Abstract: A circle drive for rotating a blade on a draft frame of a motor grader includes a circle gear mounting the blade, a worm wheel, a torque dividing arrangement, and a single input provided on a first shaft. The torque dividing arrangement includes a set of shafts positioned about the worm wheel, a torque dividing gear set, and a set of worm gears meshed with the worm wheel. The worm wheel is operatively coupled to drive the circle gear. The set of worm gears includes a first worm gear on a first shaft and a second worm gear on a second shaft. The single input is configured to provide a driving torque that drives the set of worm gears such that the set of worm gears divides the driving torque. The driving torque is capable of driving the worm wheel for driving the circle gear and rotating the blade.

Abstract: A rotational drive unit having an input rotatable about a first axis of rotation and configured to be driven by a power source in a single rotational direction. The rotational drive unit including a first shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a first direction, a second shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, an output rotatable about a second axis of rotation, and a clutch assembly in operable communication with the first shaft, the second shaft, and the output. Where the clutch assembly is operable in a first configuration in which force is transmitted between the first shaft and the output, and a second configuration in which force is transmitted between the second shaft and the output.

Abstract: A rotational drive unit having an input rotatable about a first axis of rotation and configured to be driven by a power source in a single rotational direction. The rotational drive unit including a first shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a first direction, a second shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, an output rotatable about a second axis of rotation, and a clutch assembly in operable communication with the first shaft, the second shaft, and the output. Where the clutch assembly is operable in a first configuration in which force is transmitted between the first shaft and the output, and a second configuration in which force is transmitted between the second shaft and the output.

Abstract: A circle drive for rotating a blade on a draft frame of a motor grader includes a circle gear mounting the blade, a worm wheel, a torque dividing arrangement, and a single input provided on a first shaft. The torque dividing arrangement includes a set of shafts positioned about the worm wheel, a torque dividing gear set, and a set of worm gears meshed with the worm wheel. The worm wheel is operatively coupled to drive the circle gear. The set of worm gears includes a first worm gear on a first shaft and a second worm gear on a second shaft. The single input is configured to provide a driving torque that drives the set of worm gears such that the set of worm gears divides the driving torque. The driving torque is capable of driving the worm wheel for driving the circle gear and rotating the blade.

Abstract: A rotational drive unit having an input rotatable about a first axis of rotation and configured to be driven by a power source in a single rotational direction. The rotational drive unit including a first shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a first direction, a second shaft in operable communication with the input and configured to rotate in a second direction opposite the first direction, an output rotatable about a second axis of rotation, and a clutch assembly in operable communication with the first shaft, the second shaft, and the output. Where the clutch assembly is operable in a first configuration in which force is transmitted between the first shaft and the output, and a second configuration in which force is transmitted between the second shaft and the output.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an improved shaft design. The design includes an elongated annular shaft body, having an outer surface and defining a hollow cavity, and a core insert disposed in the hollow cavity. The shaft body has one or more radial flow ports that align with at least one fluid conduit in the insert. A pin couples the insert to the shaft body to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the shaft body. The shaft and the insert can be of different materials, for example, such that the density of the insert is less than that of the shaft body.

Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for continuously variable transmission of power. A gear set includes first and second input components and an output component. An engine provides mechanical power to the first input component and, when a clutch device is in a first state, to a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”). With the clutch device in a second state, the first CVP is decoupled from the engine. A second CVP receives non-mechanical power from the first CVP, and converts the non-mechanical power to mechanical power. When a brake device is not engaged, the second CVP provides the resulting mechanical power to the second input component. When the brake device is engaged, the brake device prevents the second input component from rotating.

Abstract: A power train and related vehicle are described for continuously variable transmission of power. A gear set includes first and second input components and an output component. An engine provides mechanical power to the first input component and, when a clutch device is in a first state, to a first continuously variable power source (“CVP”). With the clutch device in a second state, the first CVP is decoupled from the engine. A second CVP receives non-mechanical power from the first CVP, and converts the non-mechanical power to mechanical power. When a brake device is not engaged, the second CVP provides the resulting mechanical power to the second input component. When the brake device is engaged, the brake device prevents the second input component from rotating.

Abstract: The disclosure provides an improved shaft design. The design includes an elongated annular shaft body, having an outer surface and defining a hollow cavity, and a core insert disposed in the hollow cavity. The shaft body has one or more radial flow ports that align with at least one fluid conduit in the insert. A pin couples the insert to the shaft body to prevent rotation of the insert relative to the shaft body. The shaft and the insert can be of different materials, for example, such that the density of the insert is less than that of the shaft body.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-ratio scalable transmission system for multiple vehicle configurations. The system includes an input disposed along a first axis configured to receive torque from a variable speed propulsion device and an output disposed along a second axis and coupled to the input. The system further includes a selectably engageable clutch coupled between the input and output and a planetary unit coupled to both the input and the output, where the planetary unit includes at least one planetary gearset and a brake. The system is configurable based on a particular vehicle configuration such that the first axis and second axis can be coaxial or non-coaxial.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for coupling an input shaft to an output shaft. The coupling device includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The coupling device further includes a first and second set of splines defined along the inner wall of the housing. The first set of splines is disposed near the first end and is configured for engaging splines of the input shaft. The second set of splines is disposed near the second end of the housing and is configured for engaging splines of the output shaft. The length of the first set of splines is substantially the same as the length of the second set of splines.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a multi-ratio scalable transmission system for multiple vehicle configurations. The system includes an input disposed along a first axis configured to receive torque from a variable speed propulsion device and an output disposed along a second axis and coupled to the input. The system further includes a selectably engageable clutch coupled between the input and output and a planetary unit coupled to both the input and the output, where the planetary unit includes at least one planetary gearset and a brake. The system is configurable based on a particular vehicle configuration such that the first axis and second axis can be coaxial or non-coaxial.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coupling device for coupling an input shaft to an output shaft. The coupling device includes a housing having a first end and a second end. The coupling device further includes a first and second set of splines defined along the inner wall of the housing. The first set of splines is disposed near the first end and is configured for engaging splines of the input shaft. The second set of splines is disposed near the second end of the housing and is configured for engaging splines of the output shaft. The length of the first set of splines is substantially the same as the length of the second set of splines.

Abstract: A hydraulic clutch assembly having a hydraulic circuit that is filled with oil even when the clutch is deactivated. The piston of the clutch is provided with a sealing assembly which bifrucates the cylinder into a filled an unfilled portion. The sealing assembly is located so that the centrifugal head attributable to the hydraulic fluid does not exceed the spring force of the biasing springs of the clutch piston. The sealing assembly comprises a circular land that is machined into the piston face.

Abstract: A telescoping drive shaft comprising a first drive shaft element which telescopingly receives a second drive shaft element which is provided with lubricating passages. Lubricating grease held in the first drive shaft element can be directed through the lubricating passages to the intermeshed splines of the two drive shaft elements. A non-positive seal at the end of the first drive shaft element is used to exhaust excess lubricating grease from the drive shaft.

Abstract: A planetary transmission of a vehicle drive train comprises an input section including three planetary gear sets and three brakes that are selectively operable to condition the three gear sets for respectively establishing a forward converter drive, a reverse converter drive and a direct drive at an output shaft of the input section. The planetary transmission further comprises an output or range section coupled to the output of the input section. The output section includes three planetary gear sets connected together so as to form a three-stage planetary set and three brakes are respectively associated with the three gear sets and selectively operable to control the three gear sets such that low, intermediate and high output speeds are established for every input to the output section with drive torque being delivered by all three gear sets for low speed operation, by two gear sets for intermediate speed operation and by a single gear set for high speed operation.

Abstract: A fixed displacement pump is connected to deliver operating fluid to a torque converter and to a transmission shift control valve that is operable for selectively coupling working fluid to one or more hydraulically operable shift elements of a transmission. A converter pressure regulator valve maintains the pressure of the working fluid at the converter at a predetermined minimum and this pressure prevails generally throughout the system. When the transmission shift control valve is actuated so as to couple one or more shift elements to the pump which require more than the predetermined minimum pressure for acceptable operation, a pilot flow occurs through the shift control valve to actuate a boost valve which activates a main transmission pressure regulating valve so as to cause the pressure of the fluid passing to the one or more shift elements to rise to a level for effecting acceptable operation thereof.