Patent ID: 7198584

Claim:
A compound transmission comprising: a continuously variable transmission (“CVT”) comprising: a plurality of traction rollers distributed radially about a longitudinal axis of the transmission, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates; an input disc in contact with the rollers; an output disc in contact with the rollers; and an idler coaxial with and rotatable about the longitudinal axis, the idler in contact with the rollers; a compound planetary gear set comprising: a dual sun gear; a first plurality of planet gears engaged with the dual sun gear; an input ring gear engaging the first plurality of planet gears; a first planet carrier that retains and positions the first plurality of planet gears; a second plurality of planet gears engaged with the dual sun gear; an output ring gear engaging the second plurality of planet gears; a second planet carrier that retains and positions the second plurality of planet gears; and wherein each of the planet gears of the first plurality of planet gears comprises a planet shaft that extends from the first planet carrier and terminates at a connection point with the input disc so that the first planet carrier rotates the first plurality of planet gears about the dual sun gear and rotates the input disc about the longitudinal axis, wherein the CVT is operationally coupled to the compound planetary gear set and wherein the CVT is coupled to the first plurality of planet gears.