Abstract: A flexible shaft (42) driven by a transversely mounted engine (18) of an automobile (10) and extending rearwardly of the axis (48--48) of the crankshaft of the engine a distance transverse to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle and then curving and extending longitudinally forwardly to the cooling fan (32) used to draw air through the radiator (28) of the vehicle. The engine (18) is mounted in a front wheel drive vehicle (10) and has a pulley (36) mounted on the forward end of the engine driven via a belt (38) from a pulley (40) on the crankshaft of the engine. The pulley (36) in turn rotates the core (54) of the flexible shaft (42) which in turn rotates a shaft (64) used to drive the cooling fan (32) mounted juxtaposition the radiator (28). Means (58,60) secure the shaft at each end respectively to the rear end of the pulley (36) and the cooling fan (32). A gentle sweeping curve is provided from the transverse extending portion of shaft (42) to the longitudinally extending portion.

Abstract: A control including a control valve and an override valve for use with a variable displacement pump or motor unit having a pair of strokers into and out of which fluid must be directed to vary the displacement of the unit. The control valve ports fluid from a high pressure source to a first control passage and from a second control passage to a low pressure source, reverses said flow, and terminates said flow. The override valve is interposed between the control passages and the strokes and defines a pair of override passages therein used to direct fluid from one control passage to one stroker and from the other stroker to the other control passage. The override valve is selectively movable between a first position directing such flow therethrough and a second position in which such flow is terminated between the control passages and the strokers.

Abstract: A viscous fan drive having a clutch member with a plurality of restricted fluid flow paths of a given cross sectional area communicating at one end with an element to pump fluid from the restricted flow path to a reservoir and at the other end with radially extending fluid flow paths having a greater cross sectional area than the restricted flow paths and transversing the shear area of the clutch. The restricted flow paths reduce the fluid flow outwardly of the shear area of the clutch member to reduce high speed pumpout and thus increase the speed of the fan when the drive is engaged. The flow paths have a constant cross sectional area, are circumferentially spaced about the clutch member, and transverse the lands and grooves area. The restricted flow paths have a stepped configuration radially outwardly of the flow paths to reduce fluid flow. Each restricted fluid flow path communicates with an axially extending opening transversing the clutch member radially outwardly of the stepped configuration.

Abstract: A valve having a body with two ports and a bore, a sleeve selectively movable within said bore and having two radially extending passages adapted for sequential communication with one of said ports upon movement of said sleeve, and a spool selectively movable within said sleeve and including a land to restrict fluid flow in said passages. The valve is used as a variable pressure control valve in a closed loop hydrostatic circuit to control the displacement of a variable displacement pump. The spool is actuated in response to a pressure difference between the high pressure and the low pressure lines of the circuit. The sleeve is manually movable. A charge pump is provided to provide control fluid to one of the ports of the valve whereby movement of the sleeve and spool within the body will result in the flow of fluid from the charge pump to one servo of the variable displacement pump and from the other servo to drain.