Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
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1. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
- a first source of rotational energy;
a second source of rotational energy; and
a transmission adapted to accept rotational energy from both the first and second sources comprising;
a longitudinal axis;
a plurality of balls distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, 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;
a rotatable idler coaxial about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the balls; and
a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls;
wherein the first source supplies rotational energy to the cage and the second energy source supplies rotational energy to the input disc.
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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.
339 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A hybrid vehicle, comprising:
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a first source of rotational energy; a second source of rotational energy; and a transmission adapted to accept rotational energy from both the first and second sources comprising; a longitudinal axis; a plurality of balls distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, 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; a rotatable idler coaxial about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the balls; and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls; wherein the first source supplies rotational energy to the cage and the second energy source supplies rotational energy to the input disc. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification