DUAL CLUTCH TYPE POWER TRANSMISSION WITH ALTERNATIVE TORQUE TRANSMISSION PATH PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE RATIOS

摘要

A dual clutch type transmission has first and second sections which respectively include first and second clutches. The clutches may be operated to allow torque transfer from an input to an output by way of the first section or the second section. One or more additional gear ratios is provided by a torque transfer pathway connecting the first and second sections such that torque is delivered from the input to the output by way of one or more stages of the first section and one or more stages of the second section. The additional gear ratios may comprise extra low gear ratios. Some embodiments provide transmissions suitable for driving pumps for use in hydraulic fracturing of geological formations.

主权项

1. A transmission comprising:
an input; an output comprising one or more gears; a first transmission section providing one or more stages of gearing and configurable to provide one of a first plurality of gear ratios between the input and the output; a second transmission section providing one or more stages of gearing configurable to provide one or more second gear ratios between the input and the output; a first clutch operable to selectively couple the input to the first transmission section; a second clutch operable to selectively couple the input to the second transmission section; and, a torque transfer mechanism selectively operable to transfer torque from the first transmission section to the second transmission section to provide an alternative torque transmission path from the input to the output that includes at least one of the one or more stages of gearing of the first transmission section and at least one of the one or more stages of gearing of the second transmission section and provides one or more gear ratios between the input and the output that is different from the first plurality of gear ratios and the one or more second gear ratios; wherein:
the first transmission section comprises a first shaft and a first torque coupling connecting the first shaft to drive the output, the first torque coupling comprising one or more gears carried by the first shaft in constant mesh with the one or more gears of the output wherein the transmission comprises a mechanism for selectively engaging or disengaging the first torque coupling;the second transmission section comprises a second shaft and a second torque coupling connecting the second shaft to drive the output, the second torque coupling comprising one or more gears carried by the second shaft in constant mesh with the one or more gears of the output.