Variable ratio transmission

A variable ratio transmission for an engine comprising:

• a planetary gear system having a planet ring with a plurality of planet gears rotatably connected thereto, an outer drum gear and an inner sun gear, said planet ring acting as input driven by the engine, said sun gear acting as output;
• a mechanism for providing a variable force against the drum gear so that the sun gear is driven by the engine through a variable ratio, said providing mechanism disposed adjacent to said drum gear, said providing mechanism capable of applying a force against the drum gear ranging from essentially zero to a force sufficient to fully immobilize the drum gear so that when the force is zero against the drum gear it is free to rotate and when the drum gear is fully stopped the planet gear is free to fully drive said sun gear;
• wherein said providing mechanism provides a continuous variable force against the drum gear;
• wherein the providing mechanism can selectively provide a positive or negative force to the drum gear so as to variably drive the sun gear in forward or reverse;
• wherein the providing mechanism comprises a first hydraulic pump and a drive member connecting the first pump to the drum gear, said first pump having a control valve for variably controlling pump output;
• and
• wherein the providing mechanism comprises drive control means for controlling the control valve.