Variable speed transmission and system using same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11835117-B2
Application number	US-201716315546-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 7, 2017
Priority date	Jul 8, 2016
Publication date	Dec 5, 2023
Grant date	Dec 5, 2023

Abstract

The system includes: a driver; a rotating load configured to be driven into rotation by the driver; a controller, for controllably changing a rotation speed of the load; and a variable speed transmission, arranged between the driver and the load. The variable speed transmission includes a speed summing gear arrangement with a first input shaft, a second input shaft and an output shaft. The output shaft is drivingly coupled to the rotating load. The first input shaft is drivingly coupled to the driver. A continuous variable transmission device is mechanically coupled to the driver and to the second input shaft of the speed summing gear arrangement. The continuous variable transmission device is functionally coupled to the controller.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a constant-speed driver;
a rotating load configured to be driven into rotation by the constant-speed driver;
a controller, for controllably changing a rotation speed of the load;
a variable speed transmission, arranged between the constant-speed driver and the load, the variable speed transmission comprising a speed summing gear arrangement with a first input shaft, an output shaft, and a second input shaft; and
a continuous variable transmission device mechanically coupled to the constant-speed driver and configured co-axially with the first input shaft, the second input shaft, and the output shaft of the speed summing gear arrangement so as to modify the speed of the second input shaft of the speed summing gear arrangement, the continuous variable transmission device comprising,
a sleeve formed integrally with the second input shaft of the speed summing gear arrangement, the sleeve having a bore co-axial with the first input shaft, and
a magnetic coupling having magnets mounted to an inner surface of the bore on the sleeve and an electrically-conductive member at least partially disposed in the bore and attached to the first input shaft so that the electrically-conductive member co-rotates with the first input shaft,

wherein the output shaft is drivingly coupled to the rotating load and the first input shaft is drivingly coupled to the constant-speed driver, and
wherein the speed of the output shaft is a function of the speeds of the first input shaft and of the second input shaft and the continuous variable transmission device is functionally coupled to the controller, such that the rotation speed of the rotating load drivingly coupled to the output shaft can be modulated, while the rotation speed of the constant-speed driver remains constant.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuous variable transmission device comprises a mover member and a driven member; wherein the mover member is mechanically coupled to the constant-speed driver, and the driven member is mechanically coupled to the second input shaft of the speed summing gear arrangement.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the mover member and the driven member are configured to transmit a variable torque therebetween, and wherein the speed of the second input shaft is modulated by adjusting the torque transmitted between the mover member and the driven member.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the speed summing gear arrangement comprises an epicyclic gear train.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the epicycle gear train comprises a compound planetary arrangement with a ring gear that is an outer gear, a sun gear, a planet carrier, and a plurality of planet gears that comprises at least one pair of a first planet gear and a second planet gear supported on a common axis with respect to the planet carrier, and wherein the first planet gear is in mesh the ring gear and the second planet gear is in mesh the sun gear.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the continuous variable transmission device is configured to be combined with a fixed-ratio gear train formed by a plurality of gears or toothed wheels arranged between the first input shaft and the second input shaft of the speed summing gear arrangement.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronically-conductive member comprises a ferromagnetic yoke.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronically-conductive member comprises a ferromagnetic yoke coupled with the second input shaft and a copper sleeve that circumscribes the ferromagnetic yoke.

Assignees

• Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie Srl
• Nuovo Pignone Tecnologie—SRL

Inventors

• Boccadamo Gianluca
• Milani Giuliano

Classifications

• F16H37/086 Primary

  CVT using two coaxial friction members cooperating with at least one intermediate friction member · CPC title

• F16D35/005

  with multiple lamellae · CPC title

• F16H3/721 Primary

  the secondary drive being an energy dissipating device, e.g. regulating brake, in order to vary speed continuously · CPC title

• F16H15/503

  in which two members co-operate by means of balls or rollers of uniform effective diameter, not mounted on shafts · CPC title

• F16H47/08

  the mechanical gearing being of the type with members having orbital motion · CPC title