Caterpillar Inc.

Glen Patrick Calvert

Gaurav Vasudeva

John M Seipold

Brian Dean Kuras

Michael G Cronin

Brian Eugene Lister

Daniel Gregory Wear

Kraig M Love

Robert E Black

A supplemental hydraulic motor is provided that is coupled to an output of a continuously variable transmission in order to increase transmission output torque. The supplemental hydraulic motor is powered by a hydraulic steering pump and is also operational as a ground-driven, secondary hydraulic steering pump. In addition, the supplemental hydraulic motor may be used to retard the transmission.

Supplemental hydraulic motor for continuously variable transmission

A transmission for a work machine may include a first variator including a first input geared to a transmission input, a first output, and a first displacement. A second variator may include a second input geared to the transmission input, a second output, and a second displacement. The first displacement may be greater than the second displacement. A first planetary gear set may be in mechanical association with the second output, selectively coupled to a ground, and in mechanical association with a first gear. A second planetary gear set may be geared to the transmission input. A third planetary gear set may include a transmission output and may be in mechanical association with the second planetary gear set. A second gear may be in mechanical association with the third planetary gear set and may be in mesh with a third gear that is in mechanical association with the first output. The second gear may be in mesh with the first gear.

Continuously variable transmission

A planetary gear train is disclosed. The planetary gear train may include a first planetary gear set, a second planetary gear set, a third planetary gear set, a fourth planetary gear set and a fifth planetary gear set between an input end and an output end. The planetary gear train may further include a brake set having a first brake, a second brake and a third brake, and a clutch set having a first clutch and a second clutch. The first brake, the second brake and the third brake, the first clutch and the second clutch may be selectively actuable to produce three different forward speed ranges and two different reverse speed ranges between the input end and the output end.

A continuously variable transmission includes two planetary gear sets having two outputs. A variator drives a ring gear of the second planetary gear set, and a transmission input shaft is driven by the engine, which also drives the variator and the planetary input. Second and third output shafts are connected to a transmission output shaft. A first clutch is connected to the first output shaft, a second clutch is connected to the second planetary output and engages a first drive gear. A third clutch is connected to the first output shaft and releasably engages the first drive gear, a fourth clutch is connected to the first drive gear and releasably engages the second output shaft, and a fifth clutch is connected to the first drive gear and releasably engages the third output shaft.

Multi-range hydro-mechanical transmission

The described system and method provide a continuously variable full range transmission having inputs for receiving rotational power from a primary power source and a secondary power source such as a hydraulic variator. A first planetary gear group contains first and second planetary gear sets, and the inputs for receiving rotational power are linked to one or more of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set. A second planetary gear group includes a third planetary gear set and a fourth planetary gear set, with a nested clutch assembly having first and second selectable clutches being provided to link the first planetary gear group to the second planetary gear group. Activation of the first clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a first speed range, while activation of the second clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a second speed range.

Continuously variable transmission with nested clutch and planetary output

A machine is described that includes an engine, a multi-clutch transmission and a controller. The controller is configured with computer-executable instructions for managing operation of the multi-clutch transmission to avoid autoengagement of a disengaged clutch. The computer-executable instructions configure the controller to receive sensor signals indicative of current operating status of the machine; determine, based upon the sensor signals, a configured minimum engine speed needed to avoid autoengagement of the disengaged clutch; and conditionally increase an engine speed based upon a comparison of the configured minimum engine speed and a sensed current engine speed. The machine includes a continuously variable transmission coupled to the multi-clutch transmission, and the controller is configured to adjust the continuously variable transmission ratio to counter the engine speed increase and thus maintain a current clutch output speed when increasing the engine speed to avoid autoengagement of a disengaged clutch.

Continuously variable transmission clutch anti-autoengagement in multi-clutch vehicle transmission arrangement

A piston actuated synchronizer system for a split torque transmission where the piston is attached directly to the synchronizer shift collar on the synchronizer centerline to provide the required actuation in a small volume of space and resolve fork and rod deflection issues seen on other synchronizers that use such a system. The piston is pressure applied and spring released. This design also uses a displacement sensor to monitor synchronizer engagement.

Piston actuated split input transmission synchronizer

A countershaft transmission includes an input member drivingly connected to a power source and at least one directional clutch assembly structured and arranged to be selectively engageable with the input member. At least one speed clutch assembly is structured and arranged to be selectively engageable with the at least one directional clutch assembly. A dual range assembly is structured and arranged to be selectively engageable with the at least one speed clutch assembly. An output member is selectively engageable with the dual range assembly wherein a rotational speed of the input member is transformed to one of a high range speed or a low range speed of the output member through the dual range assembly.

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Washington, IL, United States of America

Glen Patrick Calvert