초록 ▼

The present invention relates to transmission systems and changing gear ratios within power transmission systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a positive displacement variable speed transmission. The transmission includes one or more drive gears which orbit, rotate, and which tran

The present invention relates to transmission systems and changing gear ratios within power transmission systems. In particular, the present invention relates to a positive displacement variable speed transmission. The transmission includes one or more drive gears which orbit, rotate, and which translate radially to change the size of the orbital path. The change in the orbital path increases or decreases the linear velocity of the drive gears which engage one or more driven gears and transfer the changed linear velocity in the form of a gear ratio change. The driven gears are also radially movable and movement of the driven gears is synchronized with the radial movement of the drive gears to maintain substantially constant engagement between gear ratios change. Thus, as the drive and driven gears can slide or step radially to any location within a range of positions, gear ratio changes can be made in very small increments.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A transmission, comprising:a first transmission interface;a first set of power transmission members, said first set of power transmission members comprising a plurality of gears coupled at least indirectly to said first transmission interface, each of said plurality of gears h

What is claimed is: 1. A transmission, comprising:a first transmission interface;a first set of power transmission members, said first set of power transmission members comprising a plurality of gears coupled at least indirectly to said first transmission interface, each of said plurality of gears having a circumference and a plurality of teeth spaced around a full length of said circumference, wherein each of said plurality of power transmission members is configured to travel along a respective orbital path, said orbital path extending fully around an axis that is external to each of said plurality of gears, and a length of each orbital path of said plurality of power transmission members being selectively variable such that a unique gear ratio is defined for each orbital path length;a second set of one or more power transmission members configured to mate with said plurality of gears of said first set of power transmission members, wherein said second set of one or more power transmission members includes one or more tooth engagement structures collectively configured to maintain substantially constant tooth engagement with said plurality of gears of said first set of transmission members; anda second transmission interface coupled to said second set of one or more power transmission members.