Abstract: A throttle device for the directionally-dependent influencing of the flow velocity of the fluid in hydraulic actuator systems, in particular of friction clutches in motor vehicles, with a throttle located between a master cylinder and a slave cylinder in the hydraulic system. The throttle is formed by a base body with at least one through hole, which through hole can be at least partly closed by a rubber-elastomer disc. The rubber-elastomeric disc is located on the side of the base body facing the slave cylinder, which disc radially overlaps a through hole, which through hole can be at least partly closed.

Abstract: An electronically controlled clutch pedal dashpot driveline torque limiter utilizes a solenoid to regulate the apply rate of a vehicle master clutch based on current vehicle operating conditions such as engine speed, transmission input speed, and clutch pedal release rate. The present invention allows greater control authority of master clutch apply rates to reduce or eliminate the incidence of engine stall and excessive slipping of the master clutch.

Abstract: The present invention includes new types of one-way clutches that can gradually and smoothly engage the load. The novel design of the present invention permits a multiplicity of several embodiments which includes a hydraulic one-way clutch (H.O.W.C.) and a damped one-way clutch (D.O.W.C.). The H.O.W.C. has a general configuration similar to a fluid rotary actuator. It has two or more collapsible vanes which are made to rotate about a pivot between a radial driving position and a collapsed position, in which the collapsible vanes are either partly or fully pushed away from the driving position. A body of fluid is filled between a rotor's vane and the two collapsible vanes to provide the desired damping effect. The D.O.W.C. utilizes an additional ring which is an actuating ring and is placed on an external ring with a bearing between the actuating ring and the external ring so that it can rotate around the external ring.

Abstract: A clutch pedal dashpot for controlling the rate torque is applied to a vehicular driveline during the coupling of an engine to a transmission by controlling the rate at which the clutch engages via damping clutch pedal travel. The dashpot is for use in a vehicle, such as a heavy-duty truck, which includes a clutch pedal displaced between a resting position and a depressed position. The clutch pedal dashpot includes a damper piston, coupled to the clutch pedal, for controlling the rate at which the clutch pedal returns to the first position from the second position during coupling so as to control the rate of clutch engagement, thereby controlling the rate of torque applied to the driveline.

Abstract: A clutch for equipment which is powered by an internal combustion engine, comprising a drive member which is connected to an output shaft of the engine, a driven member connected to an input shaft of a power transmission device, a number of clutch plates which are interposed between the drive member and the driven member for frictional engagement between the two members by a pressure member which is axially moveable and is biased by a spring, a lifter member for disengagement of the two members against the biasing force acting on the pressure member, and a brake device for stopping the motion of the driven member when the power transmission between the two members is disconnected.

Abstract: A control device in a motor vehicle having a clutch and a transmission for controlling operation of the clutch and the transmission, includes a control lever angularly movable in first and second directions perpendicular to each other, a first connector mechanism interconnecting the control lever and the transmission for enabling the transmission to shift gears therein in response to angular movement of the control lever in the first direction, a follower having a portion extending in the first direction, the follower being angularly movable in the second direction, the portion being normally held in contact with the control lever when the control lever is angularly moved in the first and second directions, a second connector mechanism interconnecting the follower and the clutch for enabling the clutch to be engaged and disengaged in response to angular movement of the follower in the second direction, and a member for allowing the control lever to be angularly moved in the first direction only when the contr

Abstract: A control device for a clutch and a transmission in a vehicle comprising a single control lever has a substantially single control lever angularly movable about at least one shaft for actuating the clutch and the transmission, a first link mechanism for transmitting angular movement of the control lever to the release lever of the clutch, a second link mechanism for transmitting angular movement of the control lever to the shifter of the transmission, and a damper for imposing a dampening force on the connection operation of the clutch. The damper has a damper stroke varying mechanism operatively cooperating with the second link mechanism for rendering the damper stroke of the damper shorter as higher-speed gears of the transmission are selected by the control lever.

Abstract: A speed change gear shift rod with cushioning function which is performed when the speed change gear is being operated is shown. The shift rod is supported in a freely slideable manner in the direction of the shaft, within a blind supporting hole provided inside a main case. An oil containment section is provided at the back of the supporting hole, formed between the end surface of the shaft end section and the back surface of the supporting hole during a speed change operation, when the shaft end section slides to the back of the supporting hole. An oil channel is also provided in the shaft end section or in the supporting hole, making it possible to divert oil from the inside to the outside of the previously mentioned shaft end section.

Abstract: The invention discloses a damper disc comprising a spline hub; a radial flange formed at the hub; a sealed case covering the flange and having a radially outer portion to which a torque is transmitted; torsion springs disposed in openings in the flange and axially faced hollows in the case for connecting the flange and the case together; and a piston cylinder mechanism arranged in the case and having a piston operable to move in accordance with relative torsion between the case and the flange, the case and a cylinder of the piston cylinder mechanism being filled with operating oil, and the cylinder being provided with a narrow space through which the oil can be discharged.

Abstract: The spline-ended connecting shaft of an engine-accessory disconnect device has a radially outwardly projecting drive flange coaxially secured to an intermediate portion thereof. A housing captively retains the flange, permitting axial translation and rotation of the flange and shaft relative to the housing. A burst of compressed air injected into the housing is caused to exert sequentially opposite forces on the flange to rapidly initiate and terminate axial uncoupling motion of the shaft without imposing appreciable rigid impact force on the disconnect components. The shaft extends through openings in end walls of the housing so that it is freely rotatable and axially translatable relative to the housing without touching the surfaces of the housing openings.

Abstract: A viscous coupling adapted to be positioned within the housing of a torque converter automatic transmission for use as a bypass of the torque converter and including an annular clutch lining secured to a side face of the outer peripheral portion of the coupling and a control valve assembly positioned in the outer peripheral portion to cushion the impact of engagement of the annular clutch lining with the confronting surface of the torque converter housing. The control valve assembly includes a rolling diaphragm which extends across the open end of an axially extending bore in the outer peripheral portion and is arranged to rollingly traverse the bore to successively cover or uncover a series of axially spaced leakage holes communicating with the main chamber of the torque converter and the bore.

Abstract: The bin unloader belt drive for a combine includes a clutching idler mechanism in which the start-up torque delivered by the belt (11) from a drive pulley (12) to a driven pulley (13) is limited by using a dampener (51) which retards the spring biased movement of a clutching idler pulley (21) from its drive disestablishing position to its drive establishing position.

Abstract: A transmission shiftable to change transmission ratios by the operation of a member whose effectiveness depends upon a pressure fluid, e.g. through a valve communicating the fluid to actuators of the gear-change system, has a clutch connecting the output shaft of a prime mover as an internal-combustion engine with the input shaft of the transmission. According to the invention, the clutch-operating cylinder is connected by an entraining device with a valve controlling the pressure fluid. A lost motion may be provided between the operating member of the cylinder and the valve seats to ensure full opening of the clutch before operation of the transmission is enabled.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the gearbox of a motor vehicle includes a manually operable control lever and a linkage connecting the lever to a gearbox control shaft projecting from the gearbox casing. In order to prevent unintentional disengagement of a selected gear due to excessive vibrations of the control shaft as the vehicle travels over rough terrain, a damper is provided to damp axial displacements of the control shaft relative to the gearbox casing.

Abstract: A clothes washing machine of the type having recirculation of water from a tub into a perforated basket within which the clothes are received with a mechanically delayed action clutch driving both the agitator during wash and rinse cycles, and the basket during spin cycles. The mechanical delay in the case of the wash or rinse cycles enables a recirculation pump to bring the water level in the basket to the operating level after the machine fill prior to initiation of agitator drive. In the case of the spin cycle, the water level is reduced by a drain pump during the delay interval prior to initiation of the basket spin. The mechanical delay is introduced by a retarding action on the centrifugal drive clutch whereby after start of rotation of the drive motor, the full engagement of the centrifugally actuated clutch is delayed by a rotary damping action consisting of a washer caused to rotate through a volume of silicone liquid enclosed in a container.

Abstract: A drum brake assembly provides a pair of brake shoes which are movable by a hydraulic actuator to a braking position. The hydraulic actuator is carried by a backing plate and the pair of brake shoes is movable relative to the backing plate. A piston is slidably mounted within a bore on the hydraulic actuator and pressurized fluid communicated to the bore acts against the piston to move the piston and pair of brake shoes. A partition is also disposed within the bore to substantially define a secondary chamber which receives pressurized fluid from the bore. The partition is movably disposed within the bore and resiliently engaged with the piston so that increased pressure within the bore is transmitted to the piston via the partition and the resilient engagement. Moreover, the partition controls venting of the secondary chamber so that upon contact of the pair of brake shoes with a drum, backlash or retraction of the pair of brake shoes is limited.

Abstract: A friction clutch for gas-turbine engine transmission gear has a casing which accommodates friction plates arranged between the back plate and pressure plate and an axially movable piston elastically coupled to the casing for pressing the friction plates when the engine operates in the traction mode by way of fluid under pressure fed to a variable-volume chamber defined by the casing and piston, and for pressing the friction plates when the engine operates in the braking mode from individual drive comprising a shaft of the gas-turbine engine transmission gear which is kinematically associated with the piston through a cam mechanism. Elastic coupling of the piston to the casing comprises an auxiliary variable-volume chamber in permanent communication with a fluid source via a throttle aperture, the auxiliary chamber being located opposite the variable-volume chamber between the casing and piston and defined by a cylinder mounted in the casing and another piston rigidly connected to the first piston.

Abstract: A toothed clutch of the type having a hydraulic dashpot to which liquid is fed to cushion the final phase of clutch engagement and to establish a holding pressure for resisting disengagement of the clutch.In accordance with the invention, means are provided for establishing, when required, a fluid pressure opposing the said holding pressure, so as to facilitate disengagement of the clutch without interrupting the feeding of fluid to the dashpot.

Abstract: A self-synchronizing clutch has two sets of helical splines. A first set is between the main input shaft and a carrier member. The second set is between the carrier member and a coupling member. The second set of splines performs the indexing function. A one-way or over-running clutch is included as a sensing means but does not perform the indexing function. The over-running clutch or sensing means provides the small torque needed to shift angularly the carrier and coupling members on their respective helical splines. Constraining means, activated by the sensing means, is provided for the carrier member. Spring-loaded biasing means are provided for the carrier member in those installations where the input shaft occupies, or may occupy, a tilted or inclined position. A clutch lock-in and/or clutch lock-out means are also provided.

Abstract: A safety means in an engine for providing a measured rate of clutch engagement in the event of clutch cable rupture or in the event an operator abuses his machine and initiates an almost instant engagement.