US4233859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Infinitely variable transmission unit and system incorporating same
Assignee: IPANEMA COMPANY A MI LP
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Filing: 1979-10-01
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Granted: 1980-11-18
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Expires: 1999-10-01
Abstract
Abstract An infinitely variable (I.V.) transmission unit having a single input and at least two independently rotatable outputs driven by rolling friction surfaces with a variable radius ratio and by unit contained gearing. The separate output shafts are coupled with distinct gear reduction functions to a single I.V. functioning or working unit to enable different output/input speed ratio ranges to be achieved by each unit output. The unit is combined with a simple external gear set and clutching to provide diverse system operation in which the range of I.V. operation is enlarged. Also, synchronous operation of the system is achieved with no external epicyclic gear operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Yves J. Kemper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:59
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H15/00; F16H15/48; F16H15/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
287 words
An infinitely variable torque transmission system comprising: a system input; a system output; an I.V. unit including an alpha body rotatable on a first axis and drivably connected with said system input, a beta body having a beta rolling surface of revolution about a second axis, said beta body being carried by said alpha body so that said second axis is inclined with respect to and intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection, and an omega body having an omega rolling surface of revolution about said first axis, one of said beta and omega rolling surfaces being of variable radii whereas the other of said rolling surfaces is of relatively constant radius, said rolling surfaces being in frictional engagement at each other at a contact point, means for adjusting the position of said contact point to vary the ratio of said rolling surface radii, a pair of rotatable unit output shafts, first fixed ratio means for combining movement of at least two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive one of said unit output shafts in a first range of unit output speeds for a given system input speed dependent on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii and second fixed ratio means for combining movement of the same two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive the other of said unit output shafts in a second different range of unit output speeds for said given input speed dependent also on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii; and means for alternately coupling one or the other of said unit output shafts to said system output and to provide at least two system ranges of output/input speed ratios.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
287 words
An infinitely variable torque transmission system comprising: a system input; a system output; an I.V. unit including an alpha body rotatable on a first axis and drivably connected with said system input, a beta body having a beta rolling surface of revolution about a second axis, said beta body being carried by said alpha body so that said second axis is inclined with respect to and intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection, and an omega body having an omega rolling surface of revolution about said first axis, one of said beta and omega rolling surfaces being of variable radii whereas the other of said rolling surfaces is of relatively constant radius, said rolling surfaces being in frictional engagement at each other at a contact point, means for adjusting the position of said contact point to vary the ratio of said rolling surface radii, a pair of rotatable unit output shafts, first fixed ratio means for combining movement of at least two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive one of said unit output shafts in a first range of unit output speeds for a given system input speed dependent on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii and second fixed ratio means for combining movement of the same two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive the other of said unit output shafts in a second different range of unit output speeds for said given input speed dependent also on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii; and means for alternately coupling one or the other of said unit output shafts to said system output and to provide at least two system ranges of output/input speed ratios.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein said means for alternately coupling one or the other of said unit output shafts to said system output comprises gearing to define a third fixed ratio means combinable with at least one said first and second fixed ratio means to substantially equate the maximum output/input speed ratio of one of said system ranges to the minimum output/input speed ratio of the other of said ranges.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said means for alternately coupling one or the other of said unit output shafts to said system output comprises fourth fixed ratio means combinable with one of said first and second fixed ratio means alternately with said third fixed ratio means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus recited in claim 3, wherein said fourth fixed ratio means comprises means to effect a direct 1:1 connection of said system output shaft with one of said unit output shafts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus recited in claim 2, wherein said first, second and third fixed ratio means are related to each other and to said ratio of rolling surface radii so that variations of said ratio of rolling surface radii between minimum and maximum values is in opposite directions of variation for the same direction of speed variation in each of said system ranges, whereby the value of said ratio of rolling surface radii is the same for said substantially equated maximum and minimum speed ratios.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
40 words
The apparatus recited in either of claims 2 or 5, wherein said gearing comprises means combinable with one of said first or second ratio means to reverse the direction of system output in at least one of said system ranges.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
59 words
The apparatus recited in either of claims 2 or 5, wherein said unit output shafts are rotatable in opposite directions for the same direction of system input rotation and wherein said third fixed ratio means operates to reverse the direction of rotation resulting from the one of said first and second fixed ratio means with which it is combinable.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
31 words
The apparatus recited in either of claims 2 or 5, wherein said gearing is simple gearing so that no torque transmitted thereby is recirculated to either of said unit output shafts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
61 words
The apparatus recited in claim 5, wherein a combination of one of said first and second fixed ratio means and the range of variation in said ratio of rolling surface radii causes a directional reversal in one of said unit output shafts as said ratio of rolling surface radii is varied between minimum and maximum values in one direction of variation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
246 words
In an infinitely variable transmission unit including an alpha body rotatable on a first axis and drivably connected with a unit input, a beta body having a beta rolling surface of revolution about a second axis, said beta body being carried by said alpha body so that said second axis is inclined with respect to and intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection, and an omega body having an omega rolling surface of revolution about said first axis, one of said beta and omega rolling surfaces being of variable radii whereas the other of said rolling surfaces is of relatively constant radius, said rolling surfaces being in frictional engagement at each other at a contact point, means for adjusting the position of said contact point to vary the ratio of said rolling surface radii, the improvement comprising: a pair of rotatable unit output shafts; first fixed ratio means for combining movement of at least two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive one of said unit output shafts in a first range of speeds for a given system input speed dependent on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii; and second fixed ratio means for combining movement of the same two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive the other of said unit output shafts in a second different range of speeds for said given input speed dependent also on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
246 words
In an infinitely variable transmission unit including an alpha body rotatable on a first axis and drivably connected with a unit input, a beta body having a beta rolling surface of revolution about a second axis, said beta body being carried by said alpha body so that said second axis is inclined with respect to and intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection, and an omega body having an omega rolling surface of revolution about said first axis, one of said beta and omega rolling surfaces being of variable radii whereas the other of said rolling surfaces is of relatively constant radius, said rolling surfaces being in frictional engagement at each other at a contact point, means for adjusting the position of said contact point to vary the ratio of said rolling surface radii, the improvement comprising: a pair of rotatable unit output shafts; first fixed ratio means for combining movement of at least two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive one of said unit output shafts in a first range of speeds for a given system input speed dependent on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii; and second fixed ratio means for combining movement of the same two of said alpha, beta and omega bodies to drive the other of said unit output shafts in a second different range of speeds for said given input speed dependent also on variation of said ratio of rolling surface radii.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein movement of said alpha and beta bodies are combined to drive said output shafts.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
72 words
The apparatus recited in claim 11, wherein said first fixed ratio means comprises a drive pinion coupled at one end of said beta body and a sun gear on one of said output shafts drivably connected with said drive pinion; and wherein said second fixed ratio means comprises said drive pinion and a ring gear in mesh with said drive pinion and coupled for rotation with the other of said output shafts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus recited in claim 12, wherein said first fixed ratio means further comprises an idler gear carried rotatably by said alpha body, said idler gear meshing with both said sun gear and said drive pinion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-11-18 | 1984-05-19 | 1984-11-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-11-18 | 1988-05-19 | 1988-11-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-11-18 | 1992-05-19 | 1992-11-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |