Transmission with variable ratio utilizing three planetaries, five members, a variable speed pump, and a variable speed motor and associated method for operatively connecting components associated therewith
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsKent A. Casey, Eric D. Stemler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A transmission and an associated method for operatively connecting components associated therewith include a hydrostatic transmission, a mechanical transmission having a planetary gearing mechanism, the mechanical transmission being driven by an engine and the hydrostatic transmission being driven by and interacting with the mechanical transmission to provide infinitely adjustable power flow through the transmission. The planetary gearing mechanism includes three planetary gear sets and five members to connect the transmission to an output.
Claims34
A transmission comprising:
- an input;
- an output;
- a motor;
- a pump fluidly connected to the motor;
- a planetary gearing mechanism including a first, a second and a third planetary gear set, the first, second and third planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier with planet gears and a ring gear;
- a first member of the planetary gearing mechanism connected to the motor and connectable to the output;
- a second member of the planetary gearing mechanism connectable to the output;
- a third member of the planetary gearing mechanism connected to the input;
- a fourth member of the planetary gearing mechanism connectable to the output;
- and
- a fifth member of the planetary gearing mechanism connected to the pump.
A transmission comprising:
- an input;
- an output;
- a motor;
- a generator connected to the motor;
- a planetary gearing mechanism including a first, a second and a third planetary gear set, the first, second and third planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier with planet gears and a ring gear;
- a first member of the planetary gearing mechanism connected to the motor and connectable to the output;
- a second member of the planetary gearing mechanism connectable to the output;
- a third member of the planetary gearing mechanism connected to the input;
- a fourth member of the planetary gearing mechanism connectable to the output;
- and
- a fifth member of the planetary gearing mechanism connected to the generator.
A method for operably connecting components of a transmission that includes an input, an output, a motor, a pump, and a planetary gearing mechanism including a first, a second and a third planetary gear set, the first, second and third planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier with planet gears and a ring gear, the method comprising the steps of:
- fluidly connecting the pump to the motor;
- connecting a first member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the motor and to the output;
- connecting a second member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the output;
- connecting a third member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the input;
- connecting a fourth member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the output;
- and
- connecting a fifth member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the pump.
A method for operably connecting components of a transmission that includes an input, an output, a motor, a generator, and a planetary gearing mechanism including a first, a second and a third planetary gear set, the first, second and third planetary gear sets each having a sun gear, a carrier with planet gears and a ring gear, the method comprising the steps of:
- connecting the generator to the motor;
- connecting a first member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the motor and to the output;
- connecting a second member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the output;
- connecting a third member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the input;
- connecting a fourth member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the output;
- and
- connecting a fifth member of the planetary gearing mechanism to the generator.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.