value for the first speed (Ve), and a desired value and rate of change for the transmission ratio. The ratio controller (36) interfaces the ratio set point controller (34) and actuates the transmission (30) to change the transmission ratio to the desired value following the desired rate of change. The speed controller (4) changes the first speed (Ve) until the second speed (Vgen) corresponds to the desired speed value.

Claims

1. A system for transmitting a variable output of a variable source of mechanical power into an input having a desired apparatus speed value for an apparatus, the system comprising:

a transmission receiving the variable output and producing the input, the transmission defining a transmission ratio between a first speed of the output and a second speed of the input;

a first sensor measuring the first speed and producing first speed data corresponding thereto;

a second sensor measuring the second speed and producing second speed data corresponding thereto;

a third sensor measuring a power demand of the apparatus and producing power demand data corresponding thereto;

a ratio set point controller receiving the first and second speed data and the power demand data, the ratio set point controller calculating an available power of the source and a stability level of the system as a function of the first speed data and the power demand data, determining a desired source speed value for the first speed as a function of the power demand, calculating a desired ratio value for the transmission ratio as a function of the desired source speed value, and determining a desired rate of change for the transmission ratio as a function of the stability level of the system;

a ratio controller interfacing the ratio set point controller to the transmission, the ratio controller actuating the transmission to change the transmission ratio to the desired ratio value following the desired rate of change; and

a source speed controller receiving the second speed data from the second sensor and changing the first speed until the second speed data corresponds to the desired apparatus speed value.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio set point controller extracts from a maximum data table an actual maximum power value based on the first speed data, and calculates the available power based on the actual maximum power and the power demand data.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the ratio set point controller calculates a new maximum power higher than the actual maximum power and extracts the desired source speed value from the maximum data based on the new maximum power.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein when for a given stability level and with the power demand data at least equal to a given threshold, the ratio set point controller extracts the desired source speed value from an efficiency data table based on the power demand data, the desired source speed value representing an energy efficient speed of the source corresponding to the power demand data.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the stability level of the system is evaluated by comparing the first speed data with a set range including the desired apparatus speed value and the power demand data with at least one threshold value.

15. The system according to any one of claims 1 or 6, wherein the transmission is a toroidal continuously variable transmission.

16. The system according to any one of claims 1 or 6, wherein the transmission includes a shaft producing the input and a high inertia flywheel mounted on the shaft.

17. The system according to any one of claims 1 or 6, wherein the source is an internal combustion engine and the apparatus is an electrical generator.

6. A system for transforming a variable output of a variable source if mechanical power into an input having a desired speed value for an apparatus, the system comprising:

a transmission receiving the variable output and producing the input, the transmission having a variable ratio between a first speed of the output and a second speed of the input;

at least one sensor producing first speed data corresponding to the first speed, second speed data corresponding to a power demand of the apparatus;

a first controller receiving the first speed data, the second speed data and the power demand data, calculating an available power and a desired transmission ratio value based on the first speed data and the power demand data, classifying the system in one of at least first and second categories based on a first comparison of the first speed with a set range including the desired speed value and a second comparison of the available power with at least one threshold value, instructing the transmission to bring the variable ratio to the desired transmission ratio value rapidly when the system is in the first category, and instructing the transmission to bring the variable ratio to the desired transmission value progressively when the system is in the second category; and

a second controller receiving the second speed data and sending a speed correction signal to the source of mechanical power to change the first speed until the second speed data corresponds to the desired speed value.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first controller classifies the system in one of the first category, the second category, and a third category based on the first and second comparisons, and the first controller refrains from instructing the transmission to change the variable ratio when the system is in the third category.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first controller classifies the system in the third category when the first speed is higher than the set range.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first controller classifies the system in the third category when the first speed is below the set range and the available power is higher than the at least one threshold value.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first controller classifies the system in the first category when the first speed is below the set range and the available power is lower than the at least one threshold value.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first controller classifies the system in the first category when the first speed is within the set range and the available power is lower than the at least one threshold value.

12. The system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one threshold value includes a first threshold value, and wherein the first controller classifies the system in the second category when the first speed is within the set range and the available power is higher than the first threshold value.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein the at least one threshold value further includes a second threshold value higher than the first threshold value, and the first controller calculates an energy efficient value for the first speed based on the power demand data and calculates the desired transmission ratio value based on the energy efficient value for the first speed when the system is classified in the second category and the available power is higher than the second threshold value.

14. The system according to claim 6, wherein the first and second controllers operate independently.

18. A method for controlling a variable transmission transforming a variable output of a variable source of mechanical power into an input having a desired speed value for an apparatus, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a first speed of the variable output, a second speed of the input, and a power demand of the apparatus;

calculating (1) an available power based on the first speed and the power demand, (2) a stability level of the input of the apparatus based on the first speed and the available power, (3) a desired ratio of the transmission based on the power demand, and (4) a desired rate of ratio change based on the stability level;

instructing the transmission to change to the desired ratio at the desired rate of ratio change; and

varying the first speed until the second speed is substantially equal to the desired speed value.

19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising:

calculating a desired maximum power value of the source based in the power demand, extracting a desired value for the first speed from a data table based on the desired maximum power value, and calculating the desired transmission value based on the desired value for the first speed.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein at a given stability level and with the available power higher than a given threshold a desired value for the first speed is extracted from a data table based on the power demand, the desired value representing an energy efficient speed of the source while maintaining the available power at a desired level.

21. A toroidal transmission comprising:

first and second toroidal disks rotated by an input shaft;

a third toroidal disk located between the first and second toroidal disk and rotating an output shaft;

a plurality of first frictional rollers frictionally engaged to a toroidal cavity race of the first disk and a first toroidal cavity race of the third disk, each of the first frictional rollers being rotatable to transfer rotary power between the second and third disks;

a plurality of second frictional rollers frictionally engaged to a toroidal cavity race of the second disk and a second toroidal cavity race of the third disk, each of the second frictional rollers being rotatable to transfer rotary power between the first and third disks;

first means for retaining the first frictional rollers at a same first selective angle with respect to the third disk, the first means being actuable to change the first selective angle;

second means for retaining the second frictional rollers at a same second selective angle with respect to the third disk, the second means being actuable to change the second selective angle; and

third means for connecting the first and second means such that the first selective angle is substantially equal to the second selective angle and for actuating the first and second means together to obtain a selected value for the first and second selective angles, the selected value corresponding to at least one of a desired ratio of the transmission and a desired rate of ratio change of the transmission, the third means actuating the first and second means upon reception of a control signal.

22. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission, comprising:

a) a first transmission stage, including;

i) a first pair of races defining therebetween a first toroidal cavity;

ii) a first set of rollers in said first toroidal cavity to transfer rotary motion between said first pair of races;

b) a second transmission stage, including;

i) a second pair of races defining therebetween a second toroidal cavity;

iii) a second set of rollers in said second toroidal cavity to transfer rotary motion between said second pair of races;

c) a mechanical ratio control linkage interconnecting the rollers of said first set and of said second set, said mechanical ratio control linkage when displaced inducing a simultaneous change of the spatial position of the rollers of said first set and of said second set in said first and second toroidal cavities, respectively, thereby producing a coordinated transmission ratio change in said first and second stages.

23. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 22, including an electric actuator to cause a displacement of said mechanical control linkage.

24. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 23, wherein said electric actuator is responsive to an electric signal to cause the displacement of said mechanical ratio control linkage and produce a coordinated transmission ratio change in said first and second stages.

25. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 24, wherein said electric actuator includes a linear actuator.

26. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 23, wherein said electric linear actuator includes a motor driving an endless screw.

27. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 24, wherein said first pair of races includes a first race and a second race opposite said first race, said second pair of races includes a third race and a fourth race opposite said third race, wherein said second race and said third race reside on opposite sides of a common rotatable disk structure.

28. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 27, wherein said common rotatable disk structure is a first disk structure, said first race resides on a second rotatable disk structure distinct from said first disk structure and spaced apart from said first disk structure.

29. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 28, wherein said fourth race resides on a third rotatable disk structure distinct from said first and second disk structures and spaced apart therefrom.

30. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 29, wherein said first disk structure resides between said second and third disk structures.

31. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 30, wherein said first, second and third disk structures are co-axial.

32. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 31, wherein one of said first, second and third disk structures is/are coupled to an input shaft of said multi-stage continuously variable transmission.

33. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 32, wherein the other of said first, second and third disk structures is/are coupled to an output shaft of said multi-stage continuously variable transmission.

34. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 31, wherein each roller of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers is capable of tilting about an imaginary axis intercepting respective contact points between the roller and the pair of races in which the roller resides.

35. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 34, wherein said mechanical ratio control linkage couples the rollers of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers, a displacement of said mechanical ratio control linkage causing the rollers of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers to tilt simultaneously about their respective imaginary axes.

36. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 35, wherein each roller of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers is rotatably mounted on a carrier, said mechanical ratio control linkage causing said carrier to tilt for causing, in turn the roller to tilt about the imaginary axis.

37. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 36, wherein said mechanical ratio control linkage includes a first segment coupled with said first set of rollers and a second segment coupled with said second pair of rollers.

38. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 37, wherein said first segment and said second segment are angularly moveable with respect to a common axis of rotation of said first, second and third disk structures, in order to cause said rollers of said first and second sets to tilt about their respective imaginary axes.

39. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 38, wherein said imaginary axis is a first imaginary axis, said first and second segments include a connection with each roller of said first and second sets to allow the roller to tilt about a second imaginary axis that is perpendicular to said first imaginary axis and that produces a ratio change.

40. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 39, wherein said mechanical ratio control linkage includes a slot to control a tilting movement of at least one of said rollers, whereby when said at least one of said rollers tilts about said second imaginary axis said slot causes the roller to move such as to negate a tilt that the roller has previously acquired about said first imaginary axis.

41. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission, comprising:

a) a first transmission stage, including;

i) a first pair of races defining therebetween a first toroidal cavity;

ii) a first set of rollers in said first toroidal cavity to transfer rotary motion between said first pair of races;

b) a second transmission stage, including;

i) a second pair of races defining therebetween a second toroidal cavity;

iii) a second set of rollers in said second toroidal cavity to transfer rotary motion between said second pair of races

c) said first pair of races and said second pair of races being rotatable about a common axis;

d) a ratio control device angularly movable about said common axis to induce a simultaneous change of the spatial position of the rollers of said first set and of said second set in said first and second toroidal cavities, respectively, thereby producing a coordinated transmission ratio change in said first and second stages.

42. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 41, wherein said ratio control device is a mechanical linkage.

43. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 42, including an electric actuator to cause an angular movement of said mechanical linkage about said common axis.

44. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 43, wherein said electric actuator is responsive to an electric signal to cause the angular movement of said mechanical linkage about said common axis and produce a coordinated transmission ratio change in said first and second stages.

45. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 44, wherein said electric actuator includes a linear actuator.

46. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 45, wherein said linear actuator includes an electric motor driving an endless screw.

47. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 43, wherein said first pair of races includes a first race and a second race opposite said first race, said second pair of races includes a third race and a fourth race opposite said third race, wherein said second race and said third race reside on opposite sides of a common rotatable disk structure.

48. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 47, wherein said common rotatable disk structure is a first disk structure, said first race resides on a second rotatable disk structure distinct from said first disk structure and spaced apart from said first disk structure.

49. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 48, wherein said fourth race resides on a third rotatable disk structure distinct from said first and second disk structures and spaced apart therefrom.

50. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 49, wherein said first disk structure resides between said second and third disk structures.

51. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 50, wherein said first, second and third disk structures are co-axial.

52. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 51, wherein one of said first, second and third disk structures is/are coupled to an input shaft of said multi-stage continuously variable transmission.

53. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 52, wherein the other of said first, second and third disk structures is/are coupled to an output shaft of said multi-stage continuously variable transmission.

54. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 51, wherein each roller of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers is capable of tilting about an imaginary axis intercepting respective contact points between the roller and the pair of races in which the roller resides.

55. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 54, wherein said mechanical linkage couples the rollers of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers, a displacement of said mechanical linkage causing the rollers of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers to tilt simultaneously about their respective imaginary axes.

56. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 55, wherein each roller of said first set of rollers and of said second set of rollers is rotatably mounted on a carrier, said mechanical ratio control linkage causing said carrier to tilt for causing, in turn the roller to tilt about the imaginary axis.

57. A multi-stage continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 56, wherein said mechanical linkage includes a first segment coupled with said first set of rollers and a second segment coupled with said second pair of rollers.

58. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:

a) a pair of races defining therebetween a toroidal cavity;

b) a set of rollers in said toroidal cavity to transfer rotary motion between said pair of races;

c) a support for supporting said set of rollers in said toroidal cavity, said rollers being mounted to said support via respective ball joints allowing each roller to;

i) tilt about a first imaginary axis that intersects respective points of contact of the roller with the respective races;

ii) tilt about a second imaginary axis that is perpendicular to said first imaginary axis and that produces a change in an angle between the roller and the respective races, thereby varying a ratio of the transmission.

59. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 58, including a mechanical ratio control linkage connecting with said rollers, said mechanical ratio control linkage when displaced inducing a simultaneous change of the spatial position of said rollers by moving said rollers on the respective ball joints, thereby producing a transmission ratio change.

60. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 59, including an electric actuator to cause the displacement of said mechanical control linkage.

61. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 60, wherein said electric actuator is responsive to an electric signal to cause the displacement of said mechanical ratio control linkage.

62. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 61, wherein said electric actuator includes a linear actuator.

63. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 62, wherein said linear actuator includes an electric motor driving an endless screw.

64. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 59, wherein said mechanical ratio control linkage includes a slot to control a tilting movement of at least one of said rollers, whereby when said at least one of said rollers tilts about said second imaginary axis said slot causes the roller to move such as to negate a tilt that the roller has previously acquired about said first imaginary axis.

65. A continuously variable transmission, comprising:

a) a pair of races defining therebetween a toroidal cavity;

b) a set of rollers in said toroidal cavity to transfer rotary motion between said pair of races;

c) a mounting structure for supporting said set of rollers in said toroidal cavity, said mounting structure allowing each roller to;

i) tilt about a first imaginary axis that intersects respective points of contact of the roller with the respective races;

ii) tilt about a second imaginary axis that is perpendicular to said first imaginary axis and that produces a change in an angle between the roller and the respective races, thereby varying a ratio of the transmission;

iii) lock the roller against a translational movement with respect to said pair of races.

66. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 65, including a mechanical ratio control linkage connecting with said rollers, said mechanical ratio control linkage when displaced inducing a simultaneous change of the spatial position of said rollers, thereby producing a transmission ratio change.

67. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 66, including an electric actuator to cause the displacement of said mechanical control linkage.

68. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 67, wherein said electric actuator is responsive to an electric signal to cause the displacement of said mechanical ratio control linkage.

69. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 68, wherein said electric actuator includes a linear actuator.

70. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 69, wherein said linear actuator includes an electric motor driving an endless screw.

71. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 66, wherein said mounting structure includes a support, said rollers being mounted to said support via respective ball joints.

72. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 71, wherein said mounting structure includes a plurality of carriers associated with respective rollers, each roller being rotatably mounted on a respective carrier, each carrier including an end portion mounted to said support via one of said ball joints.

73. A continuously variable transmission as defined in claim 66, wherein said mechanical ratio control linkage includes a slot to control a tilting movement of at least one of said rollers, whereby when said at least one of said rollers tilts about said second imaginary axis said slot causes the roller to move such as to negate a tilt that the roller has previously acquired about said first imaginary axis.

74. Electrical power generating arrangement, comprising:

a) a driveline including an electrical generator for use in supplying electrical power to a load, a continuously variable transmission and an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine drives the electrical generator via the continuously variable transmission;

b) first and second flywheels in the driveline, the continuously variable transmission being mounted in the driveline between the first and second flywheels;

c) the first flywheel having a lower inertia than the second flywheel;

d) the first flywheel being upstream the second flywheel with relation to a power flow direction in the driveline from the internal combustion engine to the electrical generator.

75. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 74, wherein the continuously variable transmission is a toroidal transmission.

76. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 74, including an electronic control to regulate a ratio of the continuously variable transmission.

77. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 76, wherein the electronic control regulates a power output of the internal combustion engine.

78. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 77, wherein the electronic control regulates the ratio of the continuously variable transmission and the power output of the internal combustion engine to maintain the speed at which the electrical generator turns substantially constant.

79. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 76, wherein the continuously variable transmission includes a mechanical control linkage to produce a ratio change of the continuously variable transmission and an electric actuator for causing displacement of the mechanical control linkage to produce the ratio change.

80. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 79, wherein the electric actuator is responsive to a control signal output from the electronic control to cause displacement of the mechanical control linkage.

81. Electrical power generating arrangement, comprising:

a) a driveline including an electrical generator for use in supplying electrical power to a load, a continuously variable transmission that has a variable ratio and an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine drives the electrical generator via the continuously variable transmission;

b) an electronic control for directing the continuously variable transmission to vary its ratio, the electronic control including logic that selects a rate at which the ratio of the continuously variable transmission is to be progressively varied, wherein in use the ratio of the continuously variable transmission can be varied at different rates.

82. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 81, wherein the logic selects the rate at which the ratio of the continuously variable transmission is to be varied by using as a factor one or more operating conditions of the electrical power generating arrangement.

83. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 82, wherein one operating condition that is used as a factor by the selection logic is the stability of the electrical power generating arrangement.

84. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 83, wherein said electrical power generating arrangement can acquire either one of a stable operational condition and an unstable operational condition, when the electrical power generating arrangement is in an unstable operating condition the logic directing the continuously variable transmission to change the ratio faster than if the electrical power generating arrangement is in a stable condition.

85. Electrical power generating arrangement as defined in claim 84, wherein the continuously variable transmission is a toroidal transmission and said electronic control controlling a ratio of the toroidal transmission and a power output of the internal combustion engine to vary the mechanical power input into the electric generator according to variations of the electrical power demanded by the load, while maintaining the rotational speed of the electrical generator substantially constant.

86. Electrical power generating arrangement, comprising:

a) a driveline including an electrical generator for use in supplying electrical power to a load, a continuously variable transmission that has a variable ratio and an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine drives the electrical generator via the continuously variable transmission;

b) an electronic control for directing the continuously variable transmission to vary its ratio at a rate that is dependent on the rate at which the electrical power demand of the load varies.

87. Electrical power generating arrangement, comprising:

a) a driveline including an electrical generator for use in supplying electrical power to a load, a continuously variable transmission that has a variable ratio and an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine drives the electrical generator via the continuously variable transmission;

b) an electronic control for directing the continuously variable transmission to vary its ratio, the electronic control including logic selects a rate at which the ratio of the continuously variable transmission is to be progressively varied among a range of rates.

88. Electrical power generating arrangement, comprising:

a) a driveline including an electrical generator for use in supplying electrical power to a load, a continuously variable transmission that has a variable ratio and an internal combustion engine, wherein the internal combustion engine drives the electrical generator via the continuously variable transmission;

b) an electronic control for directing the continuously variable transmission to vary its ratio, the electronic control including logic to determine a target ratio that the continuously variable transmission is to acquire, the electronic control sending control signals to the continuously variable transmission to progressively change its ratio from a current ratio to the target ratio at a rate at which the ratio of the continuously variable transmission is to be progressively varied, wherein in use the ratio of the continuously variable transmission can be varied at different rates.