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US 7,238,136 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.
Claims18
A machine comprising:
- a prime mover;
- a power train operationally coupled to the prime mover, the power train comprising:
- a planetary gearset mounted on a shaft, the shaft defining a longitudinal axis;
- a variator comprising:
- a plurality of balls, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates;
- a first disc in contact with the balls;
- a second disc in contact with the balls;
- and
- an idler in contact with the balls;
- a plurality of shift guide sleeves operationally coupled to the idler;
- wherein the variator is mounted coaxially with the planetary gearset along the longitudinal axis;
- and wherein the planetary gearset is operationally coupled to the variator.
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.