Abstract: A self-supporting brush holder assembly 10 is disposed on the cylindrical outer surface of a shaft 20 of a viscous fan drive 11 which is rotatable about an axis of rotation 25. The brush holder assembly includes a first portion 12 having a generally C-shaped concave surface 16 and a second portion 14 having a generally C-shaped concave surface 18 which is adaptable to mate with the generally C-shaped concave surface of the first portion to define an annular surface 28 defining a cylindrical opening having its longitudinal axis adapted to be disposed coaxial to the axis of rotation. The cylindrical opening is adapted to surround the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft 20 with the annular surface 28 being disposed contiguous to the cylindrical outer surface of the shaft 20 to support the first and second portions 12, 14 on the shaft 20 to prevent radial movement between the shaft and the first and second portions.

Abstract: A substantially tubular shaped insert (1) adapted to fit coaxially about the end of a hose and to be contracted against the hose by the shell of a coupling to provide an improved hose and coupling assembly for the conveyance of fluids under pressure. The insert has a separation space (2) in its wall that extends longitudinally along the entire length thereof and one or more longitudinally extending primary elongate openings (4) through its wall that are disposed in a substantial uniform array about its circumference. The longitudinal axis of space (2) and openings (4) are skewed from 0.degree. to about 45.degree. from the inserts central axis and the areas provided by space (2) and openings (4) are such that, upon contraction of the insert against the hose, portions of the wall of the hose are caused to extend into space (2) and openings (4) to provide an improved circumferentially uniform longitudinally extending engagement between the coupling and the hose.

Abstract: A differential assembly 10 includes a first casing member 50 and a second casing member 52 disposed contiguous to the first casing member. The first and second casings 50, 52 are rotatable about an axis of rotation 87. The first and second casing members define a chamber 20 in which is located a pair of side gears 32, 34 each of which is connectable to an output shaft 26, 28, a pinion shaft 40, and a pair of pinion gears 36, 38 supported on the pinion shaft 40. The first casing member 50 includes a first opening 86 which is substantially radially disposed relative to the axis of rotation and the second casing member 52 includes a second opening 80 which is substantially radially disposed relative to the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch (10) rotatable about an axis of rotation (24) and adapted to be controlled by a temperature sensing element (104). The fluid clutch includes an axially extending shaft (22) disposed on the axis of rotation, a first member (14) secured to the shaft for rotation and a second member (16) rotatably disposed on the shaft relative to the first member. Shear surfaces (62, 64) are disposed on the first and second members and form an operating chamber (18) therebetween. A fluid storage chamber (70) is disposed adjacent to the operating chamber and valve means (80) is provided for effecting selective communication between the storage chamber and the operating chamber and includes a valve member (82) having first and second positions, one of which provides fluid communication between the storage chamber and the operating chamber and the other which blocks the fluid communication. A fluid is disposed within the storage chamber and is selectively displaceable into the operating chamber.

Abstract: A torque transmitting device is adapted to transmit torque from an input (32) and includes a first member (14), a second member (16) rotatable relative to the first member about an axis of rotation (24), an operating chamber (18) disposed in the first member, a fluid reservoir (70), a fluid passageway (74) communicating with fluid reservoir in the operating chamber and a valve member (82) for controlling the fluid flow through the fluid passageway. A fluid is disposed in the reservoir and is selectively displaceable into the operating chamber through the fluid passageway whereby fluid is positioned in the operating chamber to transmit energy through the fluid from one of the members to the other. A thermostatic ring (90) is connected to the valve member for controlling the position of the valve member and the volume of the fluid in the operating chamber in response to the ambient temperature of the torque transmitting device.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type including an output coupling assembly (13) which defines a fluid operating chamber (37) and a fluid reservoir chamber (41). Rotatably disposed within the operating chamber is an input coupling member (11), including a disc-like portion (31), which defines rearward lands (61) and forward lands (65). The lands defined by the input coupling member cooperate with the lands (63 and 67) defined by the output coupling assembly to define rearward and forward shear spaces, operable to transmit torque from the input member to the output assembly. The disc-like portion defines a plurality of fluid passages (71) which communicate between the inner and outer radial peripheries of the disc-like portion, and also communicate with both the forward and rearward shear spaces. During filling, fluid flows radially outward through the fluid passages, and directly into the shear spaces, to substantially reduce the response time of the coupling device.

Abstract: A differential assembly includes a case (12), an input (30) for effecting rotation of the case, pinion means (36, 38) associated with the case, a pair of side gears (32, 34) meshing with the pinion means, a first output shaft (26) connected to one of the side gears and a second output shaft (28) connected to the other of the side gears. The differential assembly further includes a first gear train (54) associated with the first output shaft and rotatable therewith, a second gear train (52) associated with the second output shaft and rotatable therewith, and a third gear train (30, 70) associated with the casing and rotatable therewith. A first clutch (80) is provided for interconnecting the third gear train and the first gear train to enable the third gear train to supply additional torque through the first gear train to the first output shaft when the rotational speed of the input exceeds the rotational speed of the first output shaft by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a hydrostatic transmission of the type including a prime mover driven variable displacement pump, the displacement of which is controlled by a pair of strokers (28, 30). Flow of pressurized control fluid from the charge pump to one of the strokers, and from the other stroker to tank, is controlled by a main control valve (34). The control system includes an auxiliary control valve (44) defining passages (98, 100, 102) communicating between the lines connecting the main control valve and the strokers. The auxiliary control valve includes an on-off, electro-hydraulic valve (46) which prevents flow through the auxiliary valve in response to an electrical signal in one condition, and permits flow in response to an electrical signal in another condition.

Abstract: A differential gear mechanism of the limited slip type is provided. The mechanism includes a clutch, including a plurality of discs (31 and 33), and a cam mechanism including a main cam member (43) and an intermediate cam member (45). The intermediate cam member is splined to the side gear (19), such that axial forces are not transmitted to the side gear. The main cam member (43) defines a set of internal gear teeth (81), engaging an externally toothed member (79) of an acutating mechanism (71). The arrangement of the cam members and the provision of the gear teeth on the inner periphery of the main cam member results in a differential gear mechanism having a substantially reduced "bearing span", combined with a reduced casing diameter.

Abstract: A differential gear mechanism of the limited slip type is provided, and includes a mechanism for locking up the differential gear set, and a mechanism for actuating the lockup mechanism. The actuating mechanism includes a flyweight mechanism (71) and a latch mechanism (111). The latch mechanism includes a latch member (115) defining a pair of latch surfaces (125 and 127). The latch mechanism further includes a frame member (113) and a weighted member (117) which is oppositely disposed from the latch member about the axis of rotation of the differential gear set. The weighted member is operable to move the latch mechanism, in opposition to the biasing force of a spring (123), along a straight, generally diametrally-oriented path, in response to increasing rotational speed of the differential gear mechanism. Such movement causes movement of the latch member from an operative position (FIGS. 4 and 5) to an inoperative position (FIG.

Abstract: A control valve assembly (10) is provided for controlling a hydrostatic transmission including a fluid pump having a variable swashplate, a source of control fluid under pressure, and a servo system responsive to the control fluid for varying the swashplate of the fluid pump. The control valve includes a valve body (12), first (26) and second (28) fluid chambers disposed in the valve body, a first fluid passageway (30) disposed in the valve body for directing pressurized control fluid to the first and second fluid chambers and a valve member (16) located in the valve body for controlling the flow of control fluid to the servo system. The pressurized fluid in the first fluid chamber acts on the valve member to bias the valve member in a first direction and the pressurized fluid in the second chamber acts on the valve member to bias the valve member in the second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: A fluid pressure operated wheel motor is disclosed of the type including a stationary housing assembly (11) and a rotatable housing assembly (13), which includes a gerotor displacement mechanism (29). The gerotor ring (47) is part of the rotatable housing assembly and rotates, while the gerotor star (49) is connected by a dogbone shaft (57) to the stationary housing assembly and only orbits. The dogbone shaft defines an axial bore (67), and the stationary housing defines a pair of main fluid passages (71 and 73) which cooperate with a plurality of fluid passages (91 and 93) defined by the rotatable housing assembly to form commutating valving. In either direction of operation, the system fluid flows through the chamber (19) in which the dogbone is disposed. The system fluid is divided into two portions, with one portion flowing through one spline connection (59 and 63), and the other portion flowing through the axial bore and the other spline connection (61 and 65).

Abstract: A vehicle hydraulic system is disclosed of the type including a steering control valve (29), a brake system (31), and an auxiliary load circuit (65). Fluid flow to these load circuits is controlled by a flow control valve assembly (11) including a priority spool valve (85) which controls the flow of fluid from the inlet port (13) to the priority fluid chamber (75). Fluid flows from the priority fluid chamber to the steering control valve and the brake load system, in parallel, and at equal levels of priority. A shuttle valve assembly (83) receives a steering load signal by means of a load signal line (44) and a brake load signal from the load signal chamber (111), and transmits the higher of the two load signals into the load signal chamber (93) which biases the priority spool valve toward a position to permit a greater flow of fluid into the priority fluid chamber.

Abstract: For use with a differential, annular friction discs configured to insure mating frictional contact between adjacent discs along a desired line of contact. The discs are selectively connected to either a side gear or the housing of the differential. At least one of the friction discs contain a relatively flat annular surface which is located on the opposite side of another surface having a pair of radially spaced annular projections for engagement with a relatively flat annular surface of an adjacent disc. At least one other friction disc has a relatively flat annular surface with an opposed surface having an annular projection spaced radially intermediate the radial space projection on the previously mentioned disc. The single annular projection is for engagement with a relatively flat surface of an adjacent friction disc. The discs are located between the side gear and the housing of a differential.

Abstract: Temperature responsive viscous fan drive having a reduced pump-out time. A pair of diametrically opposed notches opening radially outwardly are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the clutch member of the drive. The notches extend parallel to the axis of rotation of the clutch member between the sides thereof. An impeller element secured to the housing member of the drive is aligned with the notches and located adjacent one side of the clutch member to pump fluid from the operating chamber into the storage chamber. The outer peripheral surface of the clutch member is relatively close to the inner peripheral surface of the housing member.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device is disclosed of the type including an output coupling member, a cover, a valve plate separating the fluid reservoir chamber from the fluid operating chamber, and an input coupling member rotatably disposed in the operating chamber. Valving controls the flow of fluid between the reservoir and the operating chamber in response to variations in a condition such as temperature. The input member has a front face adjacent the valve plate and a rear face cooperating with the adjacent surface of the output member to define interdigitated lands and grooves. The input member defines a plurality of fluid passages permitting direct axial communication of fluid between the front face and the lands and grooves. This direct flow into and out of the lands and grooves is effective to reduce substantially the time required to achieve full engagement and full disengagement of the coupling.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump is disclosed of the type including a by-pass valve to limit the fluid volume output of the pump. The by-pass valve is disposed within a portion of the pump housing which extends axially into the fluid reservoir and defines a pair of by-pass ports. The pump is preferably balanced and includes a pair of diametrically opposed inlet kidney ports. A tubular member is used to direct a portion of the by-pass fluid from each of the by-pass ports toward the adjacent inlet kidney. Each of the tubular members is disposed to direct the by-pass flow axially into the inlet kidney, thus improving filling of the pumping pockets, and reducing cavitation and the resultant noise.

Abstract: A controller for fluid pressure operated devices such as vehicle power steering systems. The controller is of the type having a primary, rotatable valve member and a follow-up valve member and including a fluid meter having a metering member coupled to the follow-up valve member. The valving defines a central reference plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the valving and the various ports and passages defined by the primary and follow-up valve members are generally oppositely and equally disposed about the central reference plane. This valving symmetry reduces internal leakage and steering wheel precession. The controller includes a load signal circuit, including a pair of load sensing grooves oppositely and equally disposed about the central plane.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch employing a magnetic field selectively actuatable by a heat sensing device to operate a valve arm to seal an inlet passage fluidly communicating an operating chamber with a storage chamber. The clutch includes a clutch and a housing member rotatably disposed relative to one another. Each member has a shear surface. The surfaces define therebetween the operating chamber. The storage chamber is located in the housing member and is in fluid communication with the operating chamber via a discharge passage and the inlet passage. Pump means in the operating chamber displace fluid through the discharge passage from the operating chamber to the storage chamber. The inlet passage directs fluid from the storage to the operating chamber. A movable valve arm selectively seals the inlet passage. The valve arm is moved via a solenoid action in response to actuation of the magnetic field.

Abstract: A fluid coupling device of the type including a rotatable coupling body defining a fluid operating chamber and a coupling member rotatable relative to the coupling body. A cover is associated with the coupling body and coupling member to define a fluid reservoir chamber, and a valve is operable to control fluid communication between the operating chamber and the reservoir chamber. The valve is mounted on a shaft which is rotatable relative to the cover and the rotational position of the shaft is controlled by a bimetallic coil having one end connected to the shaft and a second end which must be fixed relative to the cover. A bracket is fixedly attached to the cover and a clip member, in movable engagement with the bracket, receives the second end of the bimetal coil to prevent substantial rotational movement of the second end relative to the bracket.