Continuously variable torque converter

An electromagnetic transmission comprising three generally cylindrical structures concentrically disposed about a common longitudinal axis;

• the inner structure being a rotatably mounted primary armature having an input shaft extending along said axis for connection to a prime mover capable of rotating said primary armature about said axis;
• the intermediate structure being a rotatably mounted field member having an output shaft extending along said axis for connection to a mechanical load, and having an even number of pole shoes surrounded by main and auxiliary windings, the main windings being connected in parallel with the primary and secondary armature windings and the auxiliary windings, connected in series with said armature windings, being associated with a variable shunt resistor whose resistance at any time is determined by the controller as one of two controlled variables;
• and the outer structure being a stationary secondary armature the windings of which are arranged to be controlled in their configuration by a system of electrical relays capable of continuously adjusting the number of secondary armature conductors connected in series.