Abstract: A method for welding torque converter blades to an impeller housing by laser beam welding includes forming the blades with a tab fitted within a recess formed in the impeller housing such that the blade tab stands clear of the adjacent surfaces of the housing by the width of an air gap. A laser beam is directed onto an adjacent surface of the housing a short distance from an edge of the housing adjacent a blade tab to be welded to the housing. A laser beam, whose axis is inclined with respect to the recess, strikes a surface of the housing adjacent the tab. The welding gun is energized with electrical power and the welding beam is moved parallel to the blade tab at a predetermined speed consistent with the power. The blade tab is welded to the housing without the use of filler material and the housing is rotated with respect to its longitudinal axis to bring successive blade tabs into position for welding.

Abstract: A system in which several colors of the spectrum are selectable to be displayed having common polarity and with high contrast against a black background, utilizing liquid crystal cells along with linear and color polarizers disposed along an optical axis so that comparable results in either reflective or transmissive modes are achieved, with appropriate light sources.

Abstract: A tractor transmission includes a pair of dual power clutches that connects an engine to an input shaft through a gearset that selectively makes a direct connection or overdrives the input shaft in accordance with the stat of the clutches. Two nonsynchronized couplers connect the input shaft in accordance with the movement of the gear shift lever by the vehicle operator to high speed and low speed forward gear ratios and to a reverse drive mechanism. Hydraulically actuated disk clutches located in the driveline between the couplers and the drive wheels are selectively operated to transmit power through a multiple speed ratio gearset. A friction clutch or torque converter transmits power from the power source to the input of the dual power clutches. A hydraulically-actuated brake holds a gear and countershaft, located between the couplers and the dual power clutches. A clutch pedal is depressed by the operator.

Abstract: A continually variable transmission includes a fluid coupling having an impeller driven from a power source and a turbine adapted to be driven hydrodynamically from the impeller or to be connected mechanically to the impeller by a lockup clutch. The turbine drives the shaft on which a sprocket wheel of a constant speed ratio chain drive mechanism and a sheave of a variable ratio belt drive mechanism are rotatably carried. The output sprocket of the chain drive mechanism is connected through a regeneration mode clutch to the ring gear of a dual planetary gearset. The output sheave of the belt drive mechanism is connected directly to the sun gear of the planetary gearset or through a first mode clutch to the carrier of the gearset, on which the first and second sets of planetary pinions are rotatably mounted. The reverse brake selectively holds the ring gear to produce reverse drive. The transmission accelerates the vehicle from rest by disengaging the regeneration clutch and engaging the first mode clutch.

Abstract: A manual valve alternately connects a source of regulated line pressure to a forward drive passage and to a reverse drive passage. A shift valve alternately connects these passages to an input port of a coast clutch valve in accordance with the state of a solenoid-operated valve. A control port of the coast clutch shift valve is pressurized either from a manual valve, when the gear is selected manually by the vehicle operator, or from the source of variable pressure control by operation of a variable force solenoid. In accordance with the control pressure, the coast clutch shift valve either connects its input to a line connected to the coast clutch or vents the input to a drain passage in the shift valve.

Abstract: A multiple forward speed automatic transmission produces its lowest forward speed ratio when a hydraulic clutch and hydraulic brake are disengaged and a one-way clutch connects a ring gear to the transmission casing. Second forward speed ratio results when the hydraulic clutch is engaged to connect the ring gear to the planetary carrier of a second gear set. Reverse drive and regenerative operation result when an hydraulic brake fixes the planetary and the direction of power flow is reversed. Various sensors produce signals representing the torque at the output of the transmission or drive wheels, the speed of the power source, and the hydraulic pressure applied to a clutch and brake. A control algorithm produces input data representing a commanded upshift, a commanded downshift, a commanded transmission output torque, and commanded power source speed. A microprocessor processes the inputs and produces a response to them in accordance with the execution of a control algorithm.

Abstract: A rod connecting mechanical attachments whose positions in space and distances between each other are variable includes a rod carrying a grommet engageable by a pin located on one of the attachments and a pin formed on an adjustable member adapted to engage a grommet or other suitable mechanical attachment. The rod is connected to a housing by way of tangs located in rectangular slots, whereby the axial and angular position of the rod and housing are established. An adjuster is biased by a spring so that a tang formed on the adjuster contacts the end of a slotted hole formed in the housing. A lock has flexible legs extending downward into contact with stops and detents formed on the housing, and includes teeth formed on an inner bore adapted to engage teeth formed on the adjuster. Rotation of the lock causes the lock to engage the adjuster and to establish the axial position of the adjuster relative to the housing and lower attachment.

Abstract: A pump and regulator valve assembly having multiple pump and multiple regulator valve means that establish pressures of two or more operating pressure levels in a control system wherein the valve means has multiple valves that selectively respond to varying flow demands of the different regions of the control system to connect one or more pumps to reduced pressure regions when the flow demands of higher pressure regions are satisfied.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic torque converter includes a pump wheel, a turbine wheel, and a stator wheel having a variable entrance between the blade rows upon at least one of these wheels, preferably on the stator wheel. The opening between the blades is adjustable automatically by the torque applied by the circulating fluid against the action of a compression spring. The blades on the wheel whose entrance is adjustable includes at least two annular members divided along a plane perpendicular to the axis of the wheel. The annular members are rotatable relative to one another approximately one-half blade pitch. The annular member becomes located in the inlet region of the blade row, is rotatable by the torque of the circulating flow only in the region of the installed condition against the force of the spring to a position that reduces the inlet cross section of the blade row.

Abstract: In an automotive synchronizing clutch for a multiple speed transmission, a synchronizer sleeve is slidable axially on a system of spline teeth formed on the outer surface of the synchronizer hub. Internal teeth formed on the sleeve are brought into engagement first with locking teeth formed on a synchronizing ring and subsequently with locking teeth formed integrally with the gear wheel that is connected through the synchronizer to a shaft. The ends of the teeth on the sleeve includes recesses into which are seated the clutch teeth of the gear wheel. The synchronizer sleeve is formed with one group of holding teeth formed with recesses on both lateral flanks and another group of guide teeth which have recesses on one lateral flank and a planar surface on the opposite lateral flank.

Abstract: The time rate at which pressure increases in a friction element engaged to produce a gear shift is controlled through operation of an accumulator. Shift valves in a hydraulic circuit produce selectively a connection between hydraulic lines associated with the friction elements to be engaged and a source of line pressure. A first control pressure has a magnitude that varies according to a required torque transmitting capacity of the friction element. A line modulator valve produces a second control pressure having a magnitude that varies with the magnitude of the first control pressure but at a different rate. An accumulator includes a piston movable within a cylinder defining a first volume connected to the second control pressure output by the line modulator valve, and a first volume communicating with line pressure.

Abstract: A radial shaft sealing ring includes an outer fastening ring reinforced by an insert for fixing the sealing ring in the bore of a casing through which a rotating shaft passes. The sealing ring includes a sealing lip directed toward the inside of the casing and biased by a spring against the outer surface of the shaft. A dust protection lip, directed angularly toward the outside of the casing, includes an arcuate cut through its thickness defining a deflectable tab, which opens by bending through the thickness of the lip within the space extending between the dust protecting lip and the sealing lip when pressure within the space rises.

Abstract: A continually variable transmission includes a fluid coupling having an impeller driven from a power source and connected to the input sheave of a fixed speed ratio change drive mechanism, and an impeller connected to the input sheave of a variable speed ratio belt drive mechanism. A coupling bypass clutch mechanically connects the impeller and the turbine. A compound planetary gear set has its sun gear driven from the output sheave of the variable drive mechanism and its ring gear connected to the output sheave of the fixed ratio mechanism, which is mounted on a one-way clutch and selectively drives the ring gear through a low mode clutch. One planet pinion set is continuously engaged with the ring gear, a second planet pinion set is continuously engaged with the first planet pinion set and with the ring gear. A pinion carrier rotatably supports both pinion sets and its connectable through a high mode clutch to the output of the variable belt mechanism.

Abstract: A tractor transmission includes first and second hydraulically actuated disc clutches adapted to drivably connect an input shaft, which is clutched by a friction clutch to an engine, to a first and second sleeve shafts. The countershaft and the sleeve shafts support gear-pinion pairs that produce four speed ratios. The range box includes gearing mounted on an output shaft, a countershaft, and the input shaft to drive the output shaft at a slower speed than that of the countershaft when the low range is selected, to drive the output shaft in the opposite direction to its forward drive direction when reverse operation is selected, and to directly connect the countershaft to the output shaft when the high speed range is selected.

Abstract: A control valve circuit for an automatic transmission having a variable force solenoid valve that is supplied with feed pressure by a variable force solenoid pressure relief valve to produce a signal that acts on a main regulator valve thereby avoiding high pressure forces on said variable force solenoid valve.

Abstract: A method for welding two portions of a cover for a torque converter at an overlap joint using a welding beam includes directing the welding beam at the radially outer cover in the vicinity of the overlap at an acute angle with the plane of the over portions in the vicinity of the overlap. The angle is chosen so that the focal point of the welding beam is located on the radially outermost cover portion near the inner surface and distant from the outer surface. In this way, before fusion occurs, temperature gradients are induced through the thicknesses of the cover portions tending to reduce radial expansion of the outer cover and increase radial expansion of the inner cover. The effect of these thermal bending moments and the effect of the increase in mean temperature of the covers due to the welding beam combine to reduce or eliminate the thickness of the gap that exists before welding begins.

Abstract: An electrical resistance welding gun includes a hydraulically or pneumatically actuated clamping device for forcing workpieces into contact with one another, and a device for preloading and maintaining loaded contact between welding electrodes located on opposite sides of the workpieces. The electrodes are preloaded by a compression spring whose force is entirely independent of the action of the hydraulically-catuated clamping device. The electrode is supplied with electrical welding power and is cooled by circulating coolant through the electrode. A piezo-electric sensor provides an indication of the electrode biasing force and of changes in this force during welding. The force signal from the sensor may be used for feedback control of weld current and length of the period during which weld current is applied. The initial electrode force is easily adjustable by changing the effective length of the spring.

Abstract: A variable assist power steering gear mechanism for vehicles having primary and secondary steering valve portions, the primary portion controlling pressure in a power steering fluid motor, a steering pressure valve that controls the magnitude of the steering pressure as a function of vehicle speed, a steering torque sensor flow control valve that cooperates with the secondary steering valve portion to develop a steering torque signal, and an electronic signal processor for controlling the steering pressure valve in response to changes in the vehicle speed and the steering torque signal.

Abstract: In a continually variable belt-driven transmission, a system for actuating and controlling the operation of the forward clutch and reverse clutch includes a source of hydraulic pressure regulated at line pressure, an accumulator control valve, a line and belt load control solenoid and solenoid-actuated valve, an accumulator, a decel disconnect solenoid-operated valve and a manual valve. The line and belt-load control valve regulates a pressure signal applied to the accumulator control valve whose output pressure develops, on the piston of the accumulator, a force that adds to a spring force tending to purge the accumulator and add that flow to the flow through an orifice directed through the manual valve to the selected clutch.

Abstract: A compound planetary gear system for an automotive vehicle comprising a pair of planetary gear units with a common sun gear and a driven shaft disposed concentrically within the sun gear whereby an annular lubrication oil flow passage is formed in the sun gear, the sun gear being supported by its meshing engagement with multiple planet pinions journalled in a carrier, and a flow directing funnel registering with the oil flow passage which is adapted to direct lubrication fluid into the sun gear, when it is distributed to desired lubrication points.