Nexxtdrive Limited

J.c. Bamford Excavators Limited

Caterpiller Inc.

Bamford Excavators, Limited

Frank Moeller

Martin Weber

Raymond J Hicks

Rick T Lasko

William Stanley Turner

Joseph C Bamford

A method is provided for controlling operation of a pedal cycle () having a rear hub-mounted electro-mechanical transmission arrangement in which a chain-driven rear sprocket (), an input electrical machine () and the hub () are each coupled to a respective branch of a three-branch epicyclic gear set (). Allowing for natural variations in input torque by a cyclist over a cycle of the crank arms (), a substantially constant current is caused to exist in the input electrical machine () such that a change in torque applied by the cyclist results in a change in transmission ratio between the rear sprocket () and the hub (), thereby providing a form of automatic and continuously variable transmission for the pedal cycle ().

Bicycle transmission system

A hub comprises a cylindrical, hollow hub member (), which is mounted to rotate about its axis and in whose interior is a transmission system having an input (), which is mounted to rotate about the axis, and an output connected to rotate with the hub member. The transmission system comprises first and second epicyclic gearsets (). The first gearset () comprises a first sun gear (), which is mounted to rotate about the axis and is in mesh with a plurality of first planet gears () mounted to rotate about respective planet shafts () carried by a first common carrier (), which is mounted to rotate about the first axis. The second gearset () comprises a second sun gear (), which is mounted to rotate about the axis and is in mesh with a plurality of second planet gears () mounted to rotate about respective planet shafts () carried by a second common carrier (). The first and second sun gears () are connected to the rotors () of first and second electric motor/generators, respectively. The power connections of the two stators () are connected via a controller () arranged to control the transmission of power from one motor/generator to the other.

Hubs incorporating a variable ratio transmission system

An apparatus for determining the amount of lubricant within a housing is disclosed. The apparatus includes a shaft driving the housing about an axis, a number of interior components positioned within the housing, and an opening defined in the housing and centered on the axis. The distance between the a lower edge of the opening and the lowest portion of the housing is proportional to the amount of lubricant displaced by the components. The level of the lubricant within the housing determined relative to the lower edge. A work machine and method are also disclosed.

Drive hub having an oil check hole

Infinitely variable transmission with power splitting

A loader vehicle comprising a body having a front end and a rear end and provided with ground engageable propulsion means, an operator's compartment and a boom assembly, comprising a lift arm assembly and a pivot member which projects transversely from the inner end of the lift arm assembly on one side thereof and extends transversely across the body from said one side of the lift arm assembly and which is pivotally mounted on the body, adjacent the rear end thereof, for movement of the lift arm assembly between a raised position and a lowered position in which the lift arm assembly extends forwardly alongside the operator's compartment and means for carrying a material handling implement at an outer end of the boom assembly so as to be disposed forward of the front end of the body, wherein the pivot member is pivotally mounted, for movement about a first axis, on a torsion member, which extends transversely across the body, by first pivotal mounting means disposed at positions which are spaced apart transversely of the torsion member and the torsion member is pivotally mounted on the body, for movement about a second axis which is parallel to the first axis and which extends transversely of the body, by second pivotal mounting means disposed at positions which are spaced apart transversely of the body.

Growing community of inventors

Milford, United Kingdom

Frank Moeller