DEVICE FOR ADAPTING CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRNASMISSIONS TO INFINITELY VARIABLE TRANSMISSIONS WITH FORWARD-NEUTRAL-REVERSE CAPABILITIES

摘要

An infinitely variable transmission is capable of operating between a maximum speed in one direction and a minimum speed in an opposite direction, including a zero output angular velocity, while being supplied with energy at a constant angular velocity. Input energy is divided between a first power path carrying an orbital set of elements (24) and a second path that includes a variable speed adjustment mechanism (40). The second power path also connects with the orbital set of elements (24) in such a way as to vary the rate of angular rotation thereof. The combined effects of power from the first and second power paths are combined and delivered to an output element (60) by the orbital element set (24). The transmission can be designed to operate over a preselected ratio of forward to reverse output speeds.