Abstract: A stepless hydrostatic mechanical transmission between a prime mover and a power output train in which an epicyclic differential is incorporated in the transmission and includes at least four shafts, a large and a small sun wheel, two planet wheels in mesh with the sun wheels, a web supporting the planet wheels and an annulus. Two main shafts constituting input and output shafts are connected with respectively different shafts of the epicyclic differential. Two hydrostatic machines are connected to the epicyclic differential such that in at least one working range of the power transmission the hydrostatic machines are adapted to be connected to the epicyclic differential and operated as pumps and motors.

Abstract: A drive device for vehicles comprises: a drive prime mover, a power splitting hydrostatic mechanical transmission coupled with the prime mover and having a planetary differential transmission with at least four shafts and two groups of planet wheels, two sun wheels, a web and an annulus, two main shafts forming an input and output and connected with different shafts of the planetary differential transmission, a clutch two variable displacement hydrostatic machines which are respectively connected in at least one operational range with a respective shaft of the planetary differential transmission and are adapted to alternately operate as a pump and as a motor, a first hydrostatic machine which, when the second hydrostatic machine is stationary, being able to be switched over from the input main shaft to the sun wheel, not on the drive side, on transition from one to the other operational range by means of said clutch means and during traction operation is switched over from the motor to the pump function.

Abstract: In the case of hydromechanical power splitting transmission for vehicles the aim of the invention is to make possible the use of the same type of hydrostatic machine is hitherto and of an identical or similar four-shaft planetary differential transmission while at the same time expanding the effective range of conversion to cover substantially at least twice the range. This is achieved in that the hydromechanical power splitting transmission is designed for an extremely wide overdrive operation with a speed of rotation ratio (noutput: ninput of the two main shafts) of up to a maximum of 2. This is achieved by the addition of simple gear trains and the additional provision of clutches.

Abstract: In order to avoid the necessity of a conventional electric starter motor a hydrostatic starting system for the engine of a motor vehicle is proposed for the engine whose output shaft is connected with a hydromechanical power transmission, composed of a mechanical part and at least two hydrostatic machines. The starter system comprises its own hydraulic accumulator which as regards its filling capacity and power output is designed for starting the engine at least once and a controller which responds to certain halt and operational states of the vehicle. The charging of the hydraulic accumulator takes place during braking of the vehicle via the hydrostatic machines of the power transmission or, if there is insufficient brake power, of an auxiliary device.

Abstract: In a system for varying the output flow from a constant rate feed pump with low losses by chopping the said output flow into one flow fraction supplied to the load as a power flow and into another flow fraction returned as a pressureless flow, the loads are aperiodically supplied with proportionated amounts of fluid by chopping, the respective amounts of fluid and the chop frequency being inherently controlled in way dependent on the instantaneous requirement of the load in the system. The system for performing the method has a housing with a number of pressure spaces arranged to be acted upon by different flows and with one or more pressureless spaces, a piston with a piston rod arranged in a piston space, a compression spring preferably arranged in a hole in said piston rod and adapted to act against the sum of the hydraulic forces acting on the piston and spool. The method is applicable to complex hydraulic systems and more especially to hydrostatic drives.

Abstract: A device for automatically resetting the play between a brake lining and a rotating brake member which is to be braked. The device is able to take into account an increase in the play due to wear as well as a decrease in the play due to overadjustment due to internal elasticity and heating, during each braking operation by suitably dimensioned positive and negative resetting. The device employs a setting member which is rotatable in a housing and with which a coupling can be engaged to drive a setting shaft and thereby take up play during braking. As the braking force increases, the coupling is locked against rotation and as the setting shaft undergoes further displacement, the play is slightly increased.

Abstract: A hydromechanical power splitting transmission for use between the prime mover and the axle power train of a vehicle having a planetary differential drive with at least two series of planetary wheels, two sun wheels, a web and annulus, a drive input shaft and a drive output shaft, connected with different shafts of the planetary differential drive. There are furthermore at least first and second hydrostatic machines, which in at least one operational range are connected with one shaft of the planetary differential drive and at least the first of the hydrostatic machines is able to be switched over from its own shaft to another on changing the operational range by clutches, while the second hydrostatic machine is at least substantially stationary. In the operational state of the vehicle in which the ratio of n.sub.output to n.sub.

Abstract: The hydromechanical transmission is all in all designed as a power splitting transmission having at least two hydraulic machines adapted to selectively act as pumps and motors, a control or connecting block, epicyclic gearing and various clutches, the hydraulic machines adapted to selectively act as pumps and motors forming a preassembled unit or subassembly with the control or connecting block. The subassembly, the epicyclic gearing, the clutches and any intermediate shaft required are arranged in a unitary manner in a common housing, in which the various elements are surrounded with a small clearance. the hydraulic machines adapted to selectively act as pumps and motors are arranged within the overall length of the epicyclic gearing and are axially parallel thereto.

Abstract: The chassis of a motor vehicle is fitted with spaced bearer bars running parallel to the lateral longitudinal members of the chassis, with which the bars are connected at their ends by junction plates. Each bearer bar has a horizontally extending center part with downwardly extending arms at its ends. The center part bears on a wheel spring. There are further junction plates connecting the center part of the bar with the respective longitudinal beam.

Abstract: A drive axle with a gear ring meshing with a drive pinion is designed with silent running properties, in that an intermediate member is secured to the differential carrier and is connected to the gear ring by an elastic coupling. Between the contacting faces of the gear ring and the intermediate member there are annular grooves and a cylindrical space is formed between an inner face of the gear ring and an outer cylindrical face of the intermediate member. The cylindrical space and the annular rings are filled with a viscous substance.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with improvements in utility vehicles having hydraulically driven items of equipment and designed for frequently stopping and starting, such as a garbage collection vehicle, a forklift truck, an excavator or the like. In order to facilitate operation of the equipment the vehicle has its engine connected with a hydromechanical four-shaft power branching transmission as previously proposed for use in city omnibuses operating city services. The branching transmission is adapted for operation in at least two working ranges and has at least two hydroconverters. The one hydroconverter is connected with a power output shaft at least in the starting up state of the vehicle. A second hydroconverter is connected with a shaft different to the transmission input shaft and the transmission output shaft.

Abstract: A vehicle, more especially in the form of an articulated omnibus, has a hybrid drive system comprising an IC engine and an electric motor, whose power is transmitted not only to an axle driven by the IC engine but in addition to a further drive axle in order to extend the working life of the transmission axles.

Abstract: An energy storage device comprising a high pressure liquid accumulator, a low pressure liquid accumulator and at least one pump and motor unit, i.e. a device able to be used as a pump and a motor which is connected to a means, such as the drive train of a vehicle, supplying or absorbing energy as the case may demand and during charging of the high pressure liquid accumulator from the low pressure accumulator functions as a pump and on discharge thereof functions as a motor, at least that pressure line connecting the high pressure accumulator and the pump and motor unit having a shut off valve therein. A piston delimiting the storage space of the low pressure liquid accumulator is connected to a telescoping cylinder bearing against the end plate of the accumulator and the cylinder is connected via an operating pressure line with the high pressure accumulator for pressurization.

Abstract: In a system with an energy storing and releasing device the latter comprises a high pressure accumulator and switching over device for the charging and discharging of the latter from and to a low pressure accumulator using a hydraulic transducer which is connected with a device able to provide and take up power. The switching over device consists of four 2/1 way shut off valves of which two respective ones are placed in parallel and connected with a respective accumulator. The 2/1 way shut off valves are so connected with the hydraulic transducer that by paired switching of a respective one of the two 2/1 way shut off valves associated with one accumulator either the one or the other accumulator may be connected with the power input of the hydraulic transducer and switching over may take place from the power output of the latter to the other accumulator. By the use of simple 2/1 shut off valves the switching over device is generally simplified to a substantial extent.

Abstract: In a hydrostatic drive one hydrostatic machine (2 and 4) is adapted for absorbing the sustained braking power or energy. The transmission is furthermore provided with a cooler (9) whose two sides are respectively connected via a threshold pressure valve (7 and 8) with one of two branch ducts (3 and 5) which connect the said hydrostatic machine with a second such machine adapted to act as a drive. The pressure threshold valve is made up of a pressure limiting and check valve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fluid tight pipe connection having an intermediate ring between the two pipe ends. By making the two surfaces of the ring complementary to the pipe end faces the ring may be displaced in relation to one pipe end and may be moved pivotally in relation to the other pipe end to enable the connection to allow for angular misalignment and parallel offset of the pipe axes while still maintaining a sealing joint.

Abstract: Articulated bus having a two-axle leading car and a single-axle trailing car. The leading car has a driving axle which is driven alternatively by an internal-combustion engine arranged in the trailing car and an electric motor arranged in the leading car.

Abstract: A power divider gearbox including a planetary differential gear drive, comprising dual planetary gears which mesh with two sun gears having different diameters and with an internal ring gear, wherein the planetary differential gear drive divides the incoming power input transmitted to the power divider gearbox through an input shaft into a mechanical branch and into a hydraulic branch (displacement machine) and in which the last-mentioned branch is connected to the internal ring gear of the planetary differential gear drive.

Abstract: An articulated vehicle such as, a bus having a lead car and a trailer coupled to each other through the intermediary of a central ball joint in the central longitudinal plane of the vehicle. The central ball joint transmits only horizontal forces between the lead car and the trailer and can therefore be supported through comparatively lightweight elements which require little space. The transmission of vertical forces between the lead car and trailer is effected through arms located on both sides of the joint. A cardan shaft is extended along the longitudinal center plane of the articulated vehicle from the lead car to the trailer.

Abstract: An articulated omnibus having a two-axle leading member, a single-axle trailing member, and an engine aft of the trailing member axle. The forward wheelbase between the front and center axles is approximately equal to the rear wheelbase between the center and rear axles. The front overhang is about 1/6 to 1/7 of the forward wheelbase, and the rear overhang is about 1/2 to 1/3 of the forward wheelbase. Passenger entrances near the front and center axles have thresholds lower than the central portion of the forward member. A driver's seat and compartment are located above the front axle.