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US 10,670,124 B2Granted
Multi-mode infinitely variable transmission
AssigneeDeere & Company
InventorsAndrew K. Rekow, Rainer Gugel, David Mueller, Thomas G. Ore, Dennis L. Jeffries
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An infinitely variable transmission (IVT) provides a plurality of transmission modes. At least one mode is a serial mode and at least one other mode is a split-path mode. The serial mode may provide a powered zero and creeper ground speeds. The split-path mode(s) may provide higher field speeds.
Claims20
A work vehicle comprising:
- an engine;
- an infinitely variable power source (IVP);
- an output;
- and
- an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) that includes a variator, the IVT configured to shift between a plurality of transmission modes, the IVT configured to transmit power from at least one of the engine and the IVP to the output in the plurality of transmission modes;
- wherein the plurality of transmission modes includes a serial mode and at least one split-path mode;
- wherein, in the serial mode, the IVT connects the IVP to the output to provide a serial power from the IVP to the output for rotating the output at a first range of rotational speeds that includes a zero RPM speed at which torque is maintained at the output and a non-zero RPM creeper speed;
- wherein, in the serial mode, the IVT disconnects the engine from the output;
- wherein, in the at least one split-path mode, the variator receives engine power from the engine and IVP power from the IVP, and the variator outputs combined power from the IVP and the engine for rotating the output at a second range of rotational speeds;
- and
- wherein the first range of rotational speeds is lower than the second range of rotational speeds.
8 more elements
A method of operating an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) for transferring power from at least one of an engine and an infinitely variable power source (IVP), via a variator, to an output, the method comprising:
- operating the IVT in a serial mode in which the IVT connects the IVP to the output to provide a serial power from the IVP to the output for rotating the output at a first range of rotational speeds, wherein the IVT, in the serial mode, disconnects the engine from the output;
- operating the IVT in at least one split-path mode in which the variator receives engine power from the engine and IVP power from the IVP, and the variator outputs combined power from the IVP and the engine for rotating the output at a second range of rotational speeds;
- and
- wherein the first range of rotational speeds is lower than the second range of rotational speeds and includes a zero RPM speed at which torque is maintained at the output and a non-zero RPM creeper speed.
1 more element
A work vehicle comprising:
- an engine;
- an infinitely variable power source (IVP);
- an output;
- and
- an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) that includes a variator, the IVT configured to shift between a plurality of transmission modes, the IVT configured to transmit power from at least one of the engine and the IVP to the output in the plurality of transmission modes;
- wherein the plurality of transmission modes includes a serial mode and a plurality of split-path modes;
- wherein, in the serial mode, the IVT connects the IVP to the output to provide a serial power from the IVP to the output for rotating the output at a first range of rotational speeds, the first range including a zero RPM speed at which torque is maintained at the output and a non-zero RPM creeper speed;
- wherein, in the serial mode, the IVT disconnects the engine from the output;
- wherein, in the plurality of split-path modes, the variator receives engine power from the engine and IVP power from the IVP, and the variator outputs combined power from the IVP and the engine for rotating the output at respective ranges of field speeds;
- and
- wherein the field speeds are higher than the first range of rotational speeds.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.