Abstract: A system for controlling an electro-magnetic powder clutch of an internal combustion engine for a vehicle comprises a transmission, a 2nd switch adapted to be closed in the 2nd speed stage of the transmission, a thermo switch adapted to be closed at a predetermined temperature of the clutch, and a control circuit. The control circuit is so arranged that the current to the magnetizing coil of the clutch increases with an increase of the rotational speed of the engine and that when the 2nd switch and the thermal switch are closed, the current in the 2nd speed stage steeply increases so as to be impossible to start the vehicle in the 2nd speed.

Abstract: An indicator system includes an indicator mounted near a driver's seat and arranged to be responsive to a lock-up permission signal which is to appear when the vehicle is operating within a lock-up range.

Abstract: A device for sensing the engagement position of a mechanical or electromagnetic clutch engaged through axial movement of a section of the clutch includes an axially movable clutch section. A magnetic circuit is activated by the movable section and a sensor mounted relative to the clutch section senses magnetic flux from the magnetic circuit, thereby indicating the engagement position. There is a relay switching system with parallel excited circuits for each of a multitude of clutches operable separately.

Abstract: In the variable speed V-belt drive of a combine harvester threshing cylinder, the driven sheave is torque-responsive, responding automatically to adjust drive belt tension according to the torque being transmitted. A linear hydraulic actuator, integral with the drive sheave, is used to adjust an axially movable sheave half with respect to a fixed sheave half so as to vary sheave effective diameter and hence driven speed. At any given speed setting, oil is trapped in the hydraulic actuator and oil pressure varies according to separating force between the halves of the drive sheave which in turn depends upon belt tension. A pressure switch, connected so as to sense the oil pressure, has a set point such that at a predetermined maximum (overload) belt tension, the switch is actuated so as to declutch or disconnect the drive sheave from its power source, thus protecting the threshing cylinder and drive components from damage.

Abstract: An override clutch device is disclosed for use in a vacuum cleaner having a powered rotary brush. The override clutch device is arranged such that should the torque require to rotate the brush exceeds a predetermined level, the drive mechanism is disengaged from the brush thereby allowing the drive belt to continue to operate without damage. An audible signal is emitted to alert the operator of the malfunction.

Abstract: A device for sensing the loading on an input drive of a cotton harvesting unit and providing a warning when an overload of the drive occurs. Normal tension in the belt drive to the unit input shaft is balanced by an adjustable spring load. Overload of the input shaft overcomes the spring load to activate an electrical switch that alerts the operator by lighting a warning lamp. The input drive includes a slip clutch, and the spring load is adjusted so that a warning is provided before the drive load reaches the loading which would cause the clutch to begin to slip.

Abstract: The adjustable seat having a plurality of position adjusters, such as a backrest adjuster, a front vertical adjuster, a rear vertical adjuster, and a longitudinal-horizontal adjuster includes a common driving motor which is coupled to individual adjusters by means of a power distributing gear unit including a plurality of driving shafts supporting for free rotation meshing gears which are in permanent engagement with a driving pinion of the driving motor. Each of the driving shafts also supports for joint rotation axially movable coupling discs which are normally disengaged from the assigned gears. The gear unit includes a control unit assembled of a plurality of mechanical control devices, each including cam surfaces linked to the coupling discs and being conservatively activated by a sliding member driven by an additional adjustment motor. The sliding member also controls an indication circuit which indicates the individual operative position of respective driving shafts.

Abstract: A warning device for a lawn mower having a rotary blade driven from a motor through a centrifugal clutch and normally held stopped by a brake which is released by a deadman control. The warning device comprises a flexible clicker post such as a close-wound helical spring carried by the clutch driver and having a weighted clicker head at its free end which normally stands in the path of a blade-mounting nut or other striker on the clutch-driven part so that the clicker head on the post will be repeatedly struck by the nut or other striker in the event the clutch driver element is stopped while the brake is disengaged and allows the blade to rotate under its own momentum. When the clutch driver is rotating at normal driving speed, centrifugal force bends the flexible arm to carry the clicker head out of striking relation with the striker element on the driven clutch part.

Abstract: A clutch or brake protection device for use with a clutch having relatively axially movable components, the device including an element mounted on one of the components and situated adjacent to the other of the components, the position of the element being such that it will contact the said other component when wear in the clutch or brake in excess of a predetermined amount has taken place, to complete electrical connection and provide a signal indicating the condition of the clutch or brake.

Abstract: Drive shaft apparatus includes driving and driven members and primary torque transmitting means coupling the members. Redundant torque transmitting means is rendered operative for coupling said members in the event of a failure of the primary coupling means and a failure detector including electrical circuitry arranged with the redundant coupling means detects the operation thereof and provides a corresponding indication.

Abstract: A brake lining wear sensor produces an audible signal when it engages a rotating brake drum upon a predetermined amount of lining wear. The sensor is disposed within a groove between a friction lining and a brake shoe rim. Portions of the sensor project away from a body portion and engage the rotating brake drum to produce the warning signal. The projecting portions also cooperate with surfaces of the brake shoe rim or the friction lining to retain the sensor within the groove.

Abstract: A spring member is biased toward the outer peripheral edge of a vented disk and is held out of engagement therewith by a locking device. As the brake pads wear, the pad backing plates come closer together, thus compressing the locking device and releasing the spring so that it may engage the ribs in the outer periphery of the disk. The spring member is shaped to prevent excessive protrusion into the apertures in the disk and to permit reverse rotation of the disk.

Abstract: The specification discloses a clutch and brake system wherein low and high speed clutch assemblies are mounted about a rotatable shaft. A brake assembly is disposed between the low and high speed clutch assemblies and includes friction surfaces mounted about the shaft. The brake assembly is normally biased to an engaged position to prevent rotation of the shaft. A housing is disposed about the brake assembly and annular pistons are slidably mounted in the housing on opposite sides of the brake assembly. The pistons are operable in response to fluid pressure to selectively disengage the brake assembly while engaging a selected one of the clutch assemblies. Structure is provided to interconnect the pistons to prevent simultaneous engagement of both the clutch assemblies. Structure is also provided to sense a temperature above a predetermined level in the pistons in order to cause deenergization of the clutch and brake system.

Abstract: The disc brake disclosed is of the type used for heavy equipment, including off-the-road vehicles. It is oil cooled, with the disc pack being enclosed in a housing. In brakes of this type which are currently on the market, the wear of the disc pack can be checked only by disassembly of the brake assembly. The disclosure shows an arrangement wherein pack wear can be checked without requiring such disassembly. The bosses in which piston retracting mechanisms are provided are convenient for such purposes. One or more of these bosses is provided with a tapped access hole after having the boss end surface machined to a smooth finish. When the brake disc pack is new, the service brake piston and the parking brake release piston cavities are pressurized, causing the parking brake piston to back off completely. The service brake piston squeezes the disc pack against the parking brake piston and pulls the service brake piston return spring guide pins with it.

Abstract: A disc brake is provided with a warning device or sensor made of a springy material. The sensor is mounted within an space between a friction disc and pad assembly and a yoke, and has a tongue portion formed with a section adapted to rub on a rotating disc at an area disposed outside of the contact surface. When a friction pad is worn out to a predetermined thickness, the section rubs on the disc, emitting an audible warning sound to alert the driver that something is wrong and he should take appropriate action.

Abstract: A protective device for internal combustion engines and/or vehicles embodying same including means for detecting one or more abnormal conditions of a part of such engine or vehicle such as the temperature of a part, clutch slip, or excessive engine speed, and means activated by the detecting means for at least partially dethrottling the engine and optionally also declutching same and/or applying the brakes in the case of a vehicle.

Abstract: The circuit, which controls actuation of a clutch intermediate an electrical motor and a conveyor, is powered from a transformer which taps the power supply to the motor. The circuit contains a relay switch which is operable by a current sensor attached to the power supply line.

Abstract: A warning device for a lawn mower having a rotary blade driven from a motor through a centrifugal clutch and normally held stopped by a brake which is released by a deadman control. A clicker arm is pivoted to the clutch driver and spring-pressed toward engagement with the driven clutch drum so as to repeatedly strike a notch therein and sound a warning in the event the motor stops and thereby stops the driving clutch element while the brake is disengaged and allows the blade to spin from its own momentum. A centrifugal weight connected to the clicker arm retracts it when the clutch drive is operating normally.

Abstract: The arrangement indicates pad wear for brake shoes comprising a contact head embedded in the brake shoe and a socket connector adapted to be readily connected with the contact head with an electrical line leading from the socket connector to an indicating arrangement. When the worn brake shoe is to be replaced only the contact head which is embedded in the brake shoe is discarded. The socket connector can be reused after each replacement.

Abstract: A device for disconnectably linking a plurality of force producing or recing means such as a mechanical control system. The device comprises a coaxial array of a plurality of positive locking clutches, each clutch including two clutch halves. A single shaft passing through all clutch halves disengages and engages all clutches together as a motor connected thereto is actuated. The shaft is fail-safe spring loaded to the disengaged position, so that the spring will disengage all clutches if there is a power or motor failure.

Abstract: A disc clutch servo mechanism cylinder has a signal bore extending from the cylinder working chamber to atmosphere. In normal operating state a pin seals this bore. The pin extends into the chamber and when the clutch is worn the piston will come close to the cylinder bottom and push the pin outwards. This movement causes the pin to open an air passage from the chamber to atmosphere, whereby an acoustic signal indicates clutch wear.

Abstract: Providing a secondary frictional material between a primary frictional material and a backing plate for use in a clutch or brake system having a reaction member which operates in an oil bath, whereupon the consumption of the primary frictional material through contact with the reaction member allows contact between the secondary frictional material and the reaction member. The secondary frictional material is of a composition such that upon motion contact with a reaction member an audible sound is produced.

Abstract: A device particularly adapted to transmit torque to a lever operated hoist for moving a load and including a torque transmitting toggle linkage mechanism biased to an operative position for transmitting the torque required to move loads not exceeding a predetermined magnitude upon movement of the hoist input lever and moveable to an indicating position upon movement of the input lever against a load in excess of the predetermined value. In some embodiments the movement of the toggle linkage to its indicating position occurs suddenly as in a snap action and a stop is provided on the input lever for arresting the movement of the linkage to create an audible indication of the movement of an overload. In other embodiments, means are provided to disengage the device from the hoist upon movement of the linkage to its indicating position.

Abstract: A clutched fan drive for a vehicle engine is disclosed which couples the engine cooling fan to a member driven by the vehicle engine when the engine coolant temperature exceeds a predetermined level, and which uncouples the fan when the engine temperature level falls below the predetermined level. The fan drive includes a driving member which is rotatably mounted on a fixed spindle, a ram piston which is slidably mounted on the spindle, and a driven member which is rotatably mounted on the ram piston and which is movable therewith. The engine coolant fan is coupled to the driven member, and both the driven member and the driving member are provided with a clutching mechanism which is engaged by a resilient spring which acts against the ram piston.

Abstract: A device for automatically monitoring the clearance between a release bearing and release levers of a conventional clutch to thereby also monitor wear of the clutch and/or to monitor the clutch adjustment. The clutch has a clutch lever, and a clutch pedal is connected to the clutch lever by a linkage system. The monitoring device includes one member fixed to a clutch linkage system and another member operably connected to the clutch lever. The two members move relative to one another. The device includes an electric switch which is closed when the clutch lever has moved a pre-determined distance due to wear in the clutch and thus has moved the first and second members relative to one another. The switch, when closed, energizes a suitable signal lamp to signal wear of the clutch.

Abstract: For ensuring a safer and more satisfactory operation of a clutch system, clutch release clearance may be maintained constant by the integration into the system of a clearance adjuster. This adjuster may provide a warning when the clutch facing has undergone excessive wear.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and system for detecting brake wear in a metal forming machine having a ram operable by a rotative drive and further having a brake for stopping the ram. The amount of rotation of the drive for the machine is determined from the time of energization of the brake to the time of stopping of the ram by the brake. This determined amount of rotation is compared with a predetermined magnitude. An alarm is generated as the determined amount of rotation of the drive exceeds the predetermined magnitude, thereby indicating excessive brake wear. Further operation of the ram is then prevented upon the generation of an alarm. The specification further discloses a check system for checking the operation of various components of the detection system prior to detecting of the brake wear.