Abstract: An offset three-gear, two-system pump includes first, second, and third overlapping chambers. First inlet and low-pressure outlet ports communicate with the first and second chambers, and second inlet and high-pressure pressure outlet ports communicate with the first and third chambers. The first chamber has a short wall portion extending from the low-pressure outlet port to the second inlet port, and a long wall portion extending from the high-pressure outlet port to the first inlet port. First, second, and third gears are respectively rotatable in the chambers. The first and second gears form a low-pressure gear set, and the first and third gears form a high-pressure gear set. A small number of first gear teeth are cooperable with the short wall portion and a large number of first gear teeth are cooperable with the long wall portion to effect sealing against leakage from the pressure ports to the inlet ports.

Abstract: A compact manual transaxle transmission includes an input shaft with four foward drive gears and a reverse drive gear. Two countershafts drive a differential. The first countershaft supports four forward driven gears and a reverse driven gear. The second countershaft supports another forward driven gear. One of the drive gears is in meshing engagement with driven gears on both countershafts, eliminating the necessity for elongating the input shaft to accommodate an additional gear set. The arrangement minimizes the overall axial length and optimizes the center distance between the input shaft and the second countershaft.

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: A transaxle includes a multi-stage final drive assembly with the final drive assembly with a plurality of serial stages. The transaxle has an input, a plurality of gear sets selectively engageable for directing power from the input to the first stage of the final drive assembly, and another gear set engageable for directing power from the input to another stage of the final drive assembly thereby by-passing the first stage thereof.

Abstract: An overdrive transmission including a rotatable input shaft, a rotatable output shaft, a one-way clutch engageable for establishing a one-to-one drive path from said input shaft to said output shaft, a planetary gear set engaging said input and output shafts, and a clutching assembly including a synchronizing clutch, a positive clutch, and an overdrive brake, said synchronizing clutch being engageable for establishing a one-to-one ratio through said planetary gear set, said positive clutch being engageable for establishing a one-to-one ratio through said planetary gear set, and said brake being engageable for establishing an overdrive ratio through planetary gear set.

Abstract: A controllable mechanical seal for sealing a shaft rotatable relative to the housing of a fluid machine includes first and second face elements having first and second radial surfaces. The first element is adapted for rotation with the shaft. The second element is adapted to be stationary within the housing. One of the elements is movable axially relative to the shaft. The first and second surfaces are adapted to define a gap within which there is a thin lubricating fluid film. An actuator is provided for deforming at least one of the surfaces so that the gap converges in a direction from a high pressure side to a low pressure side of the seal. A sensor is provided for measuring a temperature indicative of incipient contact of said surfaces. A control system responsive to the sensor generates an external voltage which is applied to the actuator to control the convergence of the surfaces and thus maintain an optimum thickness of the lubricating film for a wide range of operating conditions.

Abstract: A combination range and master clutch assembly includes a separator plate, at least one clutch, a fluid actuated main piston for engaging each clutch, and at least one fluid actuated accelerator piston. The separator plate and main piston define first and second main chambers in communication with each other. The main piston and each accelerator piston define an accelerator chamber. Sliding of each accelerator piston blocks communication between the main chambers. The assembly is controlled by providing fluid at an operating pressure which may be modulated between low and high pressures. Fluid is selectively delivered to an accelerator chamber at the operating pressure when it is below a threshold pressure level, and to both the accelerator chamber and its associated main chamber at the operating pressure when it is above the threshold pressure level.

Abstract: A dual-pass CVT has input and output shafts, first and second intermediate shafts, and a variator engaging the intermediate shafts. A first gear drive includes a first one-way clutch engaging the input shaft with the first intermediate shaft and allowing the first intermediate shaft to overrun. A second gear drive includes a jaw clutch for engaging the input shaft with the second intermediate shaft, and also includes a second one-way clutch engaging the second intermediate shaft with the input shaft and allowing the input shaft to overrun. A third gear drive includes another jaw clutch for engaging the first intermediate shaft with the output shaft, and also includes a third one-way clutch engaging the output shaft with the first intermediate shaft and allowing the first intermediate shaft to overrun. A fourth gear drive includes a fourth one-way clutch engaging the second intermediate shaft with the output shaft and allowing the output shaft to overrun.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission with synchronous shift includes an input, an output, a fixed-ratio drive mechanism and a variator in driven relationship with the input, a planetary gear assembly having a sun gear, a ring gear, a carrier, and a plurality of planet gears, a first clutch for engaging the variator selectively with the sun and ring gears, a second clutch for engaging the mechanism selectively with the carrier and sun gear and for disengaging the mechanism therefrom, and a third clutch for engaging the ring gear and carrier selectively with the output. This relationship provides the transmission with a plurality of drive ranges and the capability of shifting from any range to any other range at a synchronous shift point established when the variator ratio is equal to the ratio of the mechanism.

Abstract: An anti-clash and anti-rattle brake for a multiple speed ratio transmission is engageable to apply a frictional braking force to the constantly meshed gears when a shift control device is in a free neutral position. The brake is spring biased toward engagement. It is disengaged by one cam device when the shift control device is moved from the free neutral position in one plane and by another cam device when the shift control device is moved from the free neutral position in another plane.

Abstract: Brake holding apparatus for use in a vehicle having a fluid pressure operated braking system including a master cylinder and at least one brake cylinder. The apparatus includes a trapping valve movable to an open position allowing fluid communication between the master and brake cylinders, and to a closed position blocking this fluid communication so as to trap fluid pressure in the brake cylinder. The trapping valve is biased for movement to its open position. Means are provided for moving the trapping valve to its closed position. A bypass valve allows fluid communication from the master cylinder to the brake cylinder, but blocks fluid communication in the opposite direction. The trapping valve is fluid pressure balanced such that fluid pressure trapped in the brake cylinder has no effect on the position of the valve.

Abstract: A torque-limiting clutch includes an input member, an output member, and a friction element relatively movable to an engaged position for frictionally engaging the clutch and to a disengaged position in which the clutch is disengaged. An actuating device develops a clutch-engaging force tending to move the friction element relatively to its engaged position and thereby effect clutch engagement at a predetermined torque load setting. A thermal spring responsive to a small temperature increase develops a clutch-disengaging force tending to move the friction element relatively to its disengaged position and thereby effect rapid clutch disengagement. The thermal spring is formed from a shape memory effect material.

Abstract: Magnetically synchronized clutch apparatus includes a jaw clutch and an electromagnetic synchronizer. The jaw clutch has a rotatable sleeve member and a rotatable shift assembly with a shift member. A spring biases the shift member for engagement with the sleeve member. The shift assembly is slidable to a position in which the members remain disengaged when not rotating in approximate synchronism. The electromagnetic synchronizer brings the members into approximate synchronism upon sliding of the shift assembly.

Abstract: Batch-type water heating apparatus includes a heat exchanger in which water is heated as it is circulated therethrough, a water storage zone, a flow control device, a water pump, and associated water lines connecting these components to form a closed water circulating loop. Additional water lines associated with the flow control device provide for the withdrawal of heated water from the loop and the addition of make-up water to the loop as water is withdrawn therefrom. The flow control device includes a valve and a thermostat for sensing the water temperature at the outlet of the storage zone. The flow control device is operable to position the valve to facilitate withdrawal of heated water from the loop when the sensed temperature exceeds a predetermined value and to position the valve to facilitate circulation of water around the loop when the sensed temperature is below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A control system for an electric domestic water heater operatively associated with an external heat source, such as a heat pump, and including a water storage tank having an internal electric heater unit controlled by a tank thermostat responsive to the water temperature in the tank. The control system maintains the tank heater unit effectively turned off and turns the external heat source on in response to an indication from the tank thermostat that there is a demand for hot water. The control system turns the external heat source off in response to an indication from the tank thermostat that the demand for hot water has been satisfied. The control system may include devices, such as an evaporator thermostat, high pressure cut-out switch, etc., indicative of the condition of the external heat source for turning the external heat source off, turning the tank heater unit on and maintaining the tank heater unit on until the demand for hot water has been satisfied.

Abstract: A control system for an electric water heater operatively associated with an external heat source, such as a heat pump. The water heater includes a water storage tank provided with an electric tank heating unit having a tank thermostat which closes in response to water temperature in the tank, allowing a flow of current through the tank heating unit so as to turn it on to heat the water, and which opens when the tank thermostat has been satisfied, interrupting the current flow so as to turn the tank heating unit off. The control system as responsive to the initial current surge through the tank heating unit when the tank thermostat closes to (1) interrupt the current flow to the tank heating unit so as to maintain the heating unit off and (2) to turn on the external heat source and maintain it on until the tank thermostat opens. The initial current surge cleans the contacts of the tank thermostat by burning off any insulating oxide residues which may have formed on them.

Abstract: Spring-assisted shift apparatus includes a plate rotatable about an axis to a plurality of positions, the plate defining a cam track. A cam follower is operatively associated with the cam track, and is adapted to move a shift fork in response to selective rotation of the plate. A spring-assist mechanism includes an assist cam track defined by the plate so as to have an arcuate first track surface with a center of curvature on the axis, and a second track surface oriented such that a line perpendicular thereto does not intersect the axis. A spring member supports an assist cam follower in operative association with the assist cam track such that the assist cam follower is in contact with the first track surface when the plate is in one position, and is in contact with the second track surface when the plate is in another position. The spring member is stressed so as to apply a preload biasing force on the plate.

Abstract: A tension-type belt/pulley system provides an improved concept for retaining the bands of the drive belt within the pulley cones while increasing the maximum operating pitch radius of the belt for a given pulley radius, thereby increasing the ratio range of the system. The pulley flanges are chamfered at their outer ends to provide smooth re-entry of the bands into the cones in the event the bands drift laterally during a half revolution of the belt.

Abstract: Step control apparatus for a fluid motor includes a plurality of devices each responsive to an external signal for initiating movement of the fluid motor. Also included is a mechanism for stopping movement of the fluid motor upon movement thereof a discrete step. Thus, a sequence of external signals applied to the devices effects movement of the fluid motor in a stepping mode. Optionally, an assembly may be provided for effecting movement of the fluid motor in a free-running mode.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat pump water heater with supplemental heat supply wherein the heat pump is turned on when water has cooled below a predetermined temperature, and is turned off when the water has been heated to a predetermined temperature. In the event frost begins to form on the surface of the heat pump evaporator, the heat pump is turned off and the supplemental heat supply turned on automatically. This condition prevails until the water has been heated to a predetermined temperature, at which time the supplemental heat supply is turned off.