Abstract: A radially compliant gear is provided to reduce transmitted shock loads and/or resist jamming as a result of debris entering its mesh with another gear. The radially compliant gear includes a hub adapted to rotate about an axis, and a compliant rim. The hub includes a first surface that faces radially inwardly. The rim includes external gear teeth and a second surface that faces radially outwardly. The rim is mounted to the hub through the first and second surfaces to allow localized radial deflections of the rim relative to the hub. The first and second surfaces are configured to provide a predetermined minimum radial preload between the rim and the hub.

Abstract: In order to prevent serious damage to a flight control system in a failure mode, a failure protection unit includes an input shaft connected to a shaft of the flight control system with the input shaft normally being operably associated with a plunger having a brake hub integral therewith for rotational driven movement of the plunger and the brake hub through the input shaft. The plunger and the brake hub are movable relative to the input shaft, and a brake reaction plate is positioned within a housing in normally spaced relation to the brake hub. The brake hub is biased by a spring in a direction toward the brake reaction plate and the plunger is biased by the spring in a direction away from the input shaft. The plunger is normally locked against movement by a detent which resists movement of the plunger away from the input shaft and movement of the brake hub toward the brake reaction plate.

Abstract: An integrated variable speed compressor drive system for driving a compressor which compresses air from an air source and outputs compressed air. The integrated variable speed compressor drive system includes a hydrostatic transmission coupled to a drive shaft for converting a varying rotational speed of the drive shaft into a first rotational speed. A differential coupled to the hydrostatic transmission and the drive shaft is included in the invention for outputting in response to the varying rotational speed of the drive shaft and the first rotational speed of the hydrostatic transmission, a second rotational speed. The differential is coupled to the compressor and drives the compressor using the second rotational speed. The second rotational speed is related to the first rotational speed output by the hydrostatic transmission.

Abstract: An automatic neutral position locking system for a control surface of an aircraft. A hydraulic prime mover is provided for moving the control surface. A locking device is capable of locking the control surface against movement. A ratchet-and-pawl device is operatively associated with a rotary drive train between the prime mover and the control surface for actuating the locking device in response to the control surface reaching a neutral position. The ratchet-and-pawl device normally is maintained in inactive condition when hydraulic pressure exists in the prime mover. A pneumatic piston-and-cylinder device, when under pressure, maintains the ratchet-and-pawl device in normally inactive condition. With a loss of hydraulic pressure, the ratchet-and-pawl device is effective to actuate the locking device in response to the control surface itself reaching the neutral position as the control surface moves under external loads.

Abstract: An improved support ring (50) is disclosed for supporting a plurality of planetary gear sets (20) which are driven by a centrally disposed input shaft (12) having a sun gear (16) attached thereto in which the planetary gear sets are subject to radially inward loads. The support ring (50) includes an inner ring (52) and an outer ring (57). The inner ring (52) has a bore (54) which is disposed around the input shaft (12) and an outside surface (56) and the outer ring (57) has a bore (58) with a diameter greater than the diameter of the outside surface of the inner ring. The outside surface (60) of the outer ring rotatably supports the planetary gear sets (20). Preferably, the outer ring (57) has a spring rate which is less than the inner ring (52) to readily permit absorption of radial loads when the outer ring does not contact the inner ring. A retaining ring (62) may be provided to maintain a fixed axial relationship between the inner (52) and outer rings (57).

Abstract: A backdrive overload clutch mechanism which includes a rotatable drive member and a rotatable driven member mounted concentric with respect to the drive member. A pair of cooperating clutch jaws, including chamfered teeth, are provided with one jaw on each of the drive and driven members for rotation therewith and separable by relative movement between the members longitudinally of their axis of rotation. A first spring normally urges the clutch jaws into driving engagement. A tongue-and-groove disengaging device disengages the clutch jaws automatically in response to relative rotation between the clutch jaws. A second spring maintains the clutch jaws out of driving engagement when the clutch jaws are automatically disengaged.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a rotational speed sensing switch which provides a variable linear displacement of an output member in response to a varying speed rotational input. The switch includes a sensing means, which includes a rotatable rolling element-and-ramp assembly, acting in cooperation with a signaling means which includes an axially movable actuating disc, an output member comprising a switch rod, and a biasing means. The aforementioned improvement over the prior art comprises a regulating means included within the sensing means.

Abstract: A single axis multi-speed planetary transmission of the epicyclic type is provided in which a single rotating housing encloses and carries three epicyclic gear sets. Hollow end portions of the rotating housing are carried on a stationary housing by bearings and quill shafts extend from the end portions and are connected to brakes carried on the stationary housing. Two fluid operated clutches are provided within the rotating housing to selectively interconnect certain of the components of the epicyclic gear sets and together with the two brakes provide controls to effect one reverse and five forward speeds. The output shaft is a quill shaft and the input shaft extends through the transmission, and through the output shaft, to provide a power takeoff shaft at the output end of the transmission.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission having power shift means and an overrunning clutch to selectively provide a multiple speed transmission with shifting of the vehicle transmission while the vehicle is operating. The transmission includes a main drive shaft, a jackshaft and a countershaft with a selective manual gear shift on the countershaft. The main drive is through the countershaft and a plurality of gearsets having clutching means to manually select one of a plurality of speed ratios. The first input speed drives through the first overrunning clutch to the main drive shaft. The jackshaft is selectively engaged through a power shift clutch to provide a second input speed to the main drive shaft. When the jackshaft is in operation, the first overrunning clutch is disengaged and the drive is through the power shift clutch to rotate the main drive shaft at the higher speed.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve for a two-speed power take off selectively operated by a reversible stub shaft providing the proper output drive.

Abstract: A multiple speed countershaft transmission with a transfer gear drive driven by one of the countershaft gearsets having a gear on the output shaft driving at the output shaft speed to provide an auxiliary power takeoff from the transmission.

Abstract: A transmission brake with a lubricating and cooling means whereby a portion of the actuating fluid is used to cool the transmission brake and lubricate the brake disks while the transmission brake is operated.

Abstract: A pivotal support for a vehicle drive line of an articulated vehicle using gimbal rings supporting two universal joints and equally dividing angularity of these two joints and controlling the angularity of a third universal joint of the drive line.

Abstract: A differential having a mechanical differential lock for use in a motor vehicle. The lock includes a plurality of pins carried on a clutch collar for sliding through openings in the differential housing to selectively engage peripheral grooves on one of the side gears of the differential to lock the differential for synchronous rotation of the side gears of the differential.

Abstract: A differential having lubrication passages including flats on the shafts of the differential spider extending from externally of the differential casing through the differential pinion gears to convey lubrication to the pinion gear and shaft interface for lubrication of the differential. The pinion and ring gears define cone angles directed toward the lubrication groove of the differential.