US4630494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Radially oriented nutational traction drive transmission
Assignee: TRACTIONTEC CORP A MICHIGAN CORP
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Filing: 1985-04-18
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Granted: 1986-12-23
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Expires: 2005-04-18
Abstract
Abstract A continuously variable traction drive transmission of the class including three working bodies, two of which are concentric with a first transmission axis, the other of which is concentric with a second axis intersecting and inclined with respect to the first axis, and wherein the angle of intersection subtending the axes is large acute angle so that the points of rolling friction contact always lie between the intersecting transmission axes. The body concentric with the second axis includes two oppositely convergent cone-like rolling surfaces of revolution about the second axis which are held in rolling friction engagement with annular plate-like members forming one of the two bodies concentric with the first axis. The other of the two bodies concentric with the first axis carries the body on the second in nutation and continuously variable speed ratios are achieved by adjusting the cone members relative to the plate members.
Inventors
- 👤 Yves J. Kemper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 03:50
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H15/00; F16H15/48; F16H15/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
In a continuously variable traction drive transmission having a frame, an alpha body supported by said frame for rotation about a first axis, a beta body supported by said alpha body on a second axis intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection and at an acute angle of axes intersection, said beta body having a pair of members on opposite sides of said point of axis intersection for defining beta rolling surfaces of revolution about said second axis, omega body means for defining a pair of omega rolling surfaces of revolution about said first axis, said beta and omega surfaces being in rolling friction engagement at two points of contact in a plane containing said first and second axes, said two points of contact being located on opposite sides of said first axis and on opposite sides of said second axis, and means for varying the radius ratio of said beta and omega surfaces at said points of contact, the improvement comprising: means for defining said alpha, beta and omega bodies so that said points of contact always lie within said acute angle between said first and second axes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
In a continuously variable traction drive transmission having a frame, an alpha body supported by said frame for rotation about a first axis, a beta body supported by said alpha body on a second axis intersecting said first axis at a point of axes intersection and at an acute angle of axes intersection, said beta body having a pair of members on opposite sides of said point of axis intersection for defining beta rolling surfaces of revolution about said second axis, omega body means for defining a pair of omega rolling surfaces of revolution about said first axis, said beta and omega surfaces being in rolling friction engagement at two points of contact in a plane containing said first and second axes, said two points of contact being located on opposite sides of said first axis and on opposite sides of said second axis, and means for varying the radius ratio of said beta and omega surfaces at said points of contact, the improvement comprising: means for defining said alpha, beta and omega bodies so that said points of contact always lie within said acute angle between said first and second axes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The transmission recited in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the radius ratio of said beta and omega surfaces comprises means for adjustably positioning said omega surfaces along said first axis and means for adjustably positioning said beta body members along said second axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transmission recited in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the radius ratio of said beta and omega surfaces comprises means for adjustably positioning said omega surfaces along said first axis and means for adjusting said acute angle of axes intersection.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transmission recited in claim 1, wherein said means for varying the radius ratio of said beta and omega surfaces comprises means for adjustably positioning said beta body members along said second axis and means for adjusting said acute angle of axes intersection.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transmission recited in claim 4, wherein said omega body means are fixed in said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transmission recited in either of claims 2, or 4, wherein said beta surfaces are axially convex and said omega surfaces are radially concave.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transmission recited in claim 3, wherein said beta surfaces are axially concave and wherein said omega surfaces are radially convex.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The transmission recited in either of claims 3 or 4, wherein said means for adjusting said acute angle comprises translatable bearing means supporting said beta body from said alpha body and force developing means operative between said alpha body and said translatable bearing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transmission recited in claim 8, wherein said translatable bearing means comprises unitary means supported by said alpha body for pivotal movement on an axis intersecting said point of axes intersection and perpendicular to both said first and second axes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transmission recited in claim 9, wherein said beta body is supported by cradle bearings at opposite ends, thereby presenting said beta rolling surfaces along the full length of said beta body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a continuously variable traction drive transmission having a frame, an alpha body supported by said frame for rotation about a first axis, a beta body supported by said alpha body on a second axis intersecting said first axis at an acute angle of axes intersection, said beta body having a pair of members defining beta rolling surfaces of revolution about said second axis, and an omega body defining a pair of omega rolling surfaces of revolution about said first axis, said beta and omega surfaces being in rolling friction engagement at two points of contact, the improvement comprising: means including said alpha body for supporting said beta body on said second axis so that said points of contact lie within said acute angle of intersection; said omega body including a pair of annular members supported by said frame on opposite sides of said beta body; and means for adjusting said beta body in relation to said omega surfaces to vary the ratio of beta and omega rolling surface radii at said points of contact.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a continuously variable traction drive transmission having a frame, an alpha body supported by said frame for rotation about a first axis, a beta body supported by said alpha body on a second axis intersecting said first axis at an acute angle of axes intersection, said beta body having a pair of members defining beta rolling surfaces of revolution about said second axis, and an omega body defining a pair of omega rolling surfaces of revolution about said first axis, said beta and omega surfaces being in rolling friction engagement at two points of contact, the improvement comprising: means including said alpha body for supporting said beta body on said second axis so that said points of contact lie within said acute angle of intersection; said omega body including a pair of annular members supported by said frame on opposite sides of said beta body; and means for adjusting said beta body in relation to said omega surfaces to vary the ratio of beta and omega rolling surface radii at said points of contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transmission recited in claim 11, wherein said angle of axes intersection is near 90°.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The transmission recited in claim 11, wherein said beta body includes a shaft restrained to a position of radial balance with said alpha body, and wherein said pair of members on said beta body are oppositely convergent cone members being rotatably linked to said shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transmission recited in claim 11, wherein said beta rolling surfaces are axially convex and wherein said omega surfaces are radially concave.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transmission recited in claim 11, wherein said beta rolling surfaces are axially concave and wherein said omega surfaces are radially convex.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
The transmission recited in claim 11, wherein said adjusting means comprises a hydraulic system including a low pressure unit for adjusting the relative positions of said beta body and said omega surfaces and a high pressure, small capacity unit for forcing said beta and omega surfaces into rolling contact with each other.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
57 words
The transmission recited in claim 11, comprising means for axially adjusting said annular members and including means for fixing one of said annular members to said frame, means for axially adjusting the other of said annular members, and means allowing axial movement of said alpha body to center said alpha and beta bodies between said annular members.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transmission recited in claim 17, wherein said means for moving said other annular member comprises annularly oriented ramp means and means for rotatably adjusting said other annular member
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transmission recited in claim 17, including means for adjusting said acute angle of axes intersection in accordance with adjusting movement of said annular members.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transmission recited in claim 17, including hydraulic means for adjusting both said acute angle and said other annular plate
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
84 words
The transmission recited in claim 20, wherein said hydraulic means comprises first and second cylinder units having first and second pistons therein respectively, mechanical means for connecting said first and second pistons, low pressure pump means in communication with said first cylinder unit on opposite sides of said first piston for adjusting the position of said pistons, and high pressure pump means for forcing said second piston in a direction to retain said beta and omega rolling surfaces in frictional engagement with each other.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The transmission as recited in claim 21, including mechanical linkage connecting said other annular member with one side of said second piston, said high pressure pump means being in communication with the opposite side of said second piston.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transmission recited in claim 22, including conduit means for communicating fluid pressure at said other side of said second piston with hydraulic pistons for changing said acute angle.
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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) | 1989-12-22 | 1990-06-23 | 1990-12-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-12-22 | 1994-06-23 | 1994-12-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-12-22 | 1998-06-23 | 1998-12-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |