Power transfer system and method using a variable speed ratio regulating device
AssigneeMainstream Engineering Corporation
InventorJerald G. Wagner
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A device is described for transmitting mechanical power that allows variable output-speed to input-speed ratios. Gear sets such as epicyclic gear sets have components that rotate about a common axis selectively at the same rotational speed and at different relative rotational speeds as determined by at least one of fluid flow and fluid pressure. One or more inlet ports and fluid passageways introduce a working fluid into one or more volume spaces between the components. The internal pressure and flow of the working fluid through the device is controlled to provide substantially infinite variability of the output-speed to input-speed ratios for applications where, for example, an engine provides the mechanical power for propelling a vehicle.
Claims13
A device for transmitting mechanical power that allows variable output-speed to input-speed ratios, comprising:
- first, second, and third components operatively arranged to rotate about a common axis selectively at the same rotational speed and at different relative rotational speeds, as determined by at least one of fluid flow and fluid pressure, at least one inlet port and fluid passageway for introducing a working fluid into at least one volume space defined between at least one of the first and second components and of the second and third components, at least one outlet port, at least one fluid passageway configured and arranged to collect the working fluid exiting from the at least one volume space and to allow the collected working fluid to exit at the at least one outlet port, and an apparatus configured to control at least one of internal pressure and flow of the working fluid through the device, and where the volume space between the one or more of the first and second components and the one or more of the second and third components is a variable volume when the working fluid is allowed to flow through the device and is a fixed volume when the fluid is prevented from flowing through the device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.