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US 7,198,585 B2Granted
Continuously variable transmission
AssigneeFallbrook Technologies Inc.
InventorsDonald C. Miller, David J. Allen, Robert A. Smithson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variable speed transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs is illustrated and described that provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The use of a planetary gear set allows minimum speeds to be in reverse and the unique geometry of the transmission allows all of the power paths to be coaxial, thereby reducing overall size and complexity of the transmission in comparison to transmissions achieving similar transmission ratio ranges.
Claims20
A power transfer apparatus comprising:
- a first plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
- a first disc in contact with the first plurality of balls;
- a first idler in contact with the first plurality of balls;
- a second plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
- a second disc in contact with the second plurality of balls;
- a second idler in contact with the second plurality of balls;
- an input shaft connected to the first and second discs;
- and
- a third disc in contact with the first and second plurality of balls.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.