Abstract: The transmission includes a planetary gear arrangement having a rotatable output, a first rotatable input connected to an output of a fluid motor, and a second rotatable input connected to a clutch or other device engageable or operable for connecting the second input to a rotatable mechanical power source. The transmission includes a fluid operated brake or other device engageable or operable when fluid therein is pressurized for connecting the second input of the gear arrangement to a fixed member for preventing rotation of the second input. When the transmission is placed or moved into a neutral operating state or condition, the fluid brake or other device is automatically engaged or operated to prevent rotation of the second input, and flow of pressurized fluid through the fluid motor is automatically prevented, such that driving rotation of the output of the transmission is prevented. Then, when the fluid brake or other device is depressurized, the transmission output can be manually rotated.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a transmission in a work vehicle such as an agricultural tractor is provided herein. The system includes sensors for detecting the output speed of the vehicle engine, the output speed of the transmission and the vehicle ground speed. Command devices are available to the vehicle operator for generating command signals, such as for commanding the direction of movement, as well as forward and reverse gear ratios. A controller receives signals from the sensors and command devices, and controls engagement and disengagement of combinations of fluid clutches in the transmission to obtain desired gear ratios between the transmission input and output shafts. The system stores default forward and reverse gear ratios which are used upon start-up of the vehicle. To permit limited modification of the default gear ratios, an interface separate from the vehicle is provided to modify the default gear ratios.

Abstract: An electronic control system for a transmission in a work vehicle such as an agricultural tractor is disclosed herein. The system includes sensors for detecting the output speed of the vehicle engine, the output speed of the transmission and the vehicle ground speed. Command devices are available to the vehicle operator for generating command signals, such as for commanding the direction of movement, as well as forward and reverse gear ratios. A controller receives signals from the sensors and command devices, and controls engagement and disengagement of combinations of fluid clutches in the transmission to obtain desired gear ratios between the transmission input and output shafts. The command devices include an input device for generating transmission command signals, and the controller responds by selectively engaging the clutches to shift the transmission at a predetermined shift rate. The controller determines a commanded gear ratio based at least in part on the transmission command signals.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating at least one clutch in a transmission whereby the incipient engagement pressure of the fluid in the clutch may be determined. Two shafts in the transmission are locked together in mutually incompatible gear ratios thereby preventing their free relative rotation. The output of the clutch is connected to these shafts to prevent its free rotation. The input of the clutch is connected to the engine to cause it to rotate. The clutch is then gradually engaged as the load on the engine is monitored, preferably by measuring changes in the fuel flow rate to the engine. Once the engine load increases a predetermined amount, the system saves the particular valve command signal that produced the incipient engagement pressure and the process ends. The method is preferably performed entirely under microprocessor control, thereby eliminating the need for operator intervention during the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for shuttle shifting a power transmission are disclosed. The transmission is of the type including a plurality of intermeshing gears and a plurality of clutches associated with the gears. The clutches are engageable in predetermined combinations to place the transmission in various gear ratios. A control system permits the transmission to be shuttle shifted from forward to reverse gear ratios and vice versa, taking into account the vehicle speed and the target gear ratio to be engaged following the shuttle shift. If the shuttle shift request prior to expiration of a preset time following movement of a command device from a directional position, the transmission is placed in a neutral condition. If the vehicle speed is greater than a maximum allowable shuttle shifting speed upon request of the shuttle shift, the transmission is placed in a neutral condition.

Abstract: In a vehicle having a power shift transmission engageable in a plurality of forward gear ratios by engaging and disengaging first and second fluid clutches with a fluid from a fluid supply, a manifold apparatus for measuring a pressure of the fluid and simultaneously filling the first and second clutches with the fluid supply having a first clutch fill valve fluidly coupled to the first clutch to control the flow of the fluid to the first clutch; a second clutch fill valve fluidly coupled to the second clutch to control the flow of the fluid to the second clutch; a manifold fluidly coupled to the first and second clutch valves to conduct the fluid from the fluid supply to the first and second clutch valves; a first flow restrictor disposed between the manifold and the fluid supply to restrict the flow of the fluid from the fluid supply to the manifold; and a pressure transducer fluidly communicating with the manifold to generate a signal representative of the pressure of the fluid within the manifold, where t

Abstract: This invention includes an apparatus for calibrating fluid clutch fill times including a valve, a clutch connected to the valve, a fluid supply connected to the valve, a pressure transducer connected between the fluid supply and the valve, and a processor adapted to control the valve, read the pressure transducer, and calculate the time required to fill the clutch. The invention further includes a method for adaptively controlling clutch engagement and disengagement in a clutch control system including signalling a first clutch valve to fill a clutch, measuring the time required to fill the clutch, signalling a second clutch valve to empty a second clutch, and saving the time value.

Abstract: A control system for shifting a vehicle transmission, such as in work vehicles, tractors and the like, includes sensors for detecting the output speed of the vehicle engine, the output speed of the transmission and the vehicle ground speed. Command devices are available to the vehicle operator for generating command signals, such as for commanding the direction of movement of the vehicle, as well as forward and reverse gear ratios. A controller receives signals from the sensors and command devices and controls engagement and disengagement of combinations of fluid clutches in the transmission to obtain desired gear ratios between the transmission input and output shafts. The control system permits independent preselection of forward and reverse gear ratios through separate forward and reverse gear ratio preselection routines.

Abstract: A control system for a work vehicle transmission includes a sensor for detecting the output speed of the vehicle engine and an operator-movable command device for placing the transmission in a neutral condition. The transmission includes a plurality of intermeshing gears, and clutches associated with certain of the gears for selectively placing the transmission in various gear ratios for driving the vehicle. The clutches are engaged and disengaged by fluid valving in response to energization of solenoid coils driven by valve driver circuits. The sensor, the command device and the driver circuits are coupled to a control circuit, preferably including a microprocessor, for controlling engagement and disengagement of the transmission clutches. Upon startup, the control circuit disables the driver circuits to place the transmission in a neutral condition despite the position of the command device.

Abstract: A control system is provided for a vehicle with a power source connected to a transmission, a transmission controller, a clutch and a clutch control element for controlling clutch engagement and disengagement. The control system includes a gear shift lever with a neutral and non-neutral position, a relay circuit coupled to the gear shift lever and the clutch control element that responds to neutral and non-neutral signals from the gear shift lever, and a limp-home switch coupled to the clutch control element to control the application of power to the clutch control element by providing power to the clutch control element when the switch is actuated and the gear shift lever is not in neutral and interrupting power to the clutch control element when either the limp-home switch is not actuated or the gear shift lever is in the neutral position.

Abstract: A control system is provided for selectively placing a vehicle transmission in a neutral condition after startup of the vehicle. The transmission is of the type including a plurality of intermeshing gears and associated clutches. The clutches are engageable and disengageable in predetermined combinations in response to energization and de-energization of actuator coils to establish predetermined gear ratios between input and output shafts of the transmission. The control system includes a neutral circuit and a control circuit. The neutral circuit causes a current carrying path through the coils to be interrupted under the control of the control circuit. The neutral circuit preferably also causes the transmission to be placed in a neutral condition upon startup of the vehicle engine.

Abstract: A control system for shifting a vehicle transmission, such as in work vehicles, includes sensors for detecting the output speed of the vehicle engine, the output speed of the transmission and the vehicle ground speed. A controller receives signals from the sensors and command devices and controls engagement and disengagement of combinations of fluid clutches in the transmission to obtain desired gear ratios. The controller implements a ground-speed-matching control routine following operator-induced disengagement and re-engagement signals in which the controller compares the current ground speed to a threshold speed and enters into either a ground-speed-matching sequence or an alternative gear ratio selection sequence depending upon whether the ground speed is higher or lower than the threshold speed. Each routine results in selection of a gear ratio. The selected gear ratio is then limited by the last commanded gear ratio.

Abstract: Picking unit drive structure for transversely adjustable row units of a cotton harvester. A hydraulic drive system with an engine driven pump supplies fluid under pressure through flexible conduits to individual hydraulic motors located on the row units and drivingly connected to the unit harvesting structures. Flow to the motor is regulated by a flow-control valve and an electronic valve controller to synchronize picker drum speed with harvester ground speed. The hydraulic drive eliminates external drive shafts and significantly enhances transverse adjustment of the row units.

Abstract: A vehicle control system automatically controls both the engine and transmission of the vehicle in response to operator inputs and in response to sensed parameters. The control system has separate selectable operational modes--a constant ground speed mode and a constant engine speed mode.

Abstract: An electro-hydraulic control system includes a plurality of two-position control valves, each controlling fluid flow into and out of a corresponding one of a plurality of hydraulic functions. First and second pressure responsive servo actuators associated with each control valve operate to move each control valve to first and second positions, respectively. A two-position, solenoid-operated, pilot valve controls fluid flow into and out of a pilot circuit. The pilot circuit communicates fluid to and from the second servo actuator of each control valve and to and from a plurality of two-position, soleniod-operated, pilot valves. Each pilot valve controls fluid flow into and out of the first servo actuator of a corresponding one of the control valves. A detent mechanism holds each control valve in either its first or its second position in the absence of fluid pressure in the servo actuators.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based transmission control system has both automatic and manual control modes and controls the transmission as a function of engine speed. The control algorithm automatically switches the control system to its manual control mode in response to certain conditions and failure modes.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a hydraulically operated multi-speed transmission controlled by a rotary pilot valve and pilot-operated shift valves. An electronic control unit generates electrical control signals for automatically controlling the transmission. A manually movable lever generates mechanical transmission control signals. An interface mechanism includes a sector gear which rotates the rotary valve in response to movement of the lever. A stepping motor rotates the sector gear via a torque-multiplying gear train in response to the electrical control signals. A rotary gear ratio encoder is rotatably cooupled to the rotary pilot valve and generates signals indicative of the actual gear ratio of the transmission.

Abstract: As in prior testers, a capacitive cell in which material is placed to be tested is connected in a voltage divider circuit. However, signal generating means connected to the voltage divider applies voltages at different predetermined frequencies selected for the material being tested, and frequency selective means connected to the cell develop voltages at the applied frequencies having values dependent on the impedance of the filled cell at the respective frequencies. These voltages developed across the cell are applied to a computer that provides an output according to an equation that has been derived statistically from many samples of the material being tested for the substance or quality of the material being measured.