John Tyler Starkey

US Patent:

7771300, Aug 10, 2010

Filed:

May 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/415391

Inventors:

John M. Starkey - West Lafayette IN, US
Enrico N. Manes - West Lafayette IN, US
Benjamin J. Rumley - Fakenham, GB

Assignee:

Purdue Research Foundation - West Lafayette IN

International Classification:

F16H 61/32
F16H 55/00
F16H 63/00

US Classification:

474 14, 474 12, 474 11

Abstract:

An electrically assisted or actuated continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a first pulley having a first pulley portion for fixed connection to an engine shaft and an axially movable second pulley portion for placement about the engine shaft. A mechanism for assisting a mechanically-actuated CVT includes a nut connected to the movable portion and an electric motor having a screw that is engaged with the nut. The nut is moved axially by rotation of the screw with respect to the nut, assisting mechanical actuators in changing axial spacing between the pulley portions. A variable actuator for actuating a CVT includes a pair of disks coaxially engaged with the pulley portions, and a roller for contacting the disks at varying inclinations. An electric motor tilts the roller along the axis of rotation, causing the disks to rotate at differing rates to effect a change in axial spacing between the pulley portions.

US Patent:

7980972, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Dec 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/952996

Inventors:

John M. Starkey - West Lafayette IN, US
Enrico N. Manes - West Lafayette IN, US
Benjamin J. Rumley - Fakenham, GB

Assignee:

Purdue Research Foundation - West Lafayette IN

International Classification:

F16H 55/56

US Classification:

474 8, 474 39

Abstract:

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) with a roller variator as an actuator for adjusting the speed ratio of the CVT. The CVT is of the variable-diameter pulley type and has first and second variable-diameter pulleys mechanically linked by a drive belt or other flexible drive member, the pulleys each having first and second relatively axially movable pulley portions. A roller variator is operatively connected to the first pulley, preferably the drive pulley, for control of its effective diameter. The roller variator has first and second disks mounted on the axis of the first pulley, a roller interconnecting the disks, and a roller support adapted to tilt the spin axis of the roller so as to change its points of contact with the disks and thereby change the speed ratio of the variator. The first disk is rotatably fixed with respect to the first pulley portion of the first pulley, for example, the pulley portion fixed to an engine shaft. In certain embodiments, the second disk directly drives the second pulley portion relative to the first, and, in other embodiments, the second disk drives the second pulley portion through a threaded connection, for example, one having directly engaging male and female threaded parts, or a ball screw.

US Patent:

7980973, Jul 19, 2011

Filed:

Dec 7, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/952987

Inventors:

John M. Starkey - West Lafayette IN, US
Enrico N. Manes - West Lafayette IN, US

Assignee:

Purdue Research Foundation - West Lafayette IN

International Classification:

F16H 59/00

US Classification:

474 18

Abstract:

An electrically actuated continuously variable transmission (CVT) with an electric motor coaxially mounted on one of the pulleys of the CVT and having its rotor and stator both rotating with the pulley. One of two portions of the pulley is fixed-mounted on an engine shaft or other power source shaft, and the second is relatively axially movable with respect to the first. The rotor is rotatably fixed to the second pulley portion in certain embodiments, and is rotatably connected to it in other embodiments.

US Patent:

20050272540, Dec 8, 2005

Filed:

May 2, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/120148

Inventors:

John Starkey - West Lafayette IN, US

International Classification:

F16H009/12

US Classification:

474039000

Abstract:

An electrically actuated continuously variable transmission with a first pulley having a first pulley portion for fixed connection to an engine shaft and an axially movable second pulley portion for placement about the engine shaft. An electric actuator coaxially coupled to the second pulley portion moves the second pulley portion with respect to the first pulley portion when the electric actuator moves the second pulley portion to change spacing between the first and second pulley portions.

US Patent:

20090270208, Oct 29, 2009

Filed:

Jul 7, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/168676

Inventors:

John M. Starkey - West Lafayette IN, US

International Classification:

F16H 9/16
F16H 55/56

US Classification:

474 11, 474 8

Abstract:

An electrically actuated continuously variable transmission with a first pulley having a first pulley portion for fixed connection to an engine shaft and an axially movable second pulley portion for placement about the engine shaft. An electric actuator coaxially coupled to the second pulley portion moves the second pulley portion with respect to the first pulley portion when the electric actuator moves the second pulley portion to change spacing between the first and second pulley portions.