Abstract: A propulsion transmission for a ship having a reversibly driven propeller shaft with a fixed pitch propeller and a torque converter of the single stage and fixed housing type for driving the propeller in the reverse direction. A planetary gear system is provided for driving the ship in a forward direction and a disengageable friction plate type brake is connected between the transmission housing and the planetary gear system and for forward drive. The brake is engaged to anchor a portion of the planetary gear system to drive said propeller shaft in a forward direction. The brake is disengaged when the torque converter is driving the propeller shaft in the reverse direction.One embodiment of the invention also includes a friction plate type clutch connected between the planetary gear system and the propeller shaft for transmitting power to the propeller shaft in a forward direction when the brake is disengaged.

Abstract: A marine propulsion system for a water craft comprises a relatively large engine or power plant and a power transmission including an output shaft for driving the propeller. The power transmission includes forward and reverse shafts, gear trains between these shafts and the output shaft, and clutches for the forward and reverse shafts. A shaft brake is provided to stop rotation of the output shaft for the propeller which minimizes damaging shocks to the propulsion system which sometimes occur during maneuvering operations. The brake is located concentrically with the forward shaft of the power transmission and is effective to brake the propeller shaft through interconnecting gears when both clutches are disengaged.

Abstract: A transmission system for a vehicle such as a farm tractor comprises a solenoid-operated reversible multispeed transmission (twelve speeds forward and four reverse); an electronic control circuit for operating solenoids in the transmission to effect shifting; and a single lever control device including a manually operable control lever movable from neutral to forward or reverse positions and between upshift and downshift directions when in each position to operate electric switches which are connected to the electronic control circuit to effect desired shifting of the transmission.

Abstract: A mechanical, metal face type seal, lubrication and venting system for a universal joint of the type having a cross-shaped trunnion body with cylindrical bushings located at the outer ends of each of the trunnions. The seals consist of a metal face type seal having a pair of face seals with a bias that provides seal sealing of internal pressure. An elastomeric seal is provided and functions as a static seal.

Abstract: A multiple, interleaved friction plate clutch has a clutch pack including a plurality of externally toothed clutch plates and a plurality of internally toothed clutch plates which are interleaved with said externally toothed clutch plates. Hydraulically actuated means are provided for clamping said interleaved plates together to provide a releasable driving connection, whereby said plates may be shifted between a clutch clamp-up position and a clutch released position in which said plates are separated from one another and have relative rotation therebetween. A plurality of axially extending rods are circumferentially spaced around and located adjacent the outer periphery of the externally toothed clutch plates, and a plurality of axially extending rods are circumferentially spaced around and located adjacent the inner periphery of the internally toothed clutch plates.

Abstract: A multiple, interleaved friction plate clutch in which the clutch plates have a fluid seal between them to permit fluid pressure to be built up in the space between the plates when they are in the clutch released, separated position, the plate sets are counter-rotating, and the head of oil built up between the plates positively holds both sets of clutch plates normal to the axis of rotation of the clutch and thereby prevents the plates from fluttering, wobbling or having other gyroscopic instabilities.

Abstract: An off-highway heavy duty dump truck includes an engine, a torque converter, a shiftable multi-speed hydraulically operated power transmission for driving the truck wheels, and a control system for the transmission. The transmission includes internal clutches which are selectively operated by a solenoid-operated rotary speed range selector valve to effect shifting in neutral, reverse or several forward speed ranges. The control system includes a manually operable multi-position speed range selector switch, sensing devices for ascertaining transmission input and output speeds, a limit switch and rotary switch responsive to the condition and rotary position, respectively, of the rotary range selector valve, and other condition responsive switches.

Abstract: A hydraulically controlled transmission for vehicles such as heavy-duty, high horsepower, off-highway trucks, the transmission having a plurality of selectively engagable change speed gears and hydraulically actuated friction type clutches for selectively engaging the gears to provide various speed ratios for the vehicle. The transmission includes a hydraulic control circuit in communication with the clutches and a rotary range selector valve is located in the circuit and driven in step-by-step increments by a geneva wheel drive means. The arrangement insures that the transmission can be shifted at only one speed range at a time and that an engaged speed range will be released before another speed range is engaged.

Abstract: A pressure modulated hydrodynamic retarder is provided for a power delivery system and speed sensing means is provided for sensing the rotational speed of the output of the retarder for producing a corresponding pressure fluid flow which acts to vary the fluid relief pressure of a pressure control valve for the retarder and consequently varies the torque of the retarder in accordance with its rotor speed. In this manner the retarder is modulated as determined by its output speed and when the invention is used in a hoisting operation, as the lowering speed increases due to the falling load the retarding action of the retarder also increases. A particularly desirable form of sensing means includes a variable flow fluid pump which is driven at a speed proportional to the lowering speed of the load to proportionately vary the retarding ability of the retarder.

Abstract: A low noise level, rapidly reversible propulsion system for a submarine or other vessel comprises a non-reversible adjustable speed prime mover, a reversible drive mechanism driven by the prime mover and including a fluid-cooled torque converter and speed reduction apparatus, an energy-dissipating load selectively connectable to the reversible drive mechanism, and a propeller driven by the reversible drive mechanism.

Abstract: An interleaved friction plate clutch in which the interleaved clutch plates can be clampingly engaged to transmit power between the clutch elements. Passage means are provided for cooling and lubricating the surfaces of the clutch plates, which includes a series of circumferentially spaced and axially extending reservoirs located in the clutch hub and radially inwardly of the clutch plates and also including a radially extending slot which extends axially along the length of the reservoir and at one side of the reservoir so as to form a weir therewith in which cooling fluid can accumulate and from which a layer of fluid can then flow over the weir along the entire length of the clutch assembly to thoroughly cool all of the clutch plates.

Abstract: A slip spline connection including a pair of concentric telescoping members for connecting two universal joints for rotation together. The members and their joints move axially toward and away from one another in operation, and define a chamber therebetween which is subjected to a pumping action as the internal volume of the chamber increases or decreases. A lubricant, such as oil is provided in the chamber for lubricating the slideable spline connection between the telescoping members. Two concentric one-way valves are provided as a single unit, with a provision for air filtration, and is located along the axis of rotation where it is not influenced by centrifugal force. As the slip spline connection is compressed, air is expelled through one of the valves, and as the slip spline connection is extended, the other valve acts to permit air to enter the chamber.

Abstract: A propulsion transmission for driving a fixed pitch propeller of a ship, the transmission including a prime mover, that is a power source, such as a gas turbine engine, or a diesel engine for example, and also having a disengageable clutch between the prime mover and the propeller and for transmitting power to the propeller for driving it in a forward direction. The transmission also includes a hydraulic torque converter of the single stage, fixed housing type and which is connected between the prime mover and the propeller for driving the propeller in the reverse direction when the disengageable clutch is inoperative.

Abstract: A power transmission for tractors or the like and having change speed gear mechanism and also having a power take-off shaft for driving auxiliary equipment. A hydraulically actuated clutch is utilized in the transmission for selectively engaging various gear ratios. A hydraulically actuated brake is provided for disconnecting the drive shafts and locking the power take-off to the transmission housing. Operating control valve means are provided for controlling the power take-off brake and a hydraulic detent is provided for the valve. The power take-off shaft is controlled by a modulatable clutch of the duplex type which enables the operator to modulate the speed of the power take-off shift and automatically insures that the power take-off shaft is locked and the power take-off brake is disengaged. The control valve for the power take-off brake includes a hydraulic detent that can lock the operator shifted control valve in the clutch operative position.

Abstract: A hydraulic retarder in conjunction with a multi-speed power transmission that finds particular utility for off-highway trucks. The hydraulic retarder is continuously filled with oil and is positioned in series with a hydraulically actuated friction type clutch. The retarder remains filled at all times and consequently there is no loss of time in filling or dumping the retarder when it is desired to utilize its retarding action by engaging its clutch.This "instantaneous" reaction to engagement and disengagement of the retarder makes it possible to use this retarder in certain automatic modes where conventional dump and fill hydrodynamic retardation devices are so slow to react as to be difficult to apply. This retarder has clutched engagement and disengagement. The torque capacity versus speed is varied through cavity pressure control.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated friction plate type clutch having a centrifugally actuated valve for controlling the amount of modulation or engagement of the friction clutch, and apparatus such as a counterweight for counteracting the centrifugal force characteristics of the shiftable valve parts so that the capacity of the clutch remains substantially the same at all centrifugal speeds.

Abstract: A friction plate-type clutch of the over-center type and having automatic adjusting means which is designed to sense cluth engaging force and make incremental clutch adjustments when the engaging force drops below a predetermined value.

Abstract: A modulatable power transmission clutch has a rotatable driving member, a rotatable driven member, and slippingly engagable clutch plates between said members which are movable into engagement by a fluid-applied spring-released movable piston having two separate fluid application areas thereon, with one area being larger than the other. Fluid is supplied directly to the smaller piston area by an operator-controlled proportional solenoid valve to regulate clutch modulation. Fluid flow to the larger piston area is controlled by a spring-biased trigger valve which pops open when fluid pressure to the smaller piston area reaches a predetermined level, to thereby effect maximum clutch engagement. The trigger valve operates a dump valve which opens to relieve fluid pressure on the larger piston area when the trigger valve recloses in response to reduction of fluid pressure from the solenoid valve.

Abstract: A power transmission control system for vehicles where it is desired to reverse the vehicle direction at full throttle such as vehicles used in mining operations, off road application, or the like. The transmission includes selectively and hydraulically operated friction-type clutches and hydraulic control circuits for actuation thereof. The hydraulically operated output clutches are used to change speed range of the transmission while input clutches are used to change speed and/or direction of the vehicle. The control mechanism permits the vehicle in motion to be shifted to a reverse direction at full throttle and the arrangement is such that when the shift is made, the output speed range clutch disengages or optionally drops to residual torque capacity, the forward clutch remains fully engaged, and the reverse clutch comes on fully to brake the input. Then both forward and reverse clutches are engaged. The input is then locked.

Abstract: A power transmission system for swinging the upper section of a mobile crane in opposite directions comprises a prime mover, a torque converter, a modulatable torque converter clutch connected between the prime mover and the torque converter, and a transmission connected to be driven by the torque converter and including a pair of alternately actuatable modulatable transmission clutches therein. The torque converter clutch is modulatable between disengaged and engaged positions. Each transmission clutch is modulatable between a minimum engaged position and a fully engaged position. Selectively operable control means are provided for modulating the torque converter clutch and a selected one of the transmission clutches to swing the crane upper in a desired direction. The control means effect full engagement of the selected transmission clutch prior to full engagement of the torque converter clutch.