Abstract: The clutch disc for a motor vehicle friction disc clutch comprises a hub part and a disc part mounted rotatably on the hub part. The disc part carries clutch friction linings and is supported through springs with a multi-stage rotational elasticity characteristic on the hub part. Between a side disc of the disc part and a hub disc, an axially resilient control disc is braced. The control disc is supported through a first friction face pair radially within the space defined by the springs on the hub part and through a second friction face pair radially outside this region on the side disc of the disc part. A tab of the control disc couples the control disc with limited rotational play with the hub part. The friction face pairs determine friction torques of different magnitudes and are effective in alternation.

Abstract: A system used in conjunction with a hybrid flywheel drive. The hydraulic service brake system is conventional. The continuously variable transmission, flywheel, and control system for hybrid operation is super-imposed on the hydraulic system. A pressure transducer added to the master cylinder provides a voltage control signal. A solenoid valve added to the hydraulic circuit for the front service brakes, activated by the hybrid control system, may be closed during regenerative braking to trap the front hydraulic brake pressure, thereby enhancing energy recovery by regeneration. The flywheel clutch is closed to begin regeneration.

Abstract: A disconnected situation of a clutch is detected by a clutch sensor and an actuator performing selection of gear ratio in a secondary transmission is controlled by a control circuit in response to detected signals of the clutch sensor, whereby the selection of the gear ratio is conducted only when the clutch is put in its disconnected situation.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes an input member, an output member, and clutch plates connected to the input and output members which are driven into drive engagement with one another when the clutch is engaged to connect the output member for rotation with the input member. The clutch plates carried on the input member are mounted on a separate clutch plate carrying member, which is machined before installation on the input member to thereby facilitate manufacture and assembly of the device. A fluid pressure responsive piston operates the clutch plates, and has an outer diameter slidingly and sealingly engaged with the wall to bore of the housing of the input or driving member, and its inner diameter slidingly engaged with an annular retainer which is mounted for rotation with the input member.

Abstract: A force-applying system is provided which combines a first direct electric actuator and a second, electrically controlled spring-applied actuator. The output force-applying member of the second actuator is operable through a force-transfer device one member of which is operatively loaded by the force-applying spring of the second actuator and another member of which is controlled by a solenoid. The operation is such that when the solenoid is energized, the members are out of engagement and when the solenoid is de-energized, the two members are engaged so as to operatively connect the spring to the output member. The solenoid and the electric motor of the direct actuator are controlled through an electrical circuit which ensures that the electric motor of the direct actuator is de-energized when the solenoid is de-energized.

Abstract: In a vehicle transmission system providing either manual or fully automatic operation according to selective switching-over of an operational mode selection means, a speed selection means for operation by a vehicle driver to select a range of speed stages available according to automatic speed change control by the transmission system in automatic operation thereof is also used in manual operation thereof as a means to set the transmission system to any forward speed stage desired by the vehicle driver in such a manner that its shifting to D, 3, 2 and L positions provide fourth, third, second and first speed stages, respectively.

Abstract: An automotive driving control system comprises a stepless transmission provided between the engine and the driving wheels, a transmission control for controlling the transmission ratio of the stepless transmission, a throttle valve driver for driving the throttle valve of the engine, an accelerator position sensor for detecting the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, and a control for controlling the transmission control and the throttle valve driver. The control controls the transmission control and the throttle valve driver to respectively control the opening degree of the throttle valve and the transmission ratio of the stepless transmission so that engine output corresponding to the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal is obtained. There is further provided an acceleration requirement detector for detecting an acceleration requirement by way of change in the amount of depression of the accelerator pedal, the rate of change of the same (i.e.

Abstract: A four wheel drive gear box having a planetary internal differential concentric with a reduction gear driven by an output gear of a transmission, a planetary carrier driven by the reduction gear, a ring gear driving a first shaft concentric with the reduction gear, a sun gear driving a second shaft which carries a gear which drives, via other gearing, an inter-wheel differential, the first shaft driving the other inter-wheel differential, a support member enclosing the inter-axle differential and connected with the reduction gear, and a connecting member between the ring gear and the first shaft.

Abstract: A drop box transmission suitable for drawbar pull vehicles or vehicles adapted to push obstacles or non-powered equipment and of a simplified construction. The transmission provides 8 different forward speeds and is easily adapted to provide either 4 or 8 reverse speeds. In one embodiment 8 forward speeds, 4 reverse speeds and full power shift capability is provided using of 14 gears, 5 shafts and 7 clutches. The reverse shaft is in constant mesh with the input shaft and includes at least one clutch controlled gear for driving the first intermediate shaft. Two clutched controlled gears are provided on the input shaft and are disengaged in the reverse mode. The output shaft having two clutch controlled gears is driven by a secondary intermediate shaft having at least 3 fixed gears thereon. In the case of only 3 gears on the secondary shaft one of the gears is in mesh with a clutch controlled gear on the first intermediate shaft and a clutch controlled gear on the output shaft.

Abstract: The horizontally rotatable upper section of a mobile crane is swingable in opposite directions by a speed reducer which is driven by a selectively operable reversible variable speed hydraulic motor. A fail-safe spring-loaded hydraulic brake located on the speed reducer operates, when needed, to slow or stop or prevent rotation of the upper section. A hydraulic control system which supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to operate the motor and the brake includes a pedal-operated master brake cylinder for selectively applying the brake when the motor is in operation. The brake comprises a cylinder housing, an outer brake piston axially movable through a hole in the housing, and an inner brake piston axially movable in a bore in the outer brake piston. Each piston has an extended position and a retracted position.

Abstract: A lock-up clutch control system for automatic transmissions having a lock-up control valve supplied with said line and solenoid pressures in opposite fluid chambers for engaging and releasing a lock-up clutch, the lock-up control valve being constructed to satisfy the following conditions (5) and (7) ##EQU1## where A.sub.1 is a land area of a spool for receiving the line pressure, A.sub.2 is a land area for receiving the solenoid pressure, F is the force of a biasing spring, PL is the line pressure, and Ps is the solenoid pressure.

Abstract: The clutch disc for a motor vehicle friction disc clutch comprises a hub provided with an external toothing, and two hub discs of which a first hub disc carries on its internal circumference an internal toothing meshing with play in rotation in the external toothing and the other hub disc is connected non-rotatably and without play in rotation with the hub. Axially on both sides of the first hub disc, side discs are connected with clutch friction linings to form a unit mounted rotatably on the hub. Radially within a zone defined by damping springs of the under-load vibration damper, there are provided, axially between the side discs, damping spring of an idling vibration damper which couple the hub disc through the damping springs with the second hub disc.

Abstract: A clutch plate wherein the hub is assembled of two coaxial sleeve-like sections the inner of which has external teeth mating, with limited angular play, with internal teeth of the outer section. The two sections are held against axial movement with reference to one another by stops which are provided on the inner section and flank the outer section. A friction generating device is interposed between at least one of the stops and the respective end face of the outer section to oppose angular movements of the two sections relative to one another. The friction generating device has a friction disc which bears against the adjacent end face of the outer section and is in direct contact with an undulate or dished spring which reacts against a retainer bearing against the respective stop of the inner section. The friction disc and the retainer have internal teeth mating with the external teeth of the inner section.

Abstract: In an automatic transmission which prevents creep in advance speed change gear trains and which makes it possible to apply engine brake in the advance speed change gear trains, the invention provides a creep prevention apparatus for a car equipped with an automatic transmission which ensures effective engine brake even if control elements for the creep prevention mechanism are out of order by accident.

Abstract: An automatic transmission locking mechanism including a detent lever rotatively interlocked with a manual shift lever and provided with notches corresponding to the shift positions, respectively, of the manual shift lever for receiving the detent of a detent spring, a rod adapted to be advanced or retracted by the detent lever, a parking gear fixed to the output shaft of the automatic transmission, a pawl having a detent to be engaged with the parking gear in locking the parking gear, a cam slidably mounted on the rod and adapted to push the pawl for turning when the rod is advanced in shifting the manual shift lever to the parking position, a bracket on which the cam runs upward and a spring for releasing the pawl from the parking gear and for retaining the pawl at the released position. A contact surface formed in the free end of the pawl for engagement with the cam is formed so as to reduce the detrimental slip between the cam and the contact surface to the least possible degree.

Abstract: The clutch disc for a motor-vehicle friction clutch has a hub which defines an axis of rotation and from which there projects substantially radially a hub disc so as to be secured against rotation. On the hub there is mounted, so as to be rotatable through a limited angle of rotation, a friction lining carrier which comprises two side parts which are arranged on axially opposite sides of the hub disc and which are non-rotatably connected to each other and to the carrier. In the rotational path between the side parts and the hub disc there are arranged springs which are subjected to pressure during the relative movement of the friction lining carrier and the hub. Axially on both sides of the hub disc friction rings are arranged between the hub disc and the adjacent side parts. Between one of the two friction rings and the adjacent side part there is provided a pressure ring from which there project substantially radially several arms which are stiff in the circumferential direction of the pressure ring.

Abstract: A twin screw extruder drive system includes a pair of parallel juxtaposed output shafts each of which is fixed to a sun gear of a planetary gear set. Each gear set includes a plurality of planet idler gears which are only rotatable about their axes and engage both the sun gear and a ring gear. Symmetrically disposed about the circumference of the ring gear are at least two drive pinions. The two gear sets have parallel axes and are axially offset from one another with the output shafts extending through a space between the planet gears of the other gear set. In one embodiment each drive pinion is driven by a separate electric motor and all motors are electronically and mechanically speed synchronized. A single electric motor is employed to drive all drive pinions in an alternate configuration.

Abstract: A vehicle automatic transmission including a hydraulic torque converter, a multiple stage gear mechanism and an electronic controller for controlling the gear mechanism to select an appropriate gear stage in accordance with vehicle operating conditions. The electronic controller has a first gear shift control map for controlling the gear mechanism under normal vehicle operations. It further has a second gear shift control map for operations under a traffic jam so that a better fuel economy is established than in an operation under the first map.

Abstract: A method for controlling a continuously variable transmission installed in a vehicle. The method utilizes a changing rate for varying an RPM ratio between an output shaft and an input shaft to permit rapid acceleration of a vehicle when needed as well as fuel consumption efficiency. The rate of changing the RPM ratio is a function of the actual velocity of the vehicle and a difference between the desired RPM of a driving pulley and an actual RPM of a driving pulley.

Abstract: An anti-clash and anti-rattle brake for a multiple speed ratio transmission is engageable to apply a frictional braking force to the constantly meshed gears when a shift control device is in a free neutral position. The brake is spring biased toward engagement. It is disengaged by one cam device when the shift control device is moved from the free neutral position in one plane and by another cam device when the shift control device is moved from the free neutral position in another plane.