Mtd Products Inc

Torotrak (development) Limited

Infinitrak, LLC

Ian David Cornwell

Hans Hauser

Christopher John Greenwood

Axel Schaedler

Brian Joseph Dutson

Richard Ruebusch

Rick Ruebusch

Chris Greenwood

Leslie Kendrick Robinson

Andrew Damian Defrietas

In a broad respect, vehicles that are capable of making a low- to zero-radius turn using the independent rotation of drive wheels and by turning the non-driving steerable structure or structures (such as wheels) with a steering input device (in some embodiments, the driving wheels also may be capable of being turned). This may be accomplished using a steering system, a speed control system and an integration device (together, a control system) that are configured to work together to provide correct steering in forward and reverse, and, in some embodiments, to reduce the speed of the outboard drive wheel of the vehicle when it enters an extreme turn under constant speed input. Different systems configured for use in such vehicles are included.

Steering systems, steering and speed coordination systems, and associated vehicles

Steering systems, steering and speed coordination systems and associated vehicles

A transmission arrangement for an engine driven vehicle having two continuously variable transmissions serving to drive left and right hand vehicle wheels at separately variable drive ratios. Each transmission incorporates a variator of the type in which a net torque applied to the variator through its input and output is referred to a ratio control part, which may be formed as a control lever, whose position governs the transmission's drive ratio. The control parts of the variators are each operatively coupled to a driver's speed control, such that the speed control determines a mean position of the two control parts. However they are both also able to move relative to the mean position, under the influence of the torque they react. Additionally the control parts are coupled to each other such that any displacement of one control part from the mean position is accompanied by an opposite displacement of the other control part. In this way the transmissions are enabled to the relative speeds of the driven vehicle wheels automatically to reduce or even eliminate wheel slip, whilst still providing the driver with control over overall vehicle speed.

Arrangements for driving and steering of motor vehicles

An arrangement and a method are disclosed for driving and steering an engine driven vehicle of the type m which left and right hand wheelsL,R are respectively driven from the engine through left and right hand transmissionsL,R and a steering effect is exerted by changing the ratio of one transmission relative to the other. According to the invention a follower is operatively coupled to at least one of the transmissions and is movable circumferentially about an axis by means of a driver actuable steering control to change the relative speeds of the two driven wheels and radially with respect to the axis by means of a driver actuable speed control to increase/decrease the speeds of the two driven wheels in unison.

Driving and steering of motor vehicles

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.

Growing community of inventors

Preston, United Kingdom

Ian David Cornwell