Abstract: A high ratio semi-floating drive axle is disclosed. The axle includes a pair of axle shafts which are prevented from pulling out of the differential side gears by retainer ring assemblies which engage grooves around the axle shafts and are held in the grooves by snap rings which encircle the retainer ring assemblies.

Abstract: Lightweight ring gear for an epicyclic gear differential. The ring gear is fastened to a radially outwardly extending flange and includes inner and outer perimeters and a surface which is adapted to abut the flange. There are a plurality of equidistantly spaced apart cavities in the surface which extend from the inner perimeter toward the outer perimeter.

Abstract: A transfer gear assembly connected to a transaxle in order to provide the transaxle with a power take-off. The transfer gear assembly includes a case with an access opening and a shaft connectable to the transaxle through a gear set by a clutch. The transfer gear assembly also includes an actuator for moving the clutch between its engaged and disengaged positions and a combined access opening cover and actuator shield fastened to the case.

Abstract: When a d-c bus voltage is produced by rectifying applied a-c power line voltage in a rectifier bridge (such as a phase-controlled SCR rectifier bridge), controlled by a feedback loop which compares a feedback signal representing the d-c bus voltage with a command signal representing a desired set point level and from the comparison automatically maintains the bus voltage at the set point level, unwanted a-c line voltage interruptions may have a deleterious effect on the rectifier bridge itself and on a load driven by the bus voltage. This occurs because during a power interruption (when the bus voltage drops) the command signal causes the feedback loop to impose a control on the rectifier bridge which attempts to increase the d-c bus voltage back to the magnitude represented by the command signal. When power is subsequently restored, the d-c bus voltage will suddenly increase very sharply and may destroy electrical and/or mechanical components in the system.

Abstract: A heavy duty cast iron yoke (110) has two lugs (116) for receiving a journal cross and a spline body or barrel (112) defining an internal spline (114). A lug tie-in body (124) includes shoulders (128) which join the lugs (116) to the spline body (112). The internal radius (136) of the shoulders is at least 20% of the distance (134) between the internal surfaces of the lugs. An annular 15.degree. ramp (150) is provided intermediate the outer spline body surface and the lugs.

Abstract: A cast or forged universal joint yoke having a hub from which extend a pair of arms in spaced apart parallel relation. Each arm as a generally U-shaped bearing cup receiving recess, each recess including a pair of arcuate bearing cup surfaces along the sides thereof. A depression is located in the bight portion of the recess and an integral bearing cup positioning and retaining lug protrudes from the depression. The depression extends on each side of the lug between the lug and adjacent support surfaces so that there is no radius or transition of material between the lug and the supporting surfaces.

Abstract: A driveshaft having a heat-treated aluminum alloy tube and a heat-treated aluminum alloy connection member partially telescoped within each end of the tube and joined to it by welding. The tube has a constant outside diameter and a wall thickness which is constant throughout most of the length and which increases adjacent each end.

Abstract: A heavy duty cast iron flange yoke (110) has two lugs (116) for receiving a journal cross and a flange (112) having front (111) and back (113) faces. The back face (113) includes balance pads (141) in which may be drilled balance holes (140). The balance pads are generally underneath the lugs (116) and the holes (140) are radially inside the radially outer surface (131) of the lugs.

Abstract: A fluid system is disclosed having a passage with a reduced diameter orifice. A wire extends into the orifice and is reciprocated therein to simultaneously clean and meter a predetermined fluid flow through the orifice. Automatic reciprocating movement of the wire is accomplished by differential pressures acting on the wire on opposite sides of the orifice.

Abstract: A heavy duty cast iron yoke (110) has two lugs (116) for receiving a journal cross and a spline body or barrel (112) defining an internal spline (114). A lug tie-in body (124) includes shoulders (128) which join the lugs (116) to the spline body (112). The internal radius (136) of the shoulders is at least 20% of the distance (134) between the internal surfaces of the lugs. An annular 15.degree. ramp (150) is provided intermediate the outer spline body surface and the lugs.

Abstract: An automatic hub clutch for the front wheels of a four-wheel drive vehicle which enables said wheels to automatically become engaged or disengaged from the front axle shaft when the transfer case of the vehicle is shifted to the required operating mode. The hub clutch comprises a plurality of gears the engagement of which is carried out through a control assembly that includes a control plate which forces a plurality of ball members over a cam surface for compressing a spring member to move the gear members into engagement with one another. The gear members are moved out of engagement under the action of a spring when the ball members are moved over the cam surface in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A housing assembly is disclosed having coacting first and second cover members enclosing a universal joint which drivingly connects drive and driven shafts of a steering drive axle. Each cover member has an inner spherical portion and an outer end portion. The spherical portions overlie and fit within each other while the end portion of one cover member is fixed to a wheel spindle and the end portion of the other cover member is resiliently connected to an axle housing. The resilient connection permits the cover member to float relative to the axle housing during steering to accomodate for runout between the wheel spindle and axle housing axes thus overcoming any tendency for the cover members to bind or become wedged with respect to each other.

Abstract: A drive unit is disclosed having interlocking members for directly connecting angularly disposed drive and driven shafts. The interlocking members comprise conventional pinion mate and side gear blanks supported in a standard differential housing driven by a drive shaft through a ring and pinion gear set. Pinion mate gear blanks are connected by the usual cross shaft to the differential housing. Side gear blanks cooperate with the pinion mate gear blanks and are connected to the driven shaft. Integral locking surfaces provided on the mating gear blanks cooperate to prevent the side gear blanks from rotating relative to the differential housing so that a direct drive power path is established between the drive and driven shafts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stepping motor control utilizing a microprocessor. The control is suitable for driving one or more stepping motors one at a time or in unison. In the illustrated embodiment when plural motors are driven together they are driven at the same rate or at rates in a fixed proportion to one another although several of the features of the invention are suitable for use in circuits providing contouring control; i.e., where separate motors are driven at separate stepping rates proportional to the relative distances each is to traverse for a single movement. An acceleration/deceleration circuit is utilized which provides simple yet highly accurate and efficient control of the stepping motors. Feed rate compensation for simultaneous drive of two motors is provided. Also a means is provided to allow stepping rates in excess of the counting rate capability of the microprocessor.

Abstract: A heavy duty hydromechanical transmission adapted for agricultural and industrial type tractors and for heavy duty construction type vehicles as well as line haul tractors is disclosed. The transmission utilizes an input shaft which is driven by a power source and drives dual planetary gear sets. These planetary gear assemblies are each geared to two separate variable displacement hydrostatic pump and/or motor units which are arranged in a closed hydrostatic fluid flow circuit. Each planetary gear set also drives a countershaft which is utilized as part of a multispeed transmission. The hydrostatic units are used as variable displacement pumps or motors to obtain smooth starting and to eliminate the need for a conventional master clutch normally used for starting a vehicle or for shifting gears. These units are also used to provide the high-starting torque through hydraulic torque regeneration.

Abstract: A friction clutch assembly is disclosed having an annular spring compressed between a clutch cover and a plurality of externally located release levers. The spring has tongues cooperating with indentations on the outside of the cover to centrally locate the spring and prevent it from rotating relative to the cover. An abutment may be formed on the cover for engagement by the spring to indicate when the clutch is in a fully worn position.

Abstract: A variable speed clutch drive for light vehicles, e.g. motor bikes, snowmobiles, etc., responds to both engine speed and torque. The drive includes a conical pulley system of driver and driven pulleys coupled by a continuous V-belt. The driven pulley includes torque responsive means which utilize fixed and movable discs, the fixed disc containing radially arcuate apertures circularly disposed about its center of rotation. The discs are biased together by a spring system which includes a spring cover containing at least one integral cam for sliding contact with at least one aperture in the fixed disc.

Abstract: A backstop and standby drive coupling using a sprag-type clutch is disclosed. The coupling includes a lubrication arrangement providing oil lubrication and cooling from an external supply and internal recirculation from an internal sump. Lubrication flow paths for distributing oil to critical parts of the coupling and to control the flow of surplus oil are provided.

Abstract: A hydrodynamic shaft seal is provided having a single annular shaft engaging washer clamped within a metal case. The washer, prior to assembly on the shaft, has an inner wall which is perpendicular to the flat walls thereof but spaced from the longitudinal axis of the washer by a distance which increases and decreases in a cyclic radially undulating fashion. Thus, the inner diameter of the unstressed annular member is scalloped and includes from one to approximately sixteen periodic scallops, the number of such scallops preferably increasing as the diameter of the seal increases. Such a seal is particularly easy to make and the varying angle of contact of the seal with the shaft occasioned by the scallops provides excellent hydrodynamic pumping as is desirable in such seals.

Abstract: An axle is disclosed having a housing defining a lubricant reservoir. A shaft extends through a bore in the housing and is supported by two bearings within the bore. The shaft has a radially extending surface which partially defines a lubricant chamber for pressurizing and pumping lubricant. The housing has a lubricant passageway in communication with the lubricant chamber. A seal is positioned within the lubricant chamber and has a lip which contacts the radial surface.