Abstract:
Improvements in a turbo transmission are provided for transferring power from a power source to a work unit. The transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a power source and to a pump that is configured to rotate with the input shaft. The pump transfers energy received from the power source into a fluid or gas. The transmission includes an output shaft and a multi-stage turbine in line. The first turbine is fixed to output shaft, and a plurality of additional turbines are fixed on either one-way overrunning clutches or multi-disc clutches and these clutches are fixed to the output shaft and after each turbine is a multi-valves that discharges the fluid or gas. After all of the multi-stage turbines a planetary gear set connects the turbo transmission to the vehicle or work unit.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not Applicable 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    This invention relates to improvements power transmission between a motor to a vehicle. More particularly, the present turbo transmission includes an input shaft coupled to a power source and to a pump that is configured to rotate with the input shaft. The hydraulic pump transfers energy received from the power source into a fluid or gas. The transmission includes an output shaft and a multi-stage turbine in line with each other. The first turbine is fixed to output shaft, the rest of the turbines are fixed on either one-way overrunning clutches or multi-disc clutches and these clutches are fixed to an output shaft and after each turbine that has multi-valves to discharge the fluid or gas. After the multi-stage turbines a planetary gear set to redirect the operation of the vehicle from forward drive (D) or to neutral (N) or to reverse drive (R). 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Most automatic transmissions being used today normally have high fuel consumption because of the weight of the transmission, complicated system and does not meet economical driving conditions. Most manual transmission and automatic transmission are mechanical in nature and a portion of the time the speed and torque of the transmission does not match the speed and torque that is required by a vehicle or by other means. The transmission must match the speed of the vehicle but produces more or less torque that is required by the vehicle therefore there are some energy loss. 
         [0007]    Turbo-transmission is hydraulic transmission and is continuously variable transmissions therefore the speed and torque will match the speed and torque is required by the vehicle therefore less energy loss. 
         [0008]    Modern automatic transmissions use four or more multiple-disc clutches where the clutch plate has rough frictional material on their faces. When the multiple-disc clutches are not applied the disc will run with engine or with transmission output therefore each disc acts as disc pump and will consume energy and produce heat in the transmission. Modern automatic transmission and manual transmissions use more than eight gears when the gears run with and without engagement with the output shaft or input shaft will act as a pump because of the teeth of the gear therefore they consume energy and produce heat in the transmission. Exemplary examples or turbo transmission units are provided herein. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,600 issued Jun. 16, 1959 to R. L. Smirl et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 2,812,670 issued Nov. 12, 1957 to M. P. Winther both disclose a single stage hydraulic transmission where a viscous fluid transfers power between two vanes. These two patents disclose the early stages of a torque converter where rotational speed of the motor created connected the engine to the drive wheels. While these transmissions disclose power transmission they are limited to only a single turbo transmission speed with a multi-speed gearbox. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,671,543 issued Mar. 9, 1964 to J. Bosch discloses a fluid transmission system. The fluid transmission system uses two opposing turbines separated by a gap. Both the engine speed and the gap distance are variable to provide some additional speed variation between the motor and the driven wheels. While this patent discloses a more variable speed system the transmission has only one gear and is therefore limited in the range of speed control. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,823 issued Jul. 18, 1978 discloses an automatic transmission having a hydrodynamic torque converter between the input shaft and the gear system. The torque converter can be disengaged from the gear system to allow for changing of the gear ratio before re-engaging the torque converter. While this patent uses a hydrodynamic torque converter, gears are still used to change the ratio turning ration of the input to output shaft. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,110 issued Nov. 25, 1986 to Harry H. Levites discloses a fluid powered turbine using multiple turbines. The multiple turbines are configured in a tapers housing where the velocity of the fluid within the housing is increased as the fluid passes though a smaller cross sectional area thereby increasing the rotating speed of each turbine placed further down the tapered housing. While this patent describes the use of multiple turbine blades it operates as a steam turbine to generate power from steam entering the system. The generation of the pressure to turn the turbines is created external to the system as opposed to between turbines 
         [0013]    What is needed is a multiple turbines that are individually controlled and connected with one-way clutches to the output shaft. The proposed application provides this solution in a simple single unit. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    It is an object of the turbo-transmission to operate without frictional disc clutched or gears that create heat that results in a loss of energy. 
         [0015]    It is an object of the turbo-transmission to create a turbo-transmission that is simpler and has fewer components than a modern automatic transmission. Only one controller is used with a few solenoid valves where the solenoids control by the transmission module (TCM) and that the transmission acts as an automatic transmission. Manual shifting can be done by operating the solenoid valves manually to act as a manual transmission or by (TCM). It is simpler in operation and less expensive than modern automatic or manual transmissions. 
         [0016]    It is another object of the turbo-transmission to eliminate a torque converter. The torque converter is not required in the turbo-transmission and therefore more energy is saved from efficiency loss and weight reductions. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the turbo-transmission to be used in all vehicles from small vehicles to large vehicles by changing the surface are of the turbine blades and or the angle of the turbine blades and or by using two or more pumps inline for heavy equipment such as trucks, tractors or bulldozers 
         [0018]    It is still another object of the turbo-transmission to be used in other application such as pump drivers by using the motor as a power source where the turbo-transmission acts as a variable torque drive or variable speed drive for the pump and other applications. 
         [0019]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the Turbo-Transmission connected between an engine and a vehicle. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of the Turbo-Transmission connected between a motor and a pump. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3 . Shows a system curve for a three speed Turbo-Transmission. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4A-4D  shows a three speed Turbo-Transmission and the fluid flow through each of the three speeds. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a side cross sectional view of a three speed Turbo-Transmission. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  shows a side cross sectional view of a five speed Turbo-Transmission. 
           [0026]      FIG. 7 . Shows a system curve for a five speed Turbo-Transmission. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  shows a front cross sectional view of one turbine of a Turbo-Transmission with the valves closed. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  shows a front cross sectional view of one turbine of a Turbo-Transmission with the valves open. 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  shows a partial isometric view of one-way overrunning clutches or roller clutches that connect the speed turbines to the driven shaft. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  shows a partial isometric view of a multiple disc clutch that connects the speed turbines to the driven shaft. 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  shows a side cross sectionals view of a multiple-disk clutch used in the Turbo-Transmission. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of the Turbo-Transmission connected between an engine and a vehicle. From this block diagram a power source  20  such as an engine or motor is connected to the Turbo-Transmission  30 . Within the transmission is a pump  40 , fluid coupled to turbines  50  and then coupled to a gear set  60 . The Turbo-Transmission  30  is then connected to a work unit  21  such as a vehicle. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of the Turbo-Transmission connected between a motor and a pump. From this block diagram a power source  20  such as an engine or motor is connected to the Turbo-Transmission  30 . Within the transmission is a pump  40  fluid coupled to turbines  50 . The Turbo-Transmission  30  is then connected to a work unit  22  such as a pump or other uses. 
         [0034]      FIG. 3 . Shows a system power curve for the Turbo-Transmission. The left vertical axis  71  is head in ft for a pump. The right vertical axis  73  is Torque in lb-ft for turbines on an output shaft. The upper horizontal axis  70  is N for the speed for a turbine in Revolutions per Minute (RPM). The bottom horizontal axis  72  is Q for Gallons per Minute (GPM) for a pump or turbine. Solid curved lines  74  represent system curves for a pump at different N, RPM(s). Dashed curved lines  75  represent system curves for turbines. From these curves the 1 st  Gear curve  76  shows the first gear, Turbine 1  (T 1 )+Turbine  2  (T 2 )+Turbine  3  (T 3 ) in operation. The curve of 2 nd  Gear  77  shows the second gear, Turbine  1 +Turbine  2  in operation. The curve of 3 rd  Gear  78  shows the third gear, Turbine  1  in operation. The turbines and gears are described in more detail with  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d.    
         [0035]      FIG. 4A-4D  shows a three speed Turbo-Transmission and the fluid flow through turbines. The chart shown in  FIG. 4D  identifies the activation of the three solenoids to allow flow through the three turbines. The solenoids are designated as ON 
         [0036]    or OFF and their activation or de-activation allows or prevents flow from the pump  40  through the turbines  51 - 53 . When any solenoid valve is on (closed) no flow will exist to the solenoid valve and the valve is OFF (open) flow will be allowed to pass though the valve.  FIG. 4A  represents a third gear where solenoid  1  is OFF and  2  and  3  are ON. Input shaft  26  turns pump  40  that supplies output flow  25  through turbine (T 1 )  51 . Because solenoids  2  and  3  are ON no flow is made through turbines (T 2 )  52  or (T 3 )  53 . Roller clutches in these turbines allow the turbine to free spin on the output shaft  90 .  FIG. 4D  represents second gear where solenoid  2  is OFF and solenoids  1  and  3  are ON. Input shaft  26  turns pump  40  that supplies output flow  25  through turbine (T 1 )  51  and turbine (T) 2   52 . Because solenoid  2  is OFF no flow is made through turbine or (T 3 )  53 . Roller clutch in this turbine allow the turbine to free spin on the output shaft  90 .  FIG. 4C  represents first gear where solenoid  3  is OFF and solenoids  1  and  2  are ON. Input shaft  26  turns pump  40  that supplies output flow  25  through turbines (T 1 )  51 , (T 2 )  52  and (T 3 )  53  that turn the output shaft  90 . Return flow  24  goes from the turbines back to the pump  40 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a side cross sectional view of a three speed Turbo-Transmission. The turbo-transmission is essentially round and components shown on the top of this figure are also shown on the bottom of this figure. A brief look at  FIGS. 8 and 9  show a cross section view of a set of three valves around the turbo-transmission and each of the three sets has eight valves it is contemplated that more or less than eight valves can be used. Rotational bearings  27 ,  28  and  29  support the various input  26  and output  90  shafts as the power is transmitted to the input shaft  26  through the pump turbo-transmission to the output shafts  90  and  91 . One or more trust bearings  33  maintain the turbines in position from the thrust being exerted on them. In operation input shaft  26  is turned by a motor or the like. When input shaft  26  is turned it will turn pump  40 . A portion of the flow  37  will be used to operate solenoids  81 - 83  that control valves  61 - 63  that allow one or more of the turbines  51 - 53  to turn. Valves  61 - 63  are maintained in the open position with spring(s)  69 . 
         [0038]    The output flow  25  from pump  40  will push against first turbine  51  and will turn the turbine on. Output flow from turbine  51  will push through the nozzle  112  to redirect flow to turbine  52  and will turn the turbine on. The flow then goes through nozzle  113  to redirect the flow to another turbine  53  and turn the turbine on and then the flow  24  will return back to the pump through nozzle  111 . The pressure after the pump  40  will be larger than the pressure at the nozzle  112 . The pressure through each successive turbine will drop gradually as the fluid flows though each turbine. Specifically the pressure at nozzle  112  will be greater than the pressure at nozzle  113  and the pressure at nozzle  113  will be larger than the pressure after turbine  53 . 
         [0039]    In this figure flow  37  is shown passing through only valves  82  and  83  because valve  81  is closed. Flow through the solenoids  82  and  83  then flows into valves  61  and  62  that block flow from returning  24  back to the pump. The output flow will push through nozzles  112  and  113  to turn their respective turbines. Turbines  52  and  53  are connected to the shaft with one-way clutches  101  and  102  the turn the shaft and also allow the turbines  52  and  53  to free spin on the shaft when flow, or insufficient flow, is not running though the turbines. A planetary gear set is located after the turbo-transmission on the output shaft that is connected to ring gear  31 , carrier  32  and sun gear or output shaft  91  and will be located forward of clutch  35  and reverse brake  34  and parking gear and the speed sensor. 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a side cross sectional view of a five speed Turbo-Transmission. The transmission shown in this figure is similar to the transmission shown in  FIG. 5 . The major differences are that this turbo transmission has five turbines to simulate a five speed transmission and a permanent planetary gear set overdrive  36  exists between the input shaft  26  and the pump  40  turbines. Output flow  25  from the pump  40  is fed to the solenoids  81 - 85  and the turbines. In this figure solenoid  83  is off therefore the valve  63  is open. When this valve  63  is open return flow  24  will flow back to the pump  40 . The remaining valves  61 ,  62 ,  64  and  65  will be closed and no flow will go through the opening to pump  40 . In this figure the turbines are connected to the shaft  90  with one-way multiple disk clutches  121 - 124 . Flow to and through a turbine will turn on the turbine and engage the clutch(s). When there in minimal or insufficient flow the turbine will free spin on the shaft. This is shown and described in more detail with  FIG. 11 . Note that some redundant item numbers from  FIG. 5  are not identified with this figure. 
         [0041]      FIG. 7 . Shows a system curve for a five speed turbo-transmission. The transmission shown in this figure is similar to the three speed transmission in shown and described in  FIG. 3  except the speed of the pump  74  will be higher than the speed of the engine because of a permanent planetary overdrive that is located between the engine and the pump. 
         [0042]      FIG. 8  shows a front cross sectional view of one turbine of a Turbo-Transmission with the valves closed.  FIG. 9  shows a front cross sectional view of one turbine of a Turbo-Transmission with the valves open. While it is shown with eight valves  62   a - 62   h  existing around the turbo-transmission it is contemplated that more or less than eight valves can be used. In  FIG. 8 , the solenoid,  82  is open and flow enters all the valves  62   a - 62   h,  whereby pushing the valves closed. In this orientation flow will be blocked from exiting the opening after turbine  52  (not shown). In  FIG. 9 , the solenoid,  82  is closed and flow is blocked from all the valves  62   a - 62   h,  whereby allowing flow  39  through the opening after turbine  52  (not shown). Note that the spring(s)  69  maintains the valve(s) open in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows a partial isometric view of one-way overrunning clutches or roller clutches that connect the speed turbines to the driven shaft. This figure shows one contemplated embodiment of a one way clutch using a plurality or dogs or sprags  130  connected around a shaft  90 . When the turbine  132  turns in one direction the dogs or sprags  130  grip onto the shaft  90  to turn the shaft. When the turbine  132  stops or turns  133  in the opposite direction, the dogs or sprags release the shaft and allows the turbine to free spin on the shaft  90 . While dogs or sprags are shown and described a number of other one-way clutches or bearing are contemplated that perform equivalently. 
         [0044]      FIG. 11  shows a partial isometric view of a multiple disc clutch that connects the speed turbines to the driven shaft.  FIG. 12  shows a side cross-sectionals view of a multiple-disk clutch used in the Turbo-Transmission.  FIG. 11  shows a shaft  90  connected to a multi-disc clutch plate  32  through bearing  131 . The multi-disc clutch pack  32  is shown with more detail in  FIG. 12 . This configuration uses the pressure of the output flow  25 , which comes from the pump, to go through opening  138  to push piston  139  and lock the disk clutch  141 . The moving clutch plate has the turbine blades  132  that provides the rotational motion  133  on the output shaft  90 . In addition to the output flow  25  entering the opening  138  flow will also move through the nozzle(s)  140 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 12  shows a partial cross-sectional view of the turbine with a multiple-disc clutch connected to output shaft  90  with bearing  131 . When the differential pressure before or after the turbine is sufficient to turn the turbine and lock the multi-disc clutch then the power will transfer to output shaft  90 . The pressure  25  will turn the turbine  132  and push through opening  138  where it will push piston  139  against the disk clutch  141  and lock the turbine to output shaft  90 . 
         [0046]    Thus, specific embodiments of a hydrodynamic turbo-transmission have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.