Abstract: A bi-directional drive system for turf grooming and brushing operations is provided. In various embodiments, the system includes a reel deck assembly having a reel blade assembly rotatably supported on a reel blade shaft axially rotatable in a reel blade shaft rotation direction. The system additionally includes a first positive engagement member rotatably connected to the reel deck assembly, and an attachment member releasably connected to the first positive engagement member. The attachment member is simultaneously axially rotatable in an attachment member first axial rotation direction that is the same as the reel blade shaft rotation direction, or an attachment member second axial rotation direction opposite to the reel blade shaft rotation direction. The bi-directional rotation is implemented by selective engagement of a drive system connected to the reel blade shaft.

Abstract: A bi-directional drive system for turf grooming and brushing operations includes a first gear rotatably connected to a reel deck assembly. A reel shaft gear is connected to a reel shaft and rotated in a first axial rotation direction. Second and third gears are rotatably connected to the reel deck assembly. A double sided cogged belt is engaged to the reel shaft gear. An attachment member defining a turf component is rotated in the first axial rotational direction by rotation of the reel shaft gear connected to the first gear by the double sided cogged belt without rotation of the second and third gears. The turf component as a turf groomer is rotated in a second axial rotational direction opposite to the first axial rotational direction by rotation of the reel shaft gear connected to the first, second and third gears by the double sided cogged belt.

Abstract: A bi-directional drive system for turf grooming and brushing operations includes first and second accessory attachment assemblies connected to a reel deck assembly. A first drive housing connected to the first accessory attachment assembly has a first positive engagement drive member rotatable with respect to the first drive housing. A second drive housing connected to the second accessory attachment assembly has a second positive engagement drive member rotatable with respect to the second drive housing. An attachment member is releasably connected to each of the first and second positive engagement drive members and axially rotated in either a first or an opposite second axial rotation direction. First and second fasteners individually received through one of the first or second positive engagement drive members releasably couple the attachment member to the first and second positive engagement drive members. Attachment member removal is provided by releasing only the first and second fasteners.

Abstract: A bi-directional drive system for turf grooming and brushing operations includes a first gear rotatably connected to a reel deck assembly. A reel shaft gear is connected to a reel shaft and rotated in a first axial rotation direction. Second and third gears are rotatably connected to the reel deck assembly. A double sided cogged belt is engaged to the reel shaft gear. An attachment member defining a turf component is rotated in the first axial rotational direction by rotation of the reel shaft gear connected to the first gear by the double sided cogged belt without rotation of the second and third gears. The turf component as a turf groomer is rotated in a second axial rotational direction opposite to the first axial rotational direction by rotation of the reel shaft gear connected to the first, second and third gears by the double sided cogged belt.

Abstract: A planetary differential including a differential case rotatable about an axis and a method of manufacturing thereof. The differential case includes a cover, a housing, an annulus gear, and a ring gear. The differential case defines a differential cavity having a clutch cavity and a planet cavity separated by a retainer plate coupled to the housing. The modular nature of this system allows both open and torque biasing constructions in the same packaging space. The method of manufacturing the differential includes the steps of coupling a retainer plate to the housing between the clutch cavity and the axial opening, placing a planetary gear set in the planetary cavity, and fixing the housing to the annulus gear and ring gear.

Abstract: A drive assembly including an electric motor and frequency variable generator for use with a multi-axle vehicle. The vehicle generally includes an engine driving a first axle and a drive assembly with an electric motor driving a second drive axle. The drive assembly includes a frequency variable generator with an input shaft driven by the engine and the electric motor electrically communicates with the generator to receive output power from the generator. Other details of selected embodiments of the invention include the frequency variable generator having a rotor coupled to rotate with the engine output shaft and a stator electrically connected to the electric motor. An inverter is electrically connected to an electrical power source, such as a battery or the frequency variable generator, as well as to the rotor. A controller communicates with the inverter and is configured to control the magnitude and frequency of the power communicated from the inverter to the rotor winding.

Abstract: A lightweight limited slip differential for a tubular or independent axle assembly. The differential biases the torque applied to the wheels through clutch rings engaged on the pinions. The pinions include a mating surface that engage a similar profile on the clutch rings. The clutch rings may be frictionally restrained or coupled together so that the pinion movement is restrained to bias the torque between the wheels.

Abstract: A differential having a first side gear, a second side gear, and a fastener assembly to restrain the first and second side gears against axial movement. The first and second side gears each include an abutment face and a passage. The fastener assembly includes a bolt and a nut. The bolt has a shaft passing through the passages and a head operatively engaging one of the abutment faces of the side gears. The nut is coupled to the bolt and operatively engages the other abutment face. The invention is also directed to an independent axle differential having a ring gear rotatable about an axis, a geared pinion coupled to rotate with and relative to the ring gear, the first and second side gears and fastener assembly discussed above, and first and second output shafts. The first and second output shafts are disposed in the cavity and coupled to rotate with the first and second side gears, respectively, and each have a shaft end located proximate to one of the bolt head and nut.

Abstract: A lightweight limited slip differential for a tubular or independent axle assembly. The differential biases the torque applied to the wheels through clutch rings engaged on the pinions. The pinions include a mating surface that engage a similar profile on the clutch rings. The clutch rings may be frictionally restrained or coupled together so that the pinion movement is restrained to bias the torque between the wheels.

Abstract: A differential having a first side gear, a second side gear, and a fastener assembly to restrain the first and second side gears against axial movement. The first and second side gears each include an abutment face and a passage. The fastener assembly includes a bolt and a nut. The bolt has a shaft passing through the passages and a head operatively engaging one of the abutment faces of the side gears. The nut is coupled to the bolt and operatively engages the other abutment face.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a clutch actuator assembly for a clutch pack wherein the clutch actuator assembly includes a lever rotatable about an axis, a drive mechanism that selectively rotates the lever about the axis, and a translating mechanism that receives input from the lever, converts the input to linear displacement, and is operably coupled to the clutch pack pressure plate to apply the linear displacement. The present invention is further directed to a clutch assembly and torque transferring mechanism having such a clutch actuator assembly.

Abstract: A drive assembly including an electric motor and frequency variable generator for use with a multi-axle vehicle. The vehicle generally includes an engine driving a first axle and a drive assembly with an electric motor driving a second drive axle. The drive assembly includes a frequency variable generator with an input shaft driven by the engine and the electric motor electrically communicates with the generator to receive output power from the generator. Other details of selected embodiments of the invention include the frequency variable generator having a rotor coupled to rotate with the engine output shaft and a stator electrically connected to the electric motor. An inverter is electrically connected to an electrical power source, such as a battery or the frequency variable generator, as well as to the rotor. A controller communicates with the inverter and is configured to control the magnitude and frequency of the power communicated from the inverter to the rotor winding.

Abstract: A direct drive differential containing a ring gear and a differential pin attached directly to the ring gear. This arrangement changes the load path through the differential case that allows for a new design to be created. The ring gear has a slot and the differential pin has a flat on the sides that mate together when assembled. The differential pin is round and the ring gear has a radius that mate together when assembled. The ring gear has a diameter machined into the inside ring diameter but allows a pin with slots to be assembled. The pin locks into place in the ring gear by rotating the pin during assembly. The ring gear has a through hole or is drilled and tapped and the differential pin has a hole therefore the two parts can be locked together in place.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly for an automobile includes an annular ring gear, a differential case, a pair of side gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other and adapted to be supported by the differential case and to engage an axle shaft of the automobile, and a pair of differential pinion gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other, and adapted to engage the side gears. A differential pin is secured to and extends diametrically across the ring gear and is adapted to support the differential pinion gears in engagement with the side gears and to allow rotational movement of the differential pinion gears about the differential pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a load to a clutch pack system in a vehicle comprising a motor having a shaft for providing torque, a gearset interfacing with the shaft, a ball screw mechanism linked to the gearset including a ball screw having helically extending retention grooves and lands and a ball nut having a ball nut path and lands on the inner face of the ball nut. The ball nut includes a return passage and is threadably mounted to the ball screw and thus defines a pathway extending from a first end to a second end of the ball nut. The pathway captures a plurality of spherical balls between the ball nut and the ball screw, the balls being configured for circulation through the return passage and around a portion of the helically extending retention grooves.

Abstract: A direct drive differential containing a ring gear and a differential pin attached directly to the ring gear. This arrangement changes the load path through the differential case that allows for a new design to be created. The ring gear has a slot and the differential pin has a flat on the sides that mate together when assembled. The differential pin is round and the ring gear has a radius that mate together when assembled. The ring gear has a diameter machined into the inside ring diameter but allows a pin with slots to be assembled. The pin locks into place in the ring gear by rotating the pin during assembly. The ring gear has a through hole or is drilled and tapped and the differential pin has a hole therefore the two parts can be locked together in place.

Abstract: A differential gear assembly for an automobile includes an annular ring gear, a differential case, a pair of side gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other and adapted to be supported by the differential case and to engage an axle shaft of the automobile, and a pair of differential pinion gears substantially axially aligned and spaced apart from each other, and adapted to engage the side gears. A differential pin is secured to and extends diametrically across the ring gear and is adapted to support the differential pinion gears in engagement with the side gears and to allow rotational movement of the differential pinion gears about the differential pin.

Abstract: A method of controlling torque transfer from a torque input source to an outlet source in which an electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque limiting device is coupled to either a differential pinion gear, a side gear, both the differential pinion gear and side gear, or both side gears of a differential assembly. By introducing current through electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque-limiting device during a turning or spin-out condition, and thereby increasing the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid within the torque limiting device, the amount of torque that is transferred to the output source through the differential assembly can be controlled.

Abstract: A method of controlling torque transfer from a torque input source to an outlet source in which an electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque limiting device is coupled to either a differential pinion gear, a side gear, both the differential pinion gear and side gear, or both side gears of a differential assembly. By introducing current through electronically controllable magnetorheological fluid-based torque-limiting device during a turning or spin-out condition, and thereby increasing the viscosity of the magnetorheological fluid within the torque limiting device, the amount of torque that is transferred to the output source through the differential assembly can be controlled.

Abstract: A circumferentially contractible clamp operated by a bolt and nut actuator wherein a U-shaped safety saddle pivotally mounted upon one end of the clamp band includes a threaded bore receiving a threaded stem of the nut threaded upon the bolt. The inner end of the stem is operatively associated with the band other end wherein rotation of the nut tensions the bolt and the interconnection of the nut stem and the saddle supports the nut such that the stem will maintain the band in a contracted condition even if the bolt fails.