Key pulley segment features, segment stack configuration, and cam and roller design and actuation in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system

A key pulley segment, acting as one pulley segment in a pulley segment set, in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system, and having a distal relationship with the teeth of a second pulley such that simultaneous engagement of an endless member is possible, incorporating an adjacent pulley segment with elongated or overhanging teeth features, with an extending segment portion which may or may not slidably mate with a supporting surface of the key pulley segment.

A supporting surface on a key pulley segment for an endless member, created by the shortening or complete trimming of one or more key pulley segment teeth, in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system.

A unified stack comprised of multiple, staggered pulley segments, vertically connected or constructed onto one or more slidably movable components, with mating features and guiding rails on their inner and outer surfaces, any of which pulley segments in the unified stack may engage an endless member, in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system.

A core pulley in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system, with guiding rails which mate with the mating features on a inner surface of a most proximate unified stack comprised of multiple, staggered pulley segments, vertically connected or constructed onto one or more slidably movable components, where the guiding rails of said core pulley may also function as teeth capable of engaging the endless member.

A series of one or more cams, in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system, affixed or fixably mounted to a chassis or housing, and a series of rollers, fixed members or other such cam followers, with a roller arm affixed to each roller, where the roller and roller arm are slidably or rotatably mounted to unified pulley segment stacks, together capable of moving a unified pulley segment stack by the movement of each roller into and out of an active position, enabling its engagement with a cam, in a manner such that individual pulley segments of said stack may be moved into or out of an engaging position.

The actuation of a roller, or fixed member or other such cam follower, and its roller-arm, together into its active position, before the point of engagement of the roller with a cam, and out of its active position, after its point of engagement with the cam, by an array of fixably mounted electromagnets located near the path of a roller, in proximity to or as part of the cam in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system.

An arrangement of multiple cams, in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system, such that discrete sequential engagement by a series of rollers, or fixed members or other such cam followers, together with the corresponding series of attached unified pulley segment stacks, is available, such that a unified pulley segment stack may move into a plurality of positions, which positions correspond to the several engaging positions of pulley segments contained in the stack.

An array of fixably mounted electromagnets, arranged such that a feature on a pulley segment or pulley segment stack in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system may be discretely actuated, by the synchronization of the energizing of one or more selectable electromagnets to the position and motion of the desired pulley segment feature, which feature may be the pulley segment or pulley segment stack itself, a roller, a cam follower or other fixed member, or some other actuator feature, when the desired feature passes proximate to the selected electromagnet or electromagnets in the array.

A system of sequencing the energization of fixably mounted electromagnets in an array, such that pulley segment features, which features may be a pulley segment or pulley segment stack itself, a roller, a cam follower or other fixed member, or some other actuator feature, such that an individual pulley segment or pulley segment stack may be discretely actuated, in a synchronized segmentally interchanging pulley transmission system.

(canceled)