Abstract: A motor vehicle has a continuously variable transmission and a hydraulic device to perform the functions of changing as well as maintaining the ratio of the continuously variable transmission. The hydraulic device comprises a valve arrangement with at least one connector terminal for controlling a transmission ratio change and at least one connector terminal for maintaining the transmission ratio at a set level.

Abstract: A disc clutch wherein at least one first clutch disc, having internal teeth mating with the external splines of a first rotary hub, frictionally engages at least one second clutch disc, having external teeth mating with the internal splines of a second rotary hub coaxial with the first hub, when the clutch is engaged. Engagement of the clutch takes place in response to actuation of a cylinder-piston unit having a reciprocable piton which can directly or indirectly bear upon one of the two outer discs of the package including the first and second discs. The splines of the hubs and/or the teeth of the clutch discs are capable of undergoing deformation, particularly elastic deformation, to thus facilitate a more accurate selection of the magnitude of torque to be transmitted between the hubs by way of the frictionally engaged clutch discs.

Abstract: A continuously variable transmission with two adjustable pulleys and an endless torque-transmitting chain trained over the pulleys has a torque sensor which transmits variable torque from the rotary output element of a prime mover (such as the engine of a motor vehicle) to the axially movable flange of one of the pulleys. The torque sensor comprises one or more rolling elements and cam faces and/or guide surfaces which confine the rolling element(s) to movements radially and/or axially of the respective pulley. At least the rolling element(s) and those components of the torque sensor which define the cam faces and/or the guide surfaces of the torque sensor are confined in a fluid-containing plenum chamber adjacent the axially movable flange of the one pulley to thus achieve a pronounced reduction of space requirements of the unit including the one pulley and the torque sensor in the axial direction of the one pulley.

Abstract: An endless chain for the transmission of torque between adjustable pulleys of a continuously variable transmission has a series of successive composite links. The neighboring links of the series have overlapping portions with registering openings for composite rocker elements each having two bolts carrying projections at the sides of the chain to abut the adjacent links and/or to oppose unintentional separation of the bolts from the respective links. At least one of the bolts carries a single projection; for example, each bolt can carry a single projection and the projections of the bolts constituting a rocker element can be located at opposite sides or at the same side of the chain. The projections can be of one piece with or can be affixed to the respective bolts. The bolts can be inserted into the respective openings at the one or the other side of the chain.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: An improved torque monitoring sensor for an infinitely variable transmission including integrated wear reduction elements designed to minimize the hysteresis associated with physical strains, axial thrust forces, and mechanical friction introduced into components of the torque monitoring sensor during operation is disclosed. In one embodiment the present wear reduction elements include the formation of a symmetrical pattern of elongated slots in the cylindrical sheet metal housing of an axially displaceable cam disc component in the torque monitoring sensor to provide a degree of structural flexibility to the housing. So modified, the cam disc housing undergoes flexion in response to micro-movements generated by abrupt changes in the torque transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping torsional vibrations between the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Installed between the flywheels are at least two resilient dampers operating in parallel. In a first stage of relative rotation between the flywheels from a starting position, only one of the dampers is active to oppose the rotation. In a next-following second stage of relative rotation the other of the two dampers becomes active to oppose the rotation in parallel with the first damper.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping torsional vibrations between the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Installed between the flywheels are at least two resilient dampers operating in parallel. In a first stage of relative rotation between the flywheels from a starting position, only one of the dampers is active to oppose the rotation. In a next-following second stage of relative rotation the other of the two dampers becomes active to oppose the rotation in parallel with the first damper.

Abstract: A continuously variable speed transmission with two adjustable sheaves and an endless chain trained over the sheaves has a torque transmitting and monitoring unit which is installed between a prime mover, such as the engine of a motor vehicle, and an axially movable flange of one of the sheaves. The monitoring unit has two annular plenum chambers which are sealed from each other while the ratio of the transmission is within a first range, and which communicate with each other when the ratio is within a second range. A check valve between the two chambers can employ a resilient annular seal having a U-shaped cross-sectional outline. A radially outer annular portion of the seal has a lip which normally bears against the internal surface of an annular member of the valve.

Abstract: The invention is embodied in a hydraulic gear machine, such as for example a pump or motor, with at least one multistage pressure building slot in an axial plate of the housing. The slot is designed to facilitate a gradual rise of fluid pressure between the mating teeth of the gears and to reduce the noise being generated by the machine as a result of advancement of fluid from a suction inlet to an outlet for pressurized fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for damping vibrations between the output element of the engine and the power train in a motor vehicle has flywheels which are rotatable relative to each other. One flywheel is mounted on the output element of the engine and another flywheel is connectable to the power train by a friction clutch. Vibration dampers are installed between the flywheels, and such dampers are confined in a housing which is provided on the one flywheel and contains a supply of viscous fluid lubricating medium for the parts of the dampers. The housing is the input member of the dampers, and the output member of the dampers is a flange which extends into the housing and is axially movably coupled to the other flywheel.

Abstract: A transmission for use in the power train of a motor vehicle has a rotary first component (such as a shaft), a second component which may but need not be rotatable, a fluid-conveying conduit having a first end portion extending into a first socket provided in the first component and a second end portion extending into a socket of the second component, a split-ring piston packing located in an external groove of the first end portion, and an O-ring received in an external groove of the second end portion. The O-ring prevents the conduit and the second component from rotating relative to each other.

Abstract: A torsion damping assembly which is installed between the crankshaft of the engine and the input element of the change-speed transmission in a motor vehicle has two coaxial flywheels one of which is driven by the crankshaft and the other of which can transmit torque to the transmission in response to engagement of a friction clutch. The transmission of torque between the two flywheels takes place by way of a damper and a slip clutch which latter is effective only within a selected range of possible angular movements of the two flywheels relative to each other.

Abstract: A fluid-operated regulating apparatus for use in a motor vehicle, particularly to control the operation of a consumer, such as a clutch which transmits torque between an engine and a transmission in the power train of a vehicle as a function of one or more parameters, comprises at least one pump which supplies a flow of pressurized hydraulic or pneumatic fluid to the consumer by way of a valve controlled by an electronic unit which receives signals from a plurality of sensors. The signals which the electronic unit transmits to the valve are dependent upon at least one variable parameter which is generated by a plurality of components. One of these components is modulated or modulatable at a first frequency, and another of these components is modulated or modulatable at a second frequency which can be higher or lower than the first frequency.

Abstract: A continuously variable speed transmission has two adjustable sheaves and an endless chain or belt which is trained over and transmits torque between the sheaves. One of the sheaves can be driven by a prime mover, and the other sheave can drive a torque receiving device. Each sheave has a shaft, a first flange which is fixed to the shaft, and a second flange which is movable axially of the shaft toward and away from the first flange. The shaft portion between the flanges of at least one of the sheaves is located in the path of one or more sprays of a cooling and/or lubricating fluid which flows axially of the shaft and along the confronting conical surfaces of the flanges. The spray or sprays are supplied by the nozzle(s) of a conduit which receives fluid from a pump in the hydraulic system of the transmission.

Abstract: A change-speed transmission in the power train of a motor vehicle has a planetary gearing and coaxial radially inner and outer disc clutches, namely a direct clutch and a reverse clutch. At least that clutch which is engaged (i.e., in use) is cooled by a lubricant for the planetary gearing, and the flow of coolant to the clutches is regulated by the axially movable pressure plate of one of the clutches. A jet pump conveys lubricant from the sump in the transmission case into an axially extending channel of the input shaft of the transmission, and such channel forms part of a system of passages which supply coolant at least to that clutch which is then in use to transmit torque from the input shaft to an output element of the transmission.

Abstract: A power train for use in motor vehicles has an infinitely variable transmission with two adjustable sheaves, an endless flexible torque transmitting element trained over the sheaves, and at least one hydraulic adjusting unit for each of the sheaves. The adjusting units receive pressurized fluid from a pump and the pressure of such fluid, and hence the extent of frictional clamping engagement between the sheaves and the flexible element, is regulated by a torque sensor including a plenum chamber with an outlet having an effective cross-sectional area which is variable in dependency upon variations of torque being applied to the torque sensor by the engine of the vehicle. The energy of fluid leaving the plenum chamber is used to operate a jet pump which draws fluid from a source for lubrication and/or cooling of the transmission and/or one or more clutches forming part of the power train.