Electromotive drives
First Claim
1. A variable speed transmission having a longitudinal axis, the transmission comprising:
- a plurality of balls distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
an input disc in contact with each of the balls;
an idler rotatable about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the balls, the idler capable of transferring power;
an output disc in contact with each of the balls; and
an electricity-producing generator comprising;
a non-rotating electrical stator coupled to a nonrotating component of the transmission; and
a rotating electrical rotor coupled to a rotating component of the transmission.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.
439 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A variable speed transmission having a longitudinal axis, the transmission comprising:
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a plurality of balls distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; an input disc in contact with each of the balls; an idler rotatable about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the balls, the idler capable of transferring power; an output disc in contact with each of the balls; and an electricity-producing generator comprising; a non-rotating electrical stator coupled to a nonrotating component of the transmission; and a rotating electrical rotor coupled to a rotating component of the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A variable speed transmission having a longitudinal axis, the transmission comprising:
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a plurality of balls distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; an input disc in contact with each of the balls; an output disc in contact with each of the balls; an idler rotatable about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the balls; an electrical stator coupled to a component of the transmission; and a rotating electrical rotor coupled to a component of the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A variable speed transmission having a longitudinal axis, the transmission comprising:
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a plurality of balls distributed radially about the longitudinal axis, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; an input disc in contact with each of the balls; an output disc in contact with each of the balls; a cage configured to position the balls radially and axially relative to the longitudinal axis; an idler rotatable about the longitudinal axis and positioned radially inward of and in contact with each of the balls; and an electrical stator coaxial with the longitudinal axis and configured to receive electricity. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification