Borgwarner Inc.

Borg-warner Automotive Gmbh

John M Kern

Edward H Cole, Jr

Michal-Wolfgang Waszak

Kiyoung Chung

Karl F Schneider

George A Zimmer

James A Wyckoff

Romas B Spokas

Donald E Freyburger

Wei Wu

Peter D Toot

Ronghai Qu

Manoj R Shah

This invention relates to a unique transmission system for applying torque from an engine flywheel to the drive train of an automotive vehicle including a long travel viscous damped torsional damper driven by the flywheel and coupled to a continuously variable transmission which in turn is coupled to a wet drive clutch, the output of which is connected to an output counter shaft for the automotive drive train. An important part of the unique combination is the long travel viscous damped torsional damper of the invention which includes an enclosed, effectively sealed housing contains input and output members coupled through a plurality of series parallel spring sets and immersed in a viscous medium to provide effective viscous damping matched to the effective spring rate of the mechanical damping system to accommodate both transient and steady-state vibrational torques. The damper is especially useful with the continuously variable transmission but is useful in other applications as well.

Continuously variable transmission system and long travel torsion damper

A metal chain-belt especially usable to drivingly connect the pulleys of a pulley transmission, and constructed of a carrier which may comprise a plurality of sets of links interleaved with those of adjacent sets, with the sets being joined by pivot means. Drive blocks encircle the carrier. The blocks each have side edges adapted to drivingly engage the flanges of the pulleys. These side edges are crowned to improve the life and performance of the chain-belt assembly. The radius of curvature of the crowned side edges is far in excess of the width of a drive block.

Chain-belt

A chain-belt adapted for use in a pulley drive system and comprising a plurality of connected ranks or sets of interleaved links having generally trapezoidal load blocks between adjacent pivot means which join the adjacent ranks or sets of links together to permit articulation of the chain belt. The load blocks are of generally laminated construction of a plurality of plates and resilient means are located between adjacent plates in at least some of the load blocks. Preferably an elastomeric material such as rubber is chosen as the resilient means and each load block incorporates the resilient means. The structure is effective to reduce noise generated upon engagement and disengagement of the chain-belt with the pulley flanges when compared to a chain-belt of connected ranks of links and with laminated load blocks therein but without the resilient means.

Metal power transmission belt

A multi-part sprocket and a multi-speed transmission comprising at least a pair of the sprockets, the sprockets each comprising an external toothed drive member surrounded by a two part externally toothed ring member, one part of which is axially movable with respect to the other with both parts having internal teeth meshing with the external teeth of the drive member. Another similar two part member surrounds the first; the similar member having external and internal teeth. A chain connects a pair of sprockets, the chain meshing the external teeth. The speed ratio between the sprocket can be changed by axially moving parts of the ring member. The ring members have beveled surfaces facing one another to guide the chain during a speed ratio change.

Multi-speed transmission

A flexible power transmission means comprising an assembly of a chain constructed of a plurality of sets of interleaved links joined to its next adjacent set by a pin, and load blocks surrounding the chain and located between the next adjacent pins. Additional load blocks may be located over the pins. The load blocks are generally contoured at their edges to fit into the V of a pulley. When the load blocks are close together, the front and rear surface of at least some of the load blocks are tapered to permit articulation of the assembly. The load is carried by the chain's pins; the blocks are located longitudinally by the pins.

Metal chain belt

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Ithaca, NY, United States of America

John M Kern