Abstract: Disclosed is a power shift transmission having torque converter, an input shaft driven by the torque converter, a countershaft in continuous driving relation with the input shaft, an output shaft having first, second, and third speed ratios journaled thereon and driven via the countershaft, a reverse speed ratio gear splined to the output shaft and driven via a gear on an idler shaft driven by the countershaft, a first friction clutch mechanism for connecting the first speed ratio gear to the output shaft, a second friction clutch mechanism for connecting the output shaft directly to the input shaft, a blocker-clutch assembly for coupling the second and third speed ratio gears to the output shaft, and an actuator assembly for shifting the blocker-clutch assembly into and out of coupling engagement. The friction clutches are momentarily engageable to relieve driving and coast mode torque on the blocker-clutch and to synchronize the blocker-clutch.

Abstract: A pumping element configured in assembly as a generally "L" shaped member having an axially extending portion interposed between the inner peripheral surface of the housing and the outer peripheral surface of the clutch of a viscous drive to direct fluid between two side surfaces radially inwardly toward a radial front edge of a radially extending portion of the pumping element thereafter into the outlet opening in the pump plate. The pumping element allows for the construction of a viscous drive having a relatively low angular velocity in the disengaged mode, a relatively high angular velocity in the engaged mode without high speed pump out, and a relatively short pump out time.

Abstract: A mixing and flow control valve assembly (10) for water inlet to domestic appliances having individual solenoid operated inlet valves (30,32) for connection to heated and unheated fluid sources. The individual actuated inlet valves discharge to a common inlet (40) of a solenoid operated (34) flow control valve which in the deenergized state provides a high rate of discharge to one outlet (28) and in the energized state diverts flow to a substantially lower rate of discharge outlet (24). The valve assembly employs only three solenoid operators (30, 32, 34) which are mounted integrally in a common valve body.

Abstract: Fluid valves for use in internal combustion engines incorporate both plastic and metal housings which are joined at the inlet end to a metallic adapter by means of staking portions of the adapter over the exterior of the valve inlet housing tube. Valves having this type of connection are prone to failure caused by abuse encountered during valve installation and engine maintenance. In the present invention a fluid valve (10) is provided having superior strength at the junction between a plastic inlet (34) and a threaded metallic engine block adapter (14). A portion of the adapter extends into the inlet end of the housing and has a circumferential rib (48) having an outer knurled surface (50) located intermediate and adjacent to a pair of grooves (52, 54). By heating the knurled rib (48), the plastic material of the hollow inlet portion of the valve housing flows into and conforms with the grooves and the knurled rib thereby providing a rigid connection between the valve housing and the adapter.

Abstract: A cam follower having a two-piece composite laser welded configuration is disclosed and comprises a solid and alternatively thin wall tubular base (16) portion formed of mild steel and a thin-disc reaction portion (18) having a hardened, wear resistant outer surface portion (50). The reaction portion is joined to the base portion by laser welding which results in a weld zone (54) comprised of a fusion zone (56) bounded on either side thereof by heat affected zones (58) having relatively narrow transverse thicknesses. A method of laser welding the hardened reaction portion to the mild steel base portion is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multiple, wet, friction disc brake adapted for use as a retarder in an unshown drivetrain of a land vehicle. The retarder includes a non-rotating outer housing, a centrally disposed drive shaft extending through the housing and rotatably supported therein by bearings, a plurality of axially moveable stator and rotor brake discs concentrically disposed about the shaft and alternately secured against rotation relative to the non-rotating housing and the shaft, a fluid actuated piston for squeezing the discs together, passage means defined by a portion of the non-rotating housing disposed about the outer periphery of the stator and rotor discs for introducing a pressurized cooling liquid to the outer periphery of the stator and rotor discs and flow grooves formed in the friction sides of the stator discs for the flow of the pressurized cooling liquid radially inward through the grooves.

Abstract: An improved simple change gear transmission having an extended range and/or number of gear ratios and minimized center distance and/or axial countershaft portion length is provided. The improved transmission utilizes a single main shaft which is pivotally mounted at one end and guided for free floating movement at the other end and at least two substantially identical countershafts which are compounded. Each countershaft has a plurality of ratio gears mounted therein which are grouped with identical ratio gears on the other countershafts. A plurality of mainshaft gears are disposed generally concentric of the mainshaft, but radially movable relative thereto and are in constant meshing engagement with and supported by the countershaft gears. Preferably, the mainshaft is floatably retained at the end thereof closest the input of the transmission while the other end thereof is mounted in a pivotal manner.

Abstract: A thermostatic fluid valve of the type having a temperature responsive power element mounted between upper and lower housing members. A tubular extension member is attached to the lower end of the power element and permits a spring biased valve member to be mounted thereon. The tubular extension member has an inwardly extending flange formed on the upper end and is received over a cylindrically shaped, cold formed boss projecting from the lower end of the power element. The extension member is retained on the lower end of the power element by orbitally staking the boss radially outward to form a cold worked, high strength retaining flange.

Abstract: A pneumatic vacuum regulator (10) is disclosed for supplying a modulated vacuum output signal proportional to an input pressure signal. Upper (18) and lower (20) diaphragms mounted within a housing (14, 16, 36), cooperate therewith to define a fluid chamber (46), a control chamber (58), and an atmospheric vent (104). A spacer (22) between the diaphragms allows the diaphragms to move as a unit in response to sensing subatmospheric pressure in the fluid chamber, atmospheric pressure on one side of the upper diaphragm, and fluid pressure in the control chamber. A valve member (92) is integrally molded into the upper diaphragm and is engageable with an atmospheric valve seat (96) formed around an opening (98) in an upper diaphragm plate (88). A vacuum valve seat (52) is aligned with opening (98) such that the valve member is engageable with either or both valve seats, thus permitting pressure in the fluid chamber to be modulated proportional to the pressure in the control chamber.

Abstract: A gate turn-off device is formed by the integration of a lateral SCR and a vertical power transistor operating in parallel, with the latter carrying most of the load current whereby the former may be easily turned off which in turn terminates base drive to the transistor and thus the device is turned OFF.

Abstract: A load support and shuttle combination. The load support (20) is in the form of a central beam (24) disposed fore and aft in a storage bay (22) on top of which are mounted a plurality of spaced apart V-shaped load support members (26), the outer ends of which are bent downward to a substantially horizontal position. The shuttle includes a pair of space apart rails (46) which straddle the beam (24). A plurality of spaced load supporting finger members (48) extend inwardly and downwardly from the rails and are sized and shaped such that they fit in the spaces between the V-shaped load support members. A load resting on the load support member can be transferred to the shuttle by inserting the load supporting finger members into a storage bay beneath the load support members and then lifting the shuttle to move the finger members through the spaces between the load support members.

Abstract: A system (10) for controlling the flow of temperature selected water to the tub of a washing machine. Individual solenoid operated inlet valves (12,15) are employed to admit and control mixing of water from a heated and unheated source. The temperature selected mixed water is discharged through a third solenoid operated diverter valve (24) yielding a high rate of flow when the solenoid thereof is deenergized and a lower rate of discharge to the tub when the flow control valve solenoid is energized by the water level sensing switch (48) associated with the tub. A timer controlled switch (82) interrupts the power to the hot and cold filling valves to provide stepped filling during agitation during washing and rinsing cycles. The valve assembly employs only three solenoid valve operators.

Abstract: A flow control device having a resilient, disc-shaped flow control element mounted in a protective housing assembly. An inlet housing section sealingly engages with an outlet section to form a cavity in which are received a retaining washer and a cup-shaped member. The flow control element is mounted in the cup-shaped member and retained therein against axial movement by the retaining washer. An inner wall portion on the retaining washer and cup-shaped member prevent fluid conduit connections inserted into either the inlet or outlet housing sections from contacting the flow control member.

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 differential mechanism such as a limited slip differential mechanism which is automatically engageable or disengageable in response to preselected conditions and through a clutch arrangement controls the relative rotative speeds of the vehicle wheels and related axle shafts. A single sensor is utilized to sense the angular velocity of a gear, such as a drive axle ring gear, and provides a first signal proportional to the velocity of the monitored gear. A control converts the first signal into a second signal proportional to angular acceleration of the monitored gear and will cause the actuator to engage the clutch when acceleration of the monitored gear, or related member, exceeds a predetermined maximum.

Abstract: A support assembly for the seat (32) of an electric lift truck (10) which permits the seat to be pivoted about a vertical support member (24) and slid outward to move the seat clear of the truck's battery compartment (12). The means for pivoting the seat includes a first latch (44) which normally keeps the seat from rotating relative to the support member (24). The seat is mounted on a sliding mounting assembly (30) which allows the seat to be slid outward of the truck, and which also includes a latch assembly (68) for normally maintaining the seat in an operating position.

Abstract: A coupling includes relatively rotatable driving and driven members, and first and second torque transmitting members one of which is associated with one of the driving and driven members and the other of which is associated with the other of the driving and driven members. The first torque transmitting member includes a first torque transmitting surface which is adapted to engage with the second torque transmitting member to establish a driving relationship between the driving and driven members and a second surface disposed remote from the first surface.

Abstract: A temperature controlled fluid shear coupling adapted to drive a fan for an internal combustion engine. The coupling includes a driven member defining a housing adapted to carry the fan, a drive member adapted to be driven by the engine, a working chamber defined by the driven and drive member and containing viscous fluid, a pump for removing fluid from the working chamber to a reservoir, and temperature control assembly which varies the volume of fluid in the working chamber by controlling fluid flow from the reservoir to the working chamber in response to temperature changes. The temperature control includes a wax filled power element and a valving member. The valving member blocks fluid flow from the reservoir to the working chamber when the wax is solid and allows flow to the working chamber when the wax is a liquid.