Abstract: A monitoring and control system for a tractor having a power-take-off (PTO) shaft comprises inductive sensors (9, 11) associated with toothed wheels (8, 10) on the input and output shafts respectively of a PTO gearbox (5). Each type of PTO shaft will carry a toothed wheel having a different number of teeth, and thus the ratio between the frequencies of the signals generated by the sensors (9, 11) is indicative of the type of PTO shaft and the ratio engaged in the PTO gearbox. This information can then be displayed on a control/monitoring unit (14) and also used to automatically control the engagement rate of a PTO clutch (6).

Abstract: A shift mechanism position sensor for a transfer case or transmission includes a plurality of Hall effect sensors disposed adjacent a ferrous, metallic plate having a plurality of apertures arranged to provide multi-bit binary signals in gray code. The metallic plate is secured to an internal component such as a shift control rod of the transfer case or transmission and translates bi-directionally adjacent the Hall effect sensors. Data coded in numerous distinct three or four bit binary numbers provides high resolution of the position of the shift mechanism, shift fork and associated clutch. Many four wheel drive motor vehicle transfer cases include a gear reduction assembly which provide direct and reduced speed drives. Such gear selection is often achieved by an electronic control system and it is important to provide information regarding the actual physical position of such gear selection mechanism to the control system.

Abstract: The detection device engages with a selector rod able to move in axial translation and in angular rotation to select the row of the gear and engage/disengage the gear in a vehicle gearbox. The detection device comprises a rotary sensor provided with an activating member and able to output a signal correlated with the angular position of the activating member, and a motion conversion device interposed between the activating member and the selector rod and able to convert the movements of both translation and rotation of the selector rod into a rotation of the activating member. The motion conversion device comprises a supporting part fixed on the selector rod and having a cam defining a striker surface extending along a portion of a helix, and a follower fixed on the activating member and having a contact portion able to slide along the aforesaid striker surface.

Abstract: A transmission shifting mechanism (10) and position sensor assembly. The shifting mechanism includes a member (32) of known flux-conducting or flux-insulating properties movable therewith, which will variably extend (42, 44, 46) into an electric coil (36), which is periodically charged and then allowed to discharge. The rate of discharge is variable with the position of the member in the coil and, thus, provides a signal indicative to mechanism condition (H, N, L).

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a manual transmission and means for indicating to the operator a point in operation for upshifting to the next higher gear from the present gear. A method of determining the shift point is provided based upon actual operating parameters of the motor vehicle effecting current wheel torque and predicted wheel torque in the next higher gear. Calibration to a single value representing the ratio of predicted wheel torque to current wheel torque allows simple balancing between fuel economy and performance.

Abstract: A transmission includes a plurality of shift rails, each of which is axially movable forwardly and rearwardly from a center neutral position to respective gear engaging positions. The lower shift rails are provided for manual shifting among the lower gear ratios of the transmission. The highest shift rail is provided for selective manual or automatic shifting among the highest two gear ratios of the transmission. An idler rail is disposed adjacent to the highest shift rail. For manual shifting, the idler rail is connected to the highest shift rail, and a manually operable shift lever is used to move both the idler rail and the highest shift rail. For automatic shifting, the idler rail is disconnected from the highest shift rail, and an automatic shift member is moved into cooperation with the highest shift rail. Rotation of the automatic shift shaft causes corresponding movement of the automatic shift member.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for indicating transmission operating mode based upon actual operating mode as determined by the transmission controller. The apparatus receives input signals from the PRNODDL switch of the electronically controlled automatic transmission in addition to pressure switch and speed data to determine and confirm transmission operating mode. The signals are processed by the automatic transmission controller and communicated to the instrument cluster for displaying transmission operating mode.

Abstract: A display device for use on a multi-speed (multi-gear) bicycle, which indicates the currently selected bicycle gear. The device interfaces directly with a gear changing cable. In one embodiment, a toothed rack is attached to a section of cable running along the bicycle frame. A pinion, attached to a cylindrical indicator meshes with the rack. In an embodiment for remote mounting, a slave cable is attached to the gear changing cable to transmit the motion of the gear changing cable to the remote location.

Abstract: A neutral sensing assembly for a multiple shift rail (60B, 62B, 64B) shift bar housing assembly (70) is provided. The neutral sensing assembly utilizes a single two-position sensing (112, 114) and a relatively simply shaped neutral sensing bar (104) extending generally transverse to the axes (80, 82, 84) of the shift rails and interacting with neutral sensing notches (60C, 62C, 64C) for displacing the neutral sensing bar (FIG. 4 and 6) sufficiently to actuate the sensing upon axial displacement of any of the shift rails sufficient to cause the transmission (10) to be engaged in a not neutral condition.

Abstract: An indicating system for an automatic motor vehicle transmission is described which includes second indicating elements in addition to first indicating elements for indicating a preselected driving step. The second indicating elements, particularly during a semi-automatic operating mode of the motor vehicle transmission with a manual preselection of the gear steps, displays an actually shifted gear step. The first and second indicating elements are advantageously arranged in two vertical parallel rows in an indicating instrument of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A level indicator for a disk harrow or the like having a motorized on-the-go leveling adjustment. A small diameter flexible cable is attached to the spring retainer which bears against one end of the coil spring on an adjustable link structure located between pivoting hitch structure and the adjustable ground wheels. The opposite end of the cable is attached to a slide which is free to move vertically in a bracket fixed to the motor mounting bracket. The weight of the slide maintains tension on the cable and as the motor is activated to move the spring retainer relative to the motor mounting bracket, the cable moves the slide vertically to provide an indication of the leveling adjustment. The consistent relationship between the spring retainer and the motor bracket at a given adjustment position provides an easy to read indication even though the entire leveling system may be moving relative to the machine frame.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting a position of a table, the table moves along a first track having a target position located within a predetermined range. The position detecting apparatus has a movable member and a detecting mechanism. The movable member is movable along a second track. The detecting mechanism detects the movable member when it reaches a predetermined point on the second track. The detecting apparatus further has a transmission mechanism for transmitting the movement of the table to the movable member. The transmission mechanism transmits the movement of the moving object to the movable member at a first transmission ratio moving distance of the movable member/moving distance of the table when the table passes within the predetermined range on the first track, and at a second transmission ratio smaller than the first transmission ratio when the table passes outside the predetermined range on the first track.

Abstract: An acoustic emission sensor comprising a piezoelectric material that is integral with a tooling or machine element in which acoustic emissions are to be sensed.

Abstract: A transmission system (10) including a control display (2, 302) is provided. The control display comprised of three sections, a currently engaged gear ratio section (2'") a maximum permissible consecutive upshift indicating section (2') and a maximum permissible consecutive downshift indicating section (2"). The central processing unit (38) includes circuitry and logic rules to process input signals to determine the currently permissible gear ratios and will indicate said gear ratios, in the form of maximum permissible upshifts and downshifts, at said display. The central processing unit also includes circuitry and logic rules to sense the existence of a fault condition, to assign a predetermined code ("18") thereto and to issue command output signals to the display to cause the second and third sections to assume a fault condition indicating display and to cause said first section to display to assigned code.

Abstract: A control display (2) for a transmission is provided. The display includes a first section (2'") displaying the current engaged ratio, a second section (2') displaying permissible upshifts and a third section (2") displaying permissible downshifts.

Abstract: In a bearing arrangement of a differential casing of a differential transmission in an axle transmission light metal casing of a motor vehicle, a bearing intermediate sleeve is inserted in a bearing eye of the axle transmission casing so that it cannot move. An axle journal of the differential casing is supported by a conical roller bearing on the bearing intermediate sleeve and one shaft end of a driven shaft of the differential gear is supported by a shaft bearing in the bearing intermediate sleeve. In order to achieve a compact and light structure despite high bearing forces, provision is made for the axle transmission casing to consist of aluminum and to be formed integrally with the bearing eye. The bearing intermediate sleeve also consists of aluminum and a rolling contact bearing is used for the associated shaft bearing.

Abstract: An engine idling speed sensing system (34) is provided. System (34) includes circuitry (26) having memory portion (31) and is operative to receive a transmission signal (24); clutch signal (20); throttle signal (21); and engine speed signal (16), and process them and store the result in memory portion (31) according to their respective conditions to provide a stored idling speed value which can be used as a reference point for control for example of a clutch member (4) for enabling smooth engagement of change gears of an automatic transmission (6).

Abstract: Provided is a transmission gear change shift bar housing assembly (100) that features a pair of shift bars (18, 24) respectively slidably disposed within bores (7, 9) in a housing (4) that are respectively attached to pistons (14, 22) that respectively define fluid pressurizable chambers (A, B and D) with chambers (A) and (D) being in fluid communication with each other in conjunction with and end housing (38) having an enlarged fluid pressurizable chamber (C) containing an enlarged piston (42) engagable with piston (14) and a fluid pressurizable chamber (E) in fluid communication with piston (22) such that selective pressurization of one or more of chambers (A, B, C, D and E) is able to move shift bar (18) between a neutral position (N) and two axial displaced positions (P.sub.1, P.sub.

Abstract: A compact, six-degree-of-freedom motion detecting system includes a hollow spherical motion input member adapted to be grasped by an operator, and a decoupling cube disposed within the motion input member and restrained against appreciable motion by a support shaft extending into the motion input member and secured at its opposite ends to the cube and a rigid base. Six translational motion sensors, each spaced outwardly from one of the cube side surfaces, are disposed within the motion input member and movably mounted on the cube by a support rod system. Each of the sensors includes a central longitudinal section of one of six flexible, fluid-filled tubes, the opposite end portions of each tube being extended outwardly through the motion input member and operatively connected to the inlets of one of six differential pressure transducers.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an apparatus for converting mechanical quantities, such as mechanical force, into an electrical signal by a mechanism which minimizes explosion possibilities. The mechanism includes a transmission rod which passes through a circular passageway in a wall that separates the mechanical and electrical sections of the apparatus, the transmission rod being tiltable within the passageway to transmit mechanical movement to the electrical section of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a preferred position for mounting an antilock control system that uses a single wheel speed sensor. The wheel speed sensor is mounted to sense speed of rotation of the main differential gear in a differential gear assembly and generates a wheel speed signal indicative of the average rate of rotation of at least two wheels of the vehicle. The sensing point is beyond the final reduction in gear ratios so as to eliminate any need to accommodate different axle ratios. The preferred mounting position also reduces velocity fluctuations caused by oscillations of the truck driveline. A microprocessor controller is mounted in close proximity to the wheel speed sensor so as to minimize the length of sensor leads and, hence, the susceptibility of the antilock controller to electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A two-speed power-take-off drive for a tractor is disclosed which includes an assembly for sensing and indicating the PTO shaft speed to an operator in the tractor cab. The speed of the PTO shaft is a function of which end thereof is inserted into the drive sleeve, which determines the extent of its penetration into the drive sleeve. A speed indicator arrangement is provided which includes a sensing rod whose movement is controlled by the extent of penetration of the PTO shaft into the drive sleeve. The sensing rod is operative to activate or inactivate an electrical switch. The electrical input condition of the switch serves as an input to the tractor instrument cluster in the tractor cab to indicate the selected PTO shaft speed.

Abstract: A shifting timing indicating system for a vehicle includes a control circuit having an engine rpm sensor for detecting the engine rpm and a rpm comparator which receives the output of the engine rpm sensor and determines whether the engine rpm exceeds a preset value. The control circuit outputs a shift-up signal when the engine rpm exceeds the preset value. A shift-up indicator receives the shift-up signal from the control circuit and makes a shift-up display to direct the operator of the vehicle to shift up. An acceleration detecting circuit detects the rate of increase in engine load and the shift-up indicator is inhibited from making the shift-up display for a predetermined time interval which is extended with increase in the rate of increase in engine load.

Abstract: A gear rattle detector is adapted for use with a gear set having meshing drive and driven gears. The gear rattle detector comprises a magnetic pick-up including a base, a first arm extending from the base and defining a north magnetic pole, a second arm extending from the base and defining a south magnetic pole, and a coil wound around the base. The poles are spaced sufficiently such that they span the root circles of the gears.

Abstract: An improved transmission mechanism for an off the road vehicle including a primary and an auxiliary transmission and a shifting interlock for precluding shifting of the auxiliary transmission into reverse when the primary transmission is in high gear. The interlock includes a simple, single straight link.

Abstract: A shift rod position indicator system for an automotive vehicle transmission includes a plurality of position sensors fixed to the housing of the transmission and actuating means moved by shift rods in proximity to the sensors which generate an electrical signal according to the displacement of the shift rod during the shifting operation, the electrical signal corresponding with initial and full engagement of the gear, the signal being maintained over the extent of gear engagement to provide an electronic control circuit with information so as to permit the synchronized operation of clutches to effect a semi-automatic gear change.

Abstract: An overdrive transmission for a motor vehicle has a housing with a rotatably mounted driving shaft and a rotatably mounted driven shaft. A planetary gear device is used to transmit power from the driving shaft to the driven shaft. In two of the illustrated embodiments, when the transmission is in the direct drive mode the planet gear carrier of the planet gear device is allowed to rotate and is engaged with the driven shaft by a clutch for power transmission at a 1:1 ratio, and when in the overdrive mode the planet gear carrier is prevented from rotation by another clutch and is disengaged from the driven shaft for power transmission to the driven shaft through the planetary gears of the planetary gear device at an increased gear ratio.

Abstract: A shift-up indicating system for manual speed change gears of an automobile transmission wherein preset values are respectively provided for the speed of the automobile, the engine speed of the engine and the vacuum pressure of the engine to determine a region of running conditions which can provide a good fuel consumption for every shift position of the speed change gears such that when a driver selects one of the predetermined gear positions of the speed change gears, if the condition of fuel consumption is brought out of the determined region, then an indication is given to the driver by an illuminating indicator to thereby urge the driver to shift up the speed change gears to a higher gear.

Abstract: A four speed, constant mesh transmission includes an input and an output shaft with four pairs of driver and driven gears respectively spaced on the two shafts. A pair of gear couplings are slidably disposed on the output shaft and splined for rotation therewith. Each gear coupling is selectively moved along the shaft for engagement with one of the driven gears by means of a pair of shift forks respectively engaged with the gear couplings. The two shift forks are slidably disposed on a guide rail which extends parallel to the input and output shafts of the transmission. Each shift fork includes a solenoid lock which may be selectively engaged with the guide rail for preventing sliding movement of the shift fork with respect thereto.

Abstract: A fluid actuated shift bar housing assembly for a change gear transmission wherein the shift bars are biased to an axially centered neutral position by constant fluid pressure in a constantly pressurized chamber and are selectively axially moved to an axially displaced gear engaged position by selective pressurization of a selectively pressurized chamber. A detent mechanism is provided for retaining the shift bars in the displaced positions thereof, said detent providing a resistance to axial movement of the shift bars having a smaller axial magnitude than the axial centering bias of the constant fluid pressure.

Abstract: A device for producing a shift instruction has three threshold switches (6, 7, 12) which are dependent on the rpm (speed of rotation). The first threshold shift (6) is connected via an AND gate (5) to an upshift signal indicator (9). This AND gate is conductive only when the gas pedal (1) is depressed less than 20% and the speed threshold of the first threshold transmitter (6) is reached. If the gas pedal (1) is depressed further, the upshift signal indicator (9) only lights up when the speed threshold of the third threshold switch, namely the maximum permissible speed of rotation is reached. The downshift signal indicator (11) lights up when the speed of rotation of the engine drops below the threshold of the second threshold switch (7). By this development shift instructions are given which sufficiently take into account the engine power of the vehicle without the necessity of measuring this engine power.

Abstract: In an apparatus for detecting neutral state of a manual transmission for motor vehicles, a first and a second recess are provided which are movable with a first and a second shift rod, respectively. A swingable arm is provided which is arranged to be disposed in engagement with both the first and second recesses only when both the first and second shift rods are in their neutral positions. A switch means is provided which is arranged to be closed when the arm is disposed in engagement with both the first and second recesses, and opened when the arm is disposed out of engagement with first and second recesses.

Abstract: A gear shift mechanism for providing a vehicle operator with a "feel" of a desired gear change being completed in a power operated gear unit. A drum disc connected to the gear shift lever is formed with a recess in which a locking pin of an actuator valve is engageable when the gear shift lever is operated to a shift position, thereby limiting further movement of the gear shift lever. A sensor device associated with the gear unit detects completion of the gear change and operates the actuator to retract the locking pin from the recess to allow further movement of the gear shift lever, as an indication to the vehicle operator that the intended gear change is completed, so that he may engage the clutch and apply gas.

Abstract: A system for detecting the state of a gear box. Sliding gear selector rods control gear shift forks, and carry notches into which bars may fall. Each of such bars actuates an electrical device for emitting a binary bit. All of the binary bits together form a coded element the reading of which is made with reference to a binary standard to determine the position of the selector rods, which in turn determines the gear ratio or state of the gear box.