Variable speed drive with friction ring connecting opposed-conical rotors - has minimally-sized actuator to cant ring either way, causing axial displacement to increase or decrease ratio automatically, optionally in assembly with torque converter, epicyclic reversing gear and brake band

摘要

This new variable speed drive is based on a friction ring, driven between a pair of opposed-conical rotors on parallel shafts. These have the same cone angle. The friction ring provides grip between the rotors, and encircles one of them, eccentrically, with clearance. Novel features include the cage (6) restraining and guiding the ring (5), which is coupled to an axis of rotation (14) about which it is pivoted, by a suitable actuator drive (16). Preferably, the contacting surfaces have a hard metal or ceramic coating, e.g. titanium nitride, titanium carbonitride e.g. titanium aluminium nitride. The drive is encased and sealed separately, and runs in a cooling fluid without lubricating characteristics, e.g. a silicone oil. A torque converter may be used in conjunction with the drive.