Continuously variable transmission with split torque hydrokinetic unit

Claim 1

A hydromechanical, infinitely variable transmission mechanism comprising: an input shaft on a first axis adapted to be connected to an engine, a countershaft axis parallel to the first axis; a first adjustable sheave assembly mounted on said first axis, a second adjustable sheave assembly mounted on said countershaft axis; a friction belt drive member connecting drivably the first adjustable sheave assembly with the second adjustable sheave assembly; a split torque gear unit comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a planet carrier on the torque flow downstream side of said second adjustable sheave assembly on the countershaft axis, a torque input element of said torque split gear unit being connected to the torque output side of said second adjustable sheave assembly; a hydrokinetic unit having a turbine and an impeller in fluid flow relationship, said impeller being connected drivably to the first torque output element of said split torque gear unit, the turbine of said hydrokinetic unit being connected to a second torque output element of said split torque gear unit; a torque output shaft; and final drive gear means for connecting said second torque output element of said split torque gear unit to said torque output shaft.