Abstract: A self-propelled lawn mower and control system for same which prevents the lawn mower from operating at high engine speed while in reverse, while still allowing a wide range of throttle speeds while in forward drive mode. Normally-open switches are closed to ground the primary ignition circuit when the lawn mower is in reverse and above a throttle speed threshold.

Abstract: In a differential gear system disclosed, a pair of sun gears and a plurality of pairs of planetary gears are received in a housing. The pair of sun gears are coaxial with a rotational axis of the housing. End portions of a pair of drive shafts extending through a pair of end walls of the housing are spline-engaged respectively with the pair of sun gears. The pair of sun gears have helical teeth, respectively. Each pair of intermeshing planetary gears are meshed respectively with the helical teeth of the pair of sun gears, respectively. A plurality of washers are interposed between the pair of sun gears. The plurality of washers have first washers and second washers, respectively, which first and second washers are alternately arranged. The first washers are engaged with end portions of reduced diameters of the sun gears such that the first washers are capable of moving axially but incapable of rotation.

Abstract: A combined accelerating/braking apparatus of a vehicle includes a substantially hook-shaped rod which includes a first end, a first elbow, a second elbow, a third elbow, a fourth elbow, and a second end, where the fourth elbow is pivotally connected to a wall in the vehicle. A pedal is pivotally connected to the first elbow of the hook-shaped rod. A bracket which is secured to a wall of the vehicle includes a slot for detachable receiving the second elbow of the hook-shaped rod. A first torsion spring is biased between the pedal and a rod portion between the first elbow and the second elbow of the hook-shaped rod for providing a recovery tension when the pedal is pivotally depressed by a driver's foot sole with respect to the first elbow of the hook-shaped rod.

Abstract: A shift key mechanism using a lateral pivot riding on milled ridges on the outer surface of a shift shaft in order to index a spring biased shift key to a gear location.

Abstract: An automatic transmission for a motor vehicle includes a chain drive mechanism, three planetary gear units, friction clutches, friction brakes, and an overrunning coupling. Several input shafts of the transmission are adapted to drive elements the sun gears and a ring gear of the planetary gear units.

Abstract: A control system and method for an automated mechanical transmission system (310) operable in a hold mode of operation (H) is provided. When operating in the hold mode of operation, if override conditions (ES>ES.sub.MAX, ES<ES.sub.MIN, cruise control resume mode) are sensed, the hold mode is overridden and a shift from the currently engaged gear ratio (GR.sub.C) into a desirable gear ratio (GR.sub.D) is automatically initiated.

Abstract: A locking differential includes a housing containing a chamber and a pair of opposed openings for receiving a pair of axially spaced output shafts, respectively, a pair of side gears adapted for non-rotatable connection with the respective output shafts, concentrically arranged annular center driver gear and center cam members arranged coaxially about the adjacent ends of the output shafts, and annular clutch members operable by the center cam member to disconnect an overrunning output shaft, characterized in that the center driver gear and center cam members contain radially extending access openings to permit manual mounting of C-clip retainers in peripheral grooves contained in the adjacent ends of the output shafts.

Abstract: An arrangement drives an automatic selector appliance of a change-speed gearbox of a motor vehicle into a position for emergency running in the event of a failure of an electronic control unit. A specified forward gear is selected, after the vehicle has come to rest, by manually moving a range selector valve into a P position and back into a D position.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of electronically controlling a manual/automatic transmission after a power reset is provided. Within a predetermined time period after a power reset, the current commanded transmission gear is held, or alternatively the highest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded, until an accurate determination of the vehicle speed can be made. If the vehicle speed is thereafter determined to be below a minimum vehicle speed value, the transmission is commanded to the neutral position, or alternatively, the lowest of the electronically selectable gears is commanded. If the vehicle speed is above the minimum vehicle speed value, or alternatively, above a maximum vehicle speed value, then the transmission is commanded to the highest of the electronically selectable gears. In either case, further electronic shifts are inhibited for a predetermined time period after recovery from the power reset is accomplished.

Abstract: The invention concerns a setting device for adjustment of the angular relative position of two components that are pivotable with respect to one another by means of planet wheels distributed along fear tracks formed is said pivotable components and arranged to roll on said gear tracks, the engagement of the teeth of said planet wheels being so adapted that upon the rolling of said planet wheels on said tracks the two pivotable components will be imparted a relative turning movement. In accordance with the invention the planet wheels are supported so as to be allowed radial movement and means are provided to urge the planet wheels radially into contact with the gear tracks.

Abstract: In the operation of modern day construction machinery, especially those of relatively large size, it is a common occurrence for the bearings in the axle assemblies to wear during the normal course of operation of the machine. As the wear occurs, minute particles become suspended in the fluid circulated within the axle assembly. As the particulate matter increases the wear is also accelerated and failure of one or more components in the axle assembly will frequently occur. The present invention provides an axle assembly with a filter and a cooler and flow control valve to remove the particulate matter and reduce the heat from the fluid circulated within the axle assembly.

Abstract: An infinitely variable hydrostatic torque-routing transmission with at least two operating ranges shiftable via switching elements includes a first, mechanical part, including a planetary differential gear, and a second, hydrostatic part, including two adjustable hydrounits. The hydrounits are coupled to each other energetically, are operable in both directions as pump or motor, and are coupled to the mechanical part. The ring gear is coupled, in the various operating ranges, for control of the direction of rotation and speed of rotation of the transmission output shaft, to a first hydrounit, and with the second hydrounit being in the first operating range in drive connection with the transmission output shaft via an alternating switching element, while the first hydrounit, connected to the ring gear, operates as a pump and the second hydrounit as a motor.

Abstract: A hydraulic pressure control system for an automatic transmission that includes a torque control regulating valve for converting a portion of the hydraulic pressure from an oil pump to a control pressure in accordance with a variation in the torque, and a control switch valve for supplying a torque pressure to a friction member prior to a shift valve being supplied with supply and release pressures for a friction member.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward determining when a clutch of an automatic transmission substantially fills with fluid. Once it is accurately determined when a clutch fills with fluid, then control over the transmission shifting may reliably be performed. The present invention determines when an on-coming speed clutch substantially fills with fluid in response to determining when an off-going speed clutch releases. Further, the present invention determines when an on-coming direction clutch substantially fills with fluid in response to determining when the torque converter output torque suddenly changes.

Abstract: Valves for maintaining pressure at the vehicle brakes are activated when the vehicle reference speed falls below a predetermined value, whether the pressure is supplied by the brake pedal or an ASR. The energy supply for the valves is prevented from being switched off while the pressure is maintained.

Abstract: In an attempt to accomplish an object to absorb a driving torque difference caused by a difference in a change gear ratio between before and after shifting and to reduce a shift shock, adopted is such a constitution that target driving torque characteristics with which said driving torque before and after shifting will become nearly equal are stored, and engine torque control will be effected according to said characteristics. The control device is so constituted that, during shifting, the engine torque is decreased to suppress a driving torque variation resulting from inertia variation, and the engine torque before a specific period from the completion of shifting is outputted higher than the normal torque, and the engine torque before a specific period from the completion of shifting is outputted higher than the normal torque to reset to the normal engine torque after the specific period after the completion of shifting.

Abstract: An improved transmission particularly adapted for use with a constant speed engine. The transmission has an input shaft to receive power from the engine. A generator is associated with the transmission, and the generator is driven by the engine. A motor is powered by the generator. The transmission also employs a compound planetary gear set having two planetary gear sub-sets. Each planetary gear sub-set has an inner gear member and an outer gear member, each of which meshingly engage a plurality of planet gear members. One gear member of each planetary gear sub-set is conjoined. A second gear member of each planetary gear sub-set is also conjoined. The input shaft is operatively connected to one of the conjoined gear members, and the motor is operatively connected to the other of the conjoined gear members. The output shaft is operatively connected to the third gear member in the first planetary gear sub-set, and the third gear member in the second planetary gear sub-set is selectively connected to ground.

Abstract: When on-going down-shifting state of an automatic transmission is detected, an output torque of an engine is lowered after expiration of a first predetermined period, which is set between detection of down-shifting and a timing immediately before completion of down shifting, and for a second predetermined period which is set for a given period to completion of down-shifting from expiration of the first predetermined period to suppress a shift shock.

Abstract: A control system and method for a vehicular semi-automatic mechanical transmission system (10) is provided for allowing operator request, immediately after bringing a vehicle to rest, for both a direct shift into a preselected start ratio and a direct shift into neutral, under certain predefined conditions, by a single movement of the shift selection lever (1).

Abstract: A method is described for controlling the power train of a work vehicle. The power train includes an engine with a fuel injection control and an infinitely variable transmission. The method include first determining an initial engine speed, an initial wheel speed, the actual engine speed, and the actual wheel speed. To improve comfort and reduce fuel consumption and emissions two steps are performed. First, the transmission ratio of the infinitely variable transmission will be increased if the actual engine speed is less than the initial engine speed, or decreased if the actual engine speed is greater than the initial engine speed. Second, while the transmission ratio remains constant, the engine speed will be adjusted until the engine speed is the same as the initial engine speed.