Patents Assigned to Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
  • Swivel fitting adaptor and assembly
    Patent number: 10760721
    Abstract: An elastomeric press-in-place swivel fitting adaptor and a swivel fitting assembly using the adaptor are disclosed herein. The swivel fitting assembly includes retention and sealing features that allow it to be installed in a threaded port by hand. It is suitable for use in a variety of low pressure fluid passage and venting applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Eric S. Phanco
  • Electric actuator for use on a hydraulic drive device
    Patent number: 10753470
    Abstract: An electric actuator for controlling the output of a hydraulic drive device such as a transaxle or pump, including an adaptor to permit use of the actuator with multiple drive device designs without the need to modify the control shaft of the drive device. The actuator may include an offset arm disposed on a distal end of an output shaft, and a protrusion extending from the offset arm and offset from the axis of rotation of the control shaft of the drive device. A control arm is disposed on an end of the control shaft and includes a first opening to engage the control shaft and a second opening to receive the protrusion to enable the protrusion to cause rotation of the control arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Integral power distribution assembly for engine
    Patent number: 10737572
    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 generates magnetic actuation to 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Nathan W. Bonny, Raymond Hauser
  • Bearing retainer assembly for a hydrostatic transmission
    Patent number: 10731625
    Abstract: A thrust bearing assembly is provided for the pistons of a hydrostatic drive motor. The thrust bearing assembly includes first and second retainer components removably interconnected to form a retainer assembly, a thrust bearing captured between and encompassed by the first and second retainer components, and locking tangs extending outward from the first and second retainer components. Corresponding catches are formed on the internal surface of the housing to engage the locking tangs when the thrust bearing assembly is installed in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: B. Keith Harshman, Ryan D. Gagnon
  • Assembly for mounting drive unit components in a housing
    Patent number: 10696156
    Abstract: A transaxle for a vehicle is provided, the transaxle having plurality of inward protrusions on an internal surface thereof. A motor block in the housing includes has one or more first depressions. At least one reduction gear assembly in the housing has one or more second depressions. At least one bearing in the housing for supporting an axle has one or more third depressions. The various inward protrusions on the internal surface of the housing interact with the one or more first depressions to retain the motor block in the housing, the one or more second depressions to retain the reduction gear assembly in the housing, and the one or more third depressions to retain the bearing in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael L. Bennett
  • Fluid expansion tank
    Patent number: 10690152
    Abstract: An expansion tank includes a tank body mounted inside a housing forming a sump, where the tank body defines an internal expansion volume. A fluid inlet tube on the tank body has an upper end open to the sump and a lower end open to the internal expansion volume. A single 2-way check valve is located at the lower end of the tube, and fluid enters the expansion volume when the pressure in the sump exceeds the pressure in the expansion volume by a first predetermined amount, and fluid exits the expansion volume to the sump when the pressure in the expansion volume exceeds the pressure in the sump by a second predetermined amount. The check valve may be a combination duckbill valve and umbrella valve. The tank body may include a cover on which the inlet tube is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Bryan K. Sparks, Gregory Barton Moebs
  • Electric transaxle with integral power generating device
    Patent number: 10676130
    Abstract: A vehicle drive and control system includes an input shaft driven by a prime mover and extending into a housing to drive a generator. An electric motor powered by the generator drives an output axle, which may be a single axle extending out one side of the housing, or a through shaft extending through the electric motor and out both sides of the housing. The input shaft may be parallel to the axle. A power controller is configured to back-drive the generator when certain predetermined conditions are met. A motor controller may control an output of the motor based on input received via an operator control device, and the motor controller is configured to operate the motor as a generator under certain operating conditions. The transaxle includes a common housing in which the power generator, the motor, and controllers for the generator and electric motor are disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Alyn G. Brown
  • Hydraulic pump assembly
    Patent number: 10670051
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Utility vehicle with onboard and remote control systems
    Patent number: 10631456
    Abstract: A utility vehicle having operator selectable onboard and remote controls also includes a prime mover and a power generating device driven thereby, first and second electric wheel motors, and a drive controller in communication with the wheel motors to control the output thereof and in communication with the onboard controls. A radio control receiver is in communication with the drive controller and with a radio control transmitter having steering and speed controls. The vehicle includes a control mode switch having a first position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the onboard controls, and a second position where the drive controller receives steering and speed control inputs from the radio control transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jake Siudyla, Alyn G. Brown, Ivan E. Fox, Jesse L. Probst, Scott W. Keller, K. Mike McCoy
  • Interactive sensor, communications, and control system for a utility vehicle
    Patent number: 10629005
    Abstract: A monitoring system is provided for a utility vehicle, and particularly, a zero turn radius type utility vehicle such as a lawnmower. The monitoring system includes an onboard processor and one or more sensors that are in communication with the onboard processor, to report various sensed parameters of the utility vehicle to the processor. The processor includes a transmitter for transmitting information that is processed by the processor to a near range electronic communication device. The near range electronic device includes a processor for further processing information received from the onboard processor. The near range electronic device also includes a transmitter that is capable of transmitting information to a far range electronic device, such as a remote computer, for providing the sensed information to a remote monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Alyn G. Brown, David H. Dunten
  • Return to neutral mechanism for variable drive apparatus
    Patent number: 10612652
    Abstract: A return to neutral (RTN) mechanism for a variable drive apparatus having a rotatable control shaft is provided. The RTN mechanism incorporates a neutral lockdown plate secured to the housing of the variable drive apparatus and disposed about the rotatable control shaft, a control arm fixed to the control shaft to impart rotation thereto, a single, rotatable return arm piloted upon a protective cover, and a pair of springs to bias the control shaft back to a neutral position from either a forward or reverse rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Austin J. Templin
  • Cooling pump assembly and cooling system for utility vehicle
    Patent number: 10589618
    Abstract: A coolant pump assembly having a combined hydraulic drive pump and a coolant circulating pump is disclosed herein, for use in connection with a utility vehicle, such as a ride-on or stand-on mower. Such a vehicle includes at least one combination pump assembly that utilizes a first fluid circuit to hydraulically drive a wheel of the vehicle and a second fluid circuit to cool one or more vehicle components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Scott W. Keller, Donald Rousser
  • Electric actuator for drive apparatus
    Patent number: 10584780
    Abstract: An electric actuator for use with a drive apparatus is disclosed herein. An electric motor drives a reduction gear train to position a 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ivan E. Fox, Austin J. Templin, Jesse L. Probst
  • Hybrid vehicle
    Patent number: 10577019
    Abstract: A hybrid zero turn vehicle is disclosed, having an internal combustion engine supported on a frame and an operator platform located adjacent to the rear of the frame. An upright riser is disposed on the frame. The vehicle uses an electrical generating device driven by the engine and first and second electric drive transmissions to drive the output wheels. An electrical bus or controllers may be mounted on a panel of the upright riser and offset vertically above the engine to assist in providing a compact design. A pair of drive levers is mounted on the upright riser for controlling the output of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Brian D. Laymon, K. Mike McCoy
  • Transmission assembly
    Patent number: 10557461
    Abstract: A drive device includes a housing forming a sump. A pump and motor are mounted on a center section having a porting system and a pair of ports with check plugs disposed therein. A bypass arm is engaged to one end of a bypass shaft external to the housing and rotates the bypass shaft to selectively cause engagement fingers to move each check plug to an open position. A housing projection is contacted by the bypass arm to selectively limit rotation thereof. The axes of rotation of a swash plate trunnion shaft, a pump input shaft and a motor output shaft may all be disposed in a single plane. The input shaft is supported by a housing bearing and an opening in the center section and is restrained from axial movement by the bearing and a thrust surface on the center section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jesse L. Probst, Eric S. Phanco, Joseph P. Niemerg, Shane A. Deters
  • Fluid expansion tank
    Patent number: 10557544
    Abstract: A hydraulic fluid expansion tank is located inside a housing of a drive device and includes an upper check valve and a lower check valve in communication with a sump located within the drive device and an internal volume of the expansion tank. The tank may also include a vent opening in communication with a vent of the drive device that is in communication with atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Eric S. Phanco, Gregory Barton Moebs
  • Drive and cooling system for utility vehicle
    Patent number: 10543743
    Abstract: A utility vehicle having a combined generator and coolant circulating pump assembly and at least one combined hydraulic pump and circulating pump is disclosed herein. An auxiliary pump may be disposed on a second hydraulic pump on the vehicle. A plurality of coolant reservoirs may be provided on the vehicle. The vehicle may also include a receiver for receiving signals from a remote operator transmitter, permitting remote operation of the vehicle, and an operator platform for permitting direct user control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Scott W. Keller
  • Transaxle having dual brake system
    Patent number: 10539163
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Thomas J. Langenfeld
  • Hydraulic running surface
    Patent number: 10533541
    Abstract: A hydraulic drive device includes a running surface having a pair of arcuate kidney ports formed thereon. The running surface also includes a plurality of pressure gradient grooves formed on the running surface, each pressure gradient groove having a proximal end adjacent to a respective one of the ends of one of the kidney ports and a distal end. The distal end of one of the pressure gradient grooves associated with one kidney port may overlap the distal end of a pressure gradient groove associated with the other kidney port. The distal end of at least one of the pressure gradient grooves is located outside the circumference of a pitch circle that passes through the center of each kidney port. The distal end of at least one of the other pressure gradient grooves is located inside the pitch circle circumference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Nathan W. Bonny
  • Vehicle having combination electric generator with electric clutch
    Patent number: 10530219
    Abstract: A generator and clutch assembly is disclosed for use in a vehicle and includes a rotatable input, an electric generator in a generator housing, a clutch rotor by driven by the rotatable input, and an electric clutch and brake assembly which may be integrated with the generator housing. A field coil may be mounted to an external surface of the generator housing. The generator and clutch may be offset and connected by means of a transfer system having a transfer housing, wherein a field coil is mounted to an external surface of the transfer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Raymond Hauser, Scott W. Keller