A power generation controller of an aircraft includes a low-temperature start-up control section and a power generation control section. When it is determined that an oil temperature of a hydraulic actuator configured to change an operation position of a speed change element of a hydraulic transmission satisfies a predetermined low-temperature condition when starting up an aircraft engine, the low-temperature start-up control section sets a power generator to a power non-generating state and controls the hydraulic actuator such that the speed change element is positioned at an acceleration side of a median in a speed change range. When it is determined that the oil temperature satisfies a predetermined low-temperature start-up completion condition, the power generation control section sets the power generator to a power generating state and controls the hydraulic actuator in accordance with a rotational frequency of the aircraft engine.

A power generation controller of an aircraft includes a low-temperature start-up control section and a power generation control section. When it is determined that an oil temperature of a hydraulic actuator configured to change an operation position of a speed change element of a hydraulic transmission satisfies a predetermined low-temperature condition when starting up an aircraft engine, the low-temperature start-up control section sets a power generator to a power non-generating state and controls the hydraulic actuator such that the speed change element is positioned at an acceleration side of a median in a speed change range. When it is determined that the oil temperature satisfies a predetermined low-temperature start-up completion condition, the power generation control section sets the power generator to a power generating state and controls the hydraulic actuator in accordance with a rotational frequency of the aircraft engine.

A variable speed drive (37) is described, comprising: a ring (60) adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis; two coaxial disks (73), rigidly connected to each other, adapted to rotate about a second rotation axis (B-B) parallel to the first rotation axis; wherein the ring (60) is at least partially housed between the two coaxial disks (73); a plurality of driving members (75), carried by the ring (60) and arranged according to a circular arrangement coaxial to the ring (60); said driving members are arranged and configured to cooperate with opposite surfaces (73A) of the two coaxial disks (73), transmitting a rotation motion from the ring (60) to the two coaxial disks (73); a device for adjusting the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. A drive device (17) of an assisted-pedal human-powered vehicle (10) which includes such a drive is also described.

A variable speed drive (37) is described, comprising: a ring (60) adapted to rotate about a first rotation axis; two coaxial disks (73), rigidly connected to each other, adapted to rotate about a second rotation axis (B-B) parallel to the first rotation axis; wherein the ring (60) is at least partially housed between the two coaxial disks (73); a plurality of driving members (75), carried by the ring (60) and arranged according to a circular arrangement coaxial to the ring (60); said driving members are arranged and configured to cooperate with opposite surfaces (73A) of the two coaxial disks (73), transmitting a rotation motion from the ring (60) to the two coaxial disks (73); a device for adjusting the distance between the first rotation axis and the second rotation axis. A drive device (17) of an assisted-pedal human-powered vehicle (10) which includes such a drive is also described.

A method controls a power split transmission structure to direct drive power from a drive through at least three interfaces to at least one output to supply connected consumers. The transmission structure has at least two variator paths each comprising a summation gearbox downstream of the interfaces in which drive power is varied via a mechanical and an electrical path. The transmission structure has power electronics or a hydraulic control device including at least three electric or hydraulic machines arranged in parallel with the summation gearbox of each variator path downstream of the interfaces. The method simultaneously controls the power electronics or a hydraulic control device and the electric or hydraulic machines in such a way that fluctuations in the power supply to the consumers are compensated for by the electric or hydraulic machines by regulating, via a control device, the summation gearbox of each of the variator paths and modifying a torque, a speed, or both, of the drive power via the power electronics system or the hydraulic control device.

A method controls a power split transmission structure to direct drive power from a drive through at least three interfaces to at least one output to supply connected consumers. The transmission structure has at least two variator paths each comprising a summation gearbox downstream of the interfaces in which drive power is varied via a mechanical and an electrical path. The transmission structure has power electronics or a hydraulic control device including at least three electric or hydraulic machines arranged in parallel with the summation gearbox of each variator path downstream of the interfaces. The method simultaneously controls the power electronics or a hydraulic control device and the electric or hydraulic machines in such a way that fluctuations in the power supply to the consumers are compensated for by the electric or hydraulic machines by regulating, via a control device, the summation gearbox of each of the variator paths and modifying a torque, a speed, or both, of the drive power via the power electronics system or the hydraulic control device.

A tidal current energy converter including an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) control system and a hybrid vertical axis wind (or water) turbine (VAWTs) apparatus. The hybrid VAWT apparatus includes a modified-Savonius (MS) rotor in the central region and a straight bladed H-type Darrieus rotor in the surrounding annular region. The IVT control system includes a nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control to adjust a speed ratio of the IVT. A speed ratio control for an IVT system involves a forward speed controller and/or a crank length controller for different speed ranges. The time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT with an accurate speed ratio. The speed ratio of an IVT with the disclosed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT by the time-delay feedback control.

A tidal current energy converter including an infinitely variable transmission (IVT) control system and a hybrid vertical axis wind (or water) turbine (VAWTs) apparatus. The hybrid VAWT apparatus includes a modified-Savonius (MS) rotor in the central region and a straight bladed H-type Darrieus rotor in the surrounding annular region. The IVT control system includes a nonlinear closed-loop control combined with an integral time-delay feedback control to adjust a speed ratio of the IVT. A speed ratio control for an IVT system involves a forward speed controller and/or a crank length controller for different speed ranges. The time-delay control is designed to reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT with an accurate speed ratio. The speed ratio of an IVT with the disclosed control strategy can achieve an excellent tracking response for the desired constant output speed and reduce speed fluctuations of the output speed of an IVT by the time-delay feedback control.

A transmission is described. The transmission employs a main input sprocket configured to be driven by a drive system of the apparatus implementing the transmission. The main input sprocket is disposed on and coupled to a main axle of the transmission. The transmission further includes an output gear that is configured to float on the main axle and is connected to a driven output component of the apparatus implementing the transmission. By floating on the main axle, the output gear can rotate at a rate that differs from a rotational rate of the main input sprocket. To control a rate at which the output gear rotates relative to the main input sprocket, the transmission employs a reference carrier floating on the main axle. A rotational rate of the reference carrier dictates an amount of torsional relief from the main input sprocket to the output gear. A rate at which the reference carrier rotates about the main axle is controlled by a control system of the transmission, which may be implemented as a computer-based control system, a mechanical feedback-based control system, and combinations thereof.

A transmission is described. The transmission employs a main input sprocket configured to be driven by a drive system of the apparatus implementing the transmission. The main input sprocket is disposed on and coupled to a main axle of the transmission. The transmission further includes an output gear that is configured to float on the main axle and is connected to a driven output component of the apparatus implementing the transmission. By floating on the main axle, the output gear can rotate at a rate that differs from a rotational rate of the main input sprocket. To control a rate at which the output gear rotates relative to the main input sprocket, the transmission employs a reference carrier floating on the main axle. A rotational rate of the reference carrier dictates an amount of torsional relief from the main input sprocket to the output gear. A rate at which the reference carrier rotates about the main axle is controlled by a control system of the transmission, which may be implemented as a computer-based control system, a mechanical feedback-based control system, and combinations thereof.