Continuously variable transmission

• US 7,837,592 B2
• Filed: 01/26/2009
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fallbrook Intellectual Property Company LLC (Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Fallbrook Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Miller, Donald C
• Primary Examiner(s): Wright; Dirk
• Application Number:
  US12/360,006
• Publication Number:
  US 20090127863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 476/38, 290/55
• US Class Current: 476/38
• CPC Class Codes: B62M 11/00 Transmissions characterised by the use of interengaging toothed wheels or frictionally-engaging wheels with roller engaging the periphery of ground wheel B62M13/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 15/28 with external friction surface
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 61/664 Friction gearings

Abstract

A continuously variable transmission is disclosed for use in rotationally or linearly powered machines and vehicles. The single axle transmission provides a simple manual shifting method for the user. An additional embodiment is disclosed which shifts automatically dependent upon the rotational speed of the wheel. Further, the practical commercialization of traction roller transmissions requires improvements in the reliability, ease of shifting, function and simplicity of the transmission. The disclosed transmission may be used in vehicles such as automobiles, motorcycles, and bicycles. The transmission may, for example, be driven by a power transfer mechanism such as a sprocket, gear, pulley or lever, optionally driving a one way clutch attached at one end of the main shaft.

Claims

1. A wind turbine comprising:

a power source of the wind turbine;

a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the power source, the continuously variable transmission comprising;

a plurality of power adjusters, each power adjuster adapted to rotate about an axis centrally located within the power adjuster; and

a support member coupled to each of the power adjusters, the support member having a disk with a central hole and an outer circumference, the support member having a plurality of grooves that extend radially from the outer circumference toward the central hole, the support member having a plurality of concave surfaces that extend radially from the outer circumference toward the central hole, wherein the concave surfaces are angularly interposed between the grooves.

2. The wind turbine of claim 1, wherein the power source is adapted to receive a power from a shaft of the wind turbine.

3. The wind turbine of claim 2, further comprising a rotating driving member operably coupled to the shaft of the wind turbine.

4. The wind turbine of claim 2, further comprising a generator operably coupled to the shaft.

5. The wind turbine of claim 4, wherein the continuously variable transmission is operably coupled to the generator.

6. The wind turbine of claim 4, further comprising a rotating driving member operably coupled to the generator.

7. A wind turbine comprising:

a rotor configured as a power source of the wind turbine;

a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the rotor, the continuously variable transmission having a plurality of power adjusters, each power adjuster adapted to rotate about an axis centrally located within the adjuster;

a shifting mechanism for the continuously variable transmission, the shifting mechanism comprising;

at least one platform; and

a plurality of spindle supports engaged with the platform such that the spindle supports adjust the axis of rotation of the power adjusters in response to axial movement of the platform.

8. The wind turbine of claim 7, further comprising a rotatable support member coupled to each power adjuster.

9. The wind turbine of claim 7, further comprising a shaft operably coupled to the rotor.

10. The wind turbine of claim 9, wherein the shaft is operably coupled to the support member.

11. The wind turbine of claim 9, wherein the shaft is configured to drive a rotating driving member of the continuously variable transmission.

12. The wind turbine of claim 11, wherein the rotating driving member is in contact with each of the power adjusters.

13. A wind turbine comprising:

a shaft adapted to receive a power from a wind rotor;

a continuously variable transmission operably coupled to the shaft, the continuously variable transmission the continuously variable transmission having a plurality of power adjusters, each power adjuster adapted to rotate about an axis centrally located within the adjuster;

a plurality of radial grooves adapted to receive the first and second ends of the spindles; and

a plurality of concave surfaces operationally coupled to the spindles, wherein the concave surfaces are adapted to guide an axial and radial movement of the spindles.

14. The wind turbine of claim 13, further comprising a rotatable driving member in contact with each of the power adjusters.

15. The wind turbine of claim 14, wherein the rotatable driving member is adapted to receive a power from the shaft.

16. The wind turbine of claim 13, wherein the concave surfaces are angularly interposed between at least some of the grooves.

17. The wind turbine of claim 15, further comprising a generator operably coupled to the shaft.

18. The wind turbine of claim 17, wherein the generator is operably coupled to the rotatable driving member.

19. The wind turbine of claim 13, wherein the plurality of grooves and the plurality of concave surfaces are formed on a disk.

20. The wind turbine of claim 19, wherein the disk comprises a central hole and an outer circumference.