Ker-Train Research Inc. Variator Transmission Incrementally Variable Transmission Coplanar Gear Loops Bidirectional Clutch

Ker-train's "Incrementally-Variable Speed Change Gearbox" incorporates a plurality of binary gear-trains with fixed ratios in the sequence X¹, X², X⁴, X⁸, etc., so that when activated on or off independently with binary control system logic, all combinations of products of the ratios of the binary gear-trains will result in driveline ratios in the order of the geometric progression X⁰, X¹, X², X³, X⁴, X⁵, X⁶, X⁷, etc., to X^N. This provides a total of sixteen ratios with four binary gear- trains, thirty-two ratios with five binary gear-trains, sixty-four ratios with six binary gear-trains, etc., doubling the number of ratios with each additional gear-train.

The "Gemini Drive" is a drive by wire digital electronic tracked vehicle transmission with 64 uniformly spaced forward and reverse speed ratios. Kinematically identical gearboxes operate in unison to provide not only 64 vehicle speed ratios, but also 64 steering ratios. With no torque converter or hydrostatic pump/motor set, parasitic losses are low, efficiency is high and heat rejection requirements are far less than present track laying transmissions of equivalent capacity.

Current Developments:

Eight-Speed Fan Drive
32-Speed LAV Transmission