Abstract: A power steering gear for a vehicle capable of providing a variable degree of power assistance to supplement manual steering effort wherein the variable assist is achieved by controlling directly the magnitude of the steering pressure made available to a pressure operated motor by a vehicle engine driven pump, the magnitude of the pressure being controlled by a central processing unit that responds to vehicle steering wheel torque and vehicle speed to produce an appropriate steering pressure and power assist for all driving conditions.

Abstract: An infinitely variable transmission for a motor vehicle comprising a belt and sheave assembly, a two speed planetary gear unit between the vehicle engine and the input sheave of the sheave assembly, a fluid pressure supply pump on the side of said input sheave remote from said planetary gear unit, a pump drive shaft extending from the pump through the input sleeve to the input carrier of said planetary gear unit, a direct drive pressure operated clutch for said planetary gear unit located between said planetary gear unit and said input sheave, and passages in the planetary carrier of said planetary gear unit for distributing fluid pressure from a supply passage in said drive shaft to the direct drive clutch.

Abstract: A compound radial and axial bearing for automatic transmissions for motor vehicles having a sleeve portion with bearing surfaces on both sides for radial loads and a collar portion with bearing surfaces on both sides for axial loads, the sleeve portion (22 and 32) being provided with an internal collar (26 and 36) for receiving axial loads and a further external collar (27 and 37) for receiving a further axial load.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt-driven transmission includes a hydraulic torque converter, a variable diameter displaceable input pulley, a variable diameter displaceable output pulley, forward and reverse planetary gearing, a differential mechanism and half shafts driven from the differential mechanism. A slipping lockup clutch is hydraulically actuated to connect and disconnect selectively the impeller and turbine of the torque converter. The radial position of the drive belt that engages the input and output pulleys is determined by selectively pressurizing and venting a cylinder to move displaceable sheaves of a pulley. Hydraulically actuated clutches are selectively engageable to produce forward drive or reverse drive from the output pulley to the differential mechanism.

Abstract: The large rotational inertia applied to a driveline component during normal driving conditions is simulated in a test stand that contains a component that driveably connects an input motor and an output motor. A computer repetitively executes an algorithm that produces a commanded torque signal which is supplied as a control signal to the motor drive of one of the electrical motors to produce an output within that motor equal to the commanded torque. The control system applies to the powertrain component under test an inertia that simulates the actual vehicle inertia. The target state of the system, when the vehicle inertia is applied, is completely defined from information known when the component being tested has substantially less inertia applied.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic, multiple ratio torque converter transmission having planetary gear ratio elements that establish a hydrokinetic torque path in low ratio and reverse gear and a bypass torque path in intermediate gear and third gear including a torque converter and an overrunning coupling wherein the intermediate gear and third gear is characterized by a mechanical torque flow or a viscous shear torque flow path, the third gear being a partial hydrokinetic regenerative torque flow path.

Abstract: A manually-operated automotive transmission has a cluster gear on which several forward drive input gears and the reverse drive input gear are formed integrally. The cluster gear has a central bore extending its full length. An input shaft clutched to as engine crankshaft is keyed at the end furthest from the engine to the far end of the cluster gear and has a loose fitting spline connection to the opposite end of the cluster gear. A portion of the input shaft between the clutch and the loose spline connection has relatively high torsional stiffness and strength, but the portion of the input shaft between the keyed connection and the loose spline connection has relatively low torsional stiffness and strength. The clearance between the teeth of the loose spline connection is sized so that relatively low torque is not transmitted through this connection. The clearance is taken up and engine torque transmitted through the loose spline connection when high operating torques are developed.

Abstract: In a belt driven continually variable transmission, the drive ratio is changed by varying the radial position of the drive belt by moving displaceable sheaves of a pulley assembly. A system for actuating the displaceable sheaves includes a ratio control valve supplied with pressurized fluid and connected to a source of ratio control pressure produced by a solenoid actuated valve. An orifice located between the ratio control valve and the hydraulic cylinder in which the displaceable sheave is located has feedback lines located on opposite sides of the orifice. Pressure in the feedback lines produces a differential force on the ratio control valve tending to increase the flow rate to the cylinder when the pressure drop across the orifice decreases.

Abstract: A hybrid hydraulic and electronic control valve system for an automatic, multiple-speed motor vehicle transmission having a torque converter with a lockup clutch and change-speed gearing adapted for four forward ratios and one reverse ratio, a converter lockup clutch control valve in conjunction with a lockup clutch shift valve adapted to control the lockup clutch and an electronic control module for superseding the action of the lockup clutch shift valve.

Abstract: The end of a robot arm includes two links, a first or inner link supported rotatably about a central axis and an end link on which a tool is carried. Located between the links are a ring and a tube whose longitudinal axes are concentric. Each of four gimbal rings is used as a member of a universal joint that connects the links, the ring and the tube. The links are connected by two universal joints in series, and the ring connects these joints. The links are also connected by two other universal joints in series and the tube connects this second pair of joints. The first and second pairs of universal joints connected in series are connected to one another in parallel. Gimbal rings rotatably supported on the tube and on the links for angular movement about the yaw axis provide rotational support for the links and the connecting rod about the pitch axis. Actuating rods connected to the inner set of gimbal rings produce articulation of the wrist about these axis when the rods are actuated.

Abstract: A rack and pinion power steering gear mechanism having a driving pinion connected to a driver controlled steering shaft through a torsion rod, a gear rack engageable with the pinion and connected to steering gear linkage members, a fluid motor having a movable piston connected to the rack, a steering valve comprising a valve sleeve connected to the pinion, an inner valve member in the sleeve connected to the steering shaft, and a pressure distributor fluid circuit connecting opposed side of the motor to the steering valve whereby pressure is distributed selectively to one side or the other of the piston to provide a power assist during steering maneuvers.

Abstract: A gearshift lock for the shift mechanism of a manually operated multiple speed ratio transmission includes a selector shaft rotatable by a gearshift lever under the control of the vehicle operator, a selector finger movable within slots formed in a base plate, the slots being defined by the various positions of the gearshift lever that correspond to speed ratios of the transmission. A spring-loaded rotatable locking cam mounted on the gate plate cooperates with a finger carried on the selector shafts to prevent backward shifting movement from a forward gear position into the reverse gear position and to guide the selector finger into the adjacent gearshift slot. A base plate pivots on a pin fixed to the gate plate against the force of a legged spring to produce a sensible indication to the vehicle operator when greater force is required to move the gearshift lever.

Abstract: A control valve system for controlling the operation of a continuously variable belt-driven motor vehicle transmission includes a first hydraulic pump that supplies fluid to the displacement cylinders of the transmission through a main pressure regulating valve and a transmission ratio control valve as a function of the setting of the manual selector valve and as a function of the torque requirement and speed of the vehicle. The torque converter is supplied with hydraulic fluid by way of a relief valve which comes into operating in the event of failure of an electronic control unit and a decrease in the vehicle speed. A first emergency operation on/off valve transmits torque at converter discharge pressure, by way of a second emergency on/off valve, as emergency operation control pressure to a transmission ratio control valve.

Abstract: A gearshift mechanism for a multiple speed manual transmission includes a selector shaft, which is rotatable for preselecting gearshift planes and axially displaceable for engaging the selected gear; a selector finger fixed to the selector shaft selectively engageable with grooves on gearshift forks guided on the selector shaft; a check plate surrounding the selector finger and selector shaft pivotably mounted but axially fixed to prevent movement of the unselected gearshift fork; and a spring-loaded detent for engaging recesses formed at the hub of the selector finger.

Abstract: A continuously variable belt drive comprising adjustable primary and secondary sheaves, a primary shaft connected drivably to an axially fixed cone sheave part and to a companion axially displaceable cone pulley part, an axially displaceable actuating servo cylinder connected to said axially displaceable cone pulley part, an actuating servo piston connected to said primary shaft including cam follower members connected respectively to said primary shaft and to a torque input clutch, one follower member defining in part a pressure regulating valve element that regulates the magnitude of the pressure in the actuating servo.

Abstract: A parking lock for an automatic transmission for motor vehicles, having a parking gearwheel mounted rotationally and rigidly on the output shaft of the transmission, includes a pivotable parking pawl adapted to engage the parking gearwheel, and actuating rod with a sliding sleeve (5) displaceable relative to the actuating rod against the force of an engagement spring, the parking pawl being adapted to be moved by the sleeve into an operative position, the actuating rod (8) being shaped by upsetting to form a thickened piston portion (11) which is received in the sleeve.

Abstract: A multiple speed ratio power transmission mechanism for an automotive vehicle adapted to be mounted in a transverse position with respect to the fore and aft axis of the vehicle includes a torque input shaft having input gearing fixed thereto. A first countershaft has gearing journalled thereon meshing with the torque input gear and synchronizer clutches adapted to produce a driving connection between the input shaft and the countershaft. A second countershaft has a fifth forward speed gear in meshing engagement with a gear on the input shaft and a synchronizer clutch to produce a driving connection between the input shaft and the second countershaft. A one-way clutch supported on the input shaft produces a one-way driving connection between that shaft and the gear wheel. Rotatably supported on the shaft is a gear that is in continuous meshing engagement with fourth and fifth speed pinions, each pinion carried on one of the countershafts.

Abstract: A method to avoid excessive rotational speeds, of the axes of a robot wrist, that result in the vicinity of a singularity in the path defined by consecutive points along which a tool held by a three-axis wrist mechanism of the robot moves. The speeds of the first and third axes are reduced within the allowable range of rotational speed for these axes, generally defined by the robot manufacturer, while maintaining constant the rotation about the intermediate or second joint. The rotational speed about each of these axes is determined as the tool moves between successive points on the path. Then, if necessary, the rotation of the second joint is decreased while maintaining constant the speeds about the first and third axes. Finally, the tool is maintained on the path by rotating the position of the tool without altering the reduced speeds of rotation about the axes.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump for a vehicle power steering system comprising a rotor (42) rotatable in and cooperating with a stator (20) to define a pump cavity (52), (54), inlet and outlet ports (56), (58) and (34), (36) communicating with the pump cavity and a flow control valve (96) located in the flow delivery circuit wherein provision is made for opening the flow delivery circuit to a bypass circuit (72) upon an increase in the speed of the vehicle beyond a design point thereby reducing the pump back pressure and power usage which results in increased "road feel" at increased speeds while maintaining normal power assist during steering maneuvers at low speeds.

Abstract: A belt driven automatic transmission for producing a continuous range of drive ratios includes an input pulley rotatably mounted on the axis of an engine crankshaft and an output pulley rotatably supported on the axis of the transmission output shaft. The pulleys are driveably connected by an endless drive belt, whose radial position on the pulleys varies in accordance with the position of axially displaceable sheaves that move in accordance with the magnitudes of pressure in actuating cylinders. The pulley system is driveably connected to the impeller of a hydrokinetic torque converter whose turbine is driven from the impeller. The turbine is continuously connected to the output shaft. A forward and reverse planetary gearset is driven from the transmission selectively in accordance with the position of synchronizer sleeve.