Importance

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Abstract

A transmission device includes a first element having rolling surfaces of revolution on a first axis, a second element having surfaces of revolution on a second axis intersecting the first axis at an acute angle equal to or slightly larger than an apex half-angle of each of a pair of generally conical surfaces on one of the elements. The rolling surfaces of both elements are symmetrically disposed axially on each side of the point of intersection. The second element is mounted such that its axis may perform conical movement about the axis of the other element. The second element may be allowed a degree of freedom to pivot about the point of intersection of the axes and in the plane containing the axes, so that during operation of the device, a gyroscopic couple of the body causes it to pivot so that the cone surfaces and their respective rolling surfaces come into rolling engagement at points one each side of the point of intersection of the axes. Alternatively, the same gyroscopic couple may be used to counterbalance forces by which the rolling surfaces are held in frictional contact by mechanical means where no pivotal freedom is provided. The annular rolling surfaces may be axially movable apart to alter the transmission ratio. Drive input and output means are coupled to either the rotation of the body about its axis, rotation of the second element conically about the point on the first axis and circumferentially of the longitudinal axis, or the rotation of the rolling surfaces about their axes. Two or more rotating units may be coupled together in such a way that the resultant or composite moment along the axis of the transmission is zero.

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First Claim