US 4,907,474 A · Mechanical torque converter

Abstract

A mechanical torque converting transmission for producing an output with variable, controllable speed and torque characteristics comprises a rotary input shaft adapted for attachment to a rotary power source and connected to a main drive gear. The drive gear is meshed with a plurality of pinion gears which are journaled for rotation on an arm assembly. An eccentric device is driven by each pinion gear for creating a centrifugal force that cyclically urges the arm assembly in alternating forward and backward directions with a pulsating motion during each rotation of each eccentric device. A clutch is provided for allowing forward movement of the arm assembly while preventing movement in the backward direction during each eccentric revolution. A resiliently displaceable device interconnecting the arm assembly and an output shaft transforms the pulsating motion of the arm assembly to a smooth rotational motion of the output shaft, thereby causing the output shaft to rotate at a different speed and torque from that of the input shaft. Controls can be utilized to activate or deactivate the clutch and also change the phase relationship of the driven eccentric devices in order to vary the transmission output under varying load conditions.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A mechanical torque converting transmission adapted for use with a rotary power source, said transmission comprising:

a rotary input shaft adapted for attachment to the rotary power source for supplying input torque at a preselected speed;
a main gear means connected to said rotary input shaft;
an output shaft;
a rotatable arm assembly;
pinion gear means meshed with said main gear means and journaled for rotation on said arm assembly about an axis spaced from and parallel to the rotational axis of said main gear means;
eccentric means driven by said pinion gear means for creating a centrifugal force that cyclically urges said arm assembly in alternating forward and backward directions with a pulsating motion during each rotation of said eccentric means;
clutch means for allowing forward movement of said arm assembly while preventing said arm assembly from moving in the backward direction during each said cycle;
and
resiliently displaceable means interconnecting said arm assembly and said output shaft for transforming the pulsating motion of said arm assembly to a smooth rotational motion of said output shaft;
whereby said output shaft may be caused to rotate at a lower speed but at a higher torque than said input shaft.

7 more elements

A mechanical torque converting transmission adapted for use with a rotary power source, said transmission comprising:

a rotary input shaft adapted for attachment to the rotary power source for supplying input torque at a preselected speed;
a first gear means connected to said rotary input shaft;
a second gear means connected to and coaxial with said first gear means;
an output shaft axially aligned with said input shaft;
an arm assembly rotatable on the axis of said output shaft;
a first pair of pinion gears meshed with said first gear means and a second pair of pinion gears spaced from said first pair and meshed with said second gear means, all of said pinion gears being journaled for rotation on said arm assembly about axes that are spaced 90.degree. apart and parallel to the rotational axis of said arm assembly;
eccentric means driven by each said pinion gear means for creating a centrifugal force that cyclically urges said arm assembly in alternating forward and backward directions with a pulsating motion during each rotation of said pinion gears;
clutch means for allowing forward movement of said arm assembly while preventing said arm assembly from moving in the backward direction during each said cycle;
and
a first radial arm connected to said arm assembly and rotatable on the axis of said output shaft;
a second radial arm having a hub portion fixed to said output shaft;
displaceable means for interconnecting the ends of said first and second radial arms, thereby causing said output shaft to be rotated at a lower speed but at a higher torque than said input shaft.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Mechanical torque converter

Life of this patent

Mechanical torque converter

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24