Abstract: An electric motor and related components, such as a motor controller assembly, are disclosed having a coolant circuit where the related components are cooled by the same fluid flow that cools the electric motor. The compact coolant circuit minimizes the need for external lines between the electric motor and related components, while providing separate heat sinks for the electric motor and, for example, a motor controller assembly. The liquid-cooled electric motor and related components may engage and power a variety of reduction output assemblies to form drive assemblies. The coolant circuit of the electric motor and its related components cooperates with an external coolant circuit to form a cooling system. The external circuit may include a radiator (e.g., heat exchanger or oil cooler) and an electric pump for the coolant which may cool one or more drive assemblies of a vehicle drive system.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission assembly includes a first housing member and a housing cap sealed to the first housing member to form a sump wherein a pump and motor are rotatably disposed. A pump mount is located in the sump and engaged to the housing cap. The housing cap also includes a motor mount for an axial piston motor, and hydraulic fluid passages for connecting the pump to the motor. A pocket is located in the housing cap to rotationally support a swash plate for the pump.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having a frame, a prime mover and a pair of driven wheels. The drive assembly includes a transmission having a housing in which a pump and motor may be disposed. The transmission may be pivotally mounted to the frame and movable between at least two positions. The transmission may include an internal reduction gear assembly driven by a motor output shaft, a transmission output shaft disposed generally parallel to the motor output shaft and driven by the internal reduction gear assembly, the transmission output shaft extending from the transmission at both ends thereof. Each end of the transmission output shaft may drive an external reduction assembly supported in part by the frame, and the external reduction assemblies power at least a driven wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic drive control system for a vehicle having a right and left drive wheels and a pair of actuators engaged to respective control arms of the associated variable drive units. A pair of speed sensors are in electrical communication with the respective variable drive units and a controller. The controller receives signals from the speed sensors and determines at least one operational output of each variable drive unit based on the received signals, calculates adjustments to at least one of the actuators and adjusts at least one of the actuators to move the respective control arm of the drive unit to effectuate the desired operational output of the variable drive units.

Abstract: A variable speed transmission disposed in a housing includes a transmission input shaft and a transmission output shaft. A power take off is disposed in the housing and includes a power take off output shaft and a clutch/brake mechanism having a clutch input hub engaged to and driven by the transmission input shaft, a cage engaged to the clutch input hub, a brake stator and a brake rotor and carrier being selectively engageable with the cage and alternately selectively engageable with the brake stator. An output hub is rotatably driven by the brake rotor; and a biasing member is disposed between the cage and the brake rotor to bias the brake rotor to engagement with the brake stator.

Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle is provided, the transaxle having plurality of inward protrusions on an internal surface thereof. A motor block in the housing includes has one or more first depressions. At least one reduction gear assembly in the housing has one or more second depressions. At least one bearing in the housing for supporting an axle has one or more third depressions. The various inward protrusions on the internal surface of the housing interact with the one or more first depressions to retain the motor block in the housing, the one or more second depressions to retain the reduction gear assembly in the housing, and the one or more third depressions to retain the bearing in the housing.

Abstract: A gear reduction apparatus includes a first gear set and a second gear set connected to a motor shaft, a clutch assembly located between the first gear set and the second gear set and being configured to occupy an engaged state and a disengaged state, wherein the engaged state enables torque transmission from the first rotatable shaft to the second rotatable shaft, and the disengaged state disables torque transmission from the first rotatable shaft to the second rotatable shaft.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission assembly includes a first housing member and a housing cap sealed to the first housing member to form a sump wherein a pump and motor are rotatably disposed. A pump mount is located in the sump and engaged to the housing cap. The housing cap also includes a motor mount for an axial piston motor, and hydraulic fluid passages for connecting the pump to the motor. A pocket is located in the housing cap to rotationally support a swash plate for the pump.

Abstract: A drive train configuration is disclosed. The drive train incorporates an engine having hydraulic pumps contained substantially inside the engine housing and with an engine shaft driving the hydraulic pumps. A porting block or center section is mounted to the engine housing to provide hydraulic communication between the hydraulic pumps located inside the engine housing and hydraulic motors located outside the engine housing. The hydraulic motor output shafts drive gears connected to axles to propel a vehicle.

Abstract: A compact hydraulic transmission assembly using an axial piston pump disposed on a center section that also provides a cylindrical running surface for a radial piston motor. This design provides for a compact and low profile assembly, while the combination of an axial piston pump with a radial piston motor provides improved efficiency for higher torque output. The radial piston motor includes a lower mass piston block that improves performance. The center section includes an extension extending outwardly from its circumference and including a check port; and a mounting lobe for securing the center section is secured to the pump housing.

Abstract: A drive assembly is disclosed, with a variable speed transmission in a housing. A pair of clutch assemblies are engaged to a transmission output shaft, and engaged to and selectively driving a pair of axle shafts. A power take off includes a power take off output shaft and a clutch/brake mechanism. A first and a second output gears are driven by the transmission output shaft and disposed on a first and second jack shafts, respectively. A first intermediate gear is disposed on a third jack shaft and driven by the first output gear, and a second intermediate gear is disposed on a fourth jack shaft.

Abstract: A drive assembly having a housing forming an internal sump for a transmission, and an accumulator chamber formed in the housing and in fluid communication with the sump. A piston chamber in the housing is in fluid communication with the accumulator chamber. The transmission includes a pump, a pump running surface and an internal porting system in a center section, and a pump swash plate. A piston divides the piston chamber into first and second portions. The piston is biased by a spring force to pressurize hydraulic fluid in the piston chamber and thereby pressurize the hydraulic fluid in the internal sump when pressure in the piston chamber decreases below a set level. A second transmission may also be located in the housing.

Abstract: An electronic drive control system for a vehicle having a right and left drive wheels and a pair of actuators engaged to respective control arms of the associated variable drive units. A pair of speed sensors are in electrical communication with the respective variable drive units and a controller. The controller receives signals from the speed sensors and determines at least one operational output of each variable drive unit based on the received signals, calculates adjustments to at least one of the actuators and adjusts at least one of the actuators to move the respective control arm of the drive unit to effectuate the desired operational output of the variable drive units.

Abstract: A front steering module adapted for integration with the subframe of a zero-turn radius vehicle incorporating an electronic steering apparatus. The module provides both front wheel steering and corresponding control inputs for the electronic steering apparatus. The module has a frame member having a pair of steered wheel assemblies mounted thereto and a mounting member for attachment to the vehicle. The module further comprises a steering mechanism and a steering position sensor for providing input to the electronic steering apparatus.

Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a pair of driven axles, a center section and a pump and a motor rotatably disposed on one side of the center section. A clutch mechanism is located adjacent an opposite side of the center section to drive the pair of axles. The clutch includes at least one clutch fork disposed adjacent to the center section and being rotatable along an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the axes of rotation of the pump input shaft and motor output shaft, and also perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the axles.

Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle is provided, the transaxle including a pump assembly having an input shaft extending from a housing and a pump disposed on a first hydraulic mounting member attached to the pump housing. The pump may be driven by an electric motor mounted on the vehicle. A motor assembly in a separate housing is also provided, and the transaxle may use a pair of dual planetary gear reduction mechanisms driven by a motor output shaft, each reduction mechanism driving an axle driving one of a pair of driven wheels of the vehicle. The axes of rotation of the pump shaft, motor shaft, electric motor output and the axles may all be located on a common plane to provide a compact unit.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having a frame, a prime mover and a pair of driven wheels. The drive assembly includes a transmission having a housing in which a pump and motor may be disposed. The transmission may be pivotally mounted to the frame and movable between at least two positions. The transmission may include an internal reduction gear assembly driven by a motor output shaft, a transmission output shaft disposed generally parallel to the motor output shaft and driven by the internal reduction gear assembly, the transmission output shaft extending from the transmission at both ends thereof. Each end of the transmission output shaft may drive an external reduction assembly supported in part by the frame, and the external reduction assemblies power at least a driven wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A transmission having an integrated gear and brake mechanism is disposed in a housing, the transmission having a variable drive mechanism, gear train, and an output axle engaged to the gear train. The output axle is driven by a final drive gear having an integrated drum brake within its circumference.

Abstract: A drive train configuration is disclosed. The drive train incorporates an engine having hydraulic pumps contained substantially inside the engine housing and with an engine shaft driving the hydraulic pumps. A porting block or center section is mounted to the engine housing to provide hydraulic communication between the hydraulic pumps located inside the engine housing and hydraulic motors located outside the engine housing. The hydraulic motor output shafts drive gears connected to axles to propel a vehicle.

Abstract: A compact hydraulic transmission assembly using an axial piston pump disposed on a center section that also provides a cylindrical running surface for a radial piston motor. This design provides for a compact and low profile assembly, while the combination of an axial piston pump with a radial piston motor provides improved efficiency for higher torque output. The radial piston motor includes a lower mass piston block that improves performance.