GB709856A - Continuously variable and automatic change-speed gear - Google Patents

Abstract

709,856. Hydromechanical variable - speed gearing. SAUER, J. April 16, 1952 [April 17, 1951; April 7, 1952], No..9608/52. Classes 80 (1) and 80 (2) [Also in Groups XXVI and XXIX] A continuously variable automatic changespeed gear, e.g. for vehicle transmissions, comprises an output shaft driven by the planet carrier of an epicyclic gear, the annulus of which is driven by an engine shaft and the sun wheel of which is fixed to a turbine wheel driven by oil from a gear pump driven by the engine shaft. In the embodiment shown an: engine shaft 1 drives an annulus gear 5 and an oil distributer 4 directly and a gear pump 16, 17 through worm gearing 7. Oil is supplied from a sump 14 through passages 8 in the distributer 4 to a turbine member 24 which is fixed to a sun wheel 20. The planet wheel carrier 27 drives a shaft 26 which is connected by an automatic speed responsive clutch to an output shaft 42. The automatic clutch comprises weights 37 which move outwardly under centrifugal force, against the action of springs 36, to engage a member 32 rotatably mounted on the shaft 26. A hub 33 fast with the shaft 26 has fixed thereto a member 34. Rollers 35 are located between camming recesses in the members 34, 37. The shoes 37 may be held clear of the member 32 by a slidable member 46. The member 32 carries planetary gears 31 which engage a sun wheel 30 on the shaft 26 and an annulus gear 40 on the output shaft 42. In operation the shaft 26 gradually increases its speed until finally the shoes 37 under centrifugal action engage the member 32 to produce a solid drive from the shaft 26 to the output shaft 42. In a modification, Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown) the turbine has several stages, and in a further modification, Figs. 6 and 7 (not shown), one turbine stage is connected directly to an extension of the shaft 26.