Continuously variable planetary gear set
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A power train comprising:
- a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal axis of rotation configured to tilt in operation;
a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls;
a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls;
a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially;
an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls;
a first source of rotational power coupled to the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler;
a second source of rotational power coupled to the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler;
an electric generator coupled to the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler; and
wherein the first and second sources of rotational power and the electric generator are configured to separately couple to one of the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
-
Citations
39 Claims
-
1. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal axis of rotation configured to tilt in operation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; a first source of rotational power coupled to the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler; a second source of rotational power coupled to the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler; an electric generator coupled to the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler; and wherein the first and second sources of rotational power and the electric generator are configured to separately couple to one of the first disc, second disc, cage, or idler. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the first disc; an electric motor coupled to the second disc; and an electric generator coupled to the cage. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
-
-
19. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the first disc; an electric motor coupled to the second disc; and an electric generator coupled to the idler. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
-
-
22. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the cage; an electric motor coupled to the second disc; and an electric generator coupled to the first disc. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24)
-
-
25. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the idler; an electric motor coupled to the second disc; and an electric generator coupled to the first disc. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27)
-
-
28. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the first disc; an electric motor coupled to the idler; and an electric generator coupled to the cage. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
-
-
31. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the first disc; an electric motor coupled to the cage; and an electric generator coupled to the idler. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33)
-
-
34. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the cage; an electric motor coupled to the idler; and an electric generator coupled to the first disc. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
-
-
37. A power train comprising:
-
a plurality of balls, each ball having an internal, tiltable axis of rotation; a first disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the first disc and the balls; a second disc configured to facilitate torque transfer between the second disc and the balls; a cage configured to support the plurality of balls axially and radially; an idler located radially inward of the balls, the idler capable of facilitating torque transfer between the idler and the balls; an internal combustion engine coupled to the idler; an electric motor coupled to the cage; and an electric generator coupled to the first disc. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39)
-
Specification