Abstract: A drive includes an electric motor disposed in a housing and driving a motor shaft, a Hall effect sensor adjacent to the motor, a power and control assembly, and a pinion gear driven by the motor shaft. A planetary gear reduction assembly is driven by the pinion gear, and an output axle has an axis of rotation that is offset from and parallel to the motor shaft axis of rotation. The reduction drive is substantially bilaterally symmetrical about a plane passing through the motor shaft axis of rotation and the output axle axis of rotation. The power and control assembly comprises a control board oriented perpendicular to a power board and includes a heat dissipation apparatus that applies multi-point, localized, indirect pressure to a plurality of field effect transistors mounted on the power board.

Abstract: A drive includes an electric motor disposed in a housing and driving a motor shaft, a Hall effect sensor adjacent to the motor, a power and control assembly, and a pinion gear driven by the motor shaft. A planetary gear reduction assembly is driven by the pinion gear, and an output axle has an axis of rotation that is offset from and parallel to the motor shaft axis of rotation. The reduction drive is substantially bilaterally symmetrical about a plane passing through the motor shaft axis of rotation and the output axle axis of rotation. The power and control assembly comprises a control board oriented perpendicular to a power board and includes a heat dissipation apparatus that applies multi-point, localized, indirect pressure to a plurality of field effect transistors mounted on the power board.

Abstract: An electric brake assembly for a planetary reduction drive includes a first housing defining a brake housing compartment, first and second stators disposed within the brake housing compartment, and a rotor disposed within the brake housing compartment between the first and second stators. The rotor has a spline engaging an output shaft of a motor. The electric brake assembly also includes a brake end cap coupled to the first housing and defining a cylindrical volume, a plug movably disposed in the cylindrical volume of the brake end cap, a spring disposed within the cylindrical volume of the brake end cap and compressed by the plug to apply a spring biasing force for pressing the second stator against the rotor, and an electric brake coil positioned adjacent to the second stator to electromagnetically pull the second stator away from the rotor when energized.

Abstract: A check valve for use with a hydraulic drive apparatus includes a check ball disposed in a cage portion for engaging a valve seat to close the valve. The cage portion has a plurality of flexible ribs composed of a flexible material which permits the check ball to be inserted into to ball retaining area during assembly and to be retained in the ball area after assembly. A filter housing connected to a mounting member has a pair of openings formed in a first surface, and a pair of deformable lips surrounding each opening. A filter screen permits hydraulic fluid to enter a filter housing from a sump. A pair of check valves are disposed in a pair of check valve ports. An external surface of each check valve is engaged to one of the deformable lips to sealingly engage the check valve to the filter housing.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle with a vent assembly disposed in a port. The vent assembly may include a main fitting having a bottom member having an inner surface forming a floor and a fitting sidewall extending upwardly from the periphery to encircle the floor. A cap is secured to the sidewall and the fitting sidewall, cap and floor form a basin. A valve is disposed in the fitting sidewall. The assembly also includes cylindrical lower section extending downwardly from the bottom member to form a passage between the opening and a sump. A tower extends upwardly from the floor to the vent cap and surrounds an opening in the floor. A passage formed in the tower member to permit fluid flow between the opening and the basin.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle with a bypass mechanism is disclosed, the transaxle having a center section attached to a housing, an axial piston pump disposed on the center section and driven by an input shaft, and an axial piston motor disposed on the center section having a cylinder block engaged to a motor output shaft. The bypass actuation rod has a cam formed on a first end that engages a block lift member. When the bypass actuation rod is rotated, the cam causes two legs of the block lift member to engage the cylinder block on either side of the motor output shaft and cooperatively lift the cylinder block of the axial piston motor off of center section.

Abstract: A vehicle and vehicle drive apparatus having a hydraulic pump and a first and second hydraulic motor, each disposed on a center section, is disclosed. A main housing having a housing cover contains the hydraulic pump and the first and second hydraulic motors, which in turn drive first and second motor shafts, respectively. The first and second motor shafts are enclosed in first and second motor shaft housings, respectively, and the main housing combined with the housing cover and the first and second motor shaft housings form a sealed sump. The main housing has mounted thereon a pinion shaft, a pinion gear and a steering rack meshed with the pinion gear. A first steering arm is rotatably mounted to the first motor shaft housing and connected to the steering rack and a second steering arm is rotatably mounted to the second motor shaft housing and connected to the steering rack.

Abstract: A drive apparatus having a motor running surface formed on a first side of a center section and a thrust spacer mounted on the center section opposite the motor running surface. A motor cylinder block is rotatably disposed on the running surface and drives a motor shaft. A gear train including an output gear fixed on the motor shaft translates motion to the output axles. The drive mechanism may also include a brake having a stationary pin adjacent to a first face of a gear, a brake stator positioned on a second face of the gear opposite the first face and capable of bearing against the gear, a brake rotor having an inner gear form that engages the teeth of a second gear; and a brake puck capable of bearing against the brake rotor.

Abstract: A drive apparatus having a compact gear reduction is disclosed, where an output pinion gear is fixed on a motor shaft and drives a reduction gear train to provide power to a gear drive powering at least one axle shaft or a differential. The reduction gear set includes multiple reduction gears disposed between the output pinion gear and the axle or differential, and at least one of the plurality of reduction gears is rotatably disposed on the motor shaft. One of the plurality of reduction gears may be mounted on an axle shaft.

Abstract: A swash plate apparatus is provided for use in connection with the axial pistons of a rotatable cylinder block in a hydraulic device to modify the output of the cylinder block. The swash plate includes a first trunnion member extending in a first direction from the swash plate and a second member extending from the swash plate in a second direction, where the second direction is generally perpendicular to the first direction. The second member terminates in an arc segment forming a bearing surface to engage a bearing in the housing.

Abstract: A bypass mechanism for a hydraulic apparatus is provided, where a rotatable hydraulic component such as a motor cylinder block is disposed on a running surface and in fluid communication with a closed hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic component is drivingly engaged to a shaft, such as a motor shaft. An arm or similar mechanism is engaged to the shaft to move it from a standard operating position to a second position where the shaft engages the hydraulic component to lift the component off its running surface, thereby placing the hydraulic apparatus into bypass by opening the closed hydraulic circuit to a sump.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a hydraulic drive apparatus such as a transaxle having a hydraulic pump and moveable swash plate mounted in a housing including a control arm for moving the swash plate between forward and reverse positions and a unidirectional return to neutral mechanism for biasing and returning the swash plate to a neutral position when the control arm is in one of the reverse or forward positions but not from the other position.

Abstract: A two piece center section assembly for mounting inside the housing of a hydrostatic drive apparatus is disclosed. The assembly includes separate pump and motor support portions where the check valve is formed between the two pieces. Fasteners extend through the two pieces and into the housing for the drive apparatus to secure the assembly thereto without the need for additional fasteners. The need for additional sealing material between the pump and motor portions can also be reduced by the use of raised portions on the mating surfaces between these two portions.

Abstract: A control mechanism for a hydraulic drive apparatus such as a transaxle having a hydraulic pump and moveable swash plate mounted in a housing including a control arm for moving the swash plate between forward and reverse positions and a unidirectional return to neutral mechanism for biasing and returning the swash plate to a neutral position when the control arm is in one of the reverse or forward positions but not from the other position.

Abstract: A speed adjusting mechanism for use in connection with a hydrostatic transaxle comprising a casing in which is mounted a rotating hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a rotating hydraulic motor, a moveable swash plate cooperable with the rotating pump for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor, and a trunnion arm linked to the moveable swash plate for adjusting the orientation of the swash plate. The speed adjusting mechanism includes a return arm adapted to be mounted to the casing in a fixed position indicative of a neutral position of the trunnion arm. A control arm is mounted to the trunnion arm and a pair of scissor return arms are provided which cooperate with the return arm to move the control arm to the neutral position.

Abstract: A speed adjusting mechanism for use in connection with, a hydrostatic transaxle comprising a casing in which is mounted a rotating hydraulic pump in fluid communication with a rotating hydraulic motor, a moveable swash plate cooperable with the rotating pump for controlling the speed and direction of rotation of the hydraulic motor, and a trunnion arm linked to the moveable swash plate for adjusting the orientation of the swash plate. The speed adjusting mechanism includes a return arm adapted to be mounted to the casing in a fixed position indicative of a neutral position of the trunnion arm. A control arm is mounted to the trunnion arm and a pair of scissor return arms are provided which cooperate with the return arm to move the control arm to the neutral position.