Continuously variable ratio transmission
First Claim
1. A continuously variable ratio transmission (CVT) system for controlling a transmission ratio between an input means and an output means over a continuously variable range comprising:
- a planetary gear set having three rotary elements including a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier having at least two planet gears carried thereon, each of said rotary elements being adaptable to function as said input means, said output means or a control means;
said control means comprising a servogenerator capable of generating electric power, an electric output of said servogenerator connected to at least one auxiliary field coil in a main generator driven by said output means to influence a power output level and the transmission ratio to influence the alternating current (AC) power frequency of said main generator, said at least one auxiliary field coil being capable of being powered by electric power generated by said servogenerator and constituting a load to said servogenerator, the speed of said servogenerator being capable of being controlled by said load, and said load being controllable by a computerized controller; and
means for controlling an electrical current to said at least one auxiliary field coil from said servogenerator;
said servogenerator of said control means being coupled to one of said sun gear, said ring gear, and said planet carrier, such that said servogenerator is capable of being driven by a rotation of that element, to produce electrical power and to affect the transmission ratio.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A continuously variable ratio transmission including a planetary gear set having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier having at least two planet gears carried thereon, a control element including a servogenerator capable of generating electric power, and at least one auxillary field coil adapted to be operatively connected to an output means to influence a power output level and AC power frequency of the output means, the at least one auxillary field coil being powered by the servogenerator and constituting a load to the servogenerator, the speed of the servogenerator being capable of being controlled by the load; and a means for controlling an electrical current to the at least one auxiliary field coil form the servogenerator; where the servogenerator is capable of being driven to produce electrical power by a rotation of one of the sun gear, the ring gear, and the planet carrier.
-
Citations
8 Claims
-
1. A continuously variable ratio transmission (CVT) system for controlling a transmission ratio between an input means and an output means over a continuously variable range comprising:
-
a planetary gear set having three rotary elements including a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier having at least two planet gears carried thereon, each of said rotary elements being adaptable to function as said input means, said output means or a control means; said control means comprising a servogenerator capable of generating electric power, an electric output of said servogenerator connected to at least one auxiliary field coil in a main generator driven by said output means to influence a power output level and the transmission ratio to influence the alternating current (AC) power frequency of said main generator, said at least one auxiliary field coil being capable of being powered by electric power generated by said servogenerator and constituting a load to said servogenerator, the speed of said servogenerator being capable of being controlled by said load, and said load being controllable by a computerized controller; and means for controlling an electrical current to said at least one auxiliary field coil from said servogenerator; said servogenerator of said control means being coupled to one of said sun gear, said ring gear, and said planet carrier, such that said servogenerator is capable of being driven by a rotation of that element, to produce electrical power and to affect the transmission ratio. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
-
-
4. A continuously variable ratio transmission (CVT) system for controlling a transmission ratio between an input means and an output means over a continuously variable ratio range comprising:
-
a planetary gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet carrier having at least two planet gears carried thereon, and each of said sun gear, said ring gear and said planet carrier being adapted to be coupled to and used as one of said input means, said output means and a control means, said control means comprising a servogenerator adapted to be controlled by a computerized rotary speed controller while generating electric power, and at least one auxiliary field coil of a prime electric motor coupled to the input means to receive the electric power from said servogenerator, the current of said auxiliary field coil controlled by a computerized current controller to enable the control of the speed of the servogenerator and, thus, the transmission ratio of the CVT. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8)
-
Specification