Abstract: Spring-applied, pressure-released brakes are useful, for example, in construction vehicles or other vehicles that require an automatic braking in the event of an engine failure. In order to tow the vehicle for service, the brakes must be released. Most brake release systems require an alternate pump and associated valves on each vehicle with the fluid from the alternate pump being controlled by the brake valve on the vehicle. The alternate pump on each vehicle add cost to the vehicle and the spool of the brake valve is a known path for fluid leakage thus requiring an alternate pump of a larger capacity than is actually needed. The present brake release mechanism provides an isolating mechanism that is effective to isolate a work port of a brake valve from a valving element in a housing. The isolating mechanism is adapted to connect with an alternate source of pressurized fluid and adapted to direct the pressurized fluid to a brake for release thereof.

Abstract: A digital proportional valve with valve spool driven in discrete steps by a digital spool actuator in response to a remote manual control signal, while the proportional valve may be provided with positive and negative load compensation.

Abstract: Heat exchangers depend for efficiency upon optimum fluid flow, such as air, through their fins and about tubes extending through the fins. The air flow, particularly at the ends of a heat exchanger, can sometimes be of a significantly reduced amount owing to the construction of, or arrangement of elements in, the heat exchanger. First and second cores (12,14) of a heat exchanger (10) are positioned in a general "V" configuration with their inlet ends (24,42) adjacent one another. Apparatus (64) is provided upstream of the inlet ends (28,46) of the cores (12,14) to direct the air flow in a preselected orientation to inlet surfaces (20,38) of the cores (12,14) at the ends (28,46) of the cores (12,14). Air flow is thus improved over a portion of the heat exchanger (10) to increase its heat transfer efficiency.

Abstract: A compact nutating traction drive transmission is disclosed having particular utility in a vehicle as a steering differential. The transmission includes an input body rotatable about a central axis, first and second cone-like members rotatably mounted on the body on an inclined axis, and a pair of traction rings reacting against the respective cone-like members. A first embodiment includes a tubular shaft and a solid main shaft which are rotatably mounted and pilotably interconnected along the inclined axis, and a coupling apparatus is utilized for transmitting torque independently from the cone-like members to their respective shafts. Similar axially compact gear trains are driven by the respective shafts which have a construction and gear train ratio sufficient for maximizing the effectiveness of the transmission.

Abstract: An apparatus for thermally spraying a coating on a workpiece includes a fluid flow control shroud having a shaped inner surface portion complimentary to a preselected surface of the workpiece. During the coating operation, a supply of pressurized gas is introduced between the inner surface of the shroud and the workpiece surface to exclude deflected coating particles, remove weakly or loosely bonded particles, and cool the workpiece.

Abstract: A countershaft transmission provides three forward speeds and three reverse speeds using an input shaft, an output shaft, an intermediate shaft, five rotating clutch assemblies of the interleaved multiple plate and disc type, and eight gears. The first speed clutch assembly is mounted on the intermediate shaft, the second and third speed clutch assemblies are mounted on the output shaft, the remaining directional clutch assemblies are mounted on the input shaft, and the clutch assemblies are generally compactly grouped. Advantageously, no separate idler gear and associated shaft are required.

Abstract: In a flexible step assembly (10) for a construction vehicle (14) it is desirable to provide a step assembly (10) that is durable enough to withstand impact from uneven terrain and obstacles encountered in vehicle operation and that will also provide a stable platform from which to mount and dismount the vehicle. The flexible step assembly (10) of this invention is suspended from a vehicle (14) by very durable chain assemblies (34) which have a link construction (38,64) that will enable the chain assembly (34) to lock-up to resist movement in a lateral direction upon application of an operator's weight upon a suspended step member (82).

Abstract: An annular multi-piston brake apparatus (8) for selective holding engagement against a rotatable element (34). The annular multi-piston brake apparatus (8) advantageously includes first and second brake pistons (40,46) radially overlapping to allow the pistons to individually contact the rotatable element and stop rotation. Compact packaging of the brake apparatus is featured.

Abstract: A log skidding vehicle (10) having a winch (18) controlled by a lever (20) on which is mounted means (50) for simultaneously actuating a transmission neutralizer (46) and a brake apparatus (38). The actuating means (50), when engaged by the operator, causes a winch brake control valve (32) to transmit compressed air to the brake apparatus (38). Simultaneously therewith, the actuating means (50) causes a transmission neutralizer control valve (42) to obstruct air flow to a transmission neutralizer (46) and thus cause a transmission (48) associated therewith and its shift lever (49) to move to a neutral position. By mounting the actuating means (50) on the winch control lever (20) operator visibility of the skidded load is improved and the operator's comfort is enhanced. In moving the transmission (48) and its shift lever (49) to neutral the utilizing vehicle will not, without additional operator action, move subsequent to disengagement of the brake apparatus (38).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for laterally severing an asphalt layer to form a ribbon, separating the asphalt ribbon from an underlying base, elevating the separated asphalt ribbon, and fracturing the elevated asphalt ribbon by bending same. A cutting member having a leading edge which is insertable between the asphalt ribbon and base provides separation thereof along a lateral line. A ramp and elevating structure elevatingly guide the separated asphalt ribbon into a pair of breaker drums which are rotatable in opposite circumferential directions. Each breaker drum has protruding teeth which are arranged in laterally separated circumferential rows with the teeth in adjacent circumferential rows being preferably arcuately offset. Corresponding circumferential rows on the opposed breaker drums are laterally aligned and the teeth in those rows engage opposite surfaces of the asphalt ribbon during rotation of the breaker drums.

Abstract: A gear train having an internal gear mechanism is disclosed for use with a continuously variable transmission unit of the nutating traction drive type. The gear train includes a body rotatable about a central axis, a first pinion gear rotatably mounted on the body on an inclined axis, a second pinion gear rotatably mounted on the central axis, and either one or two tapered internal gears rotatably mounted on the body on a nutating axis for transferring torque between the pinion gears. The gear train is simple, compact, and relatively efficient.

Abstract: A drive mechanism is disclosed for rotating a pair of tandem wheel assemblies journalled on a centrally pivoted tandem drive housing. A jointless elastomeric belt extends about the wheel assemblies which are driven by two chains entrained over respective sprockets contained within the tandem drive housing. A planetary gear set is effective to powerably drive both chains with a differential action to minimize the influence of the belt loading upon the chains. The planetary gear set and the sprockets are constructed to deliver a greater torque to the rear wheel assembly than the front wheel assembly through the chains.

Abstract: Systems have been used to combine exhaust gas and blow-by for internal combustion engines. The mixing of the oily blow-by and the exhaust, however, has caused carbon particles to cake within the walls of intake passages and near intake valves. The subject exhaust gas and blow-by recirculation system overcomes this deficiency by inducing the oily blow-by within a passage of a cylinder head. The passage is located in close proximity to one of the plurality of combustion chambers such that the high velocity or flow rate of the intake air reduces the time and effect of the reaction between the hot exhaust gas and the oily blow-by. The subject exhaust gas and blow-by system utilizes a director tube extending through a bore of the cylinder head. The director tube is orientated to enable the flow of blow-by to enter the intake air in line with the flow path.

Abstract: A bypass restrictor arrangement is provided for use in a distribution valve to control the rate of bypass flow thus effectively reducing cavitation in a fuel system at the end of the injection stroke. Others primarily rely on operation at low system pressure or they rely on a relief valve to maintain a predetermined pressure level in the bypass passage. In the subject arrangement, an orifice is located in a bypass port of a rotor prior to the bypass fluid communicating with a low pressure chamber. Furthermore, the low pressure chamber is maintained at a predetermined pressure level by a relief valve. This arrangement ensures that the rate of fuel flow during bypass is controlled while also flushing and/or controlling the size of any entrained air bubbles or voids thus increasing the efficiency of the fuel system.

Abstract: A vehicle steering differential (10) includes a case (12) defining a chamber (76), an opening (78) on a transverse axis (36) communicating therewith, and a mounting surface (80) about the opening (78). An input pinion gear (14) and a bevel gear (18) driven by the pinion gear (14) are rotatably connected within case (12) in right angle intermeshing relationship by a body (20) releasably secured to the mounting surface (80). A radial opening (82) is defined in the case (12), and a steering motor (16) has a shaft (88) that extends through the radial opening (82) into driving engagement with the pinion gear (14), with the body (20) supporting the steering motor (16). The body (20) includes an arm (110) and a collar (122) releasably secured to the arm (110) for supporting the steering motor (16).

Abstract: The present cooling system provides a limited flow rate to the clutches during disengagement and provides additional cooling flow to the clutches during partial engagement and controls the pressure level of the fluid from the source of cooling fluid by operation of a valve mechanism which is responsive to a control mechanism. Upon full engagement, the valve mechanism automatically reduces the volume of cooling fluid to the clutches and simultaneously reduces the pressure level of the cooling flow from the source of cooling fluid. This cooling system provides the needed volume of cooling fluid during partial engagement of the clutches and also reduces the volume of cooling fluid during disengagement to reduce drag forces while further reducing the volume of cooling fluid during full engagement to conserve horsepower.

Abstract: In the use of fuel injection pumps, a distributing rotor is often utilized to sequentially deliver fuel from an inlet to a combustion chamber on an engine in combination with one or more reciprocating high pressure pistons. Due to the positioning of the various passages through which the fuel is directed, cavitation of the pump is often experienced which has a very serious effect on the life of the components within the pump. The fluid distribution apparatus of the present invention provides a single delivery passage between the pumping chambers of the reciprocating pistons and the distributing rotor. With this arrangement, fluid that is communicated from the bore to the pumping chambers in response to the intake stroke of the pistons is directed back through the same passage during the pressurization stroke of the pistons. The positioning of the single delivery passage prevents the fuel injection pump.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of turning a bushing of a track chain link assembly is disclosed which enables the bushing to be turned in place in the link assembly, thereby eliminating the need to disassembly the link assembly in order to effect the bushing turn.The apparatus includes clamping means having three jaws for clamping the bushing, each of which has a deformable insert of an aluminum alloy so that, upon application of the clamping force, the shape of insert can change to accommodate one-sided sprocket wear on the bushing and insure intimate clamping contact therewith. Each of the deformable inserts is supported on an arcuate surface of a support block which has apertures and grooves for providing space into which material of the insert can extrude to facilitate the ability of insert to conform to the bushing.

Abstract: A flexible seal assembly has an elastomeric body with a convoluted intermediate portion for accommodating pivotal movement about the center of a spherical joint and an integral radial seal lip for accommodating rotational movement about a central axis of the joint. The seal lip extends from an inner diameter portion of elastomeric body in proximate relationship to a rigid plastic lip restraining ring which is molded into such inner diameter portion such that flexure loads are carried by the restraining ring and have no effect on the seal lip.

Abstract: A pump control assembly (16) controls the displacement of a pump (11) and provides a standby pressure (87) that is greater than the difference (96) between the load pressure and the pump discharge pressure. A valve mechanism (38) provides a predetermined pressure signal to a valve member (23) for adding a force to the valve member to provide a control signal to an actuating member (17) which adjusts the pump's flow and pressure to a standby condition. The pump control assembly provides a more precise control of the standby position while eliminating large, bulky springs.