Abstract: A complex planetary assembly includes an input, an output, a ring gear, a first stage planetary assembly and a second stage planetary assembly. The first stage planetary assembly includes a first sun gear, a first carrier including a first plurality of pins extending therefrom, and a first plurality of planet gears. Each of the first plurality of planet gears is rotatably coupled to one of the first plurality of pins. The second stage planetary assembly includes a second sun gear, a second carrier including a second plurality of pins extending therefrom, and a second plurality of planet gears. Each of the second plurality of planet gears is rotatably coupled to one of the second plurality of pins. At each of the first or second plurality of pins on the first or second carrier, at least two planet gears of the first or second plurality of planet gears are coupled and coaxially arranged adjacent to one another.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes an electric machine input arrangement with a first electric machine configured to generate a first source of power, an electric machine input gear assembly configured to receive the first source of power from the first electric machine, and a second electric machine configured to generate a second source of power. The drive assembly further includes a combination gear arrangement coupled to selectively receive the first source of power from the electric machine input gear assembly and the second source of power from the second electric machine to produce a combined power; and an electric machine output arrangement configured to receive and transfer the combined power from the combination gear arrangement.

Abstract: A torsional fuse in a drivetrain system, an epicyclic gear system, and a method of operating a drivetrain system are provided. The epicyclic gear system includes a housing, a shaft configured to rotate relative to the housing, a sun gear being disposed concentric to the shaft, a plurality of planet gears disposed around the sun gear, a ring gear disposed around the plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the plurality of planet gears, and a torsional fuse defined by an interface between a first torsional fuse portion and a second torsional fuse portion, the torsional fuse being configured to allow rotation between the first torsional fuse portion and the second torsional fuse portion upon application of a threshold torque at the torsional fuse.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a housing, upper and lower shafts, a friction pack, and a pair of meshed gears. The housing defines a receptacle containing a volume of lubricating fluid, a brake chamber with a metering orifice in a lower portion of the brake chamber, and an exit port at an upper portion of the brake chamber. The upper and lower shafts are within the housing at different elevations and configured for rotation. The friction pack is within the brake chamber and driven to rotate by the upper shaft. The pair of meshed gears is driven to rotate by one or more of the upper and lower shafts, and the gears communicate lubricating fluid from the receptacle to the lower portion of the brake chamber through the metering orifice. Rotation of the friction pack pumps lubricating fluid to the exit port at the upper portion of the brake chamber.

Abstract: A work vehicle reduction drive assembly includes a drive having a drive shaft mechanically linked to a movable work component through a planetary gear train is. The planetary gear train includes a ring gear having a tooth count of Tring, a sun gear having a tooth count of Tsun, and a planet-carrier assembly including a plurality of planet gears each having a tooth count of Tplanet. Tring, Tsun, and Tplanet are selected such that each planet gear in the plurality of planet gears contacts at least two teeth of the sun gear and at least two teeth of the ring gear in all rotational positions of the planetary gear train. The sum of Tring and Tsun yields a positive integer when divided by a first number from a set {3, 4, 5} and when divided by a second number from the set {3, 4, 5}.

Abstract: A work vehicle reduction drive assembly includes a drive having a drive shaft mechanically linked to a movable work component through a planetary gear train is. The planetary gear train includes a ring gear having a tooth count of Tring, a sun gear having a tooth count of Tsun, and a planet-carrier assembly including a plurality of planet gears each having a tooth count of Tplanet, Tring, Tsun, and Tplanet are selected such that each planet gear in the plurality of planet gears contacts at least two teeth of the sun gear and at least two teeth of the ring gear in all rotational positions of the planetary gear train. The sum of Tring and Tsun yields a positive integer when divided by a first number from a set {3, 4, 5} and when divided by a second number from the set {3, 4, 5}.

Abstract: A torsional fuse in a drivetrain system, an epicyclic gear system, and a method of operating a drivetrain system are provided. The epicyclic gear system includes a housing, a shaft configured to rotate relative to the housing, a sun gear being disposed concentric to the shaft, a plurality of planet gears disposed around the sun gear, a ring gear disposed around the plurality of planet gears, a carrier connecting the plurality of planet gears, and a torsional fuse defined by an interface between a first torsional fuse portion and a second torsional fuse portion, the torsional fuse being configured to allow rotation between the first torsional fuse portion and the second torsional fuse portion upon application of a threshold torque at the torsional fuse.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device for a work vehicle includes an electric machine and a bi-directional gear set. The gear set is configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. In the first power flow direction the gear set effects a first gear ratio, and in the second power flow direction the gear set effects a second gear ratio. In the first power flow direction, the gear set receives input power from the electric machine in a first clock direction and outputs power to the engine in a second clock direction opposite the first clock direction. In the second power flow direction, input power from the engine is in the second clock direction and output power to the electric machine is in the second clock direction.

Abstract: A power control system is provided for a work vehicle with an engine. A combination starter-generator device has an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in two power flow directions. The gear set operates in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in one direction, including a first start gear ratio corresponding to a cold engine start mode and a second start gear ratio corresponding to a warm engine start mode, and in a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in another direction corresponding to a generation mode. First and second clutch assemblies are selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the start gear ratios during the engine start modes. A control valve is fluidly coupled to selectively apply a fluid pressure to the clutch assemblies.

Abstract: A power control system is provided for a work vehicle with an engine. A combination starter-generator device has an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in two power flow directions. The gear set operates in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in one direction, including a first start gear ratio corresponding to a cold engine start mode and a second start gear ratio corresponding to a warm engine start mode, and in a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in another direction corresponding to a generation mode. First and second clutch assemblies are selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the start gear ratios during the engine start modes. A control valve is fluidly coupled to selectively apply a fluid pressure to the clutch assemblies.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device for a work vehicle includes an electric machine and a bi-directional gear set. The gear set is configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. In the first power flow direction the gear set effects a first gear ratio, and in the second power flow direction the gear set effects a second gear ratio. In the first power flow direction, the gear set receives input power from the electric machine in a first clock direction and outputs power to the engine in a second clock direction opposite the first clock direction. In the second power flow direction, input power from the engine is in the second clock direction and output power to the electric machine is in the second clock direction.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus comprises a housing, a rotor, and a face seal. The rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the housing. The housing and the rotor cooperate to provide an annular clearance passage therebetween. The face seal is positioned in communication with the clearance passage and establishes a sealed connection between the housing and the rotor to block ingress of debris from the clearance passage. The housing or the rotor comprises a knife partially defining the clearance passage to cut debris that may enter the clearance passage. The rotary apparatus may be used, for example, in a shaft assembly or a final drive.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a housing, upper and lower shafts, a friction pack, and a pair of meshed gears. The housing defines a receptacle containing a volume of lubricating fluid, a brake chamber with a metering orifice in a lower portion of the brake chamber, and an exit port at an upper portion of the brake chamber. The upper and lower shafts are within the housing at different elevations and configured for rotation. The friction pack is within the brake chamber and driven to rotate by the upper shaft. The pair of meshed gears is driven to rotate by one or more of the upper and lower shafts, and the gears communicate lubricating fluid from the receptacle to the lower portion of the brake chamber through the metering orifice. Rotation of the friction pack pumps lubricating fluid to the exit port at the upper portion of the brake chamber.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus comprises a housing, a rotor, and a face seal. The rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the housing. The housing and the rotor cooperate to provide an annular clearance passage therebetween. The face seal is positioned in communication with the clearance passage and establishes a sealed connection between the housing and the rotor to block ingress of debris from the clearance passage. The housing or the rotor comprises a knife partially defining the clearance passage to cut debris that may enter the clearance passage. The rotary apparatus may be used, for example, in a shaft assembly or a final drive.

Abstract: A lubrication apparatus for lubrication of one or more components is described. The apparatus may include a housing with an internal housing cavity containing lubrication fluid. A catchment feature may be located on an internal portion of the housing, the catchment feature having a lip and a reservoir, with the lip extending into the internal housing cavity above, at least in part, a lubrication fluid sump level of the internal housing cavity. A first lubrication passage may extend from the catchment feature into the housing. The lip and the reservoir of the catchment feature may catch lubrication fluid splashed above the lubrication fluid sump level. The first lubrication passage may direct lubrication fluid from the catchment feature to the one or more components.

Abstract: A lubrication apparatus for lubrication of one or more components is described. The apparatus may include a housing with an internal housing cavity containing lubrication fluid. A catchment feature may be located on an internal portion of the housing, the catchment feature having a lip and a reservoir, with the lip extending into the internal housing cavity above, at least in part, a lubrication fluid sump level of the internal housing cavity. A first lubrication passage may extend from the catchment feature into the housing. The lip and the reservoir of the catchment feature may catch lubrication fluid splashed above the lubrication fluid sump level. The first lubrication passage may direct lubrication fluid from the catchment feature to the one or more components.