A transmission or actuator offering one or more rotational outputs proportionate in speed and direction to that of a common rotational input, each with its own ratio coupled with a controllable dynamic slip/compliance element and optionally either of a one-way bearing or brake preventing back driving. Ratios are continuously variable between positive and negative values, including infinity, varied by mechanical or electromechanical actuators under external or computer control. The transmission may intrinsically integrate multiple partial transmissions for increasing torque capability, rapidly changing between alternate settings, and/or to drive multiple outputs with customizable design. A communicating system of such distributed transmissions forming a hierarchy or network, each transmission driven directly by a motor, indirectly by the output of another transmission, or both, including indirect cumulative forward and back driving throughout the hierarchy or network. Such a network of actuators for complex robotic, manufacturing, movement, or transport applications.

A dual-shaft driving module includes two shafts and a synchronizing block sandwiched between the two shafts. The two shafts are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially in a mirror symmetrical arrangement. Each shaft has two spiral grooves recessed on an outer surface thereof, and each spiral groove has a spiral angle within a range of 40 degrees to 60 degrees. The synchronizing block includes two concave surfaces arranged on two opposite sides thereof and four driving portions respectively protruding from the two concave surfaces. The two concave surfaces respectively face the two shafts, and each concave surface accommodates a part of the corresponding shaft. The four driving portions are respectively inserted into the four spiral grooves. When one of the two shafts is spun to transmit a force to the synchronizing block, the synchronizing block rotates the other shaft at the same time by the force.

A dual-shaft driving module includes two shafts and a synchronizing block sandwiched between the two shafts. The two shafts are substantially parallel to each other and are substantially in a mirror symmetrical arrangement. Each shaft has two spiral grooves recessed on an outer surface thereof, and each spiral groove has a spiral angle within a range of 40 degrees to 60 degrees. The synchronizing block includes two concave surfaces arranged on two opposite sides thereof and four driving portions respectively protruding from the two concave surfaces. The two concave surfaces respectively face the two shafts, and each concave surface accommodates a part of the corresponding shaft. The four driving portions are respectively inserted into the four spiral grooves. When one of the two shafts is spun to transmit a force to the synchronizing block, the synchronizing block rotates the other shaft at the same time by the force.

A continuously variable transmission includes an input rotor, an output rotor, a plurality of planetary rollers, a guide member, a movable ring, and an elastic member. The input rotor is arranged to rotate about a main axis at a rotation rate before a speed change. The output rotor is arranged to rotate about the main axis at a rotation rate resulting from the speed change. The planetary rollers are arranged around the main axis, and each planetary roller is capable of rotating about a rotation shaft. The guide member is arranged to restrict positions of both end portions of the rotation shaft. The movable ring is capable of rotating about the main axis between the main axis and the planetary rollers. The movable ring is annular, and is capable of moving in an axial direction. The elastic member is capable of expanding and contracting in the axial direction. Each planetary roller includes a first slanting surface, a second slanting surface, and an annular recessed portion or annular projecting portion. The guide member is arranged to hold the end portions of the rotation shaft at different circumferential positions such that each end portion of the rotation shaft is capable of shifting a position thereof in a radial direction with respect to the main axis. The elastic member is arranged to apply a pressure to the movable ring in the axial direction.

This invention concerns a regenerative braking system for installation on a bogie of a railway vehicle. The regenerative system includes an energy storage system for storing energy in mechanical or kinetic form, a transmission system and a control unit. The transmission system is selectively operable between different modes including a braking mode in which it transmits mechanical or kinetic energy from an axle of the bogie to the energy storage system and a drive mode in which it transmits mechanical or kinetic energy from the energy storage system to the axle of the bogie. The control unit is, in use, in communication with a prime mover of the train and the transmission system so as to receive control signals from the prime mover and automatically operate the mode of the transmission system in response to the control signals. The invention also concerns a railway bogie including a regenerative braking system, a regenerative energy management system and a method of operating the regenerative braking system.

A method where the spin factor is looked up in a table; the slip factor is measured and the clamping pressure is adjusted to achieve a slip/spin ratio provided in a desired range is described herein. According to another aspect, an active mechanical clamping mechanism using a radially movable contact point is also described.

A continuously variable transmission includes a cardioid intermediate transmission body having a cardioid curved surface, an outer cycloid transmission body having an outer cycloid curved surface, an inner cycloid transmission body having an inner cycloid curved surface, an outer press unit, an inner press unit, and a cardioid intermediate transmission body inclining unit. The outer press unit presses one of the outer cycloid transmission body and the cardioid intermediate transmission body to the other side. The inner press unit presses the one to the other side. The cardioid intermediate transmission body inclining unit changes respective positions where the cardioid curved surface rolls on and contacts the outer cycloid curved surface and the inner cycloid curved surface.

A continuously variable transmission includes a cardioid intermediate transmission body having a cardioid curved surface, an outer cycloid transmission body having an outer cycloid curved surface, an inner cycloid transmission body having an inner cycloid curved surface, an outer press unit, an inner press unit, and a cardioid intermediate transmission body inclining unit. The outer press unit presses one of the outer cycloid transmission body and the cardioid intermediate transmission body to the other side. The inner press unit presses the one to the other side. The cardioid intermediate transmission body inclining unit changes respective positions where the cardioid curved surface rolls on and contacts the outer cycloid curved surface and the inner cycloid curved surface.

A continuously variable transmission includes a cardioid intermediate transmission body having a cardioid curved surface, an outer cycloid transmission body having an outer cycloid curved surface, an inner cycloid transmission body having an inner cycloid curved surface, an outer press unit, an inner press unit, and a cardioid intermediate transmission body inclining unit. The outer press unit presses one of the outer cycloid transmission body and the cardioid intermediate transmission body to the other side. The inner press unit presses the one to the other side. The cardioid intermediate transmission body inclining unit changes respective positions where the cardioid curved surface rolls on and contacts the outer cycloid curved surface and the inner cycloid curved surface.