Abstract: An axial machine having a wedge that drives a plurality of pistons and a retainer plate for maintaining the slipper shoes in contact with the wedge. A center positioning mechanism for the retainer plate in which the slipper shoes placed on the wedge have a portion extending through a respective hole in the retainer plate, with each of the slipper shoes engaging a point on the side of its respective hole to restrain the retainer plate from movement parallel to the planar angular surface of the wedge. Also described is an oil separation system for removing oil from the gas to be compressed such that the removed oil drains into the oil sump. An oil lubrication system has a cavity around the drive shaft to receive oil from the sump, and disburse the oil through a passageway to discharge ports in the wedge to disburse oil on the planar angular surface of the wedge.

Abstract: A method and system may be provided to perform a process for controlling power provided by an engine in a machine. In an embodiment of the present invention, a process for controlling power provided by an engine operating in a machine is provided. The process may include determining a first power value reflecting a predetermined first power to be provided by the engine to a component operating in the machine and determining, during machine operations, at least one of a parasitic load power value and an intermittent power load value. A second power value may then be determined that reflects a second power provided by the engine based on the parasitic power value, the intermittent power value, and the net power value. The second power value is adjusted such that the engine substantially provides the predetermined net power to the component.

Abstract: A method and system may be provided to perform a process for controlling power provided by an engine in a machine. In an embodiment of the present invention, a process for controlling power provided by an engine operating in a machine is provided. The process may include determining a first power value reflecting a predetermined first power to be provided by the engine to a component operating in the machine. Further, the process may include determining, during machine operations, at least one of a parasitic power value reflecting power received by a parasitic load module from the engine and an intermittent power value reflecting power received by an intermittent load module from the engine. A second power value may then be determined that reflects a second power provided by the engine based on the parasitic power value, the intermittent power value, and the net power value.

Abstract: In many types of construction machines, the frame assembly comprises a rear frame that supports the engine and drive train components and a front frame that supports the work implement. In this type of machine, the two frames are normally pinned together and the front frame is articulated with respect to the rear frame by a pair of steering cylinders to provide steering for the machine. In the area in which the two frames are pinned together it is necessary to provide structural support, especially in the hitch area of the front frame. The present invention provides a front frame assembly (12) that has an upper and lower hitch plate (118, 120) that are positioned between and secured to the rear portion of a pair of side plates (62, 64) defined by the front frame assembly (12).

Abstract: In many types of construction machines, the frame assembly comprises a rear frame that supports the engine and the majority of the drive train components and a front frame that supports the work implement and related structure. In this type of machine, the two frames are normally pinned together and the front frame is articulated with respect to the rear frame by a pair of steering cylinders to provide steering for the machine. In order to provide the required structural support for the components of the work implement and to accommodate the steering forces, the front frame is necessarily quite large. The present invention provides a front frame (12) structure that includes a pair of main side plates (62, 64) that are positioned a preselected distance (W) from one another and mount a lift arm assembly (30) therebetween to minimize the overall width of the frame assembly. The forward end portion of the front frame assembly (12) has a preselected height (H) that permits the front frame to have a low profile.

Abstract: In many types of construction machines, the frame assembly comprises a rear frame that supports the engine and the majority of the drive train components and a front frame that supports the work implement and related structure. In this type of machine, the two frames are normally pinned together and the front frame is articulated with respect to the rear frame by a pair of steering cylinders to provide steering for the machine. In order to provide the required structural support for the components of the work implement and to accommodate the steering forces, the front frame is necessarily quite large. The present invention provides a front frame (12) structure that includes a pair of main side plates (62, 64) and a substantially planar support plate (74) that is mounted to a first end portion of the side plates (62, 64). The support plate (74) mounts an axle assembly directly thereto and defines a pair of mounting bores (84) that are positioned, on a rearmost portion of the support plate (74).

Abstract: The invention relates to a prelubrication system for an engine. It is desirable to prelubricate relatively large engines to prevent possible damage of certain components such as the crankshaft and camshaft bearings. Engines that must be started in a matter of seconds are provided with prelube pumps that run continually. During long periods of continuous prelube lubrication fluid being pumped upward into the upper rocker arm area may find its way into combustion chambers and result in damage of engine components. The present system provides a fluid level control device that prevents lubrication fluid from reaching the upper rocker arm area of the engine when the engine is not running and disables the control device when the engine is running allowing the supply of lubricant to reach the upper rocker arm area.

Abstract: In order to more easily control movement of a vehicle such as a tractor, an operator's left hand can twist a directional actuating member or a juxtaposed speed actuating member about an outstanding axis. These actuating members are rotatably mounted on a tiller arm extending radially from a housing assembly so that the operator can simultaneously use the actuating members and steer the vehicle by pushing or pulling the tiller arm and rotating the housing assembly in the desired direction about an upstanding axis. Push-pull controls are associated with each actuating member and protected within the housing assembly. A bearing assembly guidably supports and permits relative angular movement of each of the push-pull controls to prevent twisting thereof when the housing assembly is rotated.

Abstract: A control mechanism for operating a vehicle has a housing assembly mounted for swinging movement about an upstanding axis, and a brake actuating member is mounted on the housing assembly for swinging movement about a second axis. A push-pull control rod assembly is connected to the brake actuating member and depends within the housing assembly to move a brake control element between brake-off and brake-on positions. A transmission actuating member is mounted on the housing assembly and a coupling apparatus is provided for urging the transmission actuating member to a neutral position when the brake actuating member is moved to the brake-on position. This prevents inadvertent movement of the vehicle when the brake actuating member is subsequently placed in the brake-off position.

Abstract: A vehicle boom lock is disclosed for holding a boom assembly in a retracted transport position on an implement carrying swing frame. The boom lock includes a slotted coupling joint on the swing frame, and a deflectable cable assembly which extends cantileverably from the boom assembly for automatically interlockingly engaging the slotted coupling joint in response to pivotal movement of the boom assembly to the retracted position. A release mechanism can be manually manipulated from an operator station to conveniently disengage the cable assembly from the slotted coupling joint.

Abstract: A control mechanism (14) associated with a tractor operators seat (110) and an arm rest (112) is disclosed which includes a steering selector apparatus (116) having an upstanding member (134) and a tiller arm (118) extending outwardly therefrom. The tiller arm (118) is advantageously located immediately forwardly of the arm rest (112) and has a mounting portion (142) and hand grip portion (144) that can be easily grasped by an operator's downwardly facing hand palm. A support assembly (136) pivotally supports the upstanding member (134) for movement about a fixed upstanding axis (140) and a control device (46,50,52,54,184) steers the tractor in response to the swinging movement of the tiller arm (118). In response to rotation of the hand grip portion (144) about the axis (158) of the tiller arm (118) a second control device (38,42,174) effects a change in the gear condition of an associated transmission (36).

Abstract: Continuously driven vehicle steering differentials have heretofore been too complex and have undesirably incorporated a second cross shaft for counter-rotating a pair of oppositely located planetary elements. The planetary steering differential (10) overcomes these deficiencies by including first, second and third interconnected planetary mechanisms (12,14,16) for rotating a pair of output members (48,52) in the same direction and at the same speed in response to rotation solely of a first input member (57) and holding a second input member (63) stationary, and for rotating the output members (48,52) in opposite directions at the same speed in response to rotation solely of the second input member (63) and holding the first input member (57) stationary. The first input member (57) is driven by a transmission (58), and the second output member (63) is driven by a reversible steering motor (66).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00158 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 16, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 16, 1979 PCT Filed Mar. 16, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO80/01894 PCT Pub. Date Sept. 18, 1980A vehicle component (10) is removably mounted on a stationary support (11) thereof. A pair of rollers (17,17a) rotatably mounted on the component (10) each engages a rail (18,18a) secured on the support (11) to thus precisely guide movements of the component (10) upon installation or removal thereof. The apparatus of this invention provide for the expeditious and precise handling of the component (10), compensate for avoidance of interference with structural parts of the vehicle during such handling, and are adapted for use with components, such as modular transmission packages having varied designs.

Abstract: The steering system comprises at least one double-acting fluid cylinder, a directional control valve connected to the cylinder for alternately extending and retracting the cylinder and a hand metering unit for communicating a fluid steering signal to the directional control valve whereby an engine-driven pump is adapted to communicate pressurized fluid to the cylinder for steering purposes. A variable flow control valve is interconnected between the pump and the hand metering unit for communicating a variable fluid flow to the hand metering unit in proportion to the speed of the pump to vary the fluid steering signal whereby an operator can sense the speed of the pump. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, the variable flow control valve comprises a pair of spring-biased, reciprocal members which sense a differential pressure across the valve to control fluid flow through an outlet which is adapted to be connected to the hand metering unit.

Abstract: A scraper (10) has a bowl (12) and floor (14) and is of a construction sufficient for receiving an auger (18). Material entering the bowl (12) is sometimes lodged between the auger (18) and floor (14). Apparatus (24) is provided for diverting incoming material and preventing the lodging of material between the auger (18) and floor (14).

Abstract: A control system, for a rotating clutch having a rotating housing with a cavity adapted to axially slidably receive a clutch actuating piston therein and defining a clutch actuating chamber therebetween, includes a source of fluid, a control valve for infinitely variably supplying the fluid through a path in the housing to the actuating chamber so that the actuating piston is biased in a direction to engage the clutch, a plurality of passages in the housing disposed in fluid communication with the actuating chamber and the path, and including a fluid exhaust passage connecting therewith, and a differentially sensitive centrifugal valve slidably disposed in the passages for relieving fluid from the actuating chamber to the exhaust passage in response to centrifugal force and to fluid pressure in the actuating chamber, and in opposition to fluid pressure in the path in a differential area ratio responsive manner.