Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
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1. A power train comprising:
- a first source of rotational power;
an electric generator;
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal axis of rotation configured to tilt in operation;
a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc configured to be nonrotatable;
a second disc in contact with the balls;
a rotatable cage adapted to support the plurality of balls axially and radially, the rotatable cage coupled to the first source of rotational power; and
an idler in contact with the balls and located radially inward of the balls, the idler coupled to the electric generator.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power train comprising:
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a first source of rotational power; an electric generator; a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal axis of rotation configured to tilt in operation; a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc configured to be nonrotatable; a second disc in contact with the balls; a rotatable cage adapted to support the plurality of balls axially and radially, the rotatable cage coupled to the first source of rotational power; and an idler in contact with the balls and located radially inward of the balls, the idler coupled to the electric generator. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A power train comprising:
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an electric generator; an electric motor; an internal combustion engine; a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal axis of rotation configured to tilt in operation; a first disc in contact with the balls, the first disc configured to be nonrotatable; a second disc in contact with the balls, the second disc operably coupled to the electric motor; a rotatable cage adapted to support the plurality of balls axially and radially, the rotatable cage coupled to the internal combustion engine; and an idler in contact with the balls and located radially inward of the balls, the idler coupled to the electric generator. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A power train comprising:
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a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal axis of rotation configured to tilt in operation; a first disc configured to react a rolling movement of the balls, the first disc configured to be nonrotatable; a second disc, the second disc configured to transfer torque to and/or from the balls; a rotatable cage adapted to constrain axial and radial movements of the balls, the rotatable cage configured to transfer torque to and/or from the balls; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler configured to transfer torque to and/or from the balls; an electric generator coupled to the idler and mounted coaxially with the idler; a first source of rotational power coupled to the second disc; and a second source of rotational power coupled to the rotatable cage. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification