Abstract: A control mechanism (14) associated with a tractor operators seat (110) and an arm rest (112) is disclosed which includes a steering selector apparatus (116) having an upstanding member (134) and a tiller arm (118) extending outwardly therefrom. The tiller arm (118) is advantageously located immediately forwardly of the arm rest (112) and has a mounting portion (142) and hand grip portion (144) that can be easily grasped by an operator's downwardly facing hand palm. A support assembly (136) pivotally supports the upstanding member (134) for movement about a fixed upstanding axis (140) and a control device (46,50,52,54,184) steers the tractor in response to the swinging movement of the tiller arm (118). In response to rotation of the hand grip portion (144) about the axis (158) of the tiller arm (118) a second control device (38,42,174) effects a change in the gear condition of an associated transmission (36).

Abstract: A torque proportioning differential (10/110) is disclosed for a wheeled vehicle or the like which has a driven carrier (18/112), first and second output members (68,72/138,140), first and second radially outer gears (44,48/122,124), first and second radially inner gears (56,58/126,128), a gear mechanism (26,28/116,118) rotatably mounted on the carrier for cross connecting the outer and inner gears, and first and second coupling devices (78,80/130,134,142,144) for delivering more than 50% and less than 100% of the input torque to the slower output member, with the coupling devices being connected to the output members and at least one of each of the outer and inner gears. Positive drive of each output member is achieved in each direction of rotation of the carrier without a significant degree of energy dissipation.

Abstract: A planetary transmission (10) is disclosed for a vehicle or the like which has input and output members (100,16), and first and second planetary gear sets (26,28). The second planetary gear set (28) has a second sun gear (154) connected to the input member (100), a second ring gear (156) connected to a first sun gear (138) of the first planetary gear set (26), and a second planet carrier (160) connected to the output member (16). A coupling device (162) is used for connecting the first and second planet carriers (144,160) for joint rotation which is at least in part disposed radially outwardly of the second planetary gear set (28). Brake assemblies (38,46) are provided for selectively holding the second and first ring gears (156,142) stationary and providing forward and reverse modes of operation respectively.

Abstract: A power input and output system for continuously variable transmission units of the type in which a nutatable traction body is supported both for rotation on the body axis and for nutational movement in which the body axis travels in a biconical path about a primary transmission axis. Power input and output members of the transmission unit are each linked to the nutatable body by gearing to be in direct torque transmitting relationship only with the nutatable body and so that the nutational component of movement is the result solely of traction surfaces on the body being in rolling frictional engagement against complementing and fixed traction surfaces.

Abstract: A weld joint structure (12) is provided for a flexible coupling (10) having an inner hub (38), an outer cup (40), and an elastomeric ring (42) for torsional vibration protection of a drive train (14). The outer cup (40) defines an integral radially inwardly disposed tubular portion (64) having an internal seat (68), and an adapter member (70) of different ferrous material composition has an external seat (74) that is connected to the cup (40) by an annular weld joint (78). Preferably, the cup (40) abuts a shoulder (76) on the adapter member (70) where the weld joint is located, and a reverse bend transition portion (62) on the cup (40) functions with the tubular portion (64) to minimize bending loads on the weld joint.

Abstract: An axle shaft and pump drive mechanism (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a continuously variable transmission unit (24), an axle shaft (20), a pump (22), and a coupling device (34,78) for connecting the transmission unit (24) to the axle shaft (20) or to the pump (22) and operating them individually through an infinitely variable speed ratio range. When the vehicle, such as a backhoe loader, is not being propelled, the continuously variable transmission unit (24) can be used to drive the implement pump (22) which can then be of the fixed displacement type for improved effectiveness.

Abstract: A coupling apparatus (10) for connecting a reversible pump (14) having first and second ports (24,26) to a fluid source (16) and to a user device (20) includes a first manifold (30) connected to the pump (14) and a second manifold (32) connected to the first manifold (32). The second manifold (32) has first and second inlet passages (52,56) and one of them is connected to the fluid source (16) and the other is blocked by a plug member (78). The first manifold (30) can be disposed in one of two positions of fluid communication with the pump ports (24,26) by disassembly and assembly of the apparatus (10) to accommodate for reverse operation of the pump without a piece part change and while maintaining system reliability. The coupling apparatus (10) is particularly useful in a marine transmission.

Abstract: A multiple speed gear transmission (10) of the sliding gear type includes an input shaft (12) disposed on a first axis (14), and a layshaft (16) disposed on a second axis (18) and having a forward gear (26), a reverse gear (28) and first and second drive gears (124,122) connected for joint rotation therewith. A reverse idler gear (54) is connected to the reverse gear (28), and a first sliding gear (82) is used for connecting the input shaft (12) to either the forward gear (26) or the reverse idler gear (54) and driving the layshaft (16) in either direction of rotation. An output shaft (44) disposed on the first axis (14) is selectively connected to one of the first and second drive gears (124,122) by second and third sliding gears (102,104) respectively. Five forward and four reverse speeds can be provided by the transmission (10) using four conveniently shiftable coupling elements (82,98,100,128).

Abstract: A unitary seal comprises an annular support section formed of a rigid polycarbonate plastic and an annular sealing section formed of a flexible polyurethane elastomer. The support and sealing sections are directly bonded together without the use of an adhesive therebetween to form a unitary seal. The sealing section has an annular lip extending from one side of the support section and adapted for sealing engagement with a member.

Abstract: A circuitous path flow restrictor (10) having no moving parts includes a fluid director member (16) having a core (24) and a plurality of fins (26) extending from the core and defining alternately axially offset notches (50,52). The fluid director member is encircled by a containment member (54) such that a serpentine fluid flow path (58) is defined therebetween to provide a fluid flow resistance level equivalent to a simple orifice of much smaller diameter. The fluid director member can be made by a precision casting process for economy of manufacture.

Abstract: A planetary transmission (10) is disclosed including a front section (42/160) having a rotating housing (46/176) and a planetary gear set (20/162) with a ring gear (66/168), a sun gear (68/170) and a planet carrier (70/172). Advantageously, the rotating housing (46/176) serves as the input and one of the planet carrier (70) and the ring gear (168) serves as the output. The sun gear (68/170) is continually held stationary, a first clutch assembly (30/164) selectively connects the rotating housing (46/176) to the ring gear (66/168), and a second clutch assembly (32/166) selectively connects the rotating housing (46/176) to the planet carrier (70/172). The front section (42/160) of the transmission (10) is operatively connected to a rear section (44) for multi-speed use particularly adaptable to a truck or earthmoving vehicle.

Abstract: A winch apparatus (8) with a shift control mechanism (10) is disclosed for axially positioning a shaft (66) and effecting low and high speed raising of a load on a winch drum (24) and a centered neutral condition. The winch apparatus (8) advantageously includes first and second piston members (99,100) disposed within a housing (42) and mounted on the shaft (66), first means (122) for fluidically urging the first piston member (99) and the shaft (66) to a first position, second means (124) for fluidically urging the second piston member (100) and the shaft (66) to an opposite position, and centering means (126) for mechanically positioning the shaft (66) therebetween. Easier assembly of the winch apparatus (8) is featured.

Abstract: Continuously driven vehicle steering differentials have heretofore been too complex and have undesirably incorporated a second cross shaft for counter-rotating a pair of oppositely located planetary elements. The planetary steering differential (10) overcomes these deficiencies by including first, second and third interconnected planetary mechanisms (12,14,16) for rotating a pair of output members (48,52) in the same direction and at the same speed in response to rotation solely of a first input member (57) and holding a second input member (63) stationary, and for rotating the output members (48,52) in opposite directions at the same speed in response to rotation solely of the second input member (63) and holding the first input member (57) stationary. The first input member (57) is driven by a transmission (58), and the second output member (63) is driven by a reversible steering motor (66).

Abstract: A drive train gear having a plurality of teeth thereon is formed of an alloy steel having a predominantly homogeneous and substantially complete low temperature bainite microstructure, including less than 10 Vol % austenite. The gear preferably consists essentially of preselected weight percentages of carbon, manganese, silicon, molybdenum, boron and the balance substantially iron. Such a gear has a high tensile strength, a reduced distortion during heat treatment, and a through hardness level of at least Rc56 therethrough.

Abstract: A drive apparatus (10) includes a drive member (11) and a connected driving ring gear (23) rotatable about a first axis (21) for supplying power to a torque converter (13). A compact speed change mechanism (16) interconnects the driving ring gear (23) and torque converter (13) and includes a driven ring gear (25) connected to the torque converter, and a support device (17,20,32,50). The support device (17,20,32,50) rotatably supports the driven ring gear (25) on a second axis (27) offset from the first axis (21), and the meshed ring gears (23,25) have a preselected tooth differential to effect a speed change therebetween. The support device includes a support member (17) having a portion (18) journalled in the drive member (11), and an arm (50) on the support member is rotationally fixed while it is allowed to have a preselected amount of play movement.

Abstract: A multi-speed planetary differential (10) for a vehicle or the like is disclosed which has first and second interconnected planetary gear sets (12,14) with first and second output members (18,20) individually connected to first ones of the elements (26,28,30,34,36,38) of the respective planetary gear sets (12,14). Second ones of the elements (26,28,30,34,36,38) of the planetary gear sets (12,14) are interconnected, and the remaining third one of the elements (34,36,38) of the second planetary gear set (14) is held stationary. Advantageously, planetary means (22) are provided for driving an input member (16) connected to the remaining third one of the elements (26,28,30) of the first planetary gear set (12) at either of two speeds. The planetary means (22) includes a third planetary gear set (46) compactly disposed on a common axis (24) with the first and second planetary gear sets (12,14), and the differential (10) continually drives the output members (18,20) at equal torque levels in each speed.

Abstract: A planetary transmission (10) is disclosed including a front section (48) having a rotating housing (52) and a planetary gear set (18) with a ring gear (62), a sun gear (64) and a planet carrier (66). Advantageously, the ring gear (62) is the input and the rotating housing (52) is the output, and the sun gear (64) is continually held stationary. A first clutch assembly (32) connects the planet carrier (66) to the rotating housing (52) and provides underdrive and a second clutch assembly (34) connects the ring gear to the rotating housing (52) and provides direct drive. The front section (48) is operatively connected to a rear section (50) for multi-speed use especially adaptable to an agricultural vehicle.

Abstract: A baffle (78) encircles a planetary mechanism (10) having a ring gear element (18), a sun gear element (20), a planet carrier element (22) and a plurality of planet gear elements (24), and is connected to a stationary support (30, 48, 50, 66). The baffle (78) includes wiping means (90) for wiping fluid from one of the elements (18, 20, 22, 24) in response to rotation thereof and directing fluid that would otherwise cause high drag losses radially away from the planetary mechanism (10).

Abstract: A compact gauge (10) for effectively measuring the surface roughness of an article (14) in any direction of lay includes: first means (30) for directing a light beam (32) upon a surface (12) of the article (14), second means (34) for providing a first signal proportional to the specular light reflected from the surface (12), the first and second means (30,34) defining a common plane (40), third means (58) for providing a second signal proportional to the diffused light reflected from the surface (12) in the common plane (40), and fourth means (61) for providing a third signal proportional to the diffused light reflected from the surface (12) to the side of the common plane (40). The subject gauge (10) includes a sensor head (28) that can be miniaturized and electrical circuit means (66,104) that can process the signals and provide a direct reading in micrometers independent of the reflectivity level of the surface.

Abstract: A compact planetary differential (10) is provided including first and second planetary sets (16,18) individually having ring, sun, and carrier elements (26,28,30,34,36,38), a rotary input member (12), first and second output members (20,22) individually connected to a preselected first one of the elements of the respective planetary sets, and with preselected second ones of the elements of the respective planetary sets being connected for joint rotation. A multi-speed unit (14) desirably always drives the output members at equal torque levels while imparting multi-speed capability thereto. The multi-speed unit is driven by the input member and drives the remaining third one of the elements of the second planetary set in at least one speed. The multi-speed unit (14) preferably includes a third planetary set (44), one brake assembly (54) and a clutch assembly (102), or two brake assemblies (54,56) connected to preselected ones of the ring, sun, and/or carrier elements thereof.