Transmission system

Abstract

A number of methods and arrangements for controlling a gyroscopic continuously variable transmission (GVT) are described. The stroke length or effective stroke length of the input member ( 1 ) can be varied. A bearing arrangement includes a lubricant volume ( 212 ) and vanes ( 208 ) between an aperture and a shaft ( 8′ ) to transmit power whilst allowing for movement between the components. A transmission system may have a number of GVT's and a cam member ( 304 ) to move the inputs of the GVT's. The transmission may be provided in a wind turbine.

1. A transmission system containing at least one gyroscopic continuously variable transmission unit, and means for controlling the transmission output by controlling the input shaft, or the torque shaft, or by coupling together two or more gyroscopic continuously variable transmission units. 
   
   
     2. A transmission system as claimed in  claim 1  including a linear reciprocable input shaft, wherein the stroke length or effective stroke length of input shaft is adjustable to adjust the output characteristics of the transmission system. 
   
   
     3. A wind turbine including a turbine rotor operatively connected to a shaft, a cam member having a camming surface and which is operatively connected to the shaft such that rotation of the shaft rotates the cam member, and at least one gyroscopic continuously variable transmission unit having a housing fixed relative to a main wind turbine housing and having a reciprocable input member arranged to be reciprocated by the camming surface of the cam member upon rotation of the wind turbine rotor. 
   
   
     4. A wind turbine including a turbine rotor operatively connected to a shaft, a cam member having a camming surface and which is fixed relative to a main wind turbine housing, and at least one gyroscopic continuously variable transmission unit having a housing which is arranged to be rotated about a wind turbine rotor shaft axis as the wind turbine rotor rotates, the or each gyroscopic continuously variable transmission unit having a reciprocable input member arranged to be reciprocated by the camming surface of the cam member as the transmission unit(s) is/are moved by the wind turbine rotor.