Abstract: A starter-generator device for a work vehicle having an engine includes a gear set for transmitting power, one or more clutch portions configured to selectively interact with the gear set, an actuator device to power movement of an armature only in a first direction, and a linkage having a first portion extending axially and having a neck region formed as a permanent bend and having a bend radius. The linkage also includes a second portion extending radially from the first portion to a distal end. An actuation pin is connected to the distal end and to the clutch portion such that movement of distal end causes corresponding movement of the clutch portion. Powered movement of the armature moves the distal end in one direction. An elastic return force of the linkage moves the distal end in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing including at least one housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis, and a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The drive assembly also includes at least one clutch arrangement having at least one clutch ring configured to selectively interact with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. At least one actuator is configured to axially drive the clutch ring along the drive axis. A retention mechanism is configured to retain the clutch ring at an axial position along the drive axis. The retention mechanism includes a detent ball, a detent groove and a resilient member configured to urge the detent ball into the detent groove to retain the clutch ring at the axial position.

Abstract: A starter-generator device for a work vehicle having an engine includes a gear set for transmitting power, one or more clutch portions configured to selectively interact with the gear set, an actuator device to power movement of an armature only in a first direction, and a linkage having a first portion extending axially and having a neck region formed as a permanent bend and having a bend radius. The linkage also includes a second portion extending radially from the first portion to a distal end. An actuation pin is connected to the distal end and to the clutch portion such that movement of distal end causes corresponding movement of the clutch portion. Powered movement of the armature moves the distal end in one direction. An elastic return force of the linkage moves the distal end in an opposite direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle has a drive housing including at least one housing element forming a reaction member, a drive shaft rotatable about a drive axis, and a planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft and configured to selectively rotate an output element. The drive assembly also includes at least one clutch arrangement having at least one clutch ring configured to selectively interact with the planetary gear set to effect a rotation speed of the output element. At least one actuator is configured to axially drive the clutch ring along the drive axis. A retention mechanism is configured to retain the clutch ring at an axial position along the drive axis. The retention mechanism includes a detent ball, a detent groove and a resilient member configured to urge the detent ball into the detent groove to retain the clutch ring at the axial position.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes a power transmission assembly with first and second planetary gear set stages. One or more of the planetary gear set stages includes an idler gear and a ring gear. A clutch arrangement is coupled to effect a delivery mode in which power flows in a first power flow direction and a generation mode in which power flows in a second power flow direction. In delivery mode, input power is received in the first rotational direction from the electric machine and output power is provided in the first rotational direction to the engine as the first power flow direction. In generation mode, one or more of the planetary gear set stages receives input power in the first rotational direction and outputs power in the first rotational direction to the electric machine as the second power flow direction.

Abstract: A drive assembly for a work vehicle includes an electric machine input arrangement with a first electric machine configured to generate a first source of power, an electric machine input gear assembly configured to receive the first source of power from the first electric machine, and a second electric machine configured to generate a second source of power. The drive assembly further includes a combination gear arrangement coupled to selectively receive the first source of power from the electric machine input gear assembly and the second source of power from the second electric machine to produce a combined power; and an electric machine output arrangement configured to receive and transfer the combined power from the combination gear arrangement.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in the first power flow direction and a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in the second power flow direction.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least one gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a clutch arrangement with at least one active clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the gear ratios in the first power flow direction and in the second power flow direction. The clutch arrangement further includes at least one drag clutch to apply a drag force on the gear set to slow the electric machine.

Abstract: A clutch assembly includes a housing, a rotational member configured to rotate relative to the housing about an axis, and a clutch pack coupled between the housing and the rotational member. The clutch pack is configured to regulate movement of the rotational member relative to the housing. The clutch pack includes a speed sensor ring coupled to the rotational member such that the speed sensor ring is configured to rotate with the rotational member about the axis. The clutch assembly includes a sensor in communication with the speed sensor ring. The sensor is configured to measure an angular velocity of the rotational member relative to the housing.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device includes an electric machine and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple gear ratios in the first power flow direction and at least one gear ratio in the second power flow direction. The starter-generator device further includes a clutch arrangement with at least one active clutch selectively coupled to the gear set to effect the gear ratios in the first power flow direction and in the second power flow direction. The clutch arrangement further includes at least one drag clutch to apply a drag force on the gear set to slow the electric machine.

Abstract: A combination starter-generator device is provided for a work vehicle having an engine. The starter-generator device includes an electric machine; and a gear set configured to receive rotational input from the electric machine and from the engine and to couple the electric machine and the engine in a first power flow direction and a second power flow direction. The gear set is configured to operate in one of multiple relatively high-torque, low-speed start gear ratios in the first power flow direction and a relatively low-torque, high-speed gear ratio in the second power flow direction.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus comprises a housing, a rotor, and a face seal. The rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the housing. The housing and the rotor cooperate to provide an annular clearance passage therebetween. The face seal is positioned in communication with the clearance passage and establishes a sealed connection between the housing and the rotor to block ingress of debris from the clearance passage. The housing or the rotor comprises a knife partially defining the clearance passage to cut debris that may enter the clearance passage. The rotary apparatus may be used, for example, in a shaft assembly or a final drive.

Abstract: A product and method for assembling multiple components using an interference fit. An assembled product includes a first component, with a second component configured to mate with the first component so that the second component is removable from the first component for a positional adjustment. A third component is configured to mate with the first component and to be engaged therewith by a first interference fit. The first interference fit is configured to impart a resultant reaction in the first component that creates a second interference fit between the first and second components.

Abstract: A product and method for assembling multiple components using an interference fit. An assembled product includes a first component, with a second component configured to mate with the first component so that the second component is removable from the first component for a positional adjustment. A third component is configured to mate with the first component and to be engaged therewith by a first interference fit. The first interference fit is configured to impart a resultant reaction in the first component that creates a second interference fit between the first and second components.

Abstract: A threaded retainer in the form of a flange head capscrew is used alone or in combination with a large diameter washer to axially, frictionally engage a head of, or block, a threaded fastener so as to prevent the fastener from backing out and becoming loose. Any tendency of the threaded fastener to turn in a loosening direction is resisted by the threaded retainer, in a first embodiment, wherein frictional engagement between the flange head and/or large diameter washer causes the threaded retainer to tend to tighten, and in a second embodiment wherein the flange head and/or large diameter washer cooperates with a recess arrangement in the fastener to block loosening of the fastener.

Abstract: A rotary apparatus comprises a housing, a rotor, and a face seal. The rotor is mounted for rotation relative to the housing. The housing and the rotor cooperate to provide an annular clearance passage therebetween. The face seal is positioned in communication with the clearance passage and establishes a sealed connection between the housing and the rotor to block ingress of debris from the clearance passage. The housing or the rotor comprises a knife partially defining the clearance passage to cut debris that may enter the clearance passage. The rotary apparatus may be used, for example, in a shaft assembly or a final drive.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism, at least in part contained in the housing, is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. An actuator, at least in part contained in the housing, is arranged to move the selector mechanism into one of the plurality of orientations. The actuator has first and second pistons each disposed in a piston chamber of the housing for movement by hydraulic pressure. The second piston is arranged in contact with the first piston and configured to aggregate and transfer forces from hydraulic movement of the first piston and the second piston to move the selector mechanism.

Abstract: A drive assembly includes a drive motor at least in part contained in a housing and having a rotor rotating an output shaft. A selector mechanism, at least in part contained in the housing, is movable into one of a plurality of orientations corresponding to one of a plurality of drive motor settings. An actuator, at least in part contained in the housing, is arranged to move the selector mechanism into one of the plurality of orientations. The actuator has first and second pistons each disposed in a piston chamber of the housing for movement by hydraulic pressure. The second piston is arranged in contact with the first piston and configured to aggregate and transfer forces from hydraulic movement of the first piston and the second piston to move the selector mechanism.