Abstract: An adaptive control system for an electronically controlled transmission with an electronic controller, the electronic controller for controlling the actuation of solenoid-actuated valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid to regulate the application and release of pressure to and from the friction elements in response to signals from the sensors for sensing the input and output speeds of the transmission, the sensor for sensing the power demand on the prime mover, and the sensors for providing an indication of a manually selected mode of operation for the transmission, the electronic controller for causing the transmission to follow a set of predetermined shift schedules, the electronic controller for controlling the actuation of the solenoid-actuated valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid in a real time, closed loop manner, and having learning capability for adjusting the actuation of the solenoid-actuated valves for controlling the flow of hydraulic fluid associated with the operation

Abstract: A power transfer device for a vehicle comprises a power input part; an intermediate gear mechanism having an intermediate input gear and an intermediate output gear meshing together; a first gear meshing with the intermediate input gear; a first shaft connected to the first gear; a second output part adapted to be connected to the intermediate output gear; a second shaft connected to the second output part; a first auxiliary output part connected to the first shaft; a dog clutch adapted to be switched between a differential operation position in which the intermediate output gear is connected only to the second output part and a differential non-operation position in which the intermediate output gear is connected to both of the first auxiliary output part and the second output part; a lock gear mechanism connected to the intermediate gear mechanism; and a lock mechanism adapted to disengagably connect the lock gear mechanism to a stationary part.

Abstract: A system for automatically shifting the gears of a drag racing car transmission each time engine RPM reaches a predetermined level after leaving the starting line. The actual value of the predetermined level may be selectively adjusted by means of a potentiometer connected to the vehicle tachometer. A manually operable switch permits adjustment while racing an eight cylinder engine to only one-half the predetermined RPM level during adjustment. Additional potentiometers are preferably provided for limiting engine RPM to a first maximum value while racing the engine with the vehicle in first gear and held stationary at the starting line by the foot brake, and a second, higher, maximum value after leaving the starting line, both the first and second maximum RPM values being selectively and independently adjustable.

Abstract: A balanced free-planet drive mechanism includes a reaction ring gear, an output ring gear, an input sun gear arranged along a central axis, and a plurality of floating planet elements individually having a first planet gear engaged with the sun gear, a second planet gear engaged with the output ring gear, and a third planet gear engaged with the reaction ring gear. A required first rolling ring gear resists radially inward movement of the planet elements adjacent the third planet gear, and an optional second rolling ring gear resists radially inward movement of the planet elements adjacent the first planet gears to maintain the planetary elements essentially parallel to the central axis. A plurality of ring segments are connected to the output ring gear and engage a groove in each of the planet elements to maintain the planet elements in a preselected axial position and to transmit relatively low thrust forces.

Abstract: An electrically actuated shift mechanism (100) is provided that is mountable upon a manual mechanical change gear transmission and operable to move a shift finger (20) in an (X--X) direction into registration with a selected shift rail and then move the shift rail in a (Y--Y) direction to effect the gear shift is response to either a selected operator input signal (S.sub.1) or a speed signal (S.sub.2).

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission including a driving shaft connected to an engine output member and a driven shaft. The shafts are interconnected by a stepless variable coupling. A bidirectional gear drive mechanism connects the driven shaft to a differential mechanism having two output shafts extending therefrom. The drive mechanism includes a two gear forward and a three gear reverse drive path, each of which is controlled by a fluid-actuated starting clutch mechanism. Each gear path is adapted to drive a transfer gear which continually intermeshes with a ring gear of the differential defining another gear mesh. By such construction, the output shafts and the engine output memeber may rotate in the same direction during a forward drive mode of operation.

Abstract: A gearbox with a large number of ratios can be operated according to the laws of pressure variation with respect to the friction clutches provided for the engagement of the various ratios wherein the laws of pressure variation are no longer fixed but can be adapted to the various requirements for effective operation of the gearbox according to operative conditions of the vehicle in which the gearbox is installed. The valve units are exclusively electro-hydraulic proportional-responsive valve units. The operating conditions of the gearbox and the tractor in which it is installed are monitored by suitable devices which generate electrical signals indicative of the operating conditions. An electronic control unit is supplied with these signals and is arranged to pilot the electro-hydraulic proportional-responsive valves so as to regulate the manner of combined engagement and disengagement of the hydraulic clutches in dependence on the operative conditions.

Abstract: For improving the load-change behavior of a motor vehicle when driving through a curve, the motor vehicle is provided with a lockable differential continuously activatable in its locking action. The activation of the locking differential takes place in the first instance in two steps dependent on power output, whereby a velocity-dependent characteristic may be superimposed additionally on this power output-dependent control.

Abstract: A transmission has a torque converter with an impeller, primary and secondary turbines and a stator. In a first planetary gear set the carrier is connected to the primary turbine, the sun gear is connected to the secondary turbine and the ring gear is connected to a one-way clutch. A second planetary gear set has a second carrier connected to the output shaft and a second ring gear connected to the first carrier. A brake is connected to the one-way clutch and to the second sun gear for low forward operation. The one-way clutch is used in the first phase of low forward and in reverse. A clutch locks up the secondary planetary gear set in drive operation. The one-way clutch is centrifically disabled before and during drive operation.

Abstract: A transmission has a torque converter with an impeller, primary and secondary turbines and a stator. In a first planetary gear set the carrier is connected to the primary turbine, the sun gear is connected to the secondary turbine and the ring gear is connected to a one-way clutch. A second planetary gear set has a second carrier connected to the output shaft and a second ring gear connected to the first carrier. A brake is connected to the one-way clutch and to the second sun gear for low forward operation. The one-way clutch is used in the first phase of low forward and in reverse. A clutch locks up the second planetary gear set in drive operation. The one-way clutch is centrifically disabled before and during drive operation.

Abstract: A transmission for a vehicle wherein a single pinion type planetary gear mechanism and a double pinion type planetary gear mechanism are operatively combined by clutches and brakes in various manners to provide five or even six speed stages and a reverse stage, the overall gear ratio between the lowest speed stage and the highest speed stage thereof being relatively small in spite of the five or even six speed stages. The transmission, by further incorporating one way clutches, is generally shifted between each two adjacent speed stages by only newly putting one of the clutches or brakes into engagement or out of engagement with no need of timely related operations of other clutches or brakes.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission has a drive pulley having a shiftable disc, a driven pulley having a shiftable disc, a belt engaged with both pulleys, a transmission ratio control valve having a spool for controlling oil supplied to a cylinder of the drive pulley. A cam is operatively connected with an accelerator pedal of a vehicle for shifting the spool of the transmission ratio control valve through a spring in accordance with depression of the accelerator pedal. A stopping device is provided for stopping the cam at a predetermined angular position, and a spring is provided between the cam and a shaft which is provided for rotatably supporting the cam and operatively connected to the accelerator pedal. Accordingly the accelerator pedal can be further depressed after the stop of the cam. The stopping device has a stop member operatively connected to the shiftable disc of the drive pulley so as to be moved with the movement of the disc in the upshift direction.

Abstract: A clutch booster control system having parallel booster cylinder and a control valve, the booster cylinder having an extendible rod and being operatively connected between the vehicle frame and the clutch operating lever, the control valve having a slidable piston and being connected between the clutch operating lever and the pedal linkage. Movement of the clutch pedal moves the control valve piston to provide air to the booster cylinder for operating the clutch operating lever.

Abstract: A hydraulic control circuit for an automatic transmission is provided in which the automatic transmission has at least five forward gear shift stages. A plurality of solenoid valves are connected to hydraulic shift valves for controlling hydraulic line pressure utilized in the shifting between the various gear shift stages. Further, each of the gear shift stages is established dependent upon the operating condition of each of the solenoid valves. An inhibitor valve is provided which is operative by one of the solenoid valves and serves to provide an inhibiting function for solenoid valve disconnection and for manual downshift operation.

Abstract: A differential gear mechanism is mounted within a gear case fixed to a housing, an intermediate gear and a clutch mechanism are disposed on at least one output side, and a rotation changes for changing over the rotation of both output shafts between synchronous rotation and independent rotation according to increase or decrease in load relative to a present torque value.

Abstract: The nitrous oxide control system of the present invention enables the user to select certain gear ratios in which the nitrous oxide delivery system is enabled and certain gears in which the nitrous oxide delivery system is disabled. The control system also cuts out the delivery system when shifting between gears and provides the user with the full capability to turn off the delivery system at any time.

Abstract: A winder for winding and unwinding of materials, which utilizes a ball variator and planetary speed reducer in combination with a mechanism functioning as a regulator of speed output and tension desired for the materials. During a winding operation, the growing winding diameter of the material causes a rise in torque at the winding shaft and through a series of planet pinions, an increase of thrust at the ring gear of the planetary speed reducer. This increase of thrust is followed by rotation of the ring gear and control cam via a control lever. The rotation is transmitted from the control cam, through a clutch mounted on the control shaft and a series of gears to an iris plate of the ball variator and through the control shaft to a weight lever. The rotation of the iris plate causes a tilt of the balls of the variator, determining the drive ratio and output speed variation. The rotation of the weight lever causes tension desired for the material.

Abstract: Differential-gearing devices are disclosed in which the differential pinion gears are controlled to induce a speed difference between output shafts, provide a locking and limited slip differential to equalize the speeds of the output shafts or limit their speed difference, provide a clutch for controlling the coupling and uncoupling of an input shaft to an output shaft, and provide a variable speed transmission. These operational modes are implemented by mounting hydraulic motor or pump units on the rotating carrier of the differential apparatus, the pinion gears being fixed to the shafts of the respective units. A controllable external fluid source independent of the carrier is in fluid communication with the units via conduits through the stationary housing of the differential device and the rotating carrier. Fluid flow may be either blocked, limited or unimpeded between the source and the units to effect the desired control of the pinion gears to, in turn, determine the operational mode of the apparatus.

Abstract: A multiple ratio transmission having planetary gearing with clutches and brakes for establishing selectively each gear ratio, a hydrokinetic torque converter connecting a torque input shaft to a torque input shaft for the gearing and a hydrokinetic torque converter bypass friction clutch for connecting the torque input shaft directly to one of the torque input elements of the planetary gearing whereby the transmission may be conditioned for (i) open converter power drive mode, (ii) a normal drive mode wherein the converter is operated with an open bypass clutch during low speed ratios and wherein a split torque delivery is achieved in a higher speed ratio and wherein the torque converter is bypassed through the clutch during operation in the highest speed ratio, and (iii) an economy light throttle drive mode wherein the transmission is conditioned for open converter operation in the low speed range and for operation with the bypass clutch fully engaged for each of the higher speed ratios.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-speed hub for bicycles or the like having a gear shift system for more than three gears, wherein the hub transmission comprises a single planetary transmission with axially fixed planet carriers with stepped plant gears and with two different sun wheels, control of the hub transmission taking place coaxially through the hub shaft, there being for the gear shift elements in the hub a single control system which has to be operated from only one side of the hub shaft, the hub further comprising an arrangement of concentric separate sleeve-like components which are in functional sequence subject to the action of a shift head guided in the hub shaft and subject to spring tension. Such a construction provides a multi-speed hub which has an unusually large number of selectable gear stages, all of which can be operated from one axial side of the hub and by a single shift device and in functional sequence, actuation of this multi-speed hub being simple and functionally reliable.