5066results about "Differential gearings" patented technology

A non-contact magnetic drive assembly with mechanical stop elements for a vacuum deposition system employing a lift-off process having a HULA configuration featuring a plurality of magnets coupled in an annular orientation to a central ring and an orbital ring, each magnet of the orbital ring becomes superposed with a magnet of the central ring as the orbital ring rotates, and a central drive component driving either the central ring, the orbital ring around the central ring or both simultaneously, the central drive component provides a rotational speed allowing non-contact, magnetic drive rotation of the orbital ring around the central ring until a difference between a magnetic drive torque of the superposed magnets and the rotational speed of the central drive component causes the superposed magnets to decouple enabling mechanical drive rotation by interactive contact between a plurality of central ring teeth and a plurality of orbital ring.

Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.

A transmission having a plurality of tilting balls and opposing input and output discs provides an infinite number of speed combinations over its transmission ratio range. The transmission provides multiple powerpaths and can be combined with electrical components to provide motor/generator functionality, which reduces the overall size and complexity of the motor and transmission compared to when they are constructed separately. In one embodiment, rotatable components of a continuously variable transmission are coupled separately to an electrical rotor and to an electrical stator so that the rotor and stator rotate simultaneously in opposite directions relative to one another. In other embodiments, an electrical rotor is configured to transfer torque to or from a disc that is in contact with a plurality of speed adjusters, while an electrical stator is configured to transfer torque to a shaft that is operationally coupled to the speed adjusters via an idler.

A highly energy efficient automobile that provides payload, safety and performance capacities similar to a comparable vehicle of a given vehicle class. The current invention is ideal for short to medium range urban and suburban driving. The current invention incorporates components in a unique and novel way, in which these components combine to form a system that produces an automobile that reduces overall air pollution while encouraging the commercialization of alternative energy sources. The current invention features an lightweight, low rolling resistance, digitally controlled and direct-drive electric propulsion system. A lightweight spaceframe with a suspension system provides a structure for mounting a low-aerodynamic-drag body system and other components. An intelligent power and thermal management system coupled with a removable auxiliary power module supplies the electrical energy required. While the preferred embodiment is substantially a passenger vehicle, the current invention may be scaled to other land vehicles.

In a control apparatus of a vehicular drive system, a charging/discharging-restricted shift control apparatus makes a determination to perform a shift in a shifting portion such that less power is charged to a power storage device or discharged from a power storage device when charging or discharging of the power storage device is restricted than when charging or discharging of the power storage device is not restricted.

The electromagnetic actuator includes an electromagnetic coil configured to provide actuation force in accordance with a solenoid current to be supplied, to a clutch and configured to actuate the clutch to control relative rotation between first and second members. The electromagnetic actuator includes a detector configured to detect the clutch actuated to produce a detection signal. The electromagnetic actuator includes a controller configured to respond to the detection signal from the detector to control the solenoid current.

A vehicle transmission includes a differential gearset having five coaxial gear elements and two output members. Two of the gear elements are controllable via torque-transmitting devices such as friction brakes or electric motors to establish a plurality of speed ratios between the input shaft and the two output members. The two output members are selectively operatively connectable to an output shaft via a gear arrangement that allows for a plurality of speed ratios between the output members and the output shaft. If the torque-transmitting devices are electric motors or hydraulic pumps, then a continuously variable speed ratio between the input shaft and the output shaft is achievable. The plurality of speed ratios between the two output members and the output shaft enable a plurality of compound split operating modes, facilitating smaller and less powerful motors or pumps compared to the prior art.

A control system (18) and method for controlling an automotive vehicle (10) includes a number of sensors that are used to generate a potential rollover signal. In response to the potential rollover, active differentials (112, 114, 116) may be used alone or in addition to braking to prevent the vehicle from rolling over.

A bi-directional overrunning clutch is disclosed for controlling torque transmission between a secondary drive shaft and secondary driven shafts. The overrunning clutch includes a pinion input shaft in a differential housing that engages with a clutch housing rotatably disposed within the differential housing. At least one race is located adjacent to the clutch housing and is engaged with an output shaft. A cage is located between the race and the clutch housing. The cage is movable with respect to the clutch housing. A <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00001"/>first<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00001"/> coil is mounted within the differential housing adjacent to the cage and is adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which causes the cage to drag with respect to the clutch housing. The dragging of the cage with respect to the clutch housing positions <INS-S DATE="20030304" ID="INS-S-00001"/>rolls within <INS-E ID="INS-S-00001"/>the cage to engage the clutch housing with the race when wheels on a primary drive shaft lose traction. <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00002"/>A<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00002"/> <INS-S DATE="20030304" ID="INS-S-00002"/>If desired a <INS-E ID="INS-S-00002"/>second coil <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00003"/>is<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00003"/> <INS-S DATE="20030304" ID="INS-S-00003"/>may be <INS-E ID="INS-S-00003"/>mounted within the differential housing adjacent <DEL-S DATE="20030304" ID="DEL-S-00004"/>adjacent<DEL-E ID="DEL-S-00004"/> to the cage. The second coil is adapted to produce an electromagnetic field when energized which advances cage with respect to the clutch housing causing the clutch housing to engage with the races. When the second coil is activated, the output shaft drives the pinion input shaft producing engine braking. An electronic control system is utilized to control the energizing of the coils.

A dual ball ramp actuator having a control ring acting with a pressure plates to supply an axial clutch clamping force to a differential clutch assembly where the ball ramp paths follow overlapping eccentric grooves that can be actuated in both the forward and reverse directions. The dual ramp feature doubles the effectiveness and sensitivity when compared to a single ramp system. The overlapping eccentric ball ramps increase (effectively double) the angular travel distance while reducing the ramp angle (in half). The forward and reverse feature provides clutch actuation in both the forward and reverse directions. The dual ramp, 3-piece sandwich construction permits the central control ring to roll up on two sets of balls on each side. This structure doubles the axial travel available to compress a disc pack and lock up the differential with the same ball ramp angle when compared to a single ramp system involving only two ramp plates.

An axle assembly with an input member, a first planetary gear set, a differential assembly, and a second planetary gear set. The first planetary gear set has a first transmission input that is driven by the input member. The differential assembly has a differential carrier and first and second differential output members received in the differential carrier. The second planetary gear set has a planet carrier coupled to the differential carrier for common rotation. A sun gear of the first planetary gear set is non-rotatably coupled to a sun gear of the second planetary gear set.

An axle assembly with an axle housing with a pair of bearing journals, a differential assembly disposed between the bearing journals, a pair of differential bearings and a pair of hollow adjusters that can be threaded into the bearing journals to preload the differential bearings and control gear lash between a pinion and a ring gear. Retaining members can be non-rotatably engage to the hollow adjusters and can be press-fit into counterbores in the outboard sides of the bearing journals. The axle housing can include an unitarily formed differential housing with a body and an axle tube structure, and a first axle tube that can be discretely formed and coupled to the body.

A new, useful and compact wheel motor drive arrangement for applications on such construction equipment as scissor lifts and other similar scaffolding equipment where hydraulically driven systems have historically been used to provide power to the wheels to move the equipment is disclosed. An electric motor is mounted to a spindle bracket which is pivotably connected to the frame of the equipment to allow the unit to be pivoted around a vertical axis for steering purposes. A gear reducing planetary gear system is mounted around the drive shaft of the motor is positioned totally within the rotating wheel hub. The output ring gear of the planetary gear system is integrally formed to the interior of the wheel hub so that there is a direct application through the planetary gear system to the wheel hub to provide greater efficiency.

An automatic speed reducing ratio-switching apparatus comprising an input side carrier, an output side carrier, and an intermediate carrier includes first and second planetary gear mechanisms juxtaposed in the axial direction of an input shaft, first and second inner clutch members which are rotatable in one direction while locking rotation in the other direction of the input shaft, and have mutually different locking directions, first and second outer clutch members which are rotatable in one direction while locking rotation in the other direction of the input side or output side ring gear, and have mutually different locking directions, and a viscous resistance member functioning under a static frictional force to integrally rotate the input side or output side sun gear, the input side or output side planet gears, and the input side or output side ring gears respectively in an identical direction.

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a dual clutch assembly, two countershaft gearing arrangements, one planetary gear set, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the countershaft gearing arrangements includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include a combination of clutches, brakes, and synchronizers.