| 摘要 |
A gearless speed and torque converter is disclosed wherein a first member or input member fixedly mounted to a rotatable input shaft has an Archimedes spiral groove-bearing surface. A second member or output member fixedly mounted to a rotatable output shaft has an Archimedes spiral groove-bearing surface which is complementary to the spiral groove-bearing surface of the input member and is disposed adjacent thereto. The Archimedes spiral groove of the output member has a pitch different from the pitch of the Archimedes spiral groove of the input member. The input shaft and the output shaft are coaxially mounted relative to one another. A plurality of balls are disposed between the respective spiral grooves and are held therein solely by virtue of being captured in the intersecting spaces of the spiral grooves. During rotation of the input member, the balls move on a spiral track at a rotational speed which is an average of the rotational speeds of the input and output members. The speed of rotation of the input and output members is inversely proportional to the pitch ratio of the Archimedes spiral grooves of the respective members. A ball circulation channel provided in one of the input or output members permits the balls to enter the spiral grooves substantially at the beginning of the spiral grooves for travel therein and to exit from the spiral grooves substantially at their end. One or more intermediate spiral groove-bearing members interfacing with the input and output members and with one another, if applicable, may be provided to coact through additional balls with the input and output members, and with one another, if applicable, to provide speed and torque conversion in several stages or steps.
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