Patent ID: 7357744
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: B62D,F16H

Abstract:
1. A hydro-mechanical, continuously variable transmission (HMCVT) for a vehicle or stationary equipment, said HMCVT comprising: a) an input planetary gear set comprising a first ring gear, a first sun gear, and a first carrier; b) a power input means coupled to a first one of said first ring gear, said first sun gear, and said first carrier; c) a main power output means comprising a main shaft; d) a first transfer gear; e) a second transfer gear, wherein said first and said second transfer gears are coupled to said input planetary gear set; f) a third transfer gear; g) a fourth transfer gear couplable to said main power output means; h) a hydraulic drive branch comprising a first hydraulic pump, a first hydraulic motor, and a hydraulic drive output, wherein vi) said hydraulic branch is operable to produce a variable input/output torque ratio by varying the displacements of said hydraulic pump and said hydraulic motor causing said input and output means to rotate at selected relative speeds; j) a mechanical drive branch having a fixed gear ratio, a fixed input/output torque ratio, and a mechanical drive output, wherein said mechanical drive branch is operable to receive power input from a third one of said first ring gear, said first sun gear, and said first carrier, and wherein said mechanical drive output is operable to transmit output to said main output means; k) a two-speed planetary clutch system comprising: l) a transmission housing, wherein said third transfer gear and said fourth transfer gear are operable to combine output from said hydraulic branch with output from said mechanical branch thereby transmitting a main power output to said main output means such that the percentage of mechanical power increases as the output speed increases with corresponding decrease in hydraulic power.