Abstract: A tilling apparatus is disclosed. The tilling apparatus includes a central rotating assembly and multiple tiller blades. The tiller blades are attached to the circumference of the central rotating assembly. At least one surface of the tiller blades has an involute curve. A tilling apparatus is also disclosed including a central rotating assembly, multiple tiller blades in circumferential rows, a hitch assembly, and a frame. The central rotating assembly is mounted longitudinally on a horizontal shaft and has a fillable cavity. Each tiller blade has at least one surface with an involute curve. A ratio of the central rotating assembly's radius to a radial length of the tiller blades is at least about 1:1.

Abstract: A tilling apparatus is disclosed. The tilling apparatus includes a central rotating assembly and multiple tiller blades. The tiller blades are attached to the circumference of the central rotating assembly. At least one surface of the tiller blades has an involute curve. A tilling apparatus is also disclosed including a central rotating assembly, multiple tiller blades in circumferential rows, a hitch assembly, and a frame. The central rotating assembly is mounted longitudinally on a horizontal shaft and has a fillable cavity. Each tiller blade has at least one surface with an involute curve. A ratio of the central rotating assembly's radius to a radial length of the tiller blades is at least about 1:1.

Abstract: A universal high-speed rotary union including an input manifold having passageways, an input distributor fixedly coupled to the input manifold and having passageways fluidly connected with the passageways of the input manifold, a valve plate fixedly coupled to the input distributor and having passageways aligned with the passageways of the input distributor, an output manifold rotatably coupled to the input manifold by a first bearing and having passageways and an internal housing; an output receiver slidably coupled to and disposed within the internal housing of the output manifold, and having passageways aligned with the passageways of the output manifold, a bore defined along a common axis of the input manifold, the input distributor, the valve plate, the output manifold, and the output receiver, and a shaft rotatably coupled within the bore by at least a second bearing. The valve plate and the output receiver have a metal to metal interface.

Abstract: A hybrid transmission system for providing a variable speed and torque output from a mechanical power source and a hydraulic power source. The hybrid transmission system includes a stationary housing, an input shaft and an output shaft. The input and the output shafts are mounted within the stationary housing for rotation about a central axis. The hybrid transmission system further includes a rotatable housing, a hydraulic rotor and an electric unit associated to the rotatable housing or the input shaft. The rotatable housing is connected to the input shaft to drive the output shaft. The hydraulic rotor is mounted within the rotatable housing and rotatably coupled to the output shaft. The hydraulic rotor is configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged to the rotatable housing. The hybrid transmission system provides an option to recover, store and discharge excess electrical energy.

Abstract: A steering apparatus for providing a variable speed output from a mechanical power source and a hydraulic power source is disclosed. The steering apparatus includes a rotatable housing, a hydraulic motor mounted within the rotatable housing. The hydraulic motor includes a rotor and a casing. The steering apparatus further includes a first output shaft connected to the rotor and a second output shaft connected to the casing. The first output shaft is configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged with the rotatable housing. The second output shaft is configured to be selectively engaged and disengaged with the rotatable housing.

Abstract: A venting system is disclosed. The system includes an exhaust fan connected to a discharge outlet as well as central and branch conduits for collecting odors or fumes. The system includes an electric power supply and switches for activating and de-activating the exhaust fan.

Abstract: An articulating work machine, such as a scraper, wheel loader, or truck, is disclosed. The articulating work machine includes a fluid-powered differential and a pair of fluid-powered steering cylinders. The fluid-powered differential and the steering cylinders cooperate so as to steer the articulated work machine during advancement thereof. Moreover, the articulating work machine includes a number of rotational position and speed sensors for detecting operating parameters associated with the work machine. Such parameters are monitored by a processor in order to control operation of the work machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the torque on a power train of a machine is disclosed. The power train includes an engine, a transmission, and a torque converter for transmitting torque between the engine and transmission. A torque converter speed sensor produces a torque converter speed signal and an engine speed sensor produces an engine speed signal. A gear selector device produces a gear select signal indicating a desired gear ratio. A look-up table stores an upper engine power curve and a lower engine power curve. Finally, an electronic controller receives the torque converter, engine speed and gear select signals, and selects one of the upper and lower engine power curves to operate the engine in response to the selected gear ratio and torque converter speed.

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical steering differential is provided for delivering motive power to right and left output drive members both during straight traveling and during steering. The subject invention includes first and second planetary gear arrangements with a rotatable motor floatingly disposed therebetween. An input member is drivingly connected to both a ring gear of the first planetary gear arrangement and a planet carrier of the second planetary gear arrangement. A sun gear of the first planetary gear arrangement is connected to both the left output drive member and a drive unit of the rotatable motor. A driven unit of the rotatable motor and a sun gear of the second planetary are both connected to the right output drive member. The subject arrangement provides, in a compact design, motive power to the right and left output drive members both while traveling straight and during steering without requiring a separate differential lock.

Abstract: Articulated machines normally have a well known mechanical beveled gear arrangement for dividing power between the respective drive wheels and a differential lock that locks the two drive wheels when traveling in a straight direction. Likewise, articulated machines normally use externally mounted hydraulic cylinders to provide steering of the articulated machine by causing a front unit to articulate relative to the rear unit. In the subject invention, a unitary powered differential and steering mechanism is provided and includes a gear differential portion that provides input to respective first and second output drive members through a gear differential portion. Additionally, a hydro-mechanical portion is included and operatively disposed between the input member of the gear differential portion and one of the first and second output drive members.

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical steering differential for providing differential steering of the left and right hand tracks of a tractor is disclosed. The steering differential is powered by a mechanical input and a hydraulic input, and includes left and right outputs. The improved hydro-mechanical steering differential comprises a geared differential unit having a right output gear element, a left output gear element and a gear carrier element. The gear carrier element is coupled to the mechanical input and has a gear set meshed with right and left output gear elements. The left output gear element is coupled to the left output, and the right output gear element is coupled to the right output. A gearless hydro-mechanical differential unit has a rotatable motor powered by the hydraulic output. The hydro-mechanical has a drive unit coupled to the mechanical input and a driven unit coupled to the right output.

Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission 10 having fluid motor 48 that is entirely rotatable to eliminate the need for separate gearing is disclosed. The gearless hydro-mechanical transmission 10 provides a variable speed and torque output from an external mechanical power source 14 and an external hydraulic power source 20.