Brian R Sweet

US Patent:

20100267510, Oct 21, 2010

Filed:

Apr 15, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/760823

Inventors:

Jon M. Nichols - Georgetown TX, US
Gregory G. Stevenson - Austin TX, US
Brad P. Pohl - Leander TX, US
Fernand A Thomassy - Liberty Hill TX, US
Charles B. Lohr - Austin TX, US
Jeremy Carter - Austin TX, US
John W. Sherrill - Round Rock TX, US
Brian B. Sweet - Leander TX, US

Assignee:

Fallbrook Technologies Inc. - San Diego CA

International Classification:

F16H 15/48
F16H 57/08

US Classification:

475189, 475331

Abstract:

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.

US Patent:

20210206454, Jul 8, 2021

Filed:

Dec 21, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/129564

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Brian Benjamin Sweet - Leander TX, US
Richard Hilgart - Bad Nauheim, DE
Jeffrey A. Birchak - San Diego CA, US
Kevin Alan Gust - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

B62M 25/08
B62M 6/45
B62M 9/04
B62M 9/06
F16H 61/66
B62M 9/10

Abstract:

A continuously variable transmission on a bicycle may be automatically configured with little or no assistance from a user. Optical scanning devices, RFIDs, and other information capturing technology can communicate with a controller. The controller may then perform a portion or all of a configuration process. In operation, a controller may determine that calibration is needed. A calibration process may be initiated and performed with little or no user interaction. A calibration process may account for a load, a power source, or an environment.

US Patent:

20180327050, Nov 15, 2018

Filed:

Jul 13, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/034659

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Brian Benjamin Sweet - Leander TX, US
Richard Hilgart - Bad Nauheim, GE
Jeffrey A. Birchak - San Diego CA, US
Kevin Alan Gust - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

B62M 25/08
B62M 9/04
B62M 9/06
F16H 61/66
B62M 6/45
B62M 9/10
F16H 61/664
H04L 29/08
F16H 15/28

Abstract:

A continuously variable transmission on a bicycle may be automatically configured with little or no assistance from a user. Optical scanning devices, RFIDs, and other information capturing technology can communicate with a controller. The controller may then perform a portion or all of a configuration process. In operation, a controller may determine that calibration is needed. A calibration process may be initiated and performed with little or no user interaction. A calibration process may account for a load, a power source, or an environment.

US Patent:

20180251190, Sep 6, 2018

Filed:

May 4, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/971402

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Christopher M. Vasiliotis - Austin TX, US
Brian Benjamin Sweet - Leander TX, US
Charles B. Lohr - Austin TX, US
Daniel J. Dawe - Austin TX, US
Eric Tanner - Hutto TX, US
Jeremy Carter - Austin TX, US
Jeffrey A. Birchak - San Diego CA, US
Wayne Leroy Contello - Austin TX, US
Russell Charles Whisler - Austin TX, US
Kevin Alan Gust - Austin TX, US
Matthew R. Bazyn - Leander TX, US

International Classification:

B62M 23/00
B60L 11/00

Abstract:

A bicycle configured for communication with other bicycles, a centralized server, client computing devices and third party servers allows the rider to be connected with friends, coaches/trainers, and third party vendors including vendors associated with lodging, food, and other conveniences, vendors associated with bike servicing, equipment, warranties, and other bike related products and services, and vendors associated with routes, areas or destinations. Information may be communicated in real time or stored in memory and communicated to servers, client devices, other riders, etc., at a later date. Information may be communicated to the bike controller for route planning, service scheduling, training purposes and the like. Information communicated to or from the bicycle may be performed as indicated by the rider or there may be predetermined rules or guidelines for what information is collected and to whom the information may be sent to or received from.

US Patent:

20180202527, Jul 19, 2018

Filed:

Mar 16, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/924080

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Gregory G. Stevenson - Austin TX, US
Brad P. Pohl - Leander TX, US
Fernand A. Thomassy - Liberty Hill TX, US
Charles B. Lohr - Austin TX, US
Jeremy Carter - Austin TX, US
John W. Sherrill - Round Rock TX, US
Brian B. Sweet - Leander TX, US

International Classification:

F16H 37/02
F16H 63/06
F16H 61/664
B62M 11/16
F16H 15/50
F16H 15/28
F16H 15/52

Abstract:

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of a CVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a stator plate configured to have a plurality of radially offset slots. Various inventive traction planet assemblies and stator plates can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the stator plate. In one embodiment, the stator plate is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a stator driver is operably coupled to the stator plate. Embodiments of a traction sun are adapted to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces for a CVT are disclosed.

US Patent:

20170327184, Nov 16, 2017

Filed:

Jun 2, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/172031

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Brian Benjamin Sweet - Leander TX, US
Richard Hilgart - Bad Nauheim, DE
Jeffrey A. Birchak - San Diego CA, US
Kevin Alan Gust - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

B62M 25/08
B62M 9/10
H04L 29/08

Abstract:

A continuously variable transmission on a bicycle may be automatically configured with little or no assistance from a user. Optical scanning devices, RFIDs, and other information capturing technology can communicate with a controller. The controller may then perform a portion or all of a configuration process. In operation, a controller may determine that calibration is needed. A calibration process may be initiated and performed with little or no user interaction. A calibration process may account for a load, a power source, or an environment.

US Patent:

20170268638, Sep 21, 2017

Filed:

Mar 17, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/462502

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Brian Benjamin Sweet - Leander TX, US
Brad P. Pohl - Leander TX, US
Fernand A. Thomassy - Liberty Hill TX, US
William J. Elliott - Austin TX, US
David Galvin - Leander TX, US
Daniel J. Dawe - Austin TX, US

International Classification:

F16H 15/50
F16H 61/664

Abstract:

Components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for improving the performance and increasing the life of continuously variable transmissions (CVT). A first stator may be formed with an outer diameter greater than an outer diameter of a second stator. A stator may have radial slots formed to extend farther radially inward than slots on the other stator. The larger outer diameter of a stator or the formation of guide slots on a first stator extending farther radially inward of guide slots on a second stator may prevent egress of a planet axle from a radial slot, increase range of the CVT, allow for larger tolerances to reduce losses, and other advantages, Slots on a timing plate may be formed having a width greater than a width of guide slots formed on either stator to allow the stators to control adjustments while the timing plate avoids runaway axles. The shape, including junction between surfaces on a timing plate or stator may also prevent an axle from egressing. Any one or a combination of these features allow a CVT to be formed smaller and lighter to allow for clearance in smaller environments and for reduced inertia.

US Patent:

20170225742, Aug 10, 2017

Filed:

Apr 21, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/494356

Inventors:

- Cedar Park TX, US
Christopher M. Vasiliotis - Austin TX, US
Brian Benjamin Sweet - Leander TX, US
Charles B. Lohr - Austin TX, US
Daniel J. Dawe - Austin TX, US
Eric Tanner - Hutto TX, US
Jeremy Carter - Austin TX, US
Jeffrey A. Birchak - San Diego CA, US
Wayne Leroy Contello - Austin TX, US
Russell Charles Whisler - Austin TX, US
Kevin Alan Gust - Austin TX, US
Matthew R. Bazyn - Leander TX, US

International Classification:

B62M 11/14
B60W 10/08
G01S 19/13
B60W 30/188
B62M 25/08
B62M 6/50
B60W 10/10

Abstract:

A bicycle configurable for operating using a speed based control system and scheme or a torque based control system and scheme. A speed sensor or a torque sensor may detect an operating characteristic of the bicycle and a controller may determine whether to operate using a speed based control system and scheme or a torque based control system and scheme based on the operating characteristic. A signal from a speed sensor or a torque sensor may be used for determining the mechanical limits of a CVT range and when to incorporate an electric motor.