Abstract: An axially short, variable-ratio gear transmission suitable particularly for motorcycles has a first or input shaft, a second or output shaft, and a countershaft. First and second rotatable gears on the input shaft permanently mesh with respective first and second rotatable gears on the output and counter shafts. The first and second gears on the countershaft are permanently connected for joint rotation, a first coupling permits one of the two gears on the first shaft to be coupled to the first shaft, and a second coupling similarly may couple one of the gears on the second shaft to the latter.

Abstract: A differential gear box containing rotatable gears mounted on shafts extending through the gear box includes bearing rings positioned between the gears and the gear box. The bearing rings are joined together by webs to form an unitary bearing ring structure.

Abstract: The combination in a motor vehicle of a prime mover, a multi-speed main gearing provided with manual ratio selector means, a disengageable main clutch between the prime mover and the input of the main gearing, a driver-operated main clutch control having a first position in which the main clutch is engaged to transmit drive from the prime mover to the main gearing and a second position in which the main clutch is disengaged and which is normally assumed during ratio changes of said main gearing by said selector means, an auxiliary two-ratio gearing in series with the main gearing, and ratio control means for the auxiliary gearing connected with the main clutch control and manual selector means so that, with the main gearing in its highest ratio, each movement of the main clutch control to its second position not only disengages the clutch but also actuates the ratio control means to change the operative ratio of the auxiliary gearing.

Abstract: A transmission having selectively engaged fluid actuated friction drive establishing devices and an engagement timing control system having a trimmer regulator valve for each drive establishing device, a trimmer bias regulator valve and accumulator. The oncoming trimmer valve has a spring biasing device responsive to engagement pressure to increase oncoming ratio drive engagement pressure at a controlled rate, initially at a high rate up to a minimum slack take up pressure, then to gradually increase the drive pressure from the minimum pressure at a low rate in a predetermined trimming time period for establishing the drive and then to increase the pressure at a very high rate to high line pressure. A trimmer bias system pressure is supplied to a bias chamber of the trimmer valves and acts in the oncoming trimmer valve bias chamber to increase the pressure level of the gradually increasing drive engagement pressure proportional to torque demand.

Abstract: Improved mainshaft gear retainer means for a twin countershaft transmission having floating mainshaft gears positioned close together in groups of two and clutchable to a mainshaft one at a time by positive clutches which each have splines mateable with splines defined by each gear. The improved mainshaft gear retainer means prevents axial movement of two closely positioned gears and includes a snap ring axially interconnecting the gears, a thrust ring interposed between the axially interconnected gears, and a snap ring carried by each axially interconnected gear.

Abstract: A bevel gear drive assembly for driving a track-type vehicle. The assembly is arranged and mounted within a casing such that thrust loads due to the natural separating forces between the various gears of the assembly are neutralized. The casing components are not exposed to an imbalance of forces.

Abstract: An oil pressure control system for an automatic transmission system which includes a fluid torque converter, a transmission gear and friction engaging means adapted to be selectively supplied with line pressure for establishing a selected transmission engagement in said transmission gear, said friction engaging means being provided with a buffering accumulator which buffers its operating pressure, said accumulator comprising a fluid displacing element which is selectively supplied with different levels of oil pressure, preferably a torque converter pressure or a line pressure as a back pressure according to the operational condition of the oil pressure control system.

Abstract: A clutch is provided to grip a body having a smooth cylindrical surface such that if the body moves relative to the clutch it is urged to do so with a predetermined relationship between the axial movement and the rotational movement. By rotating the clutch relative to the cylindrical body, the body is urged to move in a direction of its cylindrical axis. Similarly, if the clutch is moved axially relative to the cylindrical body, the body is urged to rotate. The clutch contains rolling elements and performs much as the conventional anti-friction circulating ball lead screw found on automotive steering gear devices but no spiral groove is needed on the cylindrical body. In addition to the obvious advantages of dispensing with the spiral groove on the cylindrical body, the structure can readily be adapted to one-way clutching action. Alternately, the clutch is provided with means to selectively permit over-running in either, neither or both directions of axial and rotary motion of the cylindrical body.

Abstract: With respect to an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle, which transmission has a vehicle speed-sensitive governor valve and a throttle valve responsive to the intake manifold vacuum, the control system comprises a solenoid-operated selector valve which causes the vacuum chamber of the throttle valve to communicate with either the intake manifold or the atmosphere and a temperature-sensitive switch which is attached to the engine for energizing the selector valve, so that the vacuum chamber is allowed to communicate exclusively with the atmosphere when the engine temperature is not high enough to allow after-burning of the exhaust gas in a thermal reactor attached to the engine, resulting in occurrence of a shifting at a higher engine speed.

Abstract: A multiple ratio power transmission mechanism for a vehicle driveline comprising synchronized torque transmitting gears located on a pair of countershafts in parallel disposition with respect to a torque input shaft for establishing torque flow paths of differing speed ratios with minimum axial dimensions, the torque flow path through the fourth forward driving speed ratio including an overrunning clutch, and an overdrive ratio gear system with a fifth speed ratio synchronizer clutch means for establishing a mechanical torque delivery path around the overrunning clutch during overdrive operation, the countershafts being geared to a differential ring gear through which driving torque is delivered to oppositely disposed axle shafts.

Abstract: A hydraulic control system for a vehicle transmission including a plurality of hydraulically operated functional brake and clutch devices for providing a plurality of driving stages of different speed ratios, the system comprising a pressure regulator valve for providing a regulated line pressure and shift valves for transmitting the line pressure to selected ones of the frictional devices. Pressure control valves are provided between the shift valves and the brake or clutch devices which are operated in low speed range of the transmission to provide a time delay in the increase of the pressure for actuating the devices. The pressure regulator valve is provided with pressure increasing chambers which receive the outlet pressure from the pressure control valves to increase the line pressure when the transmission is shifted to the low speed range such as the first and second speed forward drive stage and the reverse drive stage.

Abstract: A synchronizing and dog coupling device for a motor vehicle gearbox in which there are two pinions arranged to be coupled selectively to a drive shaft of the gearbox comprises a coupling ring which is engaged through a driving collar for rotation with the drive shaft and which has a plurality of radial bars, a double synchronizer ring having conical friction surfaces for co-operation selectively with friction surfaces on said pinions, and locking surfaces on said synchronizer ring and said coupling ring bars co-operable to prevent engagement of said coupling ring bars with dog teeth on one or other of said pinions until the speeds of said coupling ring and said pinion are synchronized, the synchronizer ring being braced by a set of rocking keys each of which is located in an axial groove in the driving collar and is arranged to rock on a radially outwardly biassed thruster, each key having first and second sloping sided transverse notches for co-operation respectively with the coupling ring and the thruster s

Abstract: Four wheel drive train including a transfer case adapted to provide full time four wheel drive. A differential is provided in the transfer case and includes both a viscous coupling and a viscous fluid operated mechanical clutch which may be operated to inhibit and prevent differentiation.

Abstract: A control system used to change the gear ratio in a gear set regulated by a change-gear signal from a control unit is disclosed. A transducer provides an output torque signal which is compared to other signals for initiating the gear change.In another arrangement, an automatic transmission changes a gear ratio when engine torque is transferred from one member to another member of a three member planetary gear set. This transfer is accomplished through friction elements engaged by hydraulic pressure. A closed loop electrical circuit is completed between a transducer, which provides an electrical signal related to the output torque of the transmission, and a control valve, to vary the control valve pressure. A circuit for computing reaction torque is coupled between the transducer and a logic control circuit, which provides logic command signals for controlling operation of components in the closed loop circuit.

Abstract: A transmission with multiple forward speeds and an improved shifting arrangement is provided. The transmission is particularly adapted for use on riding lawn mowers, garden tractors, and the like. The shift mechanism includes a pivotable shift lever which requires the operator to interrupt the motion of the lever when shifting from neutral to reverse and from neutral to successive forward speeds. This enables the operator to know by feel what gear the transmission is in. The transmission can also be quickly shifted from reverse to neutral or from any forward speed down to or toward neutral without interruption. The pivotable shift lever is located outside a cover of the transmission and is mechanically connected through the cover with an internal shift lever or arm which engages a pawl pivotally mounted on a carrier, with a stop member being engageable by the pawl to control the movement of the carrier, the pawl, and the levers.

Abstract: A speed change gear system of the planetary gear type suited for applications within fluid couplings used upon automobiles includes three simple planetary gear sets of the single pinion type and the double pinion type, two clutch units, and three brake units. The movable members of the three planetary gear sets are suitably coupled to each other, and the brake units are suitably locked and unlocked so as to attain the desired speed ranges, that is, at least four forward drive speeds and at least one reverse drive speed.

Abstract: An electronic component of this invention having a fine adjustment mechanism is applicable to a variable resistor, variable capacitor or the like which requires fine adjustment.In this electronic component; a drive shaft having an eccentric cam formed thereon is provided. A ring-shaped intermediate reduction member having a power transmitting portion formed on its outer periphery is fitted into the eccentric cam of the drive shaft. The intermediate reduction member is constructed so that it cannot be rotated but is allowed to make an eccentric movement. A reduction rotating member is provided which has a power transmitting portion formed on its inner periphery, linked to a portion of the power transmitting portion of the intermediate reduction member and has a diameter different than that of the intermediate reduction member. An actuating member of the electronic component is coupled to the reduction rotating member.

Abstract: A speed change gear system of the planetary gear type suited for applications within fluid couplings used upon automobiles includes three simple planetary gear sets of the single pinion type and the double pinion type, three clutch units, and at least two brake units. The movable members of the three planetary gear sets are suitably coupled to each other, and the brake units are suitably locked and unlocked so as to attain the desired speed ranges, that is, at least four forward drive speeds and at least one reverse drive speed.

Abstract: In an electronic control apparatus of an automatic speed changing apparatus for use in an internal combustion engine of the type wherein the engine is connected with a load through a fluid type torque converter and a multiple stage gear changer, there are provided means for locking-up the torque converter when the speed of the output shaft thereof exceeds a first predetermined speed, means for shifting-up the gear changer to a higher stage when the speed of the output shaft exceeds a second predetermined speed which is higher than the first predetermined speed, and means for shifting-down the gear changer to a lower stage when the speed of the output shaft decreases below a third predetermined speed which is lower than the first predetermined speed whereby effecting automatic speed change control while the torque converter is maintained in the locked-up condition.

Abstract: There is disclosed an exhaust gas purifying system adapted for use with an automotive vehicle having an automatic transmission. The system includes a device for preventing the return of a throttle valve to the idling position. A switch is closed when a shift lever is in a predetermined range so that the position control device may be actuated to prevent the throttle valve from being returned to the idling position when the speed of the vehicle or the negative pressure in the intake manifold is in excess of a predetermined magnitude. Emission of pollutants may be decreased, and safe driving is insured.