Input Pump And Rotary Output Motor System Having Displacement Varying Type Of Direction Or Speed Selector Patents (Class 60/487)
  • Patent number: 11801725
    Abstract: A control device for an oscillating axle suspension, in particular a front axle suspension, includes at least of one hydraulic accumulator device (10), a suspension device (12) and a proportional valve (14) having a valve piston (26). The proportional valve (14) is connected to the accumulator and suspension devices (10, 12) via fluid ports (16, 18, 20, 22). The valve piston (26) is actuatable by an electric motor (28), is longitudinally guided in a valve housing (24) of the proportional valve (14) and controls the fluid ports (16, 18, 20, 22) such that, in at least one functional position of the valve piston (26), the axle oscillation is provided while the suspension is blocked and, in at least one further second functional position of the valve piston (26), the suspension is provided while the axle oscillation is blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: HYDAC MOBILHYDRAULIK GMBH
    Inventors: Heinz-Peter Huth, Johannes Merscher
  • Patent number: 11793113
    Abstract: A transaxle with a brake of the present invention includes the braking device comprising a plurality of brake discs, fixing plates, and a brake operating member, wherein the brake discs have an inner gear tooth portion that can be fitted to an outer gear tooth portion of an output gear of the motor shaft so as not to rotate relative to the outer gear tooth portion and is slidably fixed in the axial direction of the motor shaft, wherein the fixing plates are fixed to the transaxle casing so as not to rotate relative to each other and are slidably fixed in the axial direction of the motor shaft, and wherein the brake operating member provides a predetermined gap between the fixing plates and the brake discs when the brake discs are not pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mai Terada, Koji Kiyooka
  • Patent number: 11639093
    Abstract: A transaxle system for a golf car, wherein the system comprises a transaxle and a mating interface. The transaxle comprises a plurality of mounting flanges fixedly mountable to at least one axle tube of the golf car, wherein the at least one axle tube houses at least one wheel axle, and the transaxle is operably couplable to the at least one wheel axle. The transaxle additionally comprising a transaxle mounting collar that is fixedly mounted to or integrally formed with a housing of the transaxle. The mating interface is mountable to the transaxle mounting collar, and is structured and operable to have an integrated internal combustion engine-transmission unit of the golf car mounted thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.
    Inventors: Zekarias W. Yohannes, Matthew Wilson, David A. Smith
  • Patent number: 11525446
    Abstract: A compressor and an air conditioner are provided. The compressor includes a main shaft, a first cylinder and a second cylinder. The main shaft sequentially passes through the first cylinder and the second cylinder and can rotate therein, to compress refrigerant entering the first cylinder and the second cylinder. The second cylinder has an inner cavity capable of receiving the main shaft. A volume variation control cavity in communication with the inner cavity is provided in a side wall of the inner cavity, and a sliding vane is provided inside the volume variation control cavity. The volume variation control cavity can be selectively connected to a gas inlet and a gas outlet of the compressor, to change gas pressure in the volume variation control cavity, and drive the sliding vane to abut against or be separated from the main shaft by the gas pressure in the volume variation control cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: GREEN REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER OF ZHUHAI GREE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanjun Hu, Hui Huang, Yusheng Hu, Huijun Wei, Ouxiang Yang, Peizhen Que, Yuanbin Zhai, Liu Xiang, Wang Miao
  • Patent number: 11505917
    Abstract: In embodiments, a work vehicle magnetorheological fluid (MRF) joystick system includes a joystick device. The joystick device includes, in turn, a base housing and a joystick, which is rotatable relative to the base housing and which is biased toward a joystick return position. An MRF joystick resistance mechanism is controllable to vary an MRF resistance force impeding movement of the joystick relative to the base housing, while a controller architecture is coupled to the MRF joystick resistance mechanism. The controller configured to: (i) selectively enable an operator adjustment of the joystick return position by a work vehicle operator; and (ii) when enabling the operator adjustment of the joystick return position, command the MRF joystick resistance mechanism to maintain the MRF resistance force at a predetermined level until the operator adjustment of the joystick return position is terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Brett S. Graham, Alex R. Vandegrift
  • Patent number: 11434995
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a transmission of a vehicle includes a processor configured to identify a location of a speed bump based on collected information about a specified section of a front road and determine whether the vehicle enters a section of the speed bump, and to set an oil pressure of the transmission to a first oil pressure in a normal driving section and set the oil pressure of the transmission to a second oil pressure when the vehicle enters the section of the speed bump, and a controller that controls the oil pressure of the transmission corresponding to a setting of the processor for each driving section of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kwang Hee Park, Sang Jun Park, Seung Jun Shin, Byeong Wook Jeon, Jae Chang Kook
  • Patent number: 11125328
    Abstract: An electric actuator assembly for controlling the output of a variable output drive device such as a hydraulic transaxle or pump having an output shaft connected to a swash plate for rotation thereof to control the output of the drive device. The output shaft is engaged to and driven by a control shaft of an electric actuator. The assembly includes a clamping coupler to connect and align the output shaft and the control shaft, thereby permitting use of the electric actuator with multiple drive device designs without the need to modify the control shaft of the drive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Patent number: 11092024
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for mitigating rotor bow at a turbine engine. The system includes a casing circumferentially surrounding a rotor assembly in which a heat pipe is attached to the casing and extended circumferentially around the rotor assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arvind Namadevan, Weize Kang, Hari Shankar Thakur, Arnab Sen, Mayur Ghawat
  • Patent number: 10982743
    Abstract: A rotary electrohydraulic actuator includes a direct drive hydraulic motor having an output shaft through opening that is concentric with a rotational axis of a rotor of the hydraulic motor. The actuator includes a power plant mounted on the hydraulic motor via a manifold. The power plant includes an electric motor driven hydraulic pump. Operation of the electric motor causes the hydraulic pump to supply pressurized fluid to the hydraulic motor. The power plant is compactly mounted to the manifold so that a longitudinal axis of the electric motor is parallel to and spaced apart from the rotational axis of the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Assignees: Bosch Rexroth Corporation, Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manik Kapoor, Royce Gerngross
  • Patent number: 10968863
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes: a crankshaft supported via a bearing; a balancer drive gear; a balancer shaft; and a one-way clutch mechanism that transmits to the crankshaft a drive force to start the internal combustion engine. In the internal combustion engine, the bearing includes an oil seal built therein, the oil seal sealing a crank chamber of the crankcase. The one-way clutch mechanism includes a case fixed to the crankshaft and a starter driven gear provided relatively rotatably with respect to the case and driven by the drive force. The starter driven gear includes a thrust bearing portion that abuts on the balancer drive gear in an axial direction of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryo Hatae, Masakazu Hoshino
  • Patent number: 10899221
    Abstract: A vent for a hydraulic drive device disposed in a housing includes a vent body having a closed first side, a second side having an opening, and a sidewall. An internal passageway in the vent body connects the second side opening to the atmosphere. The vent body is removably disposed in a vent opening in one of two positions. When the first side of the vent body is inserted into the vent opening, the closed first side prevents communication between the sump and atmosphere, and when the second side of the vent body is inserted into the vent opening, the internal passageway and the second side opening permit communication between the internal sump and atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 10753470
    Abstract: An electric actuator for controlling the output of a hydraulic drive device such as a transaxle or pump, including an adaptor to permit use of the actuator with multiple drive device designs without the need to modify the control shaft of the drive device. The actuator may include an offset arm disposed on a distal end of an output shaft, and a protrusion extending from the offset arm and offset from the axis of rotation of the control shaft of the drive device. A control arm is disposed on an end of the control shaft and includes a first opening to engage the control shaft and a second opening to receive the protrusion to enable the protrusion to cause rotation of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Patent number: 10724632
    Abstract: A return-to-neutral mechanism for a hydrostatic transmission configured to return a control member of a pump to neutral after the control member has been moved toward a forward or reverse position. The return-to-neutral mechanism includes a stop member mountable to a housing, a control arm for moving the control member, and a spring for engaging the control arm and stop member to bias and return the control arm to neutral after being released from forward or reverse positions. The stop member may have an opening for receiving a fastener for mounting to the housing, and the opening may be configured to permit adjustment of the stop member along at least two transverse directions to preload the spring at the neutral position. The control arm may have abutments for moving legs of the spring, and the abutments may have recessed and protruding portions for receiving and containing the spring legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Randall Thompson, Todd Link
  • Patent number: 10612652
    Abstract: A return to neutral (RTN) mechanism for a variable drive apparatus having a rotatable control shaft is provided. The RTN mechanism incorporates a neutral lockdown plate secured to the housing of the variable drive apparatus and disposed about the rotatable control shaft, a control arm fixed to the control shaft to impart rotation thereto, a single, rotatable return arm piloted upon a protective cover, and a pair of springs to bias the control shaft back to a neutral position from either a forward or reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Austin J. Templin
  • Patent number: 10422324
    Abstract: A wear ring for use in an integrated drive generator has a cylindrical body defining an axis and having a tab extending radially outwardly of an outer cylindrical surface of the cylindrical body. The tab has a radially outer point. A ratio of a first radius to the outer cylindrical surface from the axis to a second radius extending to the radially outer point from the axis is between 0.90 and 0.95. An integrated drive generator and a method are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Derek R. Hochstetler, Ted A. Martin, Duane C. Johnson, Glenn C. Lemmers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10364806
    Abstract: A pump barrel (70) for use in a hydrostatic pump assembly includes a barrel body (88) defining a plurality of piston bores (84) that receive a plurality of pistons moveable within the bores, and a porting face (74) that defines a plurality of ports (72) in fluid communication with the piston bores and providing fluid flow paths into and out from the barrel body. Each port (72) has a leading edge surface and a trailing edge surface relative to a direction of rotation of the pump barrel, said leading and trailing edge surfaces being oriented in a first direction (along line 6-6) at non-right angles relative to the porting face (74). Each port (72) has an inner edge surface (80) and an outer edge surface (82) relative to a radial direction of the pump barrel, said inner and outer edge surfaces (80,82) being oriented in a second direction (along line 9-9) comprising a tilt angle (90,92) relative to the porting face (74) that is different from the angles in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Dyminski
  • Patent number: 10018174
    Abstract: An axial-type hydraulic pump/motor in which a cylinder block with a plurality of cylinder bores formed around a rotation axis slides with respect to a valve plate that has a valve plate discharge port and a valve plate suction port, and controls the amount of reciprocation of a piston in each cylinder bore depending on the inclination of a swash plate. Based on the rotational direction of the cylinder block, an opening shape of an end portion on the front side in the rotational direction of a cylinder port and an opening shape of an end portion on the rear side in the rotational direction of the valve plate suction port PB1 have the same shape or partially have the same shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Iida, Hideaki Usami, Seiichi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9938966
    Abstract: A zero turn mower vehicle 10 includes left and right hydrostatic transmissions 11a, 11b driving wheels 15a, 15b. The transmissions 11a, 11b each include a swashplate type axial piston hydraulic pump 17 having a swashplate 22. A system 12 and method controls each pump 17. A controller 31 receives input signals and provides output signals to electric motors 33a, 33b to control each swashplate 22. Operator interface input devices 30a, 30b provide inputs to controller 31. Angle sensors 35a, 35b provide additional inputs to controller 31. Displacement amplifiers 36a, 36b amplify displacement of each swashplate 22, and torque amplifiers 34a, 34b amplify torque of electric motors 33a, 33b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: David Mark Heathcoat, Jr., Jason Lee Emmette, Roger Paul Gray, Somer Renee Malone, Kirk Ayres Lola, Kerry Todd Brock, Eli Cutshall
  • Patent number: 9903159
    Abstract: The method comprises the following operations: delivering a moving power to at least one linear actuator (1, 7) arranged to move a mast (5) mounted so as to swing with respect to a self-propelled structure (3) among a plurality of moving operating configurations; delivering an actuating power to a winch (8) which is supported by said self-propelled structure (3) and adapted to allow the winding or unwinding of a respective traction element which is constrained to a drilling assembly, in particular a bank of telescopic or kelly bars (12) to which a drilling tool can be associated; at least temporarily preventing a relative axial movement between said drilling assembly (12) and said mast (5) during the passage between at least two consecutive operating configurations; and automatically controlling the delivery of said moving power in a coordinated manner with the delivery of said actuating power when said axial movement is hindered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: SOILMEC S.P.A.
    Inventors: Bruno Bettini, Massimo Morellini
  • Patent number: 9879671
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly capable of precise control having a housing, a hydraulic mounting surface located in the housing, a cylinder block rotatably disposed on the hydraulic mounting surface, a motor shaft engaged to the cylinder block and supported proximate to a first end, a plurality of cooperating gears located in the housing and rotationally engaged to a second end of the motor shaft, an output shaft rotationally engaged to the plurality of cooperating gears, a speed sensor located proximate to one of the plurality of cooperating gears, wherein the speed sensor transmits a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the one of the plurality of cooperating gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael W. Taylor, Heath F. McCormick, Nathan W. Bonny, Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 9856969
    Abstract: A drive device having a shaft support structure located within its housing, such as an axle support structure for providing additional support to a pair of output axles under load. The axle support structure comprises at least one aperture sized to receive a bushing that may have a non-rotation feature. The housing may also include a shaft support structure for other shafts, such as a jackshaft of a gear reduction system disposed between a transmission and the driven output axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Joseph P. Niemerg
  • Patent number: 9835186
    Abstract: A hydraulic flushing system comprises a hydraulic machine including a case drain, a gearbox having a cavity, and a flushing valve. The case drain is included in a hydraulic pump or a hydraulic motor. The flushing valve is fluidly connected to the case drain, fluidly connected to the cavity, and fluidly positioned between the case drain and the cavity. The flushing valve is configured to selectively allow hydraulic fluid to flow from the case drain to the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Bradley C. Dauderman, Donald O. Johannsen, John R. Mahrenholz, Chris J. Schaub, Kyle S. Droessler, Brian J. Althoff, Todd R. Simms, Denis J. Roling
  • Patent number: 9765761
    Abstract: An electric actuator for use with a drive apparatus is disclosed herein. The electric actuator has a rotary design incorporating a position sensor disposed to engage the end of a control shaft. An electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position the control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. A slip clutch is disposed between the worm drive and spur gear reduction to protect the components of the reduction gear train, and to also place a limit on the torque applied to the control shaft. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector. The actuator gears may be integrated in a common sump with the drive apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ivan E. Fox, Austin J. Templin, Jesse L. Probst
  • Patent number: 9726269
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael L. Bennett
  • Patent number: 9664270
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission includes a pump running surface and a motor running surface connected by internal porting formed in a housing member. A valve is disposed in the housing and connects a sump formed by the housing and the internal porting. A trunnion includes a first arm engaged to a swash plate to rotate the swash plate to vary the output of the pump, and a second arm which rotates with the first arm, the second arm having an operative end that is capable of opening the valve to permit a hydraulic connection between the internal porting and the sump through the valve bore when the trunnion is rotated to a predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 9507350
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator control system for controlling the motion of a master actuator and at least one slave actuator may include an external supervisory computer for sending command signals. A hydraulic control system may be connected to the master actuator and the supervisory computer. The hydraulic control system may include a microprocessor and a master hydraulic control valve for controlling the flow of a pressurized fluid to the master actuator based on the command signals. The hydraulic actuator control system may include at least one slave actuator having at least one slave sensor connected to the microprocessor and having at least one slave control valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to the slave actuator. The slave control valve and the slave sensor may be controlled by the microprocessor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Eatonc Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin E. Alstrin, Peter Lauer, Bert W. Robb
  • Patent number: 9453519
    Abstract: A transaxle includes a hydrostatic transmission and an axle driven by the hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor fluidly connected to each other. The hydraulic pump has a pump shaft. The hydraulic motor has a motor shaft drivingly connected to the axle. The motor shaft has an axis extended slantwise from an axis of the pump shaft. The transaxle further includes a gear train for transmitting power from the motor shaft to the axle, and a gear locking system having a locking pawl. A gear of the gear train is adapted to engage with the locking pawl.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oscar H. Saldierna, Toshifumi Yasuda, Koji Iwaki, Katsumoto Mizukawa, Daisuke Murashima, Masaru Iida
  • Patent number: 9334938
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle with a bypass mechanism is disclosed, the transaxle having a center section engaged to a housing, an axial piston pump disposed on the center section and driven by an input shaft, and an axial piston motor disposed on the center section having a cylinder block engaged to a motor shaft. The pump is controlled by a swash plate having a pair of openings through which the input shaft and a bypass actuation rod pass. The bypass actuation rod has a cam formed on a first end that engages a block lift member. When the bypass actuation rod is rotated, the cam causes the block lift member to engage and lift the cylinder block of the axial piston motor off of the center section. A brake mechanism using brake puck disposed in a pocket formed in the center section is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Shane A. Deters
  • Patent number: 9243701
    Abstract: A power-split transmission for a traction drive includes a hydraulic power branch and a further power branch. In order to control a velocity, a displacement volume of a hydraulic pump of the hydraulic power branch is configured to be adjusted by a hydraulic actuating device. For the purpose of adjustment, a control pressure medium can be applied to the actuating device by a control valve. An additional pressure-control device is configured to be used to set a control pressure of the control pressure medium to a setpoint value which is dependent on a drive range of the transmission or of the traction drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Dana Rexroth Transmission Systems
    Inventors: Matthias Mueller, Walter Scandella, Steffen Mutschler
  • Patent number: 9194364
    Abstract: A direct drive wind turbine with a nacelle and a rotor including a hub, the nacelle and the hub connected in an interface region. The wind turbine includes a transport system for transporting hydraulic and/or pneumatic fluid from the nacelle into the hub. The transport system includes a rotary unit through which the fluid passes. A part of the rotary unit rotates in operation together with the hub. The rotary unit is positioned in the hub at a position distanced from the interface region facing away from the nacelle. Further disclosed are a transport system and a method of construction of such a direct drive wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Finn Kjaergaard, Jesper Munch
  • Patent number: 9021799
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly capable of precise control having a housing, a hydraulic mounting surface located in the housing, a cylinder block rotatably disposed on the hydraulic mounting surface, a motor shaft engaged to the cylinder block and supported proximate to a first end, a plurality of cooperating gears located in the housing and rotationally engaged to a second end of the motor shaft, an output shaft rotationally engaged to the plurality of cooperating gears, a speed sensor located proximate to one of the plurality of cooperating gears, wherein the speed sensor transmits a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the one of the plurality of cooperating gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael W. Taylor, Heath F. McCormick, Thomas J. Langenfeld, Nathan W. Bonny
  • Patent number: 8997480
    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, an input shaft extending from the housing and driven by the prime mover, a pump and motor disposed on a hydraulic mounting member in the housing, the pump driven by the input shaft and correspondingly driving the motor through porting formed in the hydraulic mounting member. The transmission further includes an internal reduction gear assembly driven by the output shaft of the motor, 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 of the transmission output shaft. Each end of the transmission output shaft drives an external reduction assembly supported in part by the frame of the vehicle, the external reduction assemblies powering at least a driven wheel of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael L. Bennett
  • Publication number: 20150075155
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a hydrostatic transmission and a casing incorporating the hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission includes a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor and a center section. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are attached to the center section that is formed therein with a fluid sump fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. At least a bottom portion of the center section is submerged in a fluid sump in the casing. A charge port for fluidly connecting the fluid sump to the fluid passage is open at the bottom portion of the center section in the fluid sump, The bottom portion of the center section is downwardly convex so as to have an apex at the lowest portion. The opening of the charge port is directed to the apex of the convex bottom portion of the center section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Daisuke MURASHIMA, Koji Iwaki, Toshifumi Yasuda, Katsumoto Mizukawa
  • Patent number: 8935920
    Abstract: A hydrostatic drive including a hydrostatic pump configured to supply a transmission fluid. The hydrostatic drive further includes an axle motor and a drum motor. The axle motor is configured to drive a set of traction wheels and the drum motor is configured to drive a drum. The hydrostatic drive also includes an axle drive line and a drum drive line. The axle drive line and the drum drive line are connected to the axle motor and the drum motor respectively to supply the transmission fluid. A manifold integrally connected to the hydrostatic pump to operatively couple the axle drive line and the drum drive line with the hydrostatic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Olson, Andrew R. Torkelson
  • Patent number: 8931268
    Abstract: An apparatus for accommodating fluid expansion and contraction within an axle housing or axle support structure of a hydrostatic transaxle is provided. A partitioning element separates the hydraulic fluid from an air chamber created at least partially by the partitioning element and the partitioning element extends around a portion of the axle and at least a portion of the partitioning element is movable along the longitudinal axis of the axle to expand the volume of the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8919116
    Abstract: A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Shane A. Deters
  • Publication number: 20140360175
    Abstract: Nozzle arrangement for fluid applications, in particular for a hydraulic circuit of a motor vehicle drive train. A nozzle body has a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end. The nozzle body has a first longitudinal section having a cylindrical outer circumference, which has a first outside diameter. The nozzle body has a blind hole starting from the first longitudinal end. In the region of the second longitudinal end, the nozzle body has a second longitudinal section having a second outside diameter, which is smaller than the first outside diameter. A third longitudinal section is formed between the first longitudinal section and the second longitudinal section. A substantially radially aligned nozzle bore connects the outer circumference of the third longitudinal section to the blind hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Alexander Kiehlneker, Elisabet Wagner, Christian Anzt
  • Patent number: 8893491
    Abstract: A drive module for a hydraulic hybrid vehicle includes two variable displacement over-center bent-axis hydraulic pump/motors with respective yokes that reside and pivot within a common fluid-filled case. The cylinder barrel of each pump/motor is connected to high pressure through fluid-conducting yoke legs, and is connected to low pressure through the fluid-filled case, which is connected by a port to a low pressure source. As a drivetrain for a vehicle, one pump/motor acts primarily as a pump driven by an engine and the other pump/motor acts primarily as a motor to propel the vehicle. A removable support structure facilitates installation to a variety of vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Administrator of the U.S. Environment Protection Agency
    Inventor: Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8893489
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an internal combustion engine, a first hydraulic pump/motor coupled with the internal combustion engine, and a second hydraulic pump/motor is coupled with at least one driven wheel of the vehicle. A clutch establishes a driving connection between the first hydraulic pump/motor and the internal combustion engine, and selectively interrupts the driving connection when disengaged. At least one vehicle accessory device is coupled to the first hydraulic pump/motor. The at least one vehicle accessory device is operable under power of the internal combustion engine when the clutch is engaged and the internal combustion engine is running, and the at least one vehicle accessory device is operable directly by the first hydraulic pump/motor operating in a motor mode when the clutch is disengaged, regardless of whether or not the internal combustion engine is running. A corresponding method of operating the vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: William Donohue
  • Patent number: 8887500
    Abstract: A hydraulic transaxle comprises a transaxle housing, an axle, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, a hydraulic circuit, and a pair of auxiliary pumps. The transaxle housing defines a fluid sump therein. The axle is supported by the transaxle housing. The hydraulic motor is disposed in the transaxle housing so as to drive the axle. The hydraulic pump is disposed in the transaxle housing so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic motor. The hydraulic circuit is disposed in the transaxle housing so as to fluidly connect the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor. The pair of auxiliary pumps are disposed in the transaxle housing so as to supply fluid from the fluid sump to outside of the transaxle housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kanenobu, Masaru Iida, Koji Iwaki, Shinya Sakakura
  • Patent number: 8875507
    Abstract: A control arm assembly connected with a hydraulic pump allows for the adjustment of pump displacement by turning a threaded adjustment rod clockwise or counter-clockwise to move a half nut connected with a control rod vertically up or down in a slot of an arm to the desired set point. The half nut has a partial thread that engages the thread of the adjustment rod to control the vertical movement. The design allows for the positive repeatable finite adjustment of the half nut with minimal backlash that reduces the difficulty of the setting process in labor and assembly time. Once the desired set point has been met the adjustment rod is clamped tight to the second arm by tightening the nut against the notch to lock up the assembly to prevent any movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Nichols, David V. Rotole
  • Publication number: 20140305091
    Abstract: Provided is a hydrostatic transmission including a pump/motor module having a reservoir housing and a hydraulic pump and motor disposed in the reservoir housing, and a speed reduction module having a speed reduction housing coupled to the reservoir housing and a speed reduction assembly disposed in the speed reduction housing. The speed reduction assembly includes an input member driven by the output shaft of the hydraulic motor, an output member rotationally connected to the input member by one or more belts/chains, and an axle shaft driven by rotation of the output member. By providing the speed reduction assembly in a separate housing from the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing, the speed reduction assembly is isolated from the hydraulic fluid thereby preventing particulates from the speed reduction assembly from entering the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Tholan Crosby, Jason Lee Emmette, David Mark Heathcoat, JR., Jason Scot Richardson
  • Patent number: 8857171
    Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transmission including a reservoir housing having at least two openings, wherein a pre-assembled motor module can be received in one of the openings for closing the opening, and a cover can be attached to the other opening for closing the opening. As a result, the motor can be mounted at a left or right side opening depending on which side of a zero-turn-radius mower or other vehicle the transmission is being mounted, and because the transmission is modular, the design provides for ease of service of both the hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew Herman Simon
  • Publication number: 20140290236
    Abstract: There is provided a working machine which is capable of vehicle speed control through accelerator pedal operation even during execution of work under a condition where engine rotational speed is maintained constant. The working machine has the normal mode for exercising vehicle speed control by controlling engine rotational speed on the basis of the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal and by controlling the swash plate of the EST pump on the basis of the engine rotational speed, and the attachment mode for exercising vehicle speed control by controlling the swash plate of the HST pump on the basis of the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal irrespective of engine rotational speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tsutomu AIZAWA, Makoto NOGUCHI
  • Patent number: 8820066
    Abstract: A steerable transaxle for a vehicle is disclosed. The transaxle employs a single hydraulic pump connected to two opposing hydraulic motors through a hydraulic circuit and steerable hub assemblies located at opposite ends of the housing. The hydraulic motors are offset at an angle so the central section of the transaxle is positioned out of the path of the turning wheels. A single brake puck may be employed to brake both hydraulic motors. An internal return-to-neutral mechanism having dual tines in order to maintain constant contact with a swash plate and nullify dead band effects is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Patent number: 8820067
    Abstract: The invention relates to a variable displacement hydraulic machine, in particular for a motor vehicle, said hydraulic machine comprising a rotating cylinder (10) including a series of axial pistons (12) connected to a first plate (14) axially located on one side of said cylinder within a substantially transverse plane, the slope of which can be controlled, so as to form a first controllable displacement for said machine, wherein said machine is characterized in that the cylinder (10) further comprises a second series of axial pistons (22) connected to a second plate (24), the slope of which is also controllable, said plate being axially located, relative to the first plate (14), on the other side of said cylinder so as to form a second controllable displacement for said machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Technoboost
    Inventor: Pierre Gauthier
  • Patent number: 8806864
    Abstract: A transmission comprises a casing, an output element, a hydrostatic stepless transmission unit (HST) and a forward/backward traveling direction selecting unit (reverser). The output element is supported by the casing. The HST is disposed in the casing so as to be driven by a drive source disposed outside of the casing. The HST includes a pump shaft and a motor shaft member. The pump shaft is drivingly connected to the drive source. The motor shaft member is fitted around the pump shaft coaxially to the pump shaft so as to be rotatable relative to the pump shaft, thereby constituting a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor centered on the pump shaft and the motor shaft member. An axially distal end of the motor shaft member is disposed on the axially proximal side of an axially distal end of the pump shaft so that axial ends of the pump shaft are the axially most distal ends of the HST in the axial direction of the pump shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mgf. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Koji Iwaki
  • Patent number: 8793990
    Abstract: A drive apparatus having a motor running surface formed on a first side of a center section and a thrust spacer mounted on the center section opposite the motor running surface. A motor cylinder block is rotatably disposed on the running surface and drives a motor shaft. A gear train including an output gear fixed on the motor shaft translates motion to the output axles. The drive mechanism may also include a brake having a stationary pin adjacent to a first face of a gear, a brake stator positioned on a second face of the gear opposite the first face and capable of bearing against the gear, a brake rotor having an inner gear form that engages the teeth of a second gear; and a brake puck capable of bearing against the brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Ryan S. Buescher, Scott W. Keller
  • Publication number: 20140196449
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive circuit using a variable displacement bi-directional pump with two (2) two speed motors enabling drive torque variation as required compensating for a changing load distribution on a machine encountering varying weight distributions at the two drives resulting from operating on slopes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Inventor: Gerry Petty
  • Patent number: 8733091
    Abstract: In a vehicle having an engine, crankshaft and pump assembly in an engine housing, the pump assembly includes a pair of rotatable pumps located in the engine housing and engaged to respective cradle bearing supports. A single pump shaft driven by the crankshaft has an axis of rotation parallel to that of the crankshaft, and engages and drives both rotatable pumps. The pump assembly also includes a first support plate on which one of the rotatable pumps is disposed and a second support plate on which the other of the rotatable pumps is disposed, and both cradle bearing supports are disposed between the first support plate and the second support plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Michael L. Bennett, Raymond Hauser