Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter for use with a transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has a housing rotatable by the engine and containing a pump, a turbine and at least one stator as well as a rotary output device connected to the input shaft of the transmission. The pump is normally rotatable by the housing; the turbine is rotatable (a) by the fluid which is circulated by the pump or (b) by the housing in response to engagement of a lockup clutch; and the stator can be connected to the stationary case of the transmission or is rotatable by the circulating fluid. First and second hubs are non-rotatably but axially movably mounted on the output member and are respectively connectable with the turbine and the stator by suitable clutches.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch having a tiltable clutch spring can be disengaged by tilting the spring with a bearing which can be moved axially to engage the tips of radially inwardly extending prongs of the spring. The bearing is movable axially by an actuator which, in turn, is movable axially and away from a support by a system of ramps and rolling elements. The ramps or the rolling elements are caused to move radially of the axis of the bearing in order to move the rolling elements or the ramps axially in a direction to cause a tilting of the spring and hence a disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a pressure plate is axially movably but non-rotatably coupled to a cover and is biased by a diaphragm spring to urge the friction linings of a clutch disc against a flywheel which is driven by the engine of a motor vehicle. The diaphragm spring is tiltable relative to a seat which is carried by the cover, and a second spring is provided to bias a portion of the seat against the diaphragm spring. The latter can be moved axially of the flywheel to compensate for wear upon the friction linings, particularly when the flywheel is idle or is driven at a relatively low speed.

Abstract: A friction clutch for use in motor vehicles wherein a clutch plate can be clamped between an engine-driven flywheel and an axially movable pressure plate. The pressure plate is axially movably coupled to the housing of the clutch by a set of leaf springs, and the housing carries a tiltable diaphragm spring which biases the pressure plate toward the clutch plate in engaged condition of the friction clutch. That side of the pressure plate which faces the diaphragm spring carries an elastically deformable insert which is engaged by the diaphragm spring in engaged or disengaged condition of the friction clutch to thus reduce the likelihood of vibration of the pressure plate, particularly when the clutch is disengaged.

Abstract: A friction clutch wherein a first unit including the cover, the diaphragm spring and the pressure plate is separably connected to a second unit including the clutch plate and its linings by a coupling device which centers the clutch plate relative to the pressure plate and maintains the clutch plate at an optimum distance from the cover for attachment of the cover to the flywheel on the crankshaft of the engine in a motor vehicle wherein the clutch plate is to transmit torque to the input shaft of a variable-speed transmission when the clutch is engaged. The coupling device is deactivated or destroyed in response to attachment of the cover to the flywheel.

Abstract: A clutch plate for use in friction clutches of automotive vehicles has three units which are angularly movable with reference to one another, and two sets of coil springs. The first unit has two rigidly connected spaced-apart disc members one of which carries the friction linings and can be driven by the flywheel of the engine. The second unit has a hub which can drive the input shaft of a change-speed transmission and a flange consisting of three radially outwardly extending arms which are rigid with the hub and disposed in pockets defined by two mirror symmetrical intermediate discs constituting the third unit. The intermediate discs are disposed between the disc members of the first unit and have peripheral notches for distancing elements which connect the disc members to one another and can perform limited angular movements in their notches. The intermediate discs extend radially beyond the arms of the flange and have projections which extend, with angular play, between the arms of the flange.

Abstract: Device for connecting a driving element to a driven element so as to be locked against mutual rotation, and for separating the same, including a friction disc having two friction surfaces, the disc being fixed against radial movement and shiftable in axial direction, a device for stopping the axial shift of the disc in direction away from the driving element, the driven element being in the form of axially shiftable friction parts being coaxial and engageable with the friction disc and rotatable relative thereto, each of the friction parts having a counter-friction surface disposed thereon, a connecting device for transmitting torque between the friction parts, the connecting device being elastic in axial direction and stiff in direction of rotation of the friction parts, and a device for disengaging one of the friction parts from the friction disc.

Abstract: A control arrangement for a hydraulic power consumer particularly in agricultural machines, has a pressure medium reservoir which is connected with a member for supplying pressure medium from the reservoir to the consumer to thereby move the consumer in one direction. The consumer is also connected with a member for withdrawing pressure medium from the consumer to thereby move the latter in an opposite direction. The arrangement further includes a single valve unit which is operative for both communicating and discommunicating the consumer with the supplying member and with the withdrawing member to thereby alternately move the consumer in the respective directions.

Abstract: A control apparatus for a hydraulic power consumer, particularly in agricultural machines, has a pressure medium reservoir which is connected with a member for supplying pressure medium from the reservoir to the user to thereby move the latter from a stationary position. This member is subject to pressure oscillations which result from a pressure difference which is created in this chamber on displacing of the consumer from the stationary or neutral position. In order to eliminate undesirable oscillations of the user on displacement of the latter from the stationary position the arrangement is provided with a member for damping these pressure oscillations.

Abstract: Friction clutch wherein a cup spring, on the one side thereof, is braced against one of the clutch components other than the pressure plate thereof and, on the other side thereof, loads a pressure plate, torque transmission between the pressure plate and the one of the clutch components other than the pressure plate and lifting of the pressure plate being effected by a plurality of leaf springs which ensure relative movement between the pressure plate and the other of the clutch components at least over the operating travel range of the clutch amounting to the engagement and disengagement travel and the wear travel of the clutch disk, includes top means projecting into the travel path of the leaf springs and being engageable thereby for stopping travel thereof at least when the pressure plate has reached substantially the position thereof corresponding to the maximum wear travel thereof.

Abstract: A double-acting user has a first and an oppositely acting second pressure-fluid compartment. A source of pressure fluid receives fluid from a fluid reservoir. A first conduit has one section communicating with the first compartment of the user, and another section communicating with the source of pressure fluid. A second conduit communicates with the reservoir. A control valve is interposed in the first conduit and is movable between a first position in which it connects the sections of the first conduit with one another and a second position in which it connects both of the sections of the first conduit with the second conduit. A pressure-reducing and limiting valve has a first port communicating with the second compartment of the user, a second port communicating with the reservoir, a third port communicating with that section of the first conduit which in turn communicates with the source, and a pressure-limiting arrangement which serves to limit the fluid pressure in the second compartment of the user.