GB1350763A - Infinitely variable speed transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

1350763 Variable-speed gear W F GRANVILLE and T W CARLIN 10 May 1971 [13 Feb 1970 13 Aug 1970] 7098/70 and 39131/70 Heading F2D A steplessly variable drive from zero to oneto-one output speed is produced by one or two pairs of diametrically opposed eccentric masses 11 on shafts 10 in a freely-mounted carrier, and mounting planets 12, 13, meshing suns 5, 6, fast on input and output shafts 2, 7 respectively. It is stated that the negative torque impulses produced by each mass are absorbed by reaction on the teeth of the input sun 5, so that only positive torque impulses are transmitted. The wheels are helically toothed and the planets 13 are urged axially left on shaftsplines to equalize planet loading. In Fig. 3, not shown, the masses are radially adjusted on transverse pivots on the shafts 10 by a manual, speed- or torque-responsive control, to vary the radial position of their centres of gravity from zero to a maximum. In Fig. 4, not shown, each planet shaft 10 carries a pair of opposed masses, one fast on the shaft, the other turnable thereon to vary the radius of the common centre of gravity, by manual axial movement of a common helically toothed wheel slidable on the main shaft, and meshing helical wheels secured to the respective turnable masses. In Fig. 5, not shown, the masses slide radially in a carrier, which is axially movable to cause the masses to slide along inclined portions of the planet shafts 10. Reverse gear.-An input shaft 100, driven by the above gear carries a sun 101<SP>1</SP>, an aligned output shaft 103 a ring gear 102<SP>1</SP>, whilst a carrier 104 of stepped planets meshing therewith is clutched to output 103 for forward or braked to a fixed casing for reverse by axial movement of a cone clutch-brake 105, operated through a non-rotary ring 106<SP>1</SP>, moved left or right respectively by energizing through a switch 111 solenoids 110, 110<SP>1</SP>, the former receiving plain iron plungers, whilst the latter receive brass plungers 110<SP>111</SP> having iron end portions 110<SP>1111</SP>. The cone clutch and brake surfaces are toothed. Springs (Fig. 8, not shown) centralize the clutchbrake cone 105. In Fig. 9, not shown, the cone is actuated by a double-acting fluid-pressure servo, hydraulic, pneumatic or vacuum. Fig. 10, not shown, provides a motor vehicle transmission, wherein a mass-inertia gear as shown above, replaces the usual main clutch, and drives a manual change-speed gear through a cone separating clutch, released during gear shift by a solenoid energized through a manual switch. A negative torque one-way clutch connects the output of the mass inertia gear to its planet carrier to transmit engine brake torque.