Abstract: A two-speed planetary transmission having a sun gear input and a carrier output includes a ring gear connectable to the carrier and to the fixed transmission housing by friction devices which are spring-biased toward the engaged position. The biasing spring for the ring-carrier friction device is carried by the ring and the friction device actuator. Shifting from one mode of operation to the other is effected by releasing the ring-housing friction device and engaging the ring-carrier friction device or by engaging the ring-housing friction device and releasing the ring-carrier friction device, thereby achieving shifting with a minimum of friction between the ring-carrier friction device spring and its non-rotating actuator. In the event of loss of control force to the friction device actuators the transmission becomes locked, and inertia forces from the load are absorbed by the friction devices without being transferred through the planet gears.

Abstract: A variable ratio planetary assembly is comprised of a pair of planetary gear systems, each driven by an input shaft, and an output assembly rotatably mounted relative to the input shaft. The first planetary system has a carrier fixed relative to a support and drives a first drive gear means rotatably mounted on the output assembly. The second planetary system, sized differently than the first, drives a second drive gear means similarly mounted. Holding the output assembly fixed, allows portions of the first and the second drive gear means to rotate at a first peripheral speed ratio relative one to the other. Interconnecting the aforesaid portions defines a second peripheral speed ratio and rotates the output assembly relative to the input shaft.

Abstract: This invention describes a system of control for a power source-transmission-load system such as might be used on an off-the-road vehicle, for example. The power source is an internal combustion engine having a known optimum characteristic of desired manifold vacuum versus engine speed. The transmission is a hydrostatic or hydromechanical transmission having infinitely variable speed ratio and having a control means for varying said speed ratio.The control system includes a transducer means for measuring engine speed and converting this quantity into an analog fluid pressure proportional to the speed. This analog fluid pressure proportional to speed is modified in a function generator to produce an analog fluid pressure which is proportional to the desired manifold vacuum as a function of engine speed. Means are provided for measuring the actual manifold vacuum and for comparing the actual manifold vacuum with the desired manifold vacuum on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A transmission for connecting a prime mover with a load, such as vehicle wheels, in which the transmission is of group construction with a primary group shiftable under load and at least one other group which is not shiftable under load. The group shiftable under load provides for at least two forward speeds and a reverse speed at the main output shaft of the transmission which supplies the power to the load.

Abstract: An electronic means senses the difference in rotational speed between a main shaft gear to be engaged and the main shaft, and actuates a friction disc assembly to connect the low gear to the main shaft to accelerate the countershaft and thus the gear to be engaged if the gear speed is lower than the main shaft speed, and to connect the first gear to the transmission casing to decelerate the countershaft and thus the gear if the gear speed is higher than the main shaft speed, shifting from neutral into the desired gear ratio is prevented until the gear and main shaft speeds are synchronized.

Abstract: A control coupling in which an enclosure houses first and second sets of mutually interleaved elements in a viscous fluid. The first and second sets of elements are arranged for rotation about a common axis and for driving connection with first and second rotatable members respectively. The quantity of liquid within the enclosure and the construction of the enclosure are such that, at a predetermined working temperature of at least 100.degree. C, the pressure of the liquid in the enclosure rises substantially above ambient. At least one set of the elements is free to move in directions parallel to the common axis of rotation and at least one set of the elements is provided with facings of friction material.

Abstract: A transmission having geared steer with six forward and six reverse speeds is provided. Alternate power turn radii steering options are also provided for high and low speed operation. Hydraulic disengagement of the transmission brake is accomplished by injecting lubricant fluid from an external source, so as to permit assembly or towing. An improved arrangement of power train components facilitates their assembly and disassembly.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic power transmission of a motor vehicle and adapted for preventing creep of the motor vehicle when the vehicle comes to a complete halt. The hydraulic system includes a first shift valve responsive to throttle pressure and governor pressure to control supply of line pressure into servo means for actuating a friction element to provide lower gear reduction ratio, and a second shift valve responsive to released condition of an accelerator pedal of the vehicle for supplying line pressure into a governor pressure port of the first shift valve, whereby the first shift valve is moved in dependence on throttle pressure and line pressure into a position to supply line pressure into the servo means for thereby effecting shift into the lower gear reduction ratio in the power transmission.

Abstract: In a planetary transmission wheel drive mechanism, particularly for applying driving torque to the driving wheels of heavy duty ground engaging vehicles such as trucks, tractors and the like a pair of planetary gear sets are employed in series connection in such a manner that one of the planetary gear sets has its sun gear on a drive shaft and its planetary carrier rotatably mounted in a stationary hub. Planetary pinion gears supported by the planetary carrier mesh with a gear ring which is fixed to the aforesaid hub. The other planetary gear set consists of a sun gear which is supported by an extension of the planetary carrier of the first mentioned planetary gear set. The sun gear of the second planetary gear set meshes with planetary pinion gears which, in turn, engage with a gear ring.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism having two members, the relative rotary positions of which are to be controlled, the mechanism including:A rotatable drive shaft on which the two members are co-axially mounted;An eccentric fixed to the drive shaft;An internally toothed ring gear on one of the two members and co-axial with the drive shaft;An externally toothed pinion on the other of the two members and co-axial with the drive shaft; andAn intermediate gear rotatably mounted on the eccentric and having external teeth in mesh with the ring gear and internal teeth in mesh with the pinion, the internal and external teeth on the intermediate gear being selected to permit an eccentric movement of the intermediate gear about the pinion and within the ring gear thereby to cause a driving inter-action between the two members upon rotation of the drive shaft.

Abstract: A coarse-fine focusing device for precision machinery capable of accurate coarse and fine adjustments free from any play in which a gear fixed to a pinion shaft having a pinion is connected to a gear fixed to a fine adjustment shaft, to which a fine adjustment handle is mounted, by a reduction gear mechanism provided in a coarse adjustment handle which is mounted coaxially with said fine adjustment handle.

Abstract: A clutch disk for motor vehicle main clutches, in which a disk member carrying the friction linings is torsionally elastically connected with a hub member, and in which several separate springs or spring sets with separate damping characteristics are provided; the springs or spring sets are thereby retained in windows provided in one of the two parts which are torsionally elastically connected with each other while the start of operation of at least one of the damping devices is determined by a sheet metal control member; a separate prestressed control spring is thereby coordinated to the control member.

Abstract: A driven plate for an automotive friction clutch having a hub unit and a disc unit rotatable on the hub unit and carrying the friction facings of the clutch is equipped with helical compression springs simultaneously received in respective openings of a hub flange and of two discs of the disc unit along a common circle about the clutch axis for damping relative motion of the two units. The two discs are axially fixedly connected by shoulder rivets which act as spacers and pass through openings in the hub flange also receiving respective damping springs.

Abstract: A planetary gear train having four gears that are arranged as two external-internal pairs, in which the two external gears are connected to form a cluster which rotates around a rotatable eccentric, and within the respective internal gears. Certain relations between parameters of the four gears provide high efficiency.

Abstract: A power transmission apparatus comprising planetary gear elements for controlling the direction and speed of power transmitted to a driven power unit, such as a vehicle, industrial machines, household equipment, or the like. In one embodiment of the invention, power from a constant speed, uni-directional prime mover is converted to multi-speed forward and reverse power by controlling only the movement of the planetary carrier. In a variation of this embodiment of the invention, a variable speed uni-directional prime mover is converted into a speed division torque-multiplication system by control of the carrier by a torque control device, such as a torque converter, or mechanical torque limited. In yet another embodiment, control of the carrier and associated clutch mechanisms permits one of two output power paths from the transmission to be reversed while the first path continues to rotate in the same direction as the prime mover.

Abstract: A limited slip differential mechanism of the speedsensitive type having a rotatable casing and gearing supported within the casing adapted to drive a pair of relatively rotatable output elements including a friction clutch mechanism associated with the gearing and the casing to resist relative rotation. The limited slip differential includes an actuator for the clutches, the actuator being associated with a fluid pump mechanism and the fluid pump mechanism being mounted within the actuator. The fluid pump is carried by the actuator and has an input or drive shaft driveable by a side gear of the differential and the actuator is carried by the casing whereby relative rotation between the casing and the side gear will create fluid pressure to activate the actuator and apply the clutch to resist relative rotation.

Abstract: A centrifugal clutch has its segments formed with beveled shoulders engaged by the continuous periphery of a cup spring. The prestress on the latter is defined by the thickness of a washer interposed between this cup spring and the hub which carries the segments via arms received in grooves of the segments. The segments are formed with plugs extending into slots of the arms and limiting the radial displacement relative thereto.

Abstract: A transmission having a double rotation torque converter and including a central assembly in which is mounted both a first brake for securing the torque converter guide ring against rotation and a second brake which cooperates with a planetary gear to cause rotation of the guide ring oppositely from the turbine ring of the torque converter. The two brakes and at least part of the planetary gear are mounted in the central assembly. The guide shaft extending axially from the guide ring is radially journalled in the central assembly. The transmission also includes a fluid communication system which, in cooperation with a pump, controls the mode of operation of the torque converter. The pump and most of the fluid system passageways may also be located within the central assembly. The torque converter may include a releasable torque transmitting member and the transmission may include further gearing stages downstream from the torque converter and the central assembly.

Abstract: A power transmission. Two planetary gear trains each having its own carrier and its own planet, sun, and ring gears, each providing an input member, an output member, and a reaction member. The input member of one gear train is connected to an input means, and the two input members of the two gear trains are interconnected so that both are driven by the input means. The reaction members of the two gear trains are also interconnected. The output members of the two gear trains are separately clutchable to an output means, and speed varying means cause one output member to increase its speed and simultaneously cause the other output member to decrease its speed, and vice versa. The speed varying means may comprise a pair of hydraulic units hydraulically interconnected so that one serves as a pump while the other serves as a motor and vice versa, one of the units being connected in driving relation to the input means, and the other being connected in driving relation to the reaction members.

Abstract: The power transfer mechanism includes an input shaft which may be selectively connected to one of two or more output shafts. The input shaft leads to a housing which has an output shaft support plate slidably mounted in the housing. The housing also has mounted therein a rotatable clutch member connected to the input shaft, a rotatable clutch member connected to each output shaft and means for selectively coupling the clutch member of the input shaft with one of the output shaft clutch members.