A variable speed transmission is disclosed, with a transmission apparatus which includes a planetary gear set having a ring gear and a sun gear. The variable speed transmission further includes a primary engine for powering the sun gear, a braking device engaging the ring gear, and a controller configured to alter the rotational speed of the ring gear by adjusting the braking device.

A transmission comprising at least one rim 1 and at least one wheel 2. An outside surface of the wheel 2 is adapted to engage with an inside surface of the rim 1. The wheel 2 is rotatable about a first axis B and the rim 2 is rotatable about a second axis A. The second axis A is at a distance from the first axis B. The inside surface of the rim 1 has a cyclic polygonal shape with an angle between each adjoining side 4 of the polygon being greater than 90°. The outer surface of the wheel 2 has a cyclic polygonal shape with an angle between each adjoining side 6 of the polygon being greater than 90°. Each side 6 of the wheel 2 engaging with a side 4 of the rim 1 of equal length during rotation of said transmission.

A transmission comprising at least one rim 1 and at least one wheel 2. An outside surface of the wheel 2 is adapted to engage with an inside surface of the rim 1. The wheel 2 is rotatable about a first axis B and the rim 2 is rotatable about a second axis A. The second axis A is at a distance from the first axis B. The inside surface of the rim 1 has a cyclic polygonal shape with an angle between each adjoining side 4 of the polygon being greater than 90°. The outer surface of the wheel 2 has a cyclic polygonal shape with an angle between each adjoining side 6 of the polygon being greater than 90°. Each side 6 of the wheel 2 engaging with a side 4 of the rim 1 of equal length during rotation of said transmission.

Methods and systems for seamlessly transitioning a load between two different actuators each having a different transmission ratio are described herein. A multiple drive, variable transmission ratio (MD-VTR) system includes two drive actuators, each having different reduction ratios, a locking mechanism, and a differential transmission subsystem. In one aspect, a MD-VTR system includes a locking mechanism disposed between a drive actuator and an input port of the differential. The locking mechanism couples the input port of the differential to a stationary reference frame element in a locked state. In an unlocked state, the locking mechanism couples the drive actuator to the input port of the differential. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes an actuator to actively transition between the locked and unlocked states. In some other embodiments, the locking mechanism transitions between the locked and unlocked states based on torque applied by the drive actuator.

Methods and systems for seamlessly transitioning a load between two different actuators each having a different transmission ratio are described herein. A multiple drive, variable transmission ratio (MD-VTR) system includes two drive actuators, each having different reduction ratios, a locking mechanism, and a differential transmission subsystem. In one aspect, a MD-VTR system includes a locking mechanism disposed between a drive actuator and an input port of the differential. The locking mechanism couples the input port of the differential to a stationary reference frame element in a locked state. In an unlocked state, the locking mechanism couples the drive actuator to the input port of the differential. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism includes an actuator to actively transition between the locked and unlocked states. In some other embodiments, the locking mechanism transitions between the locked and unlocked states based on torque applied by the drive actuator.

A planetary gear apparatus includes single pinion gears, double pinion gears comprising first double pinion gears and second double pinion gears, a planet carrier unit surrounding the single pinion gears, the first double pinion gears, and the second double pinion gears, first pinion shafts coupled to the planet carrier unit, the single pinion gears being rotatably mounted on the first pinion shafts, and one of the first double pinion gears and the second double pinion gears being rotatably mounted on the first pinion shafts, and second pinion shafts coupled to the planet carrier unit, wherein the other of the first double pinion gears and the second double pinion gears are mounted on the second pinion shafts.

A planetary gear apparatus includes single pinion gears, double pinion gears comprising first double pinion gears and second double pinion gears, a planet carrier unit surrounding the single pinion gears, the first double pinion gears, and the second double pinion gears, first pinion shafts coupled to the planet carrier unit, the single pinion gears being rotatably mounted on the first pinion shafts, and one of the first double pinion gears and the second double pinion gears being rotatably mounted on the first pinion shafts, and second pinion shafts coupled to the planet carrier unit, wherein the other of the first double pinion gears and the second double pinion gears are mounted on the second pinion shafts.

A gearbox having a power take-off for an electrically propelled vehicle. The gearbox includes a housing; at least one planetary gear set; an input shaft in continuous connection with at least one sun gear; a first output shaft in continuous connection with a carrier; a second output shaft in continuous connection with a ring gear; and a plurality of brake clutches grounded to the housing and are selectively engageable in combinations to transfer a torque from the input shaft to at least one of the first output shaft and the second output shaft.

A gearbox having a power take-off for an electrically propelled vehicle. The gearbox includes a housing; at least one planetary gear set; an input shaft in continuous connection with at least one sun gear; a first output shaft in continuous connection with a carrier; a second output shaft in continuous connection with a ring gear; and a plurality of brake clutches grounded to the housing and are selectively engageable in combinations to transfer a torque from the input shaft to at least one of the first output shaft and the second output shaft.

The invention relates to a multi-speed planetary transmission (10). The multi-speed planetary transmission (10) comprises a driveshaft (12), which comprises a sun gear (18) and a ring gear (19), and an output shaft (14), which comprises a planet carrier with at least one planet gear (30). The drive shaft (12) and the output shaft (14) can be connected together or separated from each other by means of a clutch (20). The multi-speed planetary transmission (10) has a freewheel (26), via which a shift is carried out between a first transmission ratio and a second transmission ratio under a load using the clutch (20)