초록 ▼

A variable speed transmission or transaxle that utilizes a pump for variable braking of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input shaft connectable to a drive source extends into a transmission housing and is operatively connected to a gear train that transmits rotational power to a transmission o

A variable speed transmission or transaxle that utilizes a pump for variable braking of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input shaft connectable to a drive source extends into a transmission housing and is operatively connected to a gear train that transmits rotational power to a transmission output shaft. A gerotor pump mounted within the housing utilizes a ring gear of an epicyclic gear of the gear train as an inner gerotor gear that meshes with an outer gerotor gear to pump fluid along a fluid conduit. By adjustably varying the resistance of the pump, the revolution rate of the epicyclic ring gear is adjusted which in turn results in a controlling of the speed of rotation of the transmission output shaft. In an alternate embodiment, a reversible transmission is provided by employing two gerotor pumps and two gear trains which allow forward and reverse speeds of rotation of the output shaft to be variably controlled.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A variable speed transmission assembly comprising:a rotatable input member connectable to a drive source;a rotatable output member;a gear train operatively connected to said input member and said output member for transmitting rotational power of said input member to said

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A variable speed transmission assembly comprising:a rotatable input member connectable to a drive source;a rotatable output member;a gear train operatively connected to said input member and said output member for transmitting rotational power of said input member to said output member, said gear train comprising an epicyclic gear mechanism including a first gear member;a pump for pumping a fluid through a fluid conduit, said pump including a first element and a second element, said first and second pump elements each disposed in a fluid engaging position within said fluid conduit, wherein said first pump element comprises said first gear member and said first pump element is disposed within said second element;an adjustable valve for varying a resistance to movement of fluid within said fluid conduit between a first resistance level and a second resistance level; andwherein said first gear member revolves at a first speed to cause rotation of said output member at a first rate when said resistance to fluid movement within said fluid conduit is at said first resistance level and said input member rotates at a drive speed, and wherein said first gear member revolves at a second speed to cause rotation of said output member at a second rate when said resistance to fluid movement within said fluid conduit is at said second resistance level and said input member rotates at said drive speed.