Patent ID: 6506136
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
A transmission comprising:a shaft rotatable about a predetermined axis; a pulley having a first flange affixed to said shaft and a second flange rotatable with and movable axially of said shaft toward and away from said first flange, said flanges having confronting conical surfaces bounding an annular space having a width, as seen in the direction of said axis, which varies in response to movement of said second flange relative to said first flange, at least one of said flanges comprising a plurality of interconnected components consisting at least in part of a metallic sheet material, at least one first component of said interconnected components comprising one of said conical surfaces, at least one second component of said interconnected components supporting the at least one first component on the side facing away from the annular space; an endless flexible element trained over said pulley and including a looped portion received in said annular space; and means for moving said second flange, including a support affixed to said second flange, said second flange being disposed between said support and said first flange, said support and said second flange defining a plurality of annular plenum chambers and said moving means further comprising means for sealing said chambers, said sealing means extending in at least one of a plurality of directions including radially and axially of said shaft.