A hydraulic transformer clutch enables controlled power transfer from an outer race to an output shaft. The outer race is driven by a rolling element and generates spin against its own axis. The rolling element is in contact with a rotating lever, which can rotate against a pin. A boss keeps the rolling element in contact with the rotating lever. The rotating lever is actuated by a piston via a contact surface. During the actuation process, the rotating lever wedges the rolling element, creating a rigid connection between the outer race and the output shaft. This connection, and resulting engagement of the outer race and the output shaft, is maintained as long as the piston is actuated.

A vehicle drive system, comprises a battery, a power unit in a housing, which itself comprises at least one electric motor/generator, capable of being driven as a motor by the battery or of charging the battery as a generator, at least one hydraulic motor/pump, capable of being driven by the electric motor/generator to pressurize hydraulic fluid, or of being driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid to power the motor generator as a generator, a hydraulic rail communicating the pump, a directional control valves communicating with the hydraulic rail, at least one accumulator for storing pressurized hydraulic fluid, wheel drives capable of being driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid, a hydraulic circuit connecting the directional control valves of the motor housing to the accumulator and wheel drives, and a control system for controlling the operation of the battery, power unit and wheel drives.

A vehicle having a pair of electric actuators for use with a pair of drive apparatuses is disclosed herein. For each actuator, an electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position a control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector.

A vehicle having a pair of electric actuators for use with a pair of drive apparatuses is disclosed herein. For each actuator, an electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position a control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector.

A method of drivingly engaging a first motor of a dual motor drive unit with an output shaft driven by a second motor of the dual motor drive unit includes actuating a clutching device for drivingly engaging the first motor with the output shaft. Next, a rotational speed of the first motor is synchronized with a rotational speed of the output shaft. When the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the output shaft are synchronized, an output torque of the first motor is reduced. When the clutching device drivingly engages the first motor with the output shaft, the output torque of the first motor is increased. The invention further relates to a dual motor drive unit for carrying out the method.

A method of drivingly engaging a first motor of a dual motor drive unit with an output shaft driven by a second motor of the dual motor drive unit includes actuating a clutching device for drivingly engaging the first motor with the output shaft. Next, a rotational speed of the first motor is synchronized with a rotational speed of the output shaft. When the rotational speed of the first motor and the rotational speed of the output shaft are synchronized, an output torque of the first motor is reduced. When the clutching device drivingly engages the first motor with the output shaft, the output torque of the first motor is increased. The invention further relates to a dual motor drive unit for carrying out the method.

This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.

This disclosure generally relates to an automatic bicycle, particularly to a hydraulic automatic transmission bicycle which can automatically and adaptively change gear ratios. More particularly, this disclosure relates to those hydraulic automatic transmission bicycles which use fluid pressure to change such gear ratios, and which include various hydraulic automatic transmissions which may be provided in various configurations and may operate in various methods and sequences to provide automatic and infinitely variable gear ratios.

A hydrostatic traction drive for a vehicle with a hydrostat includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and an electronic control unit. The hydraulic pump has an adjustable stroke volume, and includes an adjustment device configured to adjust the adjustable stroke volume. The hydraulic motor is arranged with the hydraulic pump in a hydraulic circuit, in particular a closed hydraulic circuit. The electronic control unit is configured to exclusively control the hydrostat so that the traction drive is controllable without knowledge or control of specific components thereof. The electronic control unit has a defined interface configured to pass a target value for an operating parameter of the hydrostat to the electronic control unit.

A hydrostatic traction drive for a vehicle with a hydrostat includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, and an electronic control unit. The hydraulic pump has an adjustable stroke volume, and includes an adjustment device configured to adjust the adjustable stroke volume. The hydraulic motor is arranged with the hydraulic pump in a hydraulic circuit, in particular a closed hydraulic circuit. The electronic control unit is configured to exclusively control the hydrostat so that the traction drive is controllable without knowledge or control of specific components thereof. The electronic control unit has a defined interface configured to pass a target value for an operating parameter of the hydrostat to the electronic control unit.