Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method for determining the stiffness of a structure may include connecting a test member to the structure, directing a beam of light at a measurement surface carried by at least one of the test member or the structure, impacting an impact surface carried by the test member with a known impact force, and determining the movement of the measurement surface that is caused by the impact. The movement of the measurement surface may be determined as a function of changes in the length of the beam of light and the stiffness of the structure may be a function of the magnitude of the measurement surface movement.

Abstract: In at least one implementation, a method for determining the stiffness of a structure may include connecting a test member to the structure, directing a beam of light at a measurement surface carried by at least one of the test member or the structure, impacting an impact surface carried by the test member with a known impact force, and determining the movement of the measurement surface that is caused by the impact. The movement of the measurement surface may be determined as a function of changes in the length of the beam of light and the stiffness of the structure may be a function of the magnitude of the measurement surface movement.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive transmission is provided which combines a continuously variable transmission unit and a transfer case into a common assembly. The four-wheel drive transmission includes a continuously variable transmission unit, a continuously variable range unit and a torque transfer unit. Variable speed control of a first worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of an epicyclic gearset associated with the continuously variable transmission unit to provide continuous ratio control between an input shaft and an intermediate shaft. Likewise, variable speed control of a second worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of a differential associated with the continuously variable range unit to provide continuous ratio control between the intermediate shaft and a first output shaft. Finally, the torque transfer unit controls the selective/automatic transfer of drive torque from one of the intermediate shaft and the first output shaft to a second output shaft to provide front-wheel drive.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive transmission is provided which combines a continuously variable transmission unit and a transfer case into a common assembly. The four-wheel drive transmission includes a continuously variable transmission unit, a drive selector unit and a torque transfer unit. Variable speed control of a worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of a differential associated with the continuously variable transmission unit to provide continuous ratio control between an input shaft and an intermediate shaft. The drive selector units establishes forward and reverse drive connections between the intermediate shaft and a first output shaft. Finally, the torque transfer unit controls the selective/automatic transfer of drive torque from the first output shaft to a second output shaft to provide four-wheel drive operation.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive transmission is provided which combines a continuously variable transmission unit and a transfer case into a common assembly. The four-wheel drive transmission includes a continuously variable transmission unit, a continuously variable range unit and a torque transfer unit. Variable speed control of a first worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of an epicyclic gearset associated with the continuously variable transmission unit to provide continuous ratio control between an input shaft and an intermediate shaft. Likewise, variable speed control of a second worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of a differential associated with the continuously variable range unit to provide continuous ratio control between the intermediate shaft and a first output shaft. Finally, the torque transfer unit controls the selective/automatic transfer of drive torque from one of the intermediate shaft and the first output shaft to a second output shaft to provide front-wheel drive.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive transmission is provided which combines a continuously variable transmission unit and a transfer case into a common assembly. The four-wheel drive transmission includes a continuously variable transmission unit, a continuously variable range unit and a torque transfer unit. Variable speed control of a first worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of an epicyclic gearset associated with the continuously variable transmission unit to provide continuous ratio control between an input shaft and an intermediate shaft. Likewise, variable speed control of a second worm/worm gear transmission drives a component of a differential associated with the continuously variable range unit to provide continuous ratio control between the intermediate shaft and a first output shaft. Finally, the torque transfer unit controls the selective/automatic transfer of drive torque from one of the intermediate shaft and the first output shaft to a second output shaft to provide front-wheel drive.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch includes a pair of hydraulic cylinder housings formed as blocks bolted to the clutch housing. In a most Preferred embodiment, the hydraulic cylinder housing extends into an opening in tie side wall of the outer clutch housing and is bolted at an outer location to the transmission bell housing. A fluid connection is made at an outer surface such that an assembler need not reach into the transmission bell housing to make the fluid connections. The hydraulic cylinder housing preferably has a machined piston bore, and fluid passages communicating the piston bore to the connection at the outer location on the hydraulic cylinder housing. In a second embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder housing also includes a block having a machined piston bore and fluid passage, however the block is bolted to an internal surface in the outer clutch housing.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated clutch includes a pair of hydraulic cylinders driving pistons to selectively move a clutch bearing to bring the clutch into and out of engagement. In standard clutches, a feature known as a clutch brake is sometimes contacted by the clutch bearing. The clutch bearing contacts the clutch brake to prevent rotation of the shaft under certain conditions. Because of this contact, the clutch bearing could rotate. Thus, anti-rotation structure is included in the inventive hydraulically actuated clutch. In a first embodiment, the anti-rotation structure includes surfaces formed on the sides of hydraulic cylinder housings which prevent rotation of the clutch bearing. The surfaces are preferably positioned radially inwardly from the pistons, and axially between the pistons and the clutch disks and plates which actually transmit the rotation through the clutch. In this way, the anti-rotation structure is optimally positioned to reliably prevent rotation.