Torotrak (Development) Limited

Eaton Corporation

Allison Transmission, Inc.

Kk Equos Research

Valeo Transmission Limited

Infinitrak, LLC

Torotrak Limited

Brian Joseph Dutson

Andrew Damian De Freitas

Ian David Cornwell

Leslie Kendrick Robinson

Masahiko Ando

Christopher John Greenwood

John Fuller

Trevor Pitchford

James Shawe

David Burtt

Andrew Defreitas

Yasuhiro Ishihara

Andrew Damian Defrietas

Gary Armstrong

Michael James Thompson

Andrew De Freitas

A dual-cavity toroidal variator is disclosed herein. The torques from the first and second cavities are balanced by controlling each roller with mechanical devices rather than individually controlling each roller with a hydraulic actuator. The mechanical devices may be balancing mechanisms having a pivotable linking lever () by which the roller carrier () of the first cavity and the roller carrier () of the second cavity are linked.

Dual-cavity toroidal variator

A supercharging arrangement for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The supercharging arrangement comprises a supercharger having a rotational drive input, and a transmission having a rotational drive input to receive drive from an internal combustion engine, and a rotational drive output connected to the input of the supercharger. The transmission includes a variator operatively connected between the input and the output of the transmission, which variator has an output that is driven at an operating ratio from an input. There is a control system that operates to cause an engine to deliver an amount of torque that is indicated by the state of an input to the control system. The control system is further operative to set the operating ratio of the variator.

Supercharging arrangement with a supercharger and variable-speed drive unit

In a toroidal variator a plurality of rolling elements () are in driving engagement with an input and output race () at respective contact regions. Each rolling element () is mounted on a carriage assembly () for rotation about a rolling axis, and is being free to pivot about a tilt axis, the tilt axis passing through the rolling element () perpendicular to the rolling axis, and intersecting the rolling axis at a roller center, whereby a change in the tilt axis causes a change in the variator ratio being the ratio of rotational speeds of the races. The tilt axis is arranged at an angle known as castor angle (see FIG.) to a plane (P) perpendicular to the variator axis (V). Each carriage assembly () can cause a movement of the rolling element () with a component of rotation about a pitch axis (A, B). The pitch axis is defined as passing through the roller center and through the contact regions. Pitching the roller elements () causes them to tilt, thereby changing the transmission ratio.

Continuously variable toroidal transmission

A transmission of the toroidal race rolling traction type, including ratio varying components ('variators') for such transmissions. A set of rollers transmitting traction between an input disc and an output disc is connected to a hydraulic mechanism by which it is positioned, the roller position determining the transmitted ratio.

Transmission of the toroidal race rolling traction type

A variator () having a pair of semi-toroidally recessed races () mounted to a housing () for rotation about a common variator axis. A roller () is mounted between the races to transfer drive between them at a variable drive ratio. A sun gear () is mounted between the races, as is a ring (gear). The ring gear is radially outboard of the sun gear. Mounted between the sun and ring and meshing with both is a carrier gear () upon which the roller is mounted in a manner which enables it to both spin about its own axis, when turned by the races, and also to tilt relative to the races to vary the drive ratio. A control pinion () is also arranged between the sun and ring gears meshing with both. The control pinion is able to rotate about its own axis freely, but the pinion axis is fixed with respect to the housing.

Continuously variable transmission

A transmission arrangement is disclosed which comprises first and second variators () each of which comprises an input race () and an output race (). A plurality of rollers () is arranged to run upon the input and output races to transfer drive from one to the other. The races are mounted for rotation about a common axis and the inclination of the first variator's rollers is variable independently of the inclination of the second variator's rollers, so that the two rollers are able to provide independently and continuously variable drive ratios. To provide traction between the rollers and races, a biasing device () applies an axial force to one of the races, urging the rollers and races into engagement with each other. Each variator is provided with a shunt gear for providing forward, reverse and g eared neutral ratios, and to couple the variator input to the shunt gear a coupling member () passes through the outer variator races.

Twin variator transmission arrangement

A variator () has two races () mounted for rotation about a common axis. Opposed, shaped faces () of the races define an annular space containing at least one roller () which runs upon the races to transfer drive between them. The roller is mounted on a carrier () in such a way that its inclination to the common axis is able to change, to enable changes in variator ratio. The rollers and their carriers are controlled through a mechanism comprising a sun () and a ring () with which the carrier engages. Relative rotation of the sun and ring causes a tipping motion of the carrier (), so that the rollers steer themselves to a new inclination. To control the sun and ring, there is provided a planet () which engages them both. The rotational position of the carrier is controlled independently of its engagement with the sun and the ring.

Variator

A continuously variable ratio device ('variator') is disclosed in which a pair of rotary races () is mounted for rotation about a common variator axis (). Drive is transferred from one race to the other through at least one roller () running upon them. The drive ratio is variable by virtue of precession of the roller about a precession axis (). Precession results in a change in angle between the roller axis and the variator axis and a corresponding change in drive ratio. In accordance with the invention, the roller () is coupled to a carrier () in a manner which permits it to precess relative to the carrier (). The carrier itself is rotatable about a carrier axis () which is non-parallel to the precession axis. Rotation of the carrier () about the carrier axis serves to change the orientation of the precession axis () and is accompanied by a change in variator drive ratio.

A continuously variable ratio transmission unit having a housing () and input () and output () discs paired to define first and second toroidal cavities. The discs () are mounted to the housing for rotation about a common axis. First () and second () rollers&#x2014;or more typically first and second sets of rollers&#x2014;are respectively arranged in the first and second cavities and serve to transmit drive between the input and output discs. First () and second () actuators act on the respective rollers. The first actuator is coupled to a first carrier part () which can be mated with the housing introducing it to the housing along a direction generally parallel to the variator axis. The second actuator is coupled to a second carrier part () which can be mated with the housing by introducing the second carrier part to the housing along a direction non-parallel to the variator axis.

Continuously variable ratio transmission unit and method of assembly thereof

A continuously variable ratio transmission unit having first and second discs mounted for rotation about a main axis, a toroidal cavity being defined between the discs by facing surfaces thereof and containing a plurality of rollers which serve to transmit drive from one disc to the other, each roller being coupled to a respective carriage through a respective bearing arrangement and each carriage being coupled at a first extremity to a first linear actuator and at a second extremity to a second linear actuator whereby the carriage is movable along a direction transverse to the main axis, the first and second linear actuators working in opposition to exert an adjustable net force on the carriage, the orientation of the carriage being constrained and the bearing arrangement being such as to enable the roller to rotate about a roller axis to thereby transmit drive from one of the discs to the other and also being such as to enable the roller axis to precess relative to the carriage to vary the transmission ratio.

Continuously variable transmissions

A control unit for an infinitely-variable-ratio transmission. The transmission includes a cylinder and a piston with a proximal and a distal end. A support stem is connected to the piston. The piston is hollow and has a head portion for interaction with an associated actuation fluid. A proximal portion extends away from the head portion. The support stem is connected to the proximal portion by an articulated joint and extends from the joint to the head portion to exit from the distal end of the piston.

Roller control unit

Disclosed is a supply of hydraulic actuation and cooling fluid to the roller actuation pistons and rollers provided in an infinitely variable transmission. The transmission assembly ( ) includes a split casing ( ) and a manifold ( ) that comprises one or more channels ( ) formed in a surface of the casing formed by the split. The provision of said manifold in this position allows for easier manufacture and better performance.

Hydraulic supply for infinitely variable transmission

A roller control unit for a CVT includes a cylinder (,) having a piston (,) positioned therein and operably connected to a roller assembly of said CVT thereby to control its position. The unit includes a lubrication supply which comprises a chamber (,) between the cylinder (,) and piston (,) and one or more radially extending passageways (,) through said piston (,). These passageways are in flow communication with the roller and act to direct cooling fluid to said roller. Radial supply of said lubrication facilitates a reduction in flow losses within the supply.

Cooling fluid supply to hydraulically actuated rollers in a continuously-variable-ratio transmission

A roller control unit (,) for a continuously-variable-ratio transmission includes a cylinder (,) having a cylinder wall and an end wall; and a piston (,), within the cylinder (,) and to which the roller assembly (,) is connected for movement therewith, said unit includes an axially extending shroud (,) of variable length extending between the piston (,) and the end wall, thereby to define in combination with the piston (,) and cylinder (,) a chamber (,) for receiving hydraulic fluid, and in which the shroud (,) comprises a telescopic shroud which in a first position of the piston (,) is extended and in a second position of the piston (,) is retracted.

Roller control unit for a continuously-variable-ratio transmission

A composite selector fork arrangement adapted to cooperate with a selector shaft to resist rotational and translational movement relative to the selector shaft. The arrangement also being adapted to cooperate with a selector sleeve to effect translational movement of the selector sleeve. The arrangement including a first and second metallic portion. The first metallic portion being arranged to impart stiffness to the fork arrangement in a direction generally in line with the axial extent of a selector shaft and the second metallic portion being arranged to impart stiffness to the fork arrangement in a direction generally transverse to the axial extent of a selector shaft. The arrangement including a non-metallic portion being arranged to at least partially surround the first and second portions, and in which, in use, the non-metallic portion cooperates with a selector shaft to assist in resisting rotational movement of the selector fork arrangement relative to the selector shaft. The non-metallic portion is located in position when the first and second portions are located in their required positions relative to the selector shaft by forming the non-metallic portion when the first and second portions are so located.

Growing community of inventors

Tyldesley, United Kingdom

Brian Joseph Dutson