Variable ratio gearmotor with interactive ratio control

Abstract

A variable ratio gearbox is combined with a drive motor and an interactive control system. A coaxial shaft connects to a differential gear set to power an output shaft. The transmission has a drive shaft with an inner shaft and an outer shaft. A friction disk nonrotatably mounts to said outer shaft and a shifter connected to the friction disk moves the friction disk along the outer shaft. At least two cones engage the periphery of the friction disk and a differential gear set combines the rotation of the inner and outer shaft.

1 - 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A transmission comprising
 a drive shaft, said drive shaft having an inner shaft and an outer shaft,   a friction disk nonrotatably mounted to said outer shaft,   a shifter connected to said friction disk, said shifter comprising an actuating system to cause movement of the friction disk along the outer shaft,   at least two cones engaging the periphery of said friction disk, and   a differential gear set combining the rotation of said inner and outer shaft.   
     
     
         21 . The transmission of claim  1 , further comprising an output shaft connected to said differential gear set. 
     
     
         22 . The transmission of claim  1 , including a clutch for connecting said inner shaft to said output shaft. 
     
     
         23 . An infinitely variable ratio gearbox comprising
 a drive motor and a control system for operation of a transmission having a coaxial shaft having an inner and outer rotatable shaft connected to a differential gear set to combine the rotation of the inner and outer shaft to power an output shaft connected to a load, wherein the transmission is arranged to provide infinite ratio at zero output speed whereby the drive motor can be started without load.   
     
     
         24 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  4 , wherein
 the control system is configured to adjust the gearbox ratio in a continuous manner in response to a motor load ampere signal supplied to the control system so as to provide a smooth, controlled start up and controlled operation of the load.   
     
     
         25 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  4 , wherein
 the control system maintains the drive motor at substantially its most efficient speed and load while continuously adjusting the gearbox ratio for optimizing output torque and speed for the load for a given application.   
     
     
         26 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  5 , wherein
 the control system controls the output speed of the drive motor either by direct shift of the gearbox ratio or by adjusting the motor ampere load reference signal.   
     
     
         27 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  5 , wherein
 the control system controls the output speed of the drive motor by adjusting the motor ampere load reference signal, wherein a higher ampere setting will produce higher output acceleration and/or speed while a lower ampere setting will produce lower output acceleration and/or speed.   
     
     
         28 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  5 , wherein
 the control system is configured to cause automatic adjustment of the ampere reference signal.   
     
     
         29 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  4 , wherein
 the control system is configured to cause automatic start up or shut down of the system.   
     
     
         30 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  4 , wherein
 the drive motor is a poly-phase alternating current motor.   
     
     
         31 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  4 , wherein
 the transmission comprises a drive shaft, said drive shaft having an inner shaft and an outer shaft, a friction disk nonrotatably mounted to said outer shaft, a shifter connected to said friction disk, the shifter comprising an actuating system to cause movement of the friction disk along the outer shaft, and at least two cones engaging the periphery of the friction disk, wherein the control system is configured to continually position the friction disk via the actuating system to substantially maintain a set motor load.   
     
     
         32 . The infinitely variable ratio gearbox of claim  4 , wherein
 the load is a pumping unit.   
     
     
         33 . A method of controlling drive to a load comprising
 providing an infinitely variable ratio gearbox comprising a drive motor and a transmission having a coaxial shaft having an inner and outer rotatable shaft connected to a differential gear set to combine the rotation of the inner and outer shaft to power an output shaft connected to a load,   controlling the transmission to provide infinite ratio at zero output speed whereby the drive motor can be started without load.   
     
     
         34 . The method of claim  14 , further comprising controlling the gearbox ratio in a continuous manner in response to a motor load ampere conditions so as to provide a smooth, controlled start up and controlled operation of the load. 
     
     
         35 . The method of claim  14 , further comprising controlling the drive motor to operate at substantially its most efficient speed and load while continuously adjusting the gearbox ratio for optimizing output torque and speed for the load for a given application. 
     
     
         36 . The method of claim  14 , further comprising controlling the output speed of the drive motor either by direct shift of the gearbox ratio or by adjusting a motor ampere load reference signal. 
     
     
         37 . The method of claim  14 , further comprising controlling the output speed of the drive motor by adjusting the motor ampere load reference signal, wherein a higher ampere setting will produce higher output acceleration and/or speed while a lower ampere setting will produce lower output acceleration and/or speed. 
     
     
         38 . The method of claim  14 , further comprising controlling the operation of the gearbox to cause automatic start up or shut down of the gearbox. 
     
     
         39 . The method of claim  14 , further comprising providing the transmission with a drive shaft having an inner shaft and an outer shaft, a friction disk nonrotatably mounted to the outer shaft, a shifter connected to said friction disk, the shifter comprising an actuating system to cause movement of the friction disk along the outer shaft, and at least two cones engaging the periphery of the friction disk, and controlling the position the friction disk via the actuating system to substantially maintain a set motor load.