公开(公告)号：US12018725B2

公开(公告)日：2024-06-25

申请号：US17054889

申请日：2018-05-15

Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: F16D3/04 ,  F16D3/48 ,  F16H1/32 ,  F16H9/24 ,  F16H55/36

CPC classification number: F16D3/04 ,  F16D3/48 ,  F16H1/32 ,  F16H2001/325 ,  F16H9/24 ,  F16H55/36 ,  Y10T74/18544

Abstract: A variety of mechanisms are provided for coupling the rotation of shafts or other mechanical elements having parallel but offset axes of rotation. The coupling mechanisms can couple such input and output elements via pins that are in contact with the input and output elements. The pins, upon rotation of the input and output elements, can engage in substantially pure roiling motion with respect to respective contact surfaces on the input and output members. Accordingly, the pins can reduce the number of bearings and increase efficiency relative to alternative coupling mechanisms. Such couplings may be employed in a variety of applications, including the coupling of rotations between elements of a cycloidal drive or a transmission that includes a member that undergoes cycloidal motion. For example, this coupling could replace the cage gear of a cycloidal drive in coupling the output to the cycloidal disc of a cycloidal drive.

公开(公告)号：US11732787B2

公开(公告)日：2023-08-22

申请号：US16500024

申请日：2018-04-03

Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell ,  Thomas Egan

IPC: F16H9/20 ,  F16H55/56

CPC classification number: F16H9/20 ,  F16H55/56

Abstract: A variety of shifter mechanisms are provided for controlling the axial distance between half-pulleys of a split pulley variable transmission, thus controlling the transmission ratio of the variable transmission. Some of these embodiments include a differential such that a variable transmission can be driven and shifted differentially by two inputs. A torque or rotation difference between the inputs results in a change in the transmission ratio and in-common torque or rotation is transmitted through the transmission to an output. The same motors used to drive the output of the transmission are thus also able to effect shifts in the transmission ratio. Accordingly, motor mass that is not being used to effect high-speed shifts may be used to drive the transmission output, and vice versa. The provided shifter embodiments are well-suited to application to nested-pulley variable transmissions, including nested-pulley infinitely variable transmissions.

公开(公告)号：US10774907B2

公开(公告)日：2020-09-15

申请号：US16032657

申请日：2018-07-11

Applicant: SRI International

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: F16H9/16 ,  F16H9/04 ,  F16H55/56 ,  F16D1/112 ,  F16H9/24 ,  F16H61/662

Abstract: A variable transmission may include a segmented pulley and a nested pulley located at least partially within the segmented pulley. The spacing between the components of the first segmented pulley may be varied to alter the transmission ratio of the variable transmission by altering the effective diameter of the segmented pulley. The nested pulley may also be a segmented pulley. In some embodiments, one of the pulleys may be rotationally fixed, and the variable transmission may comprise a compact infinitely variable transmission. The eccentricity of the compact infinitely variable transmission may be significantly less than the eccentricity of other infinitely variable transmission designs. In other embodiments, a nested pulley structure may be used to provide a compact continuously variable transmission.

公开(公告)号：US11566690B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-31

申请号：US17056798

申请日：2019-05-21

Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Reuben Brewer ,  Murphy Kitchell ,  John Marlow

IPC: F16H9/26 ,  F16H55/56 ,  F16H9/12

Abstract: A variety of transmission mechanisms are provided that include split pulleys nested within each other in order to reduce the size of the transmissions, to provide infinitely variable transmission ratios that include forward and reverse ratios, or to provide some other benefits. The transmissions include multiple inner split pulleys nested within an outer split pulley. Two, three, or more inner split pulleys can be disposed within the transmission to balance the mass of the inner split pulleys in order to reduce vibration and internal stresses experienced by the transmission. This can increase the lifespan of the transmission, reduce wear, and increase efficiency. Additionally, providing multiple inner split pulleys in a nested configuration can allow for reduction of loads transmitted through bearings of the transmission.

公开(公告)号：US20180320766A1

公开(公告)日：2018-11-08

申请号：US16032657

申请日：2018-07-11

Applicant: SRI International

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: F16H9/16 ,  F16H55/56 ,  F16H9/24 ,  F16H61/662 ,  F16D1/112

Abstract: A variable transmission may include a segmented pulley and a nested pulley located at least partially within the segmented pulley. The spacing between the components of the first segmented pulley may be varied to alter the transmission ratio of the variable transmission by altering the effective diameter of the segmented pulley. The nested pulley may also be a segmented pulley. In some embodiments, one of the pulleys may be rotationally fixed, and the variable transmission may comprise a compact infinitely variable transmission. The eccentricity of the compact infinitely variable transmission may be significantly less than the eccentricity of other infinitely variable transmission designs. In other embodiments, a nested pulley structure may be used to provide a compact continuously variable transmission.

公开(公告)号：US20220290739A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-15

申请号：US17633790

申请日：2020-08-26

Applicant: SRI International

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: F16H1/32 ,  F16H13/08

Abstract: A variety of transmissions, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved efficiency and other benefits. The transmissions include one or more inner members that are driven by one or more cams or other means to engage in precessional rotation about an axis of rotation that, itself, orbits about a primary axis of rotation. A plurality of shaped rollers are in contact with shaped cutouts on the inner member(s) and on a ground member such that an input rotation/torque applied via the cam is realized as an output rotation/torque at an output member that is coupled to the inner member(s). Tire rollers and contact surfaces are shaped such that the rollers engage in rolling motion relative to the contact surfaces, providing improved efficiency. Multiple inner members, and corresponding sets of shaped rollers, can be provided to increase power capacity, reduce torque ripple, reduce wobble, or provide other benefits.

公开(公告)号：US10710247B2

公开(公告)日：2020-07-14

申请号：US16184053

申请日：2018-11-08

Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL

Inventor： Gordon Kirkwood ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: B25J15/00 ,  B25J19/00

Abstract: Systems are provided for gripping or otherwise manipulating lettuce, sliced foodstuffs (e.g., sliced cheese, sliced tomato or other sliced vegetables), or other foodstuffs or other irregular objects or substances. These systems can facilitate the manipulation of groups of irregular objects, including distributing small amounts (e.g., individual instances) of such groups of objects. These systems operate to manipulate such objects by extending and retracting rods, wires, or otherwise-configured pins to contact and/or penetrate the object(s) to be manipulated. In some examples, the pins are retracted to individually dispense objects (e.g., slices of cheese) from a stack of objects. In some examples, the separation and angle of the pins can be controlled to, e.g., grip one or more irregular objects and subsequently to dispense some or all of the gripped object(s).

公开(公告)号：US12146573B2

公开(公告)日：2024-11-19

申请号：US18347294

申请日：2023-07-05

Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell ,  Thomas Egan

IPC: F16H9/20 ,  F16H55/56

Abstract: A variety of shifter mechanisms are provided for controlling the axial distance between half-pulleys of a split pulley variable transmission, thus controlling the transmission ratio of the variable transmission. Some of these embodiments include a differential such that a variable transmission can be driven and shifted differentially by two inputs. A torque or rotation difference between the inputs results in a change in the transmission ratio and in-common torque or rotation is transmitted through the transmission to an output. The same motors used to drive the output of the transmission are thus also able to effect shifts in the transmission ratio. Accordingly, motor mass that is not being used to effect high-speed shifts may be used to drive the transmission output, and vice versa. The provided shifter embodiments are well-suited to application to nested-pulley variable transmissions, including nested-pulley infinitely variable transmissions.

公开(公告)号：US11674564B2

公开(公告)日：2023-06-13

申请号：US17633790

申请日：2020-08-26

Applicant: SRI International

Inventor： Alexander Kernbaum ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: F16H1/32 ,  F16H13/08

CPC classification number: F16H1/32 ,  F16H13/08 ,  F16H2001/323

Abstract: A variety of transmissions, and improvements thereof, are provided having improved efficiency and other benefits. The transmissions include one or more inner members that are driven by one or more cams or other means to engage in precessional rotation about an axis of rotation that, itself, orbits about a primary axis of rotation. A plurality of shaped rollers are in contact with shaped cutouts on the inner member(s) and on a ground member such that an input rotation/torque applied via the cam is realized as an output rotation/torque at an output member that is coupled to the inner member(s). Tire rollers and contact surfaces are shaped such that the rollers engage in rolling motion relative to the contact surfaces, providing improved efficiency. Multiple inner members, and corresponding sets of shaped rollers, can be provided to increase power capacity, reduce torque ripple, reduce wobble, or provide other benefits.

公开(公告)号：US20200147812A1

公开(公告)日：2020-05-14

申请号：US16184053

申请日：2018-11-08

Applicant: SRI INTERNATIONAL

Inventor： Gordon Kirkwood ,  Murphy Kitchell

IPC: B25J15/00 ,  B25J19/00

Abstract: Systems are provided for gripping or otherwise manipulating lettuce, sliced foodstuffs (e.g., sliced cheese, sliced tomato or other sliced vegetables), or other foodstuffs or other irregular objects or substances. These systems can facilitate the manipulation of groups of irregular objects, including distributing small amounts (e.g., individual instances) of such groups of objects. These systems operate to manipulate such objects by extending and retracting rods, wires, or otherwise-configured pins to contact and/or penetrate the object(s) to be manipulated. In some examples, the pins are retracted to individually dispense objects (e.g., slices of cheese) from a stack of objects. In some examples, the separation and angle of the pins can be controlled to, e.g., grip one or more irregular objects and subsequently to dispense some or all of the gripped object(s).