Abstract: A hydraulic drive unit having a center section for a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor mounted in a casing. The center section includes a cylindrical protuberance for locating the center section in the casing, and at least one fastener opening formed in the center section for receiving a fastener engaged to the casing. The drive unit may also include a pair of flat surfaces formed on the center section and adapted to mount with features in the casing, and a bypass shaft extending into the casing and at least partially disposed in the center section.

Abstract: A power distribution assembly integrated into the lower engine housing of an internal combustion engine, the assembly having a drive train with a T-box output configuration and power take off driven by the crankshaft of the engine. The drive train may power the input shafts of a pair of independent, variable drive transmissions. In one embodiment, a single actuator engages a manual clutch/brake mechanism that controls the output shaft of the power take off. In other embodiments, an electric clutch affords control of the power take off mechanism. In further embodiments, a hydraulic clutch/brake assembly allows control of the power take off, and an additional hydraulic clutch assembly may be used to control the outputs of the T-box.

Abstract: A modular drive system for a zero turn radius vehicle having a central gear box that powers a variety of left and right side drive mechanisms, the central gear box having a housing forming a sump, an input shaft, a central drive train with an output generally perpendicular to the input shaft, and a power take off mechanism including a clutch having an output shaft collinear with the input shaft.

Abstract: A hydrostatic apparatus is disclosed. The hydrostatic apparatus comprises a pump, an input shaft, a fan and a fan shroud. The pump comprises a housing, an end cap, a first end and a second end. The input shaft extending from the first end and the second end of the pump. The fan is attached to one end of the input shaft. The fan shroud is also attached to the pump.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive unit for use in a vehicle or other application incorporates a motor connected to a pump through a porting system and an output shaft driven by the motor. A mechanical brake is used to brake the motor, while a valve provides a hydraulic brake for preventing flow between the hydraulic motor and the hydraulic pump. A brake actuator is connected to both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake, whereby actuation of the brake actuator causes both the mechanical brake and the hydraulic brake to be actuated.

Abstract: A transmission disposed in a housing with a power take off clutch, the clutch including a planetary gear assembly, a cage having an internal gear form engaging a first set of clutch plates, and a second set of clutch plates interleaved with the first set of clutch plates. The sun gear is engaged to and selectively driven by the second set of clutch plates, and a clutch mechanism engages the clutch plates to transmit a rotational force of the cage to the sun gear. A power take off shaft extends into the housing and is driven by the planetary gear assembly. The power take off shaft has a second axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of a primary input to the transmission.

Abstract: A control system for use in a vehicle having left and right clutch assemblies, each clutch assembly including a brake mechanism and a drive mechanism. The control system includes a steering switch having a left steering position to actuate the left brake mechanism and the right drive mechanism, a neutral steering position to actuate the left and right drive mechanisms, and a right steering position to actuate the left drive mechanism and the right brake mechanism. The system may also include an operator switch having a first position to actuate brake mechanisms and disable the steering switch, and a second position that passes control of both brake clutch assemblies to the steering switch. The system may further include a brake switch having a brake position that actuates both brake mechanisms and disables the operator switch and the steering switch, and a drive position that passes control of both clutch assemblies to the operator switch.

Abstract: A modular transmission assembly is disclosed, including a bracket having separate, integrally formed pump and motor mounting areas disposed generally perpendicular to one another, a pump assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the pump mounting area, the pump assembly having an end cap secured to a pump housing and having at least two system ports on one side of the end cap, a motor assembly engaged and fastened to the bracket proximate to the motor mounting area, the motor assembly having a front housing with at least two motor system ports and an output shaft and at least two hoses connecting the pump system ports to the motor system parts to form a hydraulic circuit.

Abstract: An electric actuator for use with a drive apparatus is disclosed herein. The electric actuator has a rotary design incorporating a position sensor disposed to engage the end of a control shaft. An electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position the control shaft, the reduction gear train having a worm drive that motivates a spur gear reduction. A slip clutch is disposed between the worm drive and spur gear reduction to protect the components of the reduction gear train, and to also place a limit on the torque applied to the control shaft. The housing of the electric actuator features a motor chamber to accommodate the electric motor and is sealed by a cap having an electric connector. The actuator gears may be integrated in a common sump with the drive apparatus.

Abstract: A clutch for driving a pair of output axles for a drive mechanism includes a driven clutch bevel gear mounted on a clutch shaft. A pair of clutch rings is disposed on opposite sides of the bevel gear and slidable along a clutch shaft, to selectively engage a pair of driven gears. A pair of clutch arms engages the clutch rings for moving each clutch ring between its engaged and disengaged positions, and a plurality of springs disposed along the clutch shaft biases the clutch rings to their respective engaged positions. The drive mechanism may include a mounting member having a running surface for a hydraulic motor, a pair of arms on opposite sides and extending away from the running surface, wherein the clutch shaft extends between and is supported by the pair of arms.

Abstract: A clutch/brake assembly is provided which includes a coil plate non-rotatably captured between the upper housing and the lower housing and having affixed thereon a ring shaped coil, a clutch rotor rotatably secured to the shaft and having a groove configured to accommodate therein the ring shaped coil, and a clutch output assembly having a clutch/brake disc and a clutch output shaft. The clutch/brake disc and the clutch output shaft are attached to one another by a plurality of springs. The clutch/brake assembly may be mounted on a deck of a lawnmower to drive a blade.

Abstract: A vehicle connectable to an auxiliary power unit capable of energizing a pair of fail-safe brakes that arrest rotation of a pair of electric transaxles mounted to the vehicle. Each brake has an external connector and requires electrical power to assume a non-braked state that permits free rotation of an electric motor engaged to the brake and incorporated in each of the electric transaxles. The auxiliary power unit having first and second circuits and first and second connectors compatible with the external connectors of one of the brakes.

Abstract: A hydraulic pump assembly having a main pump, a charge pump and an auxiliary pump driven by a single shaft is provided. A pair of hydraulic porting members cooperates to feed and distribute hydraulic fluid between the three pump units, and a single inlet may be used to provide hydraulic fluid to the charge pump and the auxiliary pump.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a transmission housing disposed on a frame to independently drive a pair of wheels. The transmission includes first and second motor having collinear motor shafts and first and second pump hydraulically connected to the respective motors and having collinear pump shafts. An input shaft extends into the housing and drives both pump shafts and has an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the pump shaft axes of rotation.

Abstract: A transaxle includes an expansion bladder disposed in a sump for a hydraulic transmission, where the expansion bladder forms an air chamber separate from the sump and open to atmospheric pressure. The expansion bladder includes a set of ribs formed on an internal surface of a wall structure and extending into the air chamber to prevent unwanted collapse of the expansion chamber and improve its ability to collapse in a controlled manner as oil in the sump expands.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly capable of precise control having a housing, a hydraulic mounting surface located in the housing, a cylinder block rotatably disposed on the hydraulic mounting surface, a motor shaft engaged to the cylinder block and supported proximate to a first end, a plurality of cooperating gears located in the housing and rotationally engaged to a second end of the motor shaft, an output shaft rotationally engaged to the plurality of cooperating gears, a speed sensor located proximate to one of the plurality of cooperating gears, wherein the speed sensor transmits a signal indicative of the rotational speed of the one of the plurality of cooperating gears.

Abstract: A drive train configuration is disclosed. The drive train configuration has a transmission or transaxle assembly which may be directly mounted to a vehicle frame. The drive train configuration also comprises an engine that may be attached to a housing of the transmission or transaxle portion. The drive train configuration may also have a power take off mechanism.

Abstract: A drive apparatus driven by a prime mover and having a variable speed transmission disposed within a housing is disclosed. A power take off is driven by an output shaft of the prime mover and selectively drives a power take off output shaft. The variable speed transmission drives a transmission output shaft, which in turn drives a first clutch mechanism and a second clutch mechanism. A first drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the first clutch mechanism and a second drive axle is engaged to and selectively driven by the second clutch mechanism.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a vehicle is provided, the vehicle having a frame, a prime mover and a pair of driven wheels. The drive assembly includes a transmission having a housing, an input shaft extending from the housing and driven by the prime mover, a pump and motor disposed on a hydraulic mounting member in the housing, the pump driven by the input shaft and correspondingly driving the motor through porting formed in the hydraulic mounting member. The transmission further includes an internal reduction gear assembly driven by the output shaft of the motor, a transmission output shaft disposed generally parallel to the motor output shaft and driven by the internal reduction gear assembly, the transmission output shaft extending from the transmission at both ends of the transmission output shaft. Each end of the transmission output shaft drives an external reduction assembly supported in part by the frame of the vehicle, the external reduction assemblies powering at least a driven wheel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive device having a pump and motor is disclosed, where the pump swash plate includes a pair of structural ribs and the housing has a pair of thrust ribs on an inner surface. Only one thrust rib is in contact with one of the structural ribs at a time, to permit arcuate rotation of the swash plate while limiting axial movement of the swash plate. The axes of rotation of the swash plate trunnion, input shaft and output shaft are in a common plane. A rotary bypass shaft for engaging transmission check plugs includes an external bypass arm. A pair of detents are externally formed on the housing, and the bypass arm includes separate pairs of openings to engage the pair of detents when the bypass arm is in different positions.