USRE31361E
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable pulley transmission
Assignee: Borg Warner Corp
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Filing: 1982-04-23
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Granted: 1983-08-30
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Expires: 2002-04-23
Abstract
Abstract A power transmission adapted to be connected between a prime mover and a driven means which comprises a variable pulley drive comprising drive and driven pulleys connected by a belt, each having at least one flange axially movable with respect to the other. The pulleys continously rotate when the prime mover is operational. The output of the prime mover is directly connected to the pulley drive. The prime mover may be an automobile engine, the driven means may include the wheels of an automobile. A speed-responsive friction starting device with means to shift between neutral, forward and reverse is connected between the driven pulley and the driven means. Shifting of a dry, i.e, non-lubricated, belt on the pulleys when the speed ratio is changing is enhanced because of the continuous driving of the pulleys. Also, because the direction of the rotation of the pulleys is always the same, shifting between forward and reverse is enhanced, this being true for any type of belt. The drive ratio between the pulleys is controlled by a hydraulic control arrangement which is both engine speed and torque responsive and the drive to the vehicle wheels may be through a synchronizer or a planetary gear arrangement to a differential.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L. Smirl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:40
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H37/00; F16H37/02; F16H37/021; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; F16H61/66227
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
In a power transmission apparatus adapted to transmit rotary motion between an engine with an engine shaft and a driven means such as the driving wheels of a vehicle and the like and having a variable rotary pulley drive unit with a driver pulley and a driven pulley connected by a belt means, each pulley having a pair of flanges, at least one flange of which is axially movable with respect to the other flange to change the spacing between the flanges and thus the speed ratio between the pulleys, and means responsive at least to the speed of the engine shaft to change the spacing of the pulley flanges and thus the speed ratio, the improvement which comprises: means connecting said driver pulley directly to the engine shaft so that the pulleys are continuously rotated only in one direction when the motor is operating and its shaft is rotating, the continuous rotation of said pulleys when said engine is operating enchancing the shifting of the belt means on said pulley flanges when the speed ratio between the pulleys is changed; means comprising a speed-responsive friction starting device .Iadd.responsive to the speed of the engine .Iaddend.drivingly connecting said driven pulley and said driven means; and means to select the direction of rotation of said driven means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
216 words
In a power transmission apparatus adapted to transmit rotary motion between an engine with an engine shaft and a driven means such as the driving wheels of a vehicle and the like and having a variable rotary pulley drive unit with a driver pulley and a driven pulley connected by a belt means, each pulley having a pair of flanges, at least one flange of which is axially movable with respect to the other flange to change the spacing between the flanges and thus the speed ratio between the pulleys, and means responsive at least to the speed of the engine shaft to change the spacing of the pulley flanges and thus the speed ratio, the improvement which comprises: means connecting said driver pulley directly to the engine shaft so that the pulleys are continuously rotated only in one direction when the motor is operating and its shaft is rotating, the continuous rotation of said pulleys when said engine is operating enchancing the shifting of the belt means on said pulley flanges when the speed ratio between the pulleys is changed; means comprising a speed-responsive friction starting device .Iadd.responsive to the speed of the engine .Iaddend.drivingly connecting said driven pulley and said driven means; and means to select the direction of rotation of said driven means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 1, where said speed-responsive friction starting device comprises a clutch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 2, where said means to select the direction of rotation of said driven means comprises a forward-reverse-neutral shifting device operatively associated with said starting device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 3, where said drivingly connecting means further comprises a synchronizer means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 3, where said drivingly connecting means further comprises a planetary gear set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
177 words
In a power transmission apparatus .[.adapted to be connected between a prime mover and a driven means, having a variable rotary pulley drive unit and a forward-reverse gear means, said pulley drive unit comprising a driver pulley and a driven pulley each having a pair of flanges axially movable with respect to one another to change the speed ratio between the pulleys, and a belt means connecting the driver and driven pulleys for transmitting power therebetween, the improvement comprising: means connecting said driver pulley directly to said prime mover so as to be continuously rotated only in one direction by said prime mover during its operation;.]. .Iadd.as recited in claim 1 further comprising .Iaddend. control means operatively associated with said .[.prime mover.]. .Iadd.motor .Iaddend.and said pulley drive unit and responsive to the operation of the .[.prime mover.]. .Iadd.motor .Iaddend.for changing the speed ratio between the pulleys.[.;.]. .[.means connecting said driven pulley to said gear means; means connecting said gear means to said driven means; and means to select forward, reverse and neutral drives through said gear means.]..
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., and further comprising chain means connecting said gear means to said driven means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., in which said gear means comprises at least one planetary gear set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim .[.6.]. .Iadd.13.Iaddend., in which gear means comprises a synchronizer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a power transmission apparatus having a drive pulley and a driven pulley, each pulley having a pair of tapered flanges, at least one of which is axially movable relative to the other to regulate the flange spacing and correspondingly to modify the speed ratio between the pulleys, the drive pulley being driven by an engine and the pulleys being drivingly connected by a belt with the spacing between the pulley flanges of each pulley being variable to provide a variable speed drive, and a hydraulic control system operatively associated with the pulleys to vary the spacing of the flanges and including a pump providing an engine torque responsive hydraulic fluid, the improvement comprising: a follow-up valve in said hydraulic system having a movable block to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to a piston connected to a flange of the drive pulley and connected piston operator to control the spacing of the drive pulley flanges; an opening in said piston operator through which said hydraulic fluid flows; said block being movable relative to said opening to control the amount of fluid to said piston; said opening having an elongated shape with a leading portion being smaller than a trailing portion to ensure gradual flow of fluid to said piston and to reduce surges in said flow.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
217 words
In a power transmission apparatus having a drive pulley and a driven pulley, each pulley having a pair of tapered flanges, at least one of which is axially movable relative to the other to regulate the flange spacing and correspondingly to modify the speed ratio between the pulleys, the drive pulley being driven by an engine and the pulleys being drivingly connected by a belt with the spacing between the pulley flanges of each pulley being variable to provide a variable speed drive, and a hydraulic control system operatively associated with the pulleys to vary the spacing of the flanges and including a pump providing an engine torque responsive hydraulic fluid, the improvement comprising: a follow-up valve in said hydraulic system having a movable block to control the flow of hydraulic fluid to a piston connected to a flange of the drive pulley and connected piston operator to control the spacing of the drive pulley flanges; an opening in said piston operator through which said hydraulic fluid flows; said block being movable relative to said opening to control the amount of fluid to said piston; said opening having an elongated shape with a leading portion being smaller than a trailing portion to ensure gradual flow of fluid to said piston and to reduce surges in said flow.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
In a power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 10, in which said opening is pear-shaped.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 11, in which said opening is essentially diamond-shaped. .Iadd. 13. A power transmission apparatus as recited in claim 6 where said means to select the direction of rotation of said driven means comprises gear means connected to said driven pulley and to said driven means and further comprising means to select forward, reverse and neutral drives through said gear means. .Iaddend.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-08-29 | 1987-02-28 | 1987-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-29 | 1991-02-28 | 1991-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-29 | 1995-02-28 | 1995-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |