Abstract: A drive axle system of the type useable in a 6 .times. 6 vehicle, especially one utilizing a tandem axle assembly to transmit torque from the vehicle transmission to first and second rear drive axles. The system comprises torque dividing means within the tandem axle assembly and first and second torque transmitting means, such as the side gears of a differential. A first gear means transmits torque from the first differential side gear to the first rear drive axle and a second gear means transmits torque between the second differential side gear and the second rear drive axle. A third gear means is in engagement with the first gear means and may be clutched to a drive shaft to transmit torque directly from the tandem axle assembly to the front drive-steer axle, thus eliminating the need for a transfer case.

Abstract: A stronger, thinner shell mold suitable for making cast metal parts comprises a base member of resin bonded sand and a second surfacing layer of a cured thermosetting binder material. Also disclosed is a method for forming the new shell mold.

Abstract: A heater head for use in hot gas engine is formed using improved heat transfer structures. The heat transfer structures used in the heater head are formed of an oxidation resistant enclosure enclosing a tube of high strength, gas impermeable material. A chamber is formed between the enclosure and the tube, and filled with a metal or alloy which is liquid at the operating temperature of the heater head. The structure transfers combustion heat rapidly from the oxidation resistant metal to the strong, gas impermeable tube via the liquid metal. The strong gas impermeable tube is filled with working gas, such as hydrogen or helium maintained at a high pressure.

Abstract: Modifying the lands of a control spool of a control valve to provide pressurized fluid to the destroking servo when the land covers the destroking servo port. The lands of a control spool are provided with notches to allow fluid to flow from the control pressure port of the control valve to the servo ports of the valve. These notches ensure that a flow of pressurized fluid will be transmitted from the control pressure port to the destroking servo port during return of the swashplate to its neutral position. By providing the notches, pressurized fluid is directed to the destroking port when the land of the control spool covers the destroking servo port. This pressurized fluid helps force via the destroking servo the swashplate back to its neutral position.

Abstract: A drive transfer gear assembly for a four-wheel drive truck tractor. The tractor includes a front drive steer axle assembly, a rear drive axle assembly containing the drive transfer gear assembly, and a prime mover drivingly connected to the front and rear drive mechanisms by the drive transfer gear assembly. The front axle assembly includes a rigid axle housing having end sections and a drop center section containing a differential gear set with output gears drivingly connected to wheels pivotally journaled at the outboard ends of the rigid axle housing. The rear axle assembly includes a differential gear set with output gears drivingly connected to the rear wheels, and a drive transfer gear assembly positioned forwardly of the differential gear set.

Abstract: A delimber blade having a central region beveled at a first angle to form a cutting edge at the tree engaging surface of the blade, and having opposed end regions beveled at first and second angles to form cutting edges spaced from the tree engaging surface of the blade. According to another aspect of the invention a plurality of blades is provided, all of which are identically shaped and sharpened.

Abstract: A controller for fluid pressure operated devices such as power steering systems is provided. The controller is of the type having an inlet for receiving a system fluid flow, an outlet, a pair of control fluid ports for connection to a primary fluid pressure operated device and an auxiliary fluid port for connection to an auxiliary fluid pressure operated device or system. The controller includes a valve means having a primary valve member and a follow-up valve member, the valve members defining a neutral position relative to each other. A fluid meter includes a movable member coupled to the follow-up valve member. The primary and follow-up valve members cooperate with the housing to define a first flow path including the inlet, one of the control fluid ports, the fluid meter, the other of the control fluid ports, and the outlet when the valve members are relatively displaced from the neutral position.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle in which one of the articulation pivots is mounted on the canopy of the vehicle. At least one of the hinge members of the pivot is in the form of a wide plate member to provide additional overhead protection for components mounted on the vehicle.

Abstract: A viscous shear rotary coupling comprises a rotary member mounted coaxially within a rotary housing is rotatable relative to the housing and has surfaces which are close to but spaced from internal surfaces of the housing. The spaces between these surfaces are occupied, in operation of the coupling by a viscous liquid. The rotary member is made up from a hollow steel shaft on which is secured, as by pressing, adhesive bonding, casting or friction welding, an element which is generally of disc form and which is made from aluminium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning the head of an engine valve in relation to the valve stem. A pair of die members is provided, the first die member being fixed relative to the frame of the apparatus and the second die member being cylindrical and rotatably mounted relative to the first die member. Each of the die members includes a surface for engaging the stem of the valve to straighten the valve stem as it is rolled between the surfaces in a generally arcuate path. A head straightening assembly is disposed adjacent the die members, including a straightening wheel freely rotatable relative to the die members. The straightening wheel includes a straightening surface which rollingly engages the surface of the valve head as the valve stem is rolled between the die surfaces in the arcuate path.

Abstract: A one-piece mechanical device for visually indicating the tension in a monitored bolt, such as a mine bolt or the like, is provided. The device comprises a specially configured spring washer, preferably a helical washer, which is inserted in between the head of the monitored bolt and the surface or backing plate against which the head of the bolt will bear for substantially resilient compression therebetween. The washer is selected with a spring constant such that substantial axial compression of the washer will occur only upon the application of a compressive force in the range of tensile forces to monitored in the monitored bolt. Preferably, the washer will only completely flatten between the bolt head and the bearing plate when the compressive force applied thereto exceeds the predetermined maximum tensile force in the bolt.

Abstract: A worm gear clamping apparatus including a molded, one-piece worm gear drive head and strap assembly, the end of the strap oppositely disposed from the worm gear drive head defining partial internal threads on its outward surface. The apparatus also includes a molded worm member having external threads and an elongated guide portion projecting forwardly of the threads. The worm gear drive head defines a strap-receiving opening for receiving the opposite end of the strap, and also defines a worm chamber configured to receive the external threads of the worm member. The forward end of the worm gear drive head defines a journal opening for receiving the elongated guide portion axially movable therein.

Abstract: An improved pressure relief valve for tubeless tires or the like is provided. The pressure relief valve includes a novel poppet valve dust cover structure which will automatically reposition the dust cover after each opening or cycle of the relief valve and which will allow the dust cover to act as a secondary poppet valve surface during venting of the pressurized container in which the valve is mounted to increase the rate of fluid flow through the valve. The valve is designed to be sealingly mounted in an aperture in a wall of the pressurized container and may be mounted therein by means of a threaded connection, a clamp connection, a snap-in connection from the interior of the container or a push-in connection from the exterior of the container. The dust cover is attached to the main poppet valve member for axial movement therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for adjustable mounting a steering column in a vehicle, whereby the column may be telescoped, tilted or both, simultaneously, by unlocking the mechanism with a single handle. The mechanism includes a pair of side frames fixed within the vehicle, and an inner tube fixed to the column and movable between the side frames. When the handle is turned to lock the mechanism, the clamping portion of the mechanism draws the slide adjusters toward the inner tube, forcing the generally heart-shaped slides toward the inner tube and biasing them away from the longitudinal axis of the mechanism. This movement of the slides forces the pin connecting each opposite pair of slides into engagement with both the front frictional surface of the inner tube and with the outer surface of the slot within which the particular pin travels, thereby trapping and frictionally holding the inner tube relative to the side frames.

Abstract: An electronic digital control system for vehicle speed control of the type using a throttle servoactuator responsive to an electrical control signal. The control system includes a function switch which, when selectively actuated by the vehicle operator, causes the controller to index the sensed vehicle speed by a predetermined increment and accelerates the vehicle to said indexed speed. The controller regulates vehicle speed by repetitively calculating the parameters of a governing equation and providing a control signal in the form of a series of width modulated electrical pulses having the width thereof proportional to the sum of the parameters of the governing equation. The control system utilizes only a single counting means for registering vehicle speed and the desired set, or reference, speed.

Abstract: A drive axle assembly, such as a tandem axle, is provided for transmitting torque from a main drive shaft to at least one of a first drive axle and a second drive axle. An input shaft is driven by the main drive shaft and has a helical gear in fixed engagement therewith, and in driving engagement with the first drive axle. An output shaft is disposed coaxially with the input drive shaft and includes clutch means in fixed engagement with the output shaft. The clutch means includes a set of clutch teeth which, when the clutch means is shifted into operative position, engages a mating set of clutch teeth on the helical gear.

Abstract: A viscous shear overrunning clutch having a housing and circular member is disclosed which provides a driving force in one direction and an overrunning clutch when the relative angular velocities of the clutch and housing are reversed. The design includes a housing having a circular member mounted therein. In one embodiment, spaced radially extending passageways are circumferentially defined in the circular member and allow fluid communication between a working chamber and a reservoir. Flow directing means are located on the outer periphery of the circular member adjacent the end of the radially extending passages to create pressures within the passages to move fluid between the working chamber and reservoir in response to differences in angular velocity between the housing member and circular member.

Abstract: Transmission and engine control means for a vehicle wherein the engine is connected through at least one friction clutch to a transmission having a positively geared power train therethrough. A low speed governor is provided to sense an engine speed at or shortly below idling speed and functions to increase fuel supply to the engine as same is lugged down for maintaining, within the capacity of the engine, at least said selected minimum speed. Further, means are provided responsive to the position of the throttle control, such as the accelerator pedal, for modulating the engagement pressure of said clutch in response to the position of such throttle control, progressive opening of the throttle effecting progressive increase in the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch, whereby the torque transmitting capacity of the clutch is under all throttle settings maintained at a value a little greater than the load torque normally applied thereto at such throttle setting.

Abstract: A system for providing pressurized fluid to a primary load circuit and an auxiliary load circuit, the primary load circuit being of the type which provides a load pressure signal representative of the demand for fluid in the primary load circuit. The system includes first and second fluid pumps feeding first and second priority flow control valves, respectively, each of which has a primary outlet port connected to the primary load circuit and an auxiliary outlet port connected to the auxiliary load circuit. When the flow demand of the primary load circuit can be satisfied by the first pump, any excess flow available is fed by the first flow control valve to the auxiliary load circuit, and all of the flow from the second pump goes to the auxiliary circuit.

Abstract: A power steering system is disclosed which selectively controls the flow of fluid to a steering motor and an auxiliary device, and may have as its source of pressurized fluid either a fixed displacement pump, a variable displacement pump, or a load sensing pump. The system includes a steering control valve disposed between the pump and the steering motor, and an externally pilot operated flow control valve, specifically, a priority valve, disposed between the pump and the steering control valve, such that the entire system flow enters the priority valve.