Abstract: A variable track width vehicle axle has an outer axle casing (12) which supports two drive shafts (13) which are driven at their inner ends by drive means (23) and carry wheel attachment means (13a) at their outer ends. Each drive shaft including first and second parts (13a,13b) which are in screw-threaded engagement with each other so that rotation of one part relative to the other changes the effective length of each shaft and thus the track width of the axle. A clutch means (16) is also provided which in a first position connects the two parts (13a, 13b) of each shaft to prevent relative rotation and in a second position disconnects the two parts of each shaft to allow relative rotation therebetween and rotates one of the screw threaded parts relative to the other part (13b) via the drive means (23) to change the effective length of each drive shaft.

Abstract: A power-split transmission for a vehicle comprises a forward-reverse transmission module, an epicyclic module and a secondary power branch. The forward-reverse power shuttle module (12) comprises an input shaft (22) coupled to a primary motor (20) and an output shaft (38). Also included, first and second clutches (30,48) are alternatively engageable to close respective forward and reverse drive paths between the input shaft and output shaft. Engagement of the first clutch couples the input shaft directly to the output shaft. Engagement of the second clutch couples the input shaft to the output shaft via first and second gear sets (32, 34, 36, 42, 44) which each comprise a plurality of meshed gears. One of the gear sets (32, 34, 36) comprises an odd number of gears and the other gear set (42, 44) comprises an even number of gears.

Abstract: A continuously variable power-split transmission is provided and comprises an epicyclic module (14) having an input shaft (38) drivingly coupled to a primary motor (20). Three compound planets (52, 60, 62) are supported on a common planet carrier (54) and each engage respective sun gears (50, 56, 58). The transmission further comprises a continuously variable drive connection (16) between the primary motor and the planet carrier. A first sun gear (50) of the epicyclic module is disposed on the input shaft. A first power split output (80) is provided by an output side of the continuously variable drive connection. The second and third sun gears (56, 58) are connected to second and third power split outputs (64, 66) respectively. A downstream torque consumer (18) derives power selectively from one of the first, second and third outputs.

Abstract: A continuously variable power-split transmission is provided and comprises an epicyclic module (14) having an input shaft (38) drivingly coupled to a primary motor (20). Three compound planets (52, 60, 62) are supported on a common planet carrier (54) and each engage respective sun gears (50, 56, 58). The transmission further comprises a continuously variable drive connection (16) between the primary motor and the planet carrier. A first sun gear (50) of the epicyclic module is disposed on the input shaft. A first power split output (80) is provided by an output side of the continuously variable drive connection. The second and third sun gears (56, 58) are connected to second and third power split outputs (64, 66) respectively. A downstream torque consumer (18) derives power selectively from one of the first, second and third outputs.

Abstract: A power-split transmission for a vehicle comprises a forward-reverse transmission module, an epicyclic module and a secondary power branch. The forward-reverse power shuttle module (12) comprises an input shaft (22) coupled to a primary motor (20) and an output shaft (38). Also included, first and second clutches (30,48) are alternatively engageable to close respective forward and reverse drive paths between the input shaft and output shaft. Engagement of the first clutch couples the input shaft directly to the output shaft. Engagement of the second clutch couples the input shaft to the output shaft via first and second gear sets (32, 34, 36, 42, 44) which each comprise a plurality of meshed gears. One of the gear sets (32, 34, 36) comprises an odd number of gears and the other gear set (42, 44) comprises an even number of gears.

Abstract: A vehicle transmission (10) comprises first and second main torque transfer paths between a driven input (22) and a differential gear (24). Each main torque transfer path respectively comprises an in-line clutch (C1,C2), a synchromesh unit (94,112) and a plurality of alternative torque transfer sub-paths being selectable by operation of the synchromesh unit. The first main torque transfer path includes a continuously variable non-mechanical drive connection (16) and the second main torque transfer path is mechanical throughout.

Abstract: A variable track width vehicle axle has an outer axle casing (12) which supports two drive shafts (13) which are driven at their inner ends by drive means (23) and carry wheel attachment means (13a) at their outer ends. Each drive shaft including first and second parts (13a, 13b) which are in screw-threaded engagement with each other so that rotation of one part relative to the other changes the effective length of each shaft and thus the track width of the axle. A clutch means (16) is also provided which in a first position connects the two parts (13a, 13b) of each shaft to prevent relative rotation and in a second position disconnects the two parts of each shaft to allow relative rotation therebetween and rotates one of the screw threaded parts relative to the other part (13b) via the drive means (23) to change the effective length of each drive shaft.

Abstract: A continuously variable power-split transmission (10) for transferring torque from a primary motor (20) to a differential gear (24) is provided. The transmission comprises an epicyclic module (14), a continuously variable drive connection (16) and a direct shift transmission module (18). The epicyclic module comprises a first input (38) drivingly coupled to the primary motor, a second input (54) and first and second outputs (64, 66). The continuously variable drive connection (16) is drivingly coupled between the primary motor and second input (54) of the epicyclic module. The first and second epicyclic outputs are alternatively coupled to the differential gear (24) via respective torque transfer paths provided by the direct shift transmission module. Each path includes a clutch (C2, C3) and a synchromesh unit (112, 94) which allows selection of one of a plurality of torque transfer sub-paths. Each clutch comprises an input side and an output side.

Abstract: A vehicle oil-cooled brake comprising has an oil-containing chamber housing one or more rotatable brake discs (22,23) connected a with driveline shaft (150 and a brake applying means to bring the brake disc or disc onto frictional contact with non rotatable structure to brake the shaft. The housing has an inlet (27) into the chamber through which cooling oil may enter the chamber and a closure member (28) for closing off the inlet. The closure member is moveable between open and closed positions by an actuator (40). The chamber has an outlet for allowing cooling oil to leave the chamber and a control means (50) is provided for activating the actuator (40) to move the closure member (28) to close the inlet when the associated vehicle achieves one or more vehicle predetermined operating conditions so that the rotating brake disc or discs or a component rotating therewith can pump oil from the chamber and hence reduce the viscous drag caused by the rotation of the brake disc or discs within the chamber.