Infinitely variable transmission for automotive vehicle driveline

Claim 1

In an infinitely variable transmission for use in an automotive vehicle driveline having a fluid pressure operated clutch means for establishing and disestablishing a torque flow path through said transmission; a driving shaft, a first fixed sheave connected to said driving shaft, clutch means for connecting the driving shaft to a torque input shaft, a first movable sheave mounted on said driving shaft and cooperating with said first fixed sheave to define a driving sheave assembly; an intermediate shaft and a second fixed sheave carried on said intermediate shaft, a second movable sheave slidably mounted on said intermediate shaft and cooperating with said second fixed sheave to define a driven sheave assembly; a drive belt drivably connecting said driving sheave assembly and said driven sheave assembly; an output torque differential gear mechanism, final drive gearing connecting said intermediate shaft to said differential gear assembly; a positive displacement pump, a drive shaft for said pump extending through said driving shaft, a first overrunning coupling means connecting drivably said pump drive shaft and said driving shaft and a second overrunning coupling connecting drivably said torque input shaft and said pump drive shaft, each overrunning coupling assembly being adapted to distribute torque therethrough to said pump drive shaft in the same direction whereby said pump is driven regardless of the direction of torque delivery through said torque transmitting drive belt; a fluid pressure clutch servo means for operating said clutch means and a hydraulic connection between said pump and said clutch servo means whereby the latter is actuated to effect torque transfer to said engine when the direction of torque delivery through said transmission mechanism is reversed.