Abstract: A mechanical, non-fluid-power clutch is disclosed. Inside a clutch housing, a cup element is fixed to a first shaft. First splined discs radiate inwardly from the cup. A second shaft, coaxial with the first shaft, has a second set of splined discs which radiate outwardly in an interleaved arrangement with the first discs, so as to form a disc stack. A collar cam is also carried by the cup element. This collar cam has a fixed element, and a movable element which can squeeze the disc stack and consequently couple the shafts. Interconnector balls move radially outwardly between the collar cam elements to effect the collar cam element movement and shaft coupling. The radially outward movement of the balls is caused by a sleeve cam telescoped upon the second shaft. The sleeve cam can be moved axially by a yoke arrangement, which is controlled by a lever located outside the housing.

Abstract: Structure for supporting or suspending a brake from a vehicle is described and claimed. The brake itself comprises a U-shaped brake housing for partially surrounding a brake disc mounted on a wheel. An actuator lever-accepting slot is formed in the brake housing member. Several mounting bolts extend between the brake housing legs. A first stator friction element is carried on one housing leg for engaging one side of the brake disc, and a second stator friction element is carried at least partially within the housing for engaging an opposite side of the brake disc. An actuator lever extends through the housing slot; the lever is connected to the housing and engages the second stator element for drawing the housing in one direction to urge the first stator element into disc engagement while driving the second stator element in an opposite direction to urge the second stator element into disc engagement. The mounting structure includes a mounting bracket fixed to and extending from a portion of the vehicle.

Abstract: A multi-speed hydrostatic drive is disclosed. The drive comprises the combination of a drive unit having at least one output connectable to a motive member and at least first and second inputs. A clutch unit is connected to the first drive unit input, and a first fixed displacement hydraulic motor is connected to the clutch unit so as to drive the drive unit first input through the clutch when the clutch is engaged. A brake unit is connected to the second drive unit input. A second fixed displacement hydraulic motor is connected to the brake unit so as to drive the drive unit second input when the brake is disengaged. A variable displacement hydraulic pump is also provided. A hydraulic circuit delivers the pressurized fluid to the first and to the second hydraulic motors to provide a relatively low speed, high torque drive. Alternatively, the hydraulic circuit can be set to deliver pressurized fluid to the second motor only to provide a relatively high speed, low torque drive to the motive member.

Abstract: A brake valve is disclosed, which is provided with an enlarged chamber, at one end of which is slidably disposed an annular piston. A reaction piston is carried on a valve rod; the reaction piston radially extends so as to cover the annular piston. When the reaction piston moves toward the annular piston, flow of fluid through the valve is restricted and then halted. Mating beveled conical surfaces are provided on the annular piston and the reaction piston to provide a mutual centering and seating action as the reaction piston is moved toward the annular piston. Belleville washer elements are stacked in opposed array on the valve rod for resiliently urging the reaction piston into engagement with the annular piston, and for inhibiting mechanical shocks from being transmitted from the valve rod to the reaction piston, and vice versa. Conical fluid flow stop members regulate the flow of fluid from the valve chamber to downstream brake elements.

Abstract: A combination brake and brake wear take-up device is disclosed. The device comprises a disc brake assembly and a link assembly connected to actuator discs. A link assembly pull rod is connected to a fluid power piston slidably disposed in a cylinder. One or more conical washer members are carried around the piston and permit the piston to slide in the cylinder in one direction over a relatively extended distance, but permit the piston to slide in the opposite direction over only a limited distance. A snap ring disposed in the cylinder interior and a shoulder formed in the cylinder interior define the axial extent of that limited piston return motion.

Abstract: An hydraulic clutch is provided, which is positively engaged by hydraulic means, and is disengaged by mechanical means. The clutch includes a male cone member carried for rotation on an input shaft, and for limited axial sliding movement therealong. Interconnection between the male cone member and the input shaft is provided by a series of elongated pins carried in recesses formed in the male cone member and in the input shaft. A female cone member, formed integrally with an output shaft, receives the male cone member for driving engagement. When engagement is desired, a fluid pressure piston and thrust plate urge the male cone member axially along the input shaft into driving engagement with the female cone member. A stop pin carried by the thrust plate engages an abutment for limiting the axial motion of the hydraulic piston and male cone member.

Abstract: An hydraulic clutch comprises coaxial input and output shafts with driving and driven discs respectively mounted on the shafts. The mounting of the driven discs on the output shaft includes a one piece member having a cup with an annular wall that surrounds the input shaft and the driving discs. The one piece member also includes the output shaft. An hydraulic piston is used to engage the clutch discs; and pins, around which return springs are mounted, limit the throw of the piston. The arrangement tends to minimize turbulence, heat build-up, and power losses when the clutch is in the disengaged condition.

Abstract: A brake unit and a brake unit mounting and leveling device are disclosed. The brake unit includes a U-shaped brake housing and a first friction element affixed to one housing leg. A stator is carried at least partially within the housing and slides on brake mounting bolts which extend through the housing legs. The bolts also extend through a mounting bracket fixed to a vehicle axle housing. A leveler bracket is affixed to the mounting bracket and bears against one housing leg so as to tip the brake unit from a canted position to a position in which the brake friction elements are carried substantially parallel with the brake discs.

Abstract: A closed-center brake system and brake valve are disclosed. A closed-center variable displacement pressure compensated pump delivers fluid pressure to a valve inlet which carries a normally closed check valve. When a valve operating rod is partially withdrawn from the valve, the check valve opens to admit fluid to a valve chamber; fluid pressure and flow are directed from the chamber to ports leading to a vehicle left-hand brake and a vehicle right-hand brake. Should fluid pressure be lost in upstream portions of the system, further pulling action on the valve rod will collapse the chamber and manually deliver pressurized fluid to the brakes. Another brake valve outlet port, located just downstream of the inlet check valve, provides for delivery of pressure compensated fluid back to the pump to cause the pump to operate with desired characteristics.

Abstract: A brake system is disclosed which comprises a primary fluid power brake subsystem and a secondary or back-up brake subsystem. The primary brake system is of the "power brake" type, and includes a power brake valve having a housing defining an elongate bore. A bi-ended rod extends through the housing end wall to be slid between spaced apart first, second and third positions. That end of the rod which is inside the housing is affixed to a reaction piston. The reaction piston cooperates with an annular piston, also carried within the bore, to have fluid flow through the valve and raise fluid pressure within a collapsible chamber defined by the bore. When the rod is partially pulled out of the valve housing, this high pressure fluid is directed to vehicle brakes to cause primary braking action. Should the primary system fail in some respect, rod pull-out action operates to energize a secondary or back-up brake system.

Abstract: A combination fluid power disc brake and one-way clutch unit is offered. An inner shaft is journalled in a stationary housing, and an outer shaft is journalled upon the inner shaft. A one-way clutch between the shafts causes the inner and outer shafts to rotate together as a unit when the inner shaft is rotated in one direction, but permits the inner shaft to rotate independently of the outer shaft when the inner shaft is rotated in the opposite direction. A disc brake assembly operates upon the outer shaft to selectively retard its rotation. The disc brake assembly is of a failsafe design, and permits outer shaft rotation when a positive hydraulic pressure is applied to the unit. If pressure is lost or removed, the brake is activated, and outer shaft rotation is halted.

Abstract: An auxiliary release apparatus for use with a hydraulic pressure releasable brake having a principal source of hydraulic pressure comprises an auxiliary source of hydraulic pressure selectively connectable to the brake for releasing the brake when the principal source of hydraulic pressure is not operating. The auxiliary release apparatus includes a shuttle valve and a relief valve for automatically disconnecting the auxiliary source and reconnecting the principal source of hydraulic pressure from the brake when the principal source of hydraulic pressure is operating. The auxiliary source of hydraulic pressure includes a cylinder, a hand pump comprising a handle and a piston connected to the handle and disposed in the cylinder, a fluid supply reservoir and suitable connection lines between the fluid supply and the cylinder. The relief valve also regulates the amount of pressure provided to the brake by the hand pump.

Abstract: A hydrostatic drive is disclosed in combination with a machine tool such as a sand core molding machine. A machine of this type comprises a fixed carriage and a core molding die mounted for rotation on the carriage. The drive includes a reversible fluid power motor having an output shaft. The motor output shaft is connected to a fail safe fluid power brake, and the brake shaft is, in turn, connected to a power transmission unit. When fluid power is applied to the brake and the motor, brake override means operate to release the brake to permit the motor shaft, brake shaft and tranmission to be turned by the motor and thereby operate the movable die.

Abstract: A brake system for a towing vehicle and trailer is disclosed. An electromechanical transducer controller connected to the towing vehicle brake system develops an electrical signal which varies continuously and systematically in accordance with braking action pressure in the towing vehicle brake system. In a fluid trailer brake system, an electromechanical control receives this signal, and continuously and systematically varies the fluid pressure in the trailer brake system accordingly. A vacuum or other fluid power booster can be included to assist in amplifying and applying this fluid brake pressure. Trailer braking action in caliper-type trailer disc brakes varies in accordance with this fluid pressure.