Patent GB-190925697-A (GB)
Title: An Improved Variable Speed Gear applicable to Vehicles, and other Mechanisms.
Inventor: SAYER ROBERT COOKE
IPC: H02K53/00
Filed: 1909-11-08
Granted: 1910-11-08
Abstract: 25,697. Sayer, R. C. Nov. 8. Motor-wheels.- A vehicle wheel is driven by a reciprocating electromotor arranged within it through an electricallycontrolled variable - speed gear of the friction-disk type, and the driving-motor is utilized for effecting the movements necessary for varying the speed ratio. The wheel a is mounted in bearings in a frame b and rotates on an axis a<3>, which carries a series of radial screwed shafts d<3>. On each shaft d<3> is mounted an electro-magnet h, the core of which is adapted to drive a loose disk d<2> when the axle a<3> is rotated. The disk d<2> drives an expansible friction wheel h<9> mounted on a shaft b<9>, which is mounted in bearings in the frame b and is geared to the hub of the wheel a. The gear ratio is controlled by the radial movement of the magnets h, h<11> on their screwed shafts. The shaft d<3> is rotated in either direction by magnetically-actuated pawls engaging ratchetwheels e, e<4>. At the same time, magnets h<2>, h<10> are energized and cause the friction rollers h<9> to engage a flange on the disk d<2>, so that the shaft b<9> is also rotated to an equal extent. When the magnets h, h<11> have reached the desired position, they are themselves energized and are both placed in driving connexion with the disk d<2>, so that the rotation of the axle a' is transmitted to the wheel a through the gear. The cores of the magnets h<2>, h<10>, h<11> are of conical form, so that, as they are attracted into the coil, they cause the expansion of an elastic ring enveloping the cone. The circuits of the various electro - magnets are controlled by a hand-wheel b<3> and a screw, which are adapted to slide contacts b<7>, b<8> over a series of concentric rings c, c<2>, c<3> on the wheel a, Fig. 3. The motor for effecting the change of speed comprises two solenoids h<12>, h<13>, the cores of which are connected to pull and push pawls f, f<2> adapted to engage ratchet-wheels mounted on oppositelydisposed ratchet clutches on the shaft d<3>. The direction of rotation of the shaft is determined by solenoids g, g<2> carried on the magnet cores, and adapted to draw one or other set of pawls into gear. The direction of the current flow in the main solenoids is continually reversed by a switch j<2> operated by a pin and slot from one of the magnet cores. To rotate the shaft d<3> in the reverse direction, the contacts b<7>, h<8> are brought from the rings c to the rings c<3>. When the centre pair of rings c<2> are in circuit, the motor solenoids h<2>, h<10> are cut out, whereas the solenoids h, h<11> are energized to clutch the crank axle a<3> to the wheel a. To allow the motor h<12>, h<13> to assist in driving the vehicle, a bevel-wheel d<21> is mounted on the inner end of the shaft d<3>, as shown in Fig. 10, and is adapted to engage a bevel-wheel which is keyed to the axle a<3> but is movable endwise by a crank b<17> and links b<20>. When the bevel-wheels are in gear, the outer portion of the shaft d<3> is declutched from the inner portion, the two parts being telescoped at d<14>. The motor drives the ratchet - wheels e and bevel - wheels d<21>, and rotates the axle a<3>. The expansible elastic rings operated by the magnets h<2>, h<10>, h<11> may be replaced by wheels with segmental rims, each segment forming the armature of a magnet, which is automatically energized as the segment contacts with the disk d<2>.