Infinitely and continuously variable transmission system

Abstract

An infinitely and continuously variable transmission system capable of gradually multiplying TORQUE while decreasing RPM and vice-versa. For a given input shaft TORQUE and RPM, the system delivers to the output shaft such increases or reductions in TORQUE with inversely corresponding increases or reductions in RPM as may be desired across a predetermined and very wide range of transmission ratios. The range can include zero RPM for the output shaft while the input shaft continues to rotate at any RPM, thus eliminating the need for an input shaft disengaging clutch. The invention includes a main assembly consisting of one or more pairs of co-axial diametrically opposed one-way clutches and corresponding pairs of diametrically opposed carrying shafts which are interconnected through a central hub assembly. The axes of the carrying shafts share the same plane with each other and with the central hub's multi-directional center around which they are radially and symmetrically mounted. The freewheels are engaged in one rotational direction and disengaged in the opposite rotational direction of their carrying shafts and are in turn continuously and interactionally meshed to a common rotatable output gear. The infinitely and continuously variable TORQUE and RPM ratios are produced by causing the freewheel carrying shafts to rotatably oscillate at gradually variable oscillation arcs thereby causing their respective freewheels to smoothly rotate the common output gear at correspondingly variable rotation speeds through a simultaneous combination of the oscillation arc magnitude of their carrying shaft rotatable oscillations and their corresponding engagement/disengagement action.