Patent GB-606003-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in variable speed transmission
IPC: F16H15/22
Filed: 1946-02-27
Abstract: 606,003. Variable-speed gearing. AUTOTRANSMISSION SOC. ANON. Feb. 27, 1946, Nos. 6177 and 6178. Convention dates, March 2, 1945, and Nov. 6, 1945. [Class 80 (ii)] [Also in Group XXXV] A continuously variable-speed gear comprises a plurality of epicyclic trains arranged in cascade with the driven annulus gear of the first train connected to the planet carrier of the next train and so on, the sun gears for all the trains being mounted upon the driving shaft, the final driven annulus gear being connected to the driven shaft, and the first planet carrier being driven at a variable speed from the driving shaft through a friction clutch, hydraulic coupling, friction gear or electric devices As shown, the planet carrier 26 of the first train is driven from the driving shaft 23 by an axially adjustable friction roller 44 co-operating with conical rollers 45 supported on inclined axes and gearing with a central gear 47 connectible with the carrier 26 through dogs 52 engaging dogs 53 on a sliding sleeve 48 on the carrier. Depending upon the number of trains employed, the variation of the speed of the carrier 26 from a value somewhat below that of the driving shaft 23 to a speed equal to that of the driving shaft, the speed of the driven shaft 42 is varied from zero to a direct drive when the roller 44 is adapted to engage lugs 49 on the sleeve 48 to connect the carrier direct to the driving shaft and to disengage the dogs 52, 53 of the friction drive. By reducing the speed of the carrier below the value for zero speed of the driven shaft a reverse drive is obtained. The friction gear between the driving shaft and the first planet-carrier may be replaced by a friction clutch adapted to provide the necessary amount of slip to regulate the speed of the carrier or a hydraulic coupling device might be employed. One form of friction device is stated to comprise a ring or rings of rolling balls. Alternatively an electrical coupling may be provided between the shaft 23 and the carrier 26 by mounting the armatures of a generator and a motor respectively on these two members or the friction device shown might be modified to provide a drive by electromagnetic attraction [see Group XXXV]. The Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91 also describes a hydraulic coupling device between the driving shaft and the first planet carrier comprising a series of radially arranged pistons working in cylinders on a member attached to the planet carrier and actuated by an eccentric or eccentrics on the driving shaft, passages for the liquid between the cylinders being provided which can be throttled as required to regulate the speed imparted to the carrier. This regulation further may be automatic in accordance with the speed of the driving shaft and/or the torque of the driven shaft. A form of friction device is also described comprising a number of axially arranged rings of balls between driving and driven plates with means to vary the loading thereon to provide the desired amount of slip. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.