Abstract: A control system (10) for a spring applied, pressure released brake (16) is provided to control the pressure level in the brake (16) in response to operation of a control valve (22) to stage the pressure levels relative to the operating mode of the control valve. The control system (10) also provides two different fluid pathways (58,60) that are individually operational to lubricate a winch and draw-works mechanism (18) in response to the operating position of the control valve (22). This system improves the response time needed to gradually release the brake (18).

Abstract: A single lever pilot control system (10) controls the simultaneous operation of two actuators (16,18). A mechanism (48) holds a first control valve (20) in an actuated position in response to movement of the handle (29) along a first axis (44) while freeing the handle (29) to return to a neutral position. Further movement of the handle (29) along a different axis to operate the second actuator (18) does not override the automatic stopping of the first actuator (16). The mechanism (48) provides a more precise control of automatically stopping one actuator while simultaneously operating the second actuator.

Abstract: A unitary seal comprises an annular support section formed of a rigid polycarbonate plastic and an annular sealing section formed of a flexible polyurethane elastomer. The support and sealing sections are directly bonded together without the use of an adhesive therebetween to form a unitary seal. The sealing section has an annular lip extending from one side of the support section and adapted for sealing engagement with a member.

Abstract: A circuitous path flow restrictor (10) having no moving parts includes a fluid director member (16) having a core (24) and a plurality of fins (26) extending from the core and defining alternately axially offset notches (50,52). The fluid director member is encircled by a containment member (54) such that a serpentine fluid flow path (58) is defined therebetween to provide a fluid flow resistance level equivalent to a simple orifice of much smaller diameter. The fluid director member can be made by a precision casting process for economy of manufacture.

Abstract: A gear assembly (10) having a sun gear (11) provided with first teeth (13) and second teeth (14) axially spaced from the first set. A plurality of floating planet gears (15) are provided having first teeth (16,17) meshing respectively with sun gear teeth (13,14), and second teeth (18) meshing with a fixed outer ring gear (19). An output ring gear (20) meshes with teeth (17). A thrust washer (28) may be provided for limiting the axial movement of the planet gears.

Abstract: This invention relates to a brake control system (10) for controlling engagement and disengagement of a spring applied pressure released brake (11) of a winch and includes an orifice (39) and a relief valve (37) connected in series to the outlet port of a metering pump (23) to relieve pressure in the outlet port at a lower than normal pressure level when the fluid flow therethrough is below a predetermined flow rate. Relieving the pressure at the outlet port of the metering pump reduces the pressure differential between the inlet port (24) and outlet port (26) of the metering pump and thereby drastically reduces the internal leakage within the metering pump so that the metering pump is operative to pump fluid from the actuating chamber (14) at the slow rotational speeds of the rotatable member (12).

Abstract: A fluid control system (10) has a first fluid pump (12) for supplying pressurized fluid in interrupted series to first and second work elements (14,16). The first work element (14) in the series has priority which prevents simultaneous full power operation of the first and second work elements (14,16). A second fluid pump (24) is capable of supplying pressurized fluid to the second work element (16) only upon receiving a signal indicating that pressurized fluid from the first pump (12) is being directed to the first work element (14). The subject fluid control system (10) is especially useful with a tree harvesting machine where it is beneficial to propel the machine and at the same time rotate the upper structure.

Abstract: An improved ripper assembly (12) is joined to and drawn by a draft device (10) and includes a mounting structure (14), a ripper element (16), and an impactor apparatus (18). The mounting structure (14) includes an upper flange (20) and a lower flange (22) joined together by a pair of side plates (23). Aligned openings (24,26) in the flanges (20,22) permit attachment thereof to the draft device (10) and allows pivoting about a vertical pivot axis (28) when pins (30,32) are installed. The ripper element (16) is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis (38) and is secured to the mounting structure (14) by a pivot pin (40). The impact apparatus (18) imparts intermittent blows to the ripper element (16) and is joined to the mounting structure (14) by a single upper support pin (44) and two, aligned lower support pins (46).

Abstract: A heat exchanger plate (2, 4, 6, 8) having undulatory pleats (12) for forming fluid flow passages (18, 20) on opposite sides of the plate (2, 4, 6 8) is disclosed. The heat exchanger plate (2, 4 6, 8) is improved by providing the side walls (38, 42, 44) of each pleat (12) with a uniform slope. By this arrangement, the plate is provided with improved distortion resistance and fluid flow capacity. Method and apparatus for forming the pleated plates are also disclosed for using a pair of non-uniform donative fluid passage forming blades (34" and 36") mounted for relative oscillatory movement with respect to a recipient fluid passage forming blade (40") wherein the clearance between each blade is uniform throughout the entire length of each blade. By making the blade clearance constant the slope of pleat sidewalls may be constant even though each pleat follows a curvilinear path in plan view.

Abstract: A transmission control system is provided for use with a transmission assembly having a torque converter which couples a power input member with a transmission speed ratio section. A lock-up clutch is provided to selectively bypass the torque converter and couple the input member directly with the transmission speed ratio section. Some systems provide converter lock-up and lower transmission control pressure resposive to positioning of the transmission speed selector valve while others require additional complicated controls to operate the lock-up clutch of the converter and reduce transmission control pressure relative to the vacuum level of the prime mover.

Abstract: Roadable track shoes employed on track-type vehicles, such as an agricultural tractor, each include at least one elastomeric grouser having a steel anchor plate bonded thereto. Bolting of the anchor plate on a track shoe normally provides exposed bonded edges that are subjected to high tensile stresses or failure during tractor operation. In addition, soil and the like tends to ingress into the bonded edges to further induce bond failure. The grouser assembly (11) of this invention overcomes these problems by providing a compressed lip portion (27) of an elastomeric grouser (12) between a rib (24) formed integrally on the track shoe and each outer side (28) of an anchor plate (13). In addition, a static seal (30) is formed between the lip portion (27) of the grouser (12) and the rib (24).

Abstract: A planetary transmission (10) is disclosed including a front section (42/160) having a rotating housing (46/176) and a planetary gear set (20/162) with a ring gear (66/168), a sun gear (68/170) and a planet carrier (70/172). Advantageously, the rotating housing (46/176) serves as the input and one of the planet carrier (70) and the ring gear (168) serves as the output. The sun gear (68/170) is continually held stationary, a first clutch assembly (30/164) selectively connects the rotating housing (46/176) to the ring gear (66/168), and a second clutch assembly (32/166) selectively connects the rotating housing (46/176) to the planet carrier (70/172). The front section (42/160) of the transmission (10) is operatively connected to a rear section (44) for multi-speed use particularly adaptable to a truck or earthmoving vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus (10) and a method for forming, in situ, an external guard member (12), preferably of a spring steel wire material, on a hose (14).Spring steel wire is highly desirable as a material for guard members. Heretofore it has been necessary to preform the spring steel wire on a coiling machine and install precut lengths of the coil onto partially assembled hoses.The present invention overcomes the above problems of construction and assembly by providing an apparatus (10) and method for forming the preferred spring steel wire guard member (12) in situ on a hose (14) having fittings preassembled on both ends. The apparatus (10) includes a forming head (20) having separable first and second portions (46,48). A plurality of radially spaced die members (60) are provided on the first and second portions (46,48) to fully form two complete coils of a guard member (12).

Abstract: A bulkhead-fluid-line connector (10) is disclosed for supporting and directly sealably connecting two fluid lines (20,22) which conduct a pressurized fluid, such as fuel, through a housing wall (16) of an internal combustion engine (18).Unlike conventional bulkhead-fluid line adapters or unions which have a plurality of fluid supply path joints, the connector (10) requires only one fluid supply path joint by directly and sealably connecting the end portions (52,54) of the respective fluid lines (20,22) with a releasable coupler (56).

Abstract: High-pressure hydraulic hoses are employed in hydrostatic drive systems to interconnect the transmission and motors thereof. It is imperative that fluid leakage be held to a minimum, or preferably eliminated, particularly where a vehicle employing the drive system is operated in a high-temperature environment, such as a foundry. The hose assembly (13) of this invention provides a high degree of system reliability, relative to hydraulic leaks, and shields a high-pressure hose thereof (14) against damage and heat conduction to hydraulic fluid therein. The hose assembly (13) comprises a flexible high-pressure hose (14), an impervious flexible jacket (17) surrounding the hose in out-of-contact relationship therewith to define a fluid chamber (18) therebetween, and a mounting assembly (22) for mounting the hose (14) and the jacket (17) on a support member (23) to maintain them in out-of-contact relationship relative to each other.

Abstract: A split tire arrangement (10) for use with a closed torus tire (14), includes a first and second rim halves (11,12) each respectively having a first tapered diameter (23) and a second smaller tapered diameter (24) located on an inner side (21) of the split halves adjacent the first tapered diameter. A split band (13) is located on the second tapered diameter (24) and has a radially outwardly extending center portion (38) to locate the closed torus tire (14) relative to the split band (13) with the edges (34,36) of the split band terminating under the roll hoops (16,17) of the closed torus tire (14). This provides an arrangement for mounting the closed torus tire (14) to the split rim arrangement (10) without requiring the high forces of rubber sliding on metal.

Abstract: A winch apparatus (8) with a shift control mechanism (10) is disclosed for axially positioning a shaft (66) and effecting low and high speed raising of a load on a winch drum (24) and a centered neutral condition. The winch apparatus (8) advantageously includes first and second piston members (99,100) disposed within a housing (42) and mounted on the shaft (66), first means (122) for fluidically urging the first piston member (99) and the shaft (66) to a first position, second means (124) for fluidically urging the second piston member (100) and the shaft (66) to an opposite position, and centering means (126) for mechanically positioning the shaft (66) therebetween. Easier assembly of the winch apparatus (8) is featured.

Abstract: An implement assembly (12) includes an implement (16), such as, for example, a blade (22) of a work vehicle (10), pivotally connected to a frame (14) for supporting said blade (22). The blade (22) and frame (14) are closely positioned to the front of the work vehicle (10) for maximum stability and balance of the vehicle (10). In the implement assembly (12) first apparatus (18) tilts the blade (22) generally vertically. Second apparatus (20), such as, for example, angling cylinders (40,42), moves the blade (22) to preselected angles relative to the vehicle (10). A subframe (50) is pivotally connected to the frame (14) and second apparatus (20). The blade (22) moves along the subframe (50) during tilting and with the subframe (50) to the preselected angles.

Abstract: The steering wheel together with other controls of an earth moving vehicle such as a motor grader are mounted on a pedestal which may be selectively tilted for optimum positioning for different operators and to enable a particular operator to sit or stand at his convenience. The pedestal is defined by links pivoted together in a configuration which maintains the steering wheel at a substantially constant inclination and which maintains the other controls at preferred positions relative to the steering wheel and is provided with latch means for locking and releasing the pedestal at a selected inclination with a minimum of effort and diversion of attention. The pedestal and controls are arranged to increase safety by obstructing forward pitching of the operator in the event of abrupt vehicle stoppage while providing for rapid escape from the operator's station at either side of the vehicle. .Iadd.