Abstract: A work vehicle is configured to perform an activity in a work area. The work vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of ground engaging members coupled to the chassis for movement of the chassis in the work area, a generator configured to generate energy from performance of the activity of the work vehicle in the work area, an energy storage device connected to the generator to store energy generated by the generator and configured to be charged to an initial charge, and a controller configured to establish an initial charge setting corresponding to the initial charge of the energy storage device based on at least one anticipated activity input of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine and a transmission assembly having a variator, a gear arrangement, and an electric machine operably connected to provide rotational power to the variator. The transmission assembly selectively transfers power from one or both of the engine and the electric machine to an output shaft to drive ground engaging elements of the work vehicle. A traction control unit controls a speed or torque output of the electric machine to provide traction control, with the traction control unit operating to receive inputs on a predicted ground engaging element speed and an actual ground engaging element speed, compare the predicted ground engaging element speed to the actual ground engaging element speed and, when the predicted ground engaging element speed is less than the actual ground engaging element speed by a threshold amount, reduce the speed or torque output of the electric machine, thereby providing traction control.

Abstract: A planetary gear system and a planet gear fastener assembly for a planetary gear system includes a planet gear having a planet gear axis, a carrier connected to the planet gear, and a sun gear that engages the planet gear. The planetary gear fastener assembly includes a washer having a washer axis and configured to be positioned against an axial end of the planet gear and a fastener extending through the washer to couple the washer to the carrier. The fastener includes a fastener axis positioned to be radially offset from the planet gear axis of the planet gear.

Abstract: A work vehicle includes an engine and a transmission assembly having a variator, a gear arrangement, and an electric machine operably connected to the engine and to the variator to provide rotational power to the variator. The transmission assembly selectively transfers power from one or both of the engine and the electric machine to an output shaft to drive ground engaging elements of the work vehicle. A traction control unit controls a speed or torque output of the electric machine to provide traction control for the work vehicle, with the traction control unit operating to receive inputs on a commanded ground speed and an actual ground speed of the work vehicle, compare the commanded ground speed to the actual ground speed and, when the commanded ground speed exceeds the actual ground speed by a threshold amount, reduce the speed or torque output of the electric machine, thereby providing traction control for the ground engaging elements.

Abstract: A work vehicle is configured to perform an activity in a work area. The work vehicle includes a chassis, a plurality of ground engaging members coupled to the chassis for movement of the chassis in the work area, a generator configured to generate energy from performance of the activity of the work vehicle in the work area, an energy storage device connected to the generator to store energy generated by the generator and configured to be charged to an initial charge, and a controller configured to establish an initial charge setting corresponding to the initial charge of the energy storage device based on at least one anticipated activity input of the work vehicle.

Abstract: A drive arrangement includes a housing having two chambers and a partition defining an annular space within the housing. A disk is mounted on a shaft of the drive arrangement and includes an annular portion disposed within the annular space. A face of the annular portion is axially spaced from the partition by a gap clearance. An axial dimension of the gap clearance is such that rotation of the disk generates a negative pressure gradient for drawing fluid from the first chamber through the gap clearance in a radial direction toward the rotation axis. The fluid then moves along the face of the disk in a radial direction away from the rotation axis under centrifugal action of the rotating disk. The outer periphery of the disk is spaced from the housing to permit fluid to pass, by centrifugal action, from the outer periphery toward a second chamber.

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 invention relates to power management of a off-highway vehicle. A power management apparatus is described as a vehicle control unit coupled to a vehicle and the vehicle control unit is in communication with an engine and a transmission controller. In response to power management input, the vehicle control unit sends a message to the transmission controller commanding a maximum torque limit based on the maximum drivetrain torque. The maximum torque limit is configured to optimize power to the vehicle implement.

Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.

Abstract: A work vehicle including an engine and a transmission. The transmission is driven by the engine. The transmission includes an input clutch, an output clutch, and a hydraulic pump/motor. The hydraulic pump/motor is operatively connected between the input clutch and the output clutch.

Abstract: A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.

Abstract: A work vehicle including an engine and a transmission. The transmission is driven by the engine. The transmission includes an input clutch, an output clutch, and a hydraulic pump/motor. The hydraulic pump/motor is operatively connected between the input clutch and the output clutch.

Abstract: An efficient lubrication system for wet plate brake assemblies includes a flow control system that passes lubricant for cooling and lubrication through interdigitated wet brake plates when the plates are engaged. When the plates are disengaged, the wet plate assembly is controlled to limit its displacement by means of a pin and spring such that a gap is provided around the brake plates to provide a preferential path for lubricant, thus minimizing parasitic losses.

Abstract: An anti-overspeed system is adapted to prevent overspeeding of an engine of a vehicle. The anti-overspeed system has an anti-overspeed hydraulic circuit operably connected to the engine and a controller for controlling the hydraulic circuit in a manner that prevents overspeeding of the engine.

Abstract: A work machine includes an IC engine having an output, an IVT having an input coupled with the IC engine output, and a ground speed actuator. A desired speed sensor associated with the ground speed actuator provides an output signal indicating a slower ground speed. At least one electrical processing circuit is configured for increasing an input/output (I/O) ratio of the IVT, dependent upon the sensor output signal, such that a net torque transfer back-driven from the IVT input to the IC engine output is substantially zero.

Abstract: An anti-overspeed system is adapted to prevent overspeeding of an engine of a vehicle. The anti-overspeed system has an anti-overspeed hydraulic circuit operably connected to the engine and a controller for controlling the hydraulic circuit in a manner that prevents overspeeding of the engine.