The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 2008
Filed:
May. 28, 2003
Christopher John Greenwood, Preston, GB;
Thomas George Fellows, Headington, GB;
Christopher John Greenwood, Preston, GB;
Thomas George Fellows, Headington, GB;
Torotrak (Development) Limited, Lancashire, GB;
Abstract
A multi-regime continuously variable ratio transmission system has coaxial system input and output shafts (), a continously variable ratio transmission unit (V) connected coaxially to the system input shaft () and having a coaxial variator output shaft () and a mixing epicyclic gear train (E) having an input sun gear (S) drivably connected to the variator ouput shaft (), a planet carrier (C) drivably connected to the system input shaft () and a planet gear (P) mounted on the planet carrier ((C). The planet gear (P) drives a first intermediate output shaft () arranged coaxially with the system input shaft () and selectively connectable to the system output shaft via a first clutch (H) in high-regime operation of the transmission. The planet gear (P) also provides the input for a second epicyclic gear train (E) having an output (C) which is selectively connectable to the system output shaft via a braking element (L) for low-regime operation of the transmission. The arrangement minimises the number of gear meshes, thereby minimising transmission losses and the absence of an annulus in the mixing epicyclic gear train (E) allows more freedom in the choice of gear sizes, thereby permitting reduced gear speeds.