Patent ID: 6336878
Filing Date: 2002-01-08
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A continuously variable transmission, comprising:a first shaft rotatable about a first axis; a first pulley provided on said shaft; a second shaft rotatable about a second axis; a second pulley including a first conical flange affixed to said second shaft and a second conical flange non-rotatably mounted on and movable axially of said second shaft toward and away from said first flange; an endless flexible element trained over said pulleys; and means for moving said second flange toward and away from said first flange, including a first piston carried by and being held against axial movement relative to said second shaft and defining with said second flange a first annular plenum chamber, a supporting member affixed to said second shaft, a second piston affixed to said second flange and defining with said supporting member a second annular chamber, said first and second pistons defining a third annular chamber disposed between said first and second chambers as seen in the axial direction of said second shaft, discrete first, second and third means for respectively connecting said first, second and third chambers with at least one source of pressurized hydraulic fluid, and means for regulating the flow of fluid in said second and third connecting means to reduce the pressure of fluid in one of said second and third chambers while simultaneously increasing the pressure of fluid in the other of said second and third chambers.