20140135167 | TOROIDAL VARIABLE SPEED TRACTION DRIVE - A toroidal variable speed traction drive is provided. The drive includes a driving disc and a driven disc. The discs have a common axis of rotation. The inner face of each disc is formed with a negative shape of a toroid. The drive further includes a plurality of roller assemblies interposed between the discs, each roller assembly including a roller. The discs are urged together against the interposed roller assemblies by a clamping force. Each roller assembly being connected to a corresponding rotatable trunnion. The trunnion applies a steering force to the corresponding roller assembly at a point relative to the corresponding roller assembly; the applied steering force causing the roller of the corresponding roller assembly to steer and adopt different contact points. The point at which the steering force is applied is located offset from the trunnion rotational axis at a fixed distance. | 05-15-2014 |