Patent ID: 6497634
Filing Date: 2002-12-24
Classification: F16H

Abstract:
An infinitely variable transmission apparatus having a central axis and an input shaft rotatable at an input rotation speed and an output shaft rotatable at an output rotation speed, said apparatus characterized by:a planetary carrier mounted upon said input shaft; a sun gear mounted upon said output shaft; a plurality of input rotation members rotatably connected to said planetary carrier; a plurality of planetary gears rotatably connected to said planetary carrier; means for transferring torque from said planetary carrier to said input rotation members to cause said input rotation members to rotate in relation to said carrier, thereby to rotate said planetary gears at a planetary rotational speed, when said carrier is rotated by said input shaft, a plurality of planetary output rotation gears engageable with said sun gear, and rotatably mounted upon said planetary carrier to rotate at the planetary speed relative to said carrier; means for transferring torque from said input rotational members to corresponding ones of said planetary output gears; and means, comprising a variable geometry non-rotational member, for selectively modifying the rotational speed of said input rotational members by varying a radius of action; wherein said input shaft imparts torque to said planetary carrier thereby to revolve said input rotation members about said central axis, and wherein modifying the rotation speed of said input rotation members modifies the planetary rotation speed, thereby changing the output rotation speed.