Friction drive

Abstract: A planetary gearing arrangement having a plurality of interconnected planetary gear sets controlled by friction drive establishing devices such as clutches and brakes for selectively establishing a plurality of forward drive ratios and a reverse drive ratio. The number of forward drive ratios available is one greater than the number of friction drive establishing devices. Each ratio change between the forward drives is accomplished by a single transition interchange of the friction drive establishing devices.

Abstract: A power plant for the generation of electricity from the flow of water currents uses turbine wheels within nozzles submerged in the water current, anchored to the bottom of the water course, as for example, the ocean, and self-buoyed to a level well below the water surface Pairs of counter-rotating turbines are supported by their rims, which bear against friction drive wheels, which in turn drive electrical generators contained in water-tight machine rooms within the wall of the nozzle A structural design is disclosed, providing for the building of modules of the nozzle ashore, which modules may then be barged to the deep-water site for assembly into the whole power plant

Abstract: A powered, gyroscopically balanced unicycle device to be used while standing, having leg contact surfaces which are made of a yielding, slightly soft material whose mild friction against the user's legs allows stable, precise control of the device without restraining the legs in any way. In one embodiment a single hubless wheel is driven by a friction drive mechanism which transmits torque from a motor through a drive wheel positioned below the foot platforms and in contact with the inner rim of the wheel. Various structures are provided for supporting the wheel and keeping it in place as it spins; absorbing small vertical movements of the wheel to prevent them from being transmitted to the foot platforms; enabling folding of the foot platforms; and facilitating carrying of the device by hand. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A friction transmission belt, which comprises a compressed rubber layer containing an ethylene-α-olefin elastomer, a short fiber and silica and having a single-layer structure. The friction transmission belt can inhibit a noise owing to the slip caused when the friction drive section of the belt is covered with water and has excellent flexural fatigue characteristics, and further can be manufactured by a simple and easy working process.