Patent GB-1480043-A (GB)
Title: Hydromechanical transmissions
IPC: F16H47/04
Filed: 1976-02-25
Abstract: 1480043 Change speed gear GENERAL MOTORS CORP 25 Feb 1976 [27 March 1975] 07389/76 Heading F2D An input torque - splitting hydrostaticmechanical gear, which has a synchronized mechanical shift between low and high speed modes, and provides overdrives and reverse, comprises adjustable pump-motor units 24, 32, connecting a sun 18 (or ring 16) of a first planet train 12 to its planet carrier 22, which latter is clutched at 38 to a main output shaft 44 during a high speed mode, a ring gear 16 (or sun 18) of the train permanently connected to a main input shaft 10; and a second planet train 48 having an output-connected ring gear 46, a sun 34 connected to the first sun 18, and a carrier 50 held by a brake 56 for a low speed mode. Initially the pump-motor unit 24 is adjusted to zero displacement, and hence zero reaction, and the brake 56 applied for the low speed mode, the output remaining stationary. Increasing the negative displacement of the unit 24, now acting as a pump, rotates the common suns 18, 34 reversely, and an increasing forward speed issues from the output ring gear 46, the drive being part hydrostatic by the sun drive from the unit 32 and part mechanical between the suns, the hydrostatic component increasing with increase in negative displacement of the unit 24 to its maximum, after which the output speed may be further increased by decreasing the displacement of the unit 32. The hydrostatic displacement and planetary ratios are such that after a decrease to minimum in the displacement of the unit 32 the ring gear 46 and carrier 22 synchronize, whereupon the brake 56 is released and the clutch 38 engaged for the high speed mode. In this mode output speed is further increased by increasing the positive displacement of the unit 32 to its maximum, this unit now acting as a pump. Further increase in output speed is produced by decreasing the displacement of the unit 24, eventually to zero, at which time the suns are stationed for 100% mechanical drive. Further output speed increase to one-toone, torque-split drive is produced by increasing the positive displacement of the unit 24 to equalize with that of the unit 32, and a further small speed increase beyond one-to-one is obtained by reducing the displacement of the unit 32 to overdrive the suns. For reverse the brake 56 is applied and the displacement of the unit 24 increased in the positive direction. Fig. 2, not shown, suitable for higher input speeds, e.g. a gas turbine, interchanges the sun and ring of Fig. 1. Fig. 3; not shown, has two compounded sun ring output trains (106, 108) having common output ring gears, and a first sun (150) connected to a second carrier (148) the second sun (142) being connected as that 34 of Fig. 1. The first sun (150) is also connectible through a second clutch (118) and stepped countershaft gear pair (166) to input (100). A third speed range is thus provided. Curves are included showing relation between output speed, input speed, displacements, pressure in the hydrostatic gear, efficiency and hydraulic and total power output. The brakes and clutches may be operated electrically, hydraulically, pneumatically or mechanically.