Abstract: A combined hydrodynamic retarding brake and oil-cooled driveline flywheel clutch, the clutch (72) being integral with a retarding brake impeller (52) rotatable in a body of oil (58) contained within a housing (22) having a retarder flow circuit (118) therein, the amount of retardation being controllable by varying the amount of oil present in the circuit (118), the retarder impeller (52) operating to supply a flow of cooling oil through the clutch (72), and a clutch brake (102) operable to apply a braking action to the clutch, as the clutch (72) is disengaged operating to stop clutch output, and cut off oil flow to the clutch thereby reducing viscous drag at the clutch.

Abstract: An improvement in a drive transmission for coupling an engine to a driven load at any selected one of a plurality of drive ratios which comprises a gear section having an input shaft, an output shaft, a plurality of gears and shift devices for interconnecting said gears in any of a plurality of predetermined relationships, a fluid pressure operated input clutch for coupling said gear section input shaft to said engine having an engaged position and a disengaged position, a fluid perssure operated output clutch for coupling said driven load and said gear section output shaft having an engaged position and a disengaged position and an automatic operating control for selectively applying fluid pressure to said output clutch.

Abstract: The invention comprises a trigger mechanism providing stepwise linear motion responsive to a shaft rotating above a predetermined rate. The trigger mechanism comprises a rotating shaft having a collar thereabout attached to rotate therewith. Also part of the mechanism are a plurality of arcuate cams mounted within the collar to rotate therewith, each biased with the ends of the arcs thereof adjacent the collar at a normal shaft rotation rate of no more than said predetermined rate and the midpoints of the arcs thereof spaced away from the collar towards the shaft. The midpoints of the arcs are forced centrifugally to adjacent the collar when the shaft rotates above said predetermined rate (at overspeed).

Abstract: A clutch for coupling an engine to a transmission gearbox engages and disengages automatically in response to engine speed variation. Springs hold the clutch pressure plate retracted from the clutch discs at idling speeds. As engine speed increases, centrifugally generated fluid pressure in the clutch lubricant overcomes the spring force and applies a modulated engagement pressure to the discs. An internal valve continuously supplies an oil flow to lubricate and cool the clutch components and to charge the centrifugal pressure-generating means. Retraction of the pressure plate shifts the valve to reduce the oil flow while the clutch is disengaged. This reduces viscous drag within the clutch and thereby assures a more controlled disengagement. Retainer means stores some of the reduced oil flow to assure that ample fluid is available to the centrifugal pressure-generating mechanism when engagement commences.