Drive apparatus for auxiliary equipment responsive to a charging generator speed representing signal

Claim 2

A drive apparatus driving auxiliary equipment of a prime mover, said auxiliary equipment including a charging generator having a stator winding for one phase, said stator winding having an induced voltage upon rotation of said generator, said drive apparatus comprising: a rotating input member adapted to be connected to be driven by the prime mover; a rotating output member connected to said auxiliary equipment so as to drive said auxiliary equipment including said generator; an adjustable speed change mechanism connected between said rotating input member and said rotating output member so as to transmit rotational force from said input member to said output member; and adjusting means for adjusting the reduction ratio of said speed change mechanisms and control means for controlling said adjusting means in response to an electrical input signal indicating the rotational speed of said rotating output member, the electrical input signal being the voltage induced in said stator winding for one phase of said charging generator.

Claim 3

A drive apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said rotating output member includes a pulley surrounding said rotating input member, said speed change mechanism, and said adjusting means; and said adjustable speed change mechanism includes a planetary cone reduction gear housed inside said pulley.

Claim 4

A drive apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said planetary cone reduction gear comprises: a cone support ring mounted on said rotating input member and rotatable with respect thereto; a plurality of planetary cones having stems rotatably mounted on said cone support ring, each having a first frictional transmission surface forming its top surface, a second frictional transmission surface forming its base, and a third frictional transmission surface forming the periphery of said stem, the axis of each said cone being angled wtih respect to the axis of said rotating input member such that a line which is parallel to the axis of said rotating input member can be drawn from the vertex to the base of said cone along its top surface; a rotating input ring mounted on said rotating input member for rotation thereby and having an outer periphery in frictional engagement with said second frictional transmission surfaces such that the rotation of said input ring causes said said planetary cones to rotate on the axes thrust; a stationary guide ring surrounding said rotating input member for frictionally engaging with said third frictional transmission surfaces of said planetary cones; and a speed change ring supported by said pulley so as to rotate together with said pulley and to move in an axial direction with respect to said pulley, said speed change ring having an inner surface in frictional engagement with said first frictional transmission surfaces of said planetary cones.