A modular, continuously variable ratio transmission adapted to be coupled between the drive motor of a dual rotor riding trowel and the lower drive train. First and second rigid, generally planar frame plates are secured in parallel relation by a plurality of spacers. The first fame plate has a clearance orifice for admitting a portion of the trowel engine. A stub shaft receives input power and rotates a first pulley that drives a second pulley with a reduced diameter. A first jackshaft driven by said second pulley drives a variable CVT drive pulley affixed externally of the module. A second variable drive pulley coupled to said first variable drive pulley by a belt drives a second jackshaft splined to a fifth pulley that is coupled to a sixth pulley having a diameter greater than the diameter of said fifth pulley. The sixth pulley is coupled to trowel gearbox drive shafts.

A continuously-variable transmission (CVT) assembly is employed for transmitting a torque from an external power-source. The CVT includes a variable-diameter input pulley and a variable-diameter output pulley, each having a respective range of adjustment. The CVT also includes a continuous torque-transmitting element extending between the variable-diameter input pulley and the variable-diameter output pulley, and thereby operatively connecting the input pulley to the output pulley. The CVT additionally includes a first elastic element having a first zero stiffness over the range of adjustment of the variable-diameter input pulley and configured to apply a first constant spring clamping force via the input pulley to the continuous torque-transmitting element. Furthermore, the CVT includes a second elastic element having a second zero stiffness over the range of adjustment of the variable-diameter input pulley and configured to apply a second constant spring clamping force via the output pulley to the continuous torque-transmitting element.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a CVT primary clutch that provides enhanced adjustability and performance to off-road vehicle drivetrain. The clutch comprises a stationary sheave attached to a center post coupled to an output end of an engine crankshaft. A moveable sheave slides along the center post toward and away from the stationary sheave in response to engine RPM. A spider portion mounted onto the center post is coupled with the moveable sheave by multiple shift arms and ramps. The shift arms roll along the ramps to push the moveable sheave toward the stationary sheave in response to engine RPM. The weight of the shift arms and the angle of the ramps may be adjusted to affect the engine RPM at which the moveable sheave begins to move toward the stationary sheave. A face plate is fastened onto the moveable sheave for protecting internal components of the clutch.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) (14) includes a drive pulley (18), a driven pulley (20), and an endless rotatable device (22) coupled between the drive and driven pulleys (18, 20). The drive pulley (18) and the driven pulley (20) each include pulley teeth (19T, 21T), and the endless rotatable device (22) includes device teeth (22T). A controller (50) can control the operation of the CVT and can execute the following instructions: (a) receiving a torque request while the device teeth (22T) are mating with the pulley teeth (19T, 21T); (b) determining whether the torque request direction is opposite to the input torque direction; (c) determining whether a current clamping force applied by an actuator (28, 30) to the drive pulley (18) is sufficient to change the direction of the torque transmitted by the drive pulley (18); and (d) commanding the actuator (28; 30) to increase the current clamping force when the current clamping force is not sufficient to change the direction of the torque transmitted by the drive pulley (18).

A continuously variable transmission is configured such that a transmission ratio continuously changes by continuously changing widths of belt winding grooves of a primary pulley and a secondary pulley, and includes: the primary pulley including a first fixed sheave and a first moving sheave provided in a primary shaft; the secondary pulley including a second fixed sheave and a second moving sheave provided in a secondary shaft; a metal transmission belt wound around the primary pulley and the secondary pulley; and a moving apparatus configured to integrally move the secondary shaft and a secondary bearing supporting the secondary shaft such that a relative positional relationship between the first fixed sheave and the second fixed sheave changes.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) (14) includes a drive pulley (18), a driven pulley (20), and an endless rotatable device (22) coupled between the drive and driven pulleys (18, 20). The drive pulley (18) and the driven pulley (20) each include pulley teeth (19T, 21T), and the endless rotatable device (22) includes device teeth (22T). A controller (50) can control the operation of the CVT and can execute the following instructions: (a) receiving a torque request while the device teeth (22T) are mating with the pulley teeth (19T, 21T); (b) determining whether the torque request direction is opposite to the input torque direction; (c) determining whether a current clamping force applied by an actuator (28, 30) to the drive pulley (18) is sufficient to change the direction of the torque transmitted by the drive pulley (18); and (d) commanding the actuator (28; 30) to increase the current clamping force when the current clamping force is not sufficient to change the direction of the torque transmitted by the drive pulley (18).

A continuously variable transmission 1 includes: a primary pulley 20 including a nipping groove 22 receiving a V belt 12 wound across pulleys, the primary pulley 20 including a fixed half pulley 21 having a back side, opposite to the nipping groove 22, provided with a hollow part S; and a reinforcing member 41 having a center hole receiving a driving shaft 11 and tapering from an outer circumference side toward an inner circumference side to have an annular conical shape. The reinforcing member 41 has an outer circumference side end portion 41a brought into contact with and attached to an outer circumference side end surface Sa of the hollow part S and has an inner circumference side end portion 41b attached to an inner circumference side end surface Sb of the hollow part S via a holding member 42 having a wedge-shaped cross section.

In a pushbelt for a continuously variable transmission that includes at least one endless carrier and a number of transverse segments, which are mounted on the endless carrier. The transverse segments include a bearing surface that contacts the radial inside of the endless carrier, as well as a convexly curved tilting edge that is a part of a main body surface of the transverse segment. According to the present disclosure the convex curvature of the tilting edge extends both radially inward or below and radially outward or above the bearing surface, at least as seen in radial or height direction relative to the endless carrier.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) clutch is provided that includes a CVT gearing control assembly that is configured to move a movable sheave of the CVT clutch axially on a post independent of movement caused by a reactive assembly of the CVT clutch. A slave cylinder housing of the CVT gearing control assembly forms an oil chamber that includes a plurality of slave push piston cylinders. A slave push piston is received in each slave push piston cylinder in the slave cylinder housing. Each slave push piston is in operational communication with an engaging member that is configured to selectively engage and move the movable sheave. An actuator assembly adjusts pressure to selectively move the slave push pistons.

An apparatus and methods are provided for a CVT primary clutch that provides enhanced adjustability and performance to off-road vehicle drivetrains. The clutch comprises a stationary sheave attached to a center post coupled to an output end of an engine crankshaft. A moveable sheave slides along the center post toward and away from the stationary sheave in response to engine RPM. A spider portion mounted onto the center post is coupled with the moveable sheave by multiple shift arms and ramps. The shift arms roll along the ramps to push the moveable sheave toward the stationary sheave in response to engine RPM. The weight of the shift arms and the angle of the ramps may be adjusted to affect the engine RPM at which the moveable sheave begins to move toward the stationary sheave. A face plate is fastened onto the moveable sheave for protecting internal components of the clutch.