Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair

Victor H. Mucino.

Abstract

Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) offer some advantages over conventional transmissions in industrial applications. During discrete shifts, conventional transmissions suffer from momentary power transmission lapses, which may produce undesirable effects in the system. Currently, the types of CVTs utilized in industry are hydrostatic drives and hydrodynamic couplings. However, these drives are heavy, presenting an obstacle in applications where weight is a concern. In a power split continuously variable transmission (PS-CVT) the power that flows through the hydraulic element is reduced. This allows the overall size and weight of the transmission to be reduced.;The objective of this thesis is to develop a conceptual design procedure for development of a power split hydraulic variable transmission to be used in industrial applications. The procedure consists of a 15 step process which is outlined by means of a flow chart. The results of the procedure can be used to estimate the overall size and efficiencies of the conceptual transmission and to produce 2D and 3D scale drawings of the design. This procedure offers a means to improve the efficiency of the conceptual design stage of a PS-CVT.;An industrial pump was used as an example application to illustrate the conceptual design procedure. Two conceptual designs were completed utilizing different hydraulic variable elements. The two variable elements considered were a hydrostatic drive and a hydrodynamic coupling. The two examples illustrated the procedure that can be used to determine whether a PS-CVT is a viable alternative for an industrial pumping system.

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