High efficiency power split continuously variable transmission

A transmission comprising:

• a first rotating member to receive power from an external source;
• said first rotating member being coupled to one channel of a 3-channel speed summing junction and transferring said power into said junction;
• a second rotating member coupled to another channel of said speed summing junction;
• said second rotating member further being coupled to an output to send said power to a load;
• and
• means capable to send or receive the differential in power between said first and second rotating members to a stationary mechanism and accordingly constrain motion of the third channel of the speed summing junction.

A transmission comprising:

• a first rotating member, such as a shaft, coupled to receive power from a source;
• a second rotating member constrained to rotate concentric with the first rotating member;
• a third rotating member constrained to rotate coaxially with the second rotating member and further coupled to a load;
• a positive displacement hydraulic mechanism such as an axial piston device with portions thereof positioned on and between said second and third members such that a volume is displaced and thus hydraulic flow by relative angular motions between them;
• a plurality of rotary couplings positioned on either second, third or both said rotating members in fluid communication to receive or disperse said hydraulic flow;
• a variable displacement hydraulic mechanism in fluid communication with said rotary couplings and coupled to said first rotating member;
• a clutch operable to couple said second member to said first member;
• and
• a clutch operable to lock said second rotating member stationary relative to ground.

A power transfer device comprising:

• a first rotating member coupled to receive power from a wind turbine;
• a second rotating member constrained to rotate coaxially with the first rotating member;
• a positive displacement hydraulic mechanism such as an axial piston device with portions thereof positioned on and between said first and second rotating members such that a volume is displaced and thus hydraulic flow by relative angular motion between them;
• a plurality of rotary couplings positioned on either first, second or both said rotating members in fluid communication to receive or disperse said hydraulic flow from the rotating members;
• and
• a variable displacement hydraulic mechanism in fluid communication with said rotary couplings and coupled to said first rotating member.

A transmission device comprising:

• a first rotating member configured to receive power from an external source;
• a second rotating member juxtaposed with said first rotating member and configured to receive the same level of torque as said first rotating member, but a lesser angular excursion, angular speed and, thus, a lesser amount of power;
• means operative to transfer the power difference between the first member and the second member;
• means to receive the power difference and convert said power difference into a new torque and speed product where new speed matches the speed of the said second rotating member;
• and
• means to operative to add the new quantity of torque to said second rotating member.