Abstract: A drive device with variable torque-limiting system. When a setting mechanism (17) forming part of a crank mechanism (23) is actuated in order to displace a carrier waggon (19) to which a hydrofoil component (2) is fastened, large forces are induced. To avoid excessive stresses on the components, the torque-limiter (15) is designed so that the drive torque is automatically variable within the limits of an adjustment range (88). The drive torque to be limited can, for example, be set at low values at the beginning and at the end of an oscillation path of the setting mechanism (17). The drive torque is varied by varying the preloading force of the spring assembly (47) of the torque-limiter (15). To this end, a comparator (74) detects the number of rotations of the output shaft (38) and varies the preloading force of the spring assembly (47).

Abstract: A power-drive transmission (1) with viscous clutch (7) between the hollow wheel (6) and the sun wheel (5) of the front-wheel planetary gear (1). The front wheel planetary gear (1) is axially situated between the take-off wheel (6) and the clutch (7). The sun wheel (5) and the take-off wheel (6) form together a single structural part. Many structural parts are produced substantially without cutting either (5,6,8) by sintering, casting or cold recasting or (4,14,15,16) by sheet-metal recasting technology. The viscous clutch (7) becomes a cheap, easily assemblable exchange part which, filled with silicon oil and functionally tested, is prepared as spare part ready for installation.

Abstract: A driving gear having external teeth in mesh with internal teeth of a sliding sleeve, adapted to be axially shifted into meshing engagement with external teeth of a driven gear coaxially adjoining the driving gear, carries several peripherally spaced, universally jointed rockers which project radially under spring pressure into axially extending inner peripheral guide grooves of the sleeve. A synchro ring coaxial with the two gears is rotationally entrained by the driving gear, through the intermediary of the rockers thereof, and has a clutch surface confronting a similar surface of the driven gear across a narrow clearance which closes when the ring, under an axial thrust from the rockers in response to an incipient coupling shift of the sleeve, is moved toward the driven gear.

Abstract: A gear-change mechanism for a conventional two-range speed-selection transmission comprises a gear-shift lever which is coupled to a shaft in a housing, this shaft carrying a pair of strikers which engage elements connected to the shifting rod. According to the invention, the striker forms a packet with a plurality of check plates disposed between and in front of and behind the striker plates and held on the shaft for axial displacement therewith. The check plates are guided in the housing so that they cannot rotate with the shaft.

Abstract: A disk clutch inserted between a torque converter and a synchromesh gear train of an automotive transmission comprises a driving friction-plate carrier coupled with the turbine of the converter and a driven friction-plate carrier coupled with an input shaft of the gear train, the driving carrier forming two fluidically separated concentric cylinder spaces between itself and an operating piston embraced thereby. The inner cylinder is of smaller effective area and is pressurized in normal operation by hydraulic fluid (oil) but can be temporarily depressurized, during gear shifting, by a valve controlled by the shifting mechanism; this space communicates via an internal flow channel of the driving carrier with a radial bore in that carrier occupied by a centrifugally and/or resiliently loaded body of a quick-venting valve normally blocking an exit port leading from the outer cylinder space to the interior of a surrounding housing.

Abstract: A transmission shiftable to change transmission ratios by the operation of a member whose effectiveness depends upon a pressure fluid, e.g. through a valve communicating the fluid to actuators of the gear-change system, has a clutch connecting the output shaft of a prime mover as an internal-combustion engine with the input shaft of the transmission. According to the invention, the clutch-operating cylinder is connected by an entraining device with a valve controlling the pressure fluid. A lost motion may be provided between the operating member of the cylinder and the valve seats to ensure full opening of the clutch before operation of the transmission is enabled.

Abstract: Two gears idling on a shaft can be selectively coupled therewith by an interposed jaw clutch including a central gear fixed to the shaft and a surrounding ring gear axially slidable thereon for engagement with jaw teeth on either of the two flanking idler gears. Two blocking rings on opposite sides of the central gear are entrained thereby for joint rotation with freedom of limited relative angular displacement by frictional contact with the adjoining idler gears between two extreme relative position in which these rings prevent the shifting of the ring gear into engagement with the jaw teeth of the corresponding idler gear; such engagement is possible only in an intermediate angular position of the respective blocking ring in which several stop teeth on the blocking ring register with matching peripheral indentations on the ring gear.