A continuously variable transmission capable of operating in a forward direction or reverse direction may be controlled in the reverse direction by providing an initial skew angle in a first skew direction, followed by a set or sequence of skew angle adjustments in an opposite direction to prevent runaway or other unintended consequences. A continuously variable transmission may include a timing plate to maintain all planets at an angle or within a range of an angle in forward and reverse operations.

Disclosed is a continuous variable transmission drive system for providing automatic continuously variable transmission for driving wheels of a vehicle. The vehicle includes wheels and either pedals or a motor. The continuous variable transmission drive system includes a drive shaft, a drive wheel, a drive disk, a sensor, a jack mechanism and a transmission unit. The drive shaft having a first end to receive a rotational force and a second end is connected to the drive wheel and moves along the drive shaft. The drive disk receives the power of the drive shaft from the drive wheel. The sensor for measuring compression force between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The jack mechanism applies variable compression force to control friction between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The transmission unit moves the drive wheel along the drive shaft, and changes ratio of angular velocity between the drive wheel and the drive disk to provide continuously variable transmission.

Disclosed is a continuous variable transmission drive system for providing automatic continuously variable transmission for driving wheels of a vehicle. The vehicle includes wheels and either pedals or a motor. The continuous variable transmission drive system includes a drive shaft, a drive wheel, a drive disk, a sensor, a jack mechanism and a transmission unit. The drive shaft having a first end to receive a rotational force and a second end is connected to the drive wheel and moves along the drive shaft. The drive disk receives the power of the drive shaft from the drive wheel. The sensor for measuring compression force between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The jack mechanism applies variable compression force to control friction between the drive disk and the drive wheel. The transmission unit moves the drive wheel along the drive shaft, and changes ratio of angular velocity between the drive wheel and the drive disk to provide continuously variable transmission.

A continuously variable transmission on a bicycle may be automatically configured with little or no assistance from a user. Optical scanning devices, RFIDs, and other information capturing technology can communicate with a controller. The controller may then perform a portion or all of a configuration process. In operation, a controller may determine that calibration is needed. A calibration process may be initiated and performed with little or no user interaction. A calibration process may account for a load, a power source, or an environment.

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 continuously variable transmission on a bicycle may be automatically configured with little or no assistance from a user. Optical scanning devices, RFIDs, and other information capturing technology can communicate with a controller. The controller may then perform a portion or all of a configuration process. In operation, a controller may determine that calibration is needed. A calibration process may be initiated and performed with little or no user interaction. A calibration process may account for a load, a power source, or an environment.

Described herein is a control system for a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (WT) having a ball planetary variator (CVP), providing a smooth and controlled operation. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a fork lift truck. An operator commands a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, and a direction switch (or gear selector), which are evaluated by the control system to determine a current operating state of the vehicle. Some operating states include, forward drive, reverse drive, vehicle braking, automatic deceleration, inching, power reversal, vehicle hold, and park, among others.

Described herein is a control system for a vehicle having an infinitely variable transmission (WT) having a ball planetary variator (CVP), providing a smooth and controlled operation. In some embodiments, the vehicle is a fork lift truck. An operator commands a brake pedal, an accelerator pedal, and a direction switch (or gear selector), which are evaluated by the control system to determine a current operating state of the vehicle. Some operating states include, forward drive, reverse drive, vehicle braking, automatic deceleration, inching, power reversal, vehicle hold, and park, among others.

A vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus including: a mode switching clutch; a torque converter; a lock-up clutch included in the torque converter; a switching solenoid valve configured to output a switching pressure for switching an operating mode of the mode switching clutch between a one-way mode and a lock mode; and a lock-up clutch control valve configured to switch an operating state of the lock-up clutch between an engaged state and a released state. The mode switching clutch is to be placed in the lock mode when the switching pressure is supplied from the switching solenoid valve to the mode switching clutch. The lock-up clutch control valve is configured to receive the switching pressure supplied from the switching solenoid valve, and to switch the operating state of the lock-up clutch to the released state when the switching pressure is supplied to the lock-up clutch control valve.