Floating cone continuously variable transmission

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is suitable for replacement of a main transmission box of a compound transmission in a light to medium duty electromechanically actuated truck transmission system. For example, one line-haul truck transmission consists of a five-speed main section and an auxiliary deep reduction box to provide 15 forward speed ratios. The replacement of the five-speed main section with a CVT unit enhances the overall operating efficiency of the system. In one form, the CVT includes a pair of rotatable countershafts mounted to pivot relative to one another. Each of countershafts has a greater diameter disk at one end than the other. Positioned between countershafts are a pair of laterally spaced cones that share a common axis; the greater diameter disk ends of the two countershafts bear against one of the intermediately positioned cones, while smaller diameter disk ends of the countershafts bear against the second cone.