A method for the prediction of performance is presented in this paper for the design of a vehicle having a split/circulated power transmission with slip elements and planetary gears. Internal power flow patterns of such systems are also theoretically analysed using mathematical modelling. To estimate the usefulness of the designed power transmission, a geometrical approach is proposed by the performance locus diagram which presents the overall characteristics of the system. This enables complete prediction of the qualitative performance and the effect of design factors. These factors are the system layout, the types and gear ratios of the planetary gears and the design parameters of the slip elements. The predicted results of the power transmission are compared with those of experiments using a dynamometer.

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