Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle four wheel drive torque transfer case having a friction clutch which is selectively engaged when it is desired to place the transfer case in a four wheel drive operating mode. The transfer case includes an input shaft which is connected to supply torque to a rear output shaft. A multi-disc friction clutch is connected between the input shaft and a front output shaft for supplying torque to the front output shaft. A planetary gear assembly includes a sun gear, a carrier a planet carrier connected to the input shaft, and a ring gear coupled to drive the front output shaft. The multi-disc clutch is interposed between the sun gear and the ring gear and is engaged to inhibit any rotation of the planet carrier relative to the ring gear and thereby transfer torque to the front output shaft. The planetary gear assembly functions as a .sctn.'torque multipler" and this reduces the torque capacity requirements for the clutch.

Abstract: An internal disconnect mechanism for a planetary gear differential permits operation in either an engaged mode, wherein a driving connection is provided therethrough, and in a disengaged mode, wherein no driving connection is provided. The differential includes a case which is rotatable about an axis having first and second spur gears disposed therein, each adapted to be connected to an output shaft for rotation therewith. A first plurality of planetary gears mounted for rotation within the case mesh with the first spur gear and are axially immovable. A second plurality of planetary gears mounted for rotation within the case mesh with the second spur gear. Unlike the first planetary gears, however, the second planetary gears are axially movable between engaged and disengaged positions. In the engaged position, each of the second planetary gears meshes with a corresponding one of the first planetary gears. Thus, the differential functions in a normal manner.

Abstract: A bifurcated variable ratio drive transmission employs a pair of series connected differential gear stages. In a fist stage, torque flow from the engine output shaft is bifurcated into major and minor flow branches; in the second stage, the branches are combined. An engine output shaft drives an input ring gear of the first stage with the ring gear engaging a plurality of stepped planet gears. The planet gears in turn, drive both a sun gear of the first stage and a transfer ring gear. A major portion of torque flow is transmitted to the second stage through the transfer ring gear while a minor portion of torque flow passes from the sun gear of the first stage to the sun gear of the second stage. The transfer ring gear is fixed to a carrier to which are mounted pairs of radially spaced interengaged planet gears.

Abstract: A front axle drive assembly is disclosed which requires less lateral distance than known prior art assemblies. The drive is preferably for use in four wheel drive vehicles having an offset differential case. In such systems, the differential case is offset toward one side from the vehicle center line to accommodate the engine at the center line. An axle half on the offset side thus has reduced lateral space. The invention includes the use of a planetary system, requiring relatively little lateral space to split torque toward the two front wheels, thus providing additional lateral space for the axle half on the offset side. A constant velocity universal joint mounted between the planetary drive and the offset side axle half is received within the differential case. The lateral space savings resulting from the use of the planetary system allows the offset side axle half to be longer, providing benefits to the vehicle suspension system.

Abstract: A four-wheel drive system comprises a first drive train that is mechanically engageable for transmitting a driving force from an engine to a set of front wheels and a second drive train that is provided with a viscous coupling for transmitting a driving force from the engine to a set of rear wheels by way of the viscous coupling. The second drive train is constructed so as to satisfy the relation that the speed of rotation of an input shaft of the viscous coupling divided by the speed of rotation of the front wheels is larger than the result of the speed of rotation of an output shaft of the viscous coupling divided by the speed of rotation of the rear wheels.

Abstract: A drive transmission which is particularly suitable for ship propulsion, comprises nested, contra rotating propeller shafts which in one example are driven by a single input shaft and which transmits contra rotating drives to the shafts via respective planet carriers. Particular advantages are the equal division of torque between the shafts and the enabling of location of thrust bearings and in positions which are easy of access.

Abstract: An interaxle differential includes a central drive member that continuously connects an input shaft with a first output shaft, a clutch disk normally connecting the central drive member with a second output shaft, a rotational velocity responsive device operable from a deactivated position to an activated position for disengaging the clutch disk when the second output shaft overruns the first output shaft by a given value, a fail safe device for biasing the velocity responsive device toward its deactivated position, a first device for displacing the velocity responsive device toward the activated position, and an override device for selectively disengaging the clutch disk. In a second embodiment, the rear clutch disk is operable by the operator to disconnect the interaxle differential from the first output shaft, thereby to avoid the trapping of torque within the interaxle differential when the vehicle is maneuvered downhill in a turn.

Abstract: A differential includes a planet gear through which two shafts coupled to laterally spaced road wheels of a motor vehicle are interconnected. The planet gear has a rotatable shaft with a brake mechanism coupled thereto. A braking force produced by the brake mechanism is transmitted through the differential to the road wheels depending on the rotational speeds of the road wheels. The brake mechanism may include either a turbine for producing a resistive force upon rotation thereof or a hydraulic damper comprising a hydraulic pump and a variable restriction.

Abstract: A limited slip differential that uses worms and worm wheels, wherein two or more groups of worm wheels are rotated on a planetary carrier without using a spur gear which has heretofore been employed to mesh the worms with each other. An even-numbered of worm wheels are provided, and pinions are respectively connected to the worm wheels in such a manner that the pinions are alternately disposed at either one or the other of the axial ends of each of the worm wheels. The arrangement provides that the worm wheels are alternately in engagement with a pair of internal gears coupled to respective differential rotary shafts through the pinions.

Abstract: A dual counterrotating propeller drive mechanism for a marine propulsion system incorporates a torque splitting device which consists of a differential gear means and a ratio gear means. The torque splitting device assigns a selectable fixed fraction of the engine torque to each propeller regardless of power, thrust, and speed conditions. The rear one of the two propellers adjusts its rotational speed relative to the front propeller in response to changes in the front propeller's wake and in this way maintains optimum propulsive efficiency over a wide range of operating conditions. Furthermore, precise matching of front and rear propeller parameters for a given application is no longer required.

Abstract: A gear system for driving a pair of rotary loads, such as a pair of helicopter rotors operating in ambient air, with a single rotary input comprises a planetary gear train, the sun gear of which is driven by the rotary input, and the planetary gear carrier and annulus gear of which respectively drive the loads via output shafts coupled thereto by suitable first and second coupling means, respectively. Where rotary outputs of substantially equal torque are desired, as where the rotors are of like dimension, one of the output couplings further comprises speed-reduction gearing and/or means for driving an auxiliary unit with the second output. An idler gear is further employed where the rotors are to rotate in opposite directions.

Abstract: A mechanical differential is disclosed. The mechanical differential comprises first, second and third ring gears, each having inner and outer surfaces, and first and second planet gears and two carrier rods. The first and second planet gears and first and second carrier rods are disposed within the ring gears. The first and second planet gears are engaged with the inner surface of the first ring gear. The mechanical differential further comprises two sets of planet gears, each of the sets including third and fourth planet gears. One of the sets is rotatably disposed on a third carrier rod and the other of the sets is rotatably disposed on a fourth carrier rod. The two sets of third and fourth planet gears are engaged respectively with the second and third planet gears. The two third output planet gears are further engaged with the inner surface of the second output ring gear and the two fourth planet gears are further engaged with the inner surface of the third ring gear.

Abstract: A regular motorcycle, particularly of the type having a shaft driven rear wheel, is provided with a modified and simplified structure of a differential gear allowing a quick change from a single rear wheel mode to a double rear wheel mode, eliminating the need for an expensive differential gear lock mechanism and thus reducing the cost of production while at the same time simplifying the changeover from one mode to the other.