Abstract: An electric transaxle includes a main housing defining threaded holes. The transaxle includes a first axle horn connected to the main housing. The transaxle includes an electric motor assembly that includes an electrical connector and the electric motor assembly is attached to the main housing next to the first axle horn to form a compact arrangement. The electric motor assembly defines through-holes. The electric motor assembly includes fasteners, each of which extends through a respective one of the through-holes and engages a respective one of the threaded holes, to attach the electric motor assembly to the main housing. The through-holes and the threaded holes are arranged in a first regular polygon shape to enable attachment of the electric motor assembly to the main housing in multiple orientations to orient the electrical connector away from the first axle horn in various installed orientations of the transaxle.

Abstract: A utility vehicle such as a lawn mower includes a deck having one or more electric deck motor assemblies mounted thereon. Each deck motor assembly includes an electric motor compartment formed by combining a motor end cap, a stator housing and a motor output cap. The motor end cap forms a flat motor mounting surface that seats around the perimeter of an opening in the deck such that the stator housing and motor output cap extend through the opening. The motor compartment contains an electric motor that drives a motor shaft connected to a mowing blade suspended below the deck. Rotation of the mowing blade air-cools the components of the motor compartment that extend through the opening in the deck. The deck motor assembly may include a debris shield for protection of a motor output shaft lower bearing seal during operation and cleaning of the mowing deck.

Abstract: A versatile and compact design for an electric motor assembly is disclosed. The electric motor assembly may include a fan mounted on an end of an output through-shaft of an electric motor to cool both the electric motor and a motor controller. The motor controller may be bracket-mounted on the electric motor housing or integrated into the electric motor assembly and is electrically connected to the electric motor to deliver power and exchange CAN bus communication. A fan shroud may be mounted on a compartment cover that seals a first end of the electric motor assembly. This shroud-mounting compartment cover is interchangeable with a brake compartment cover of an electric brake assembly. When the fan and shroud are removed, an electric brake can be installed in the brake compartment.

Abstract: A drive device includes a housing forming a sump. A pump and motor are mounted on a center section having a porting system and a pair of ports with check plugs disposed therein. A bypass arm is engaged to one end of a bypass shaft external to the housing and rotates the bypass shaft to selectively cause engagement fingers to move each check plug to an open position. A housing projection is contacted by the bypass arm to selectively limit rotation thereof. The axes of rotation of a swash plate trunnion shaft, a pump input shaft and a motor output shaft may all be disposed in a single plane. The input shaft is supported by a housing bearing and an opening in the center section and is restrained from axial movement by the bearing and a thrust surface on the center section.

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 drive device incorporating a hydraulic pump having a swash plate. At least two structural ribs and skirting ribs are located on and extend along the length of the swash plate. A plurality of thrust ribs may be formed on an inner housing surface and adjacent to respective contact surfaces on the swash plate, the thrust ribs being located so that at least one, but fewer than all, of the ribs can be in contact with its respective contact surface on the swash plate at a time, permitting rotation while limiting axial movement of the swash plate. A trunnion shaft includes a free end disposed so as to be accessible from outside the housing through a bore formed therein, and a control arm having a shaft portion extends into and supports the distal free end of the trunnion shaft within the bore.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle with a bypass mechanism is disclosed, the transaxle having a center section engaged 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 pump is controlled by a swash plate having a pair of openings through which the input shaft and a bypass actuation rod pass. 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 the block lift member to engage and lift the cylinder block of the axial piston motor off of the center section. A brake mechanism using brake puck disposed in a pocket formed in the center section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle with a bypass mechanism is disclosed, the transaxle having a center section engaged 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 shaft. The pump is controlled by a swash plate having a pair of openings through which the input shaft and a bypass actuation rod pass. 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 the block lift member to engage and lift the cylinder block of the axial piston motor off of the center section. A brake mechanism using brake puck disposed in a pocket formed in the center section is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydraulic drive device having a pump and motor is disclosed, where the pump swash plate includes a pair of structural ribs and the housing has a pair of thrust ribs on an inner surface. Only one thrust rib is in contact with one of the structural ribs at a time, to permit arcuate rotation of the swash plate while limiting axial movement of the swash plate. The axes of rotation of the swash plate trunnion, input shaft and output shaft are in a common plane. A rotary bypass shaft for engaging transmission check plugs includes an external bypass arm. A pair of detents are externally formed on the housing, and the bypass arm includes separate pairs of openings to engage the pair of detents when the bypass arm is in different positions.

Abstract: A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A drive apparatus is provided with a center section in a housing and having a hydraulic circuit formed therein with pump and motor running surfaces for connecting a hydraulic pump to a hydraulic motor. A pair of cylindrical openings may be formed on the center section opposite the pump running surface, and a passage in the center section connects the pair of cylindrical openings to form a fluid gallery to provide hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic circuit through a pair of check valves. A pair of caps on the center section to close off the fluid gallery, and an external charge pump to provide charged fluid to the fluid gallery, may also be provided.

Abstract: A variable drive apparatus having a housing in which a motor is located, the motor being engaged to and driving a motor shaft. The motor may be a hydraulic motor, and a hydraulic pump, center section and gear train may also be located in the housing. Formed on internal surfaces of the housing are a first pocket that supports and rotatably confines one end of the motor shaft, and a second pocket that supports and rotatably confines the other end of the motor shaft.

Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a transmission housing with a transmission disposed therein and driven by a prime mover. A first axle drive mechanism is disposed in a first housing and driven by a first output shaft that extends from a first end of the transmission housing. A first drive axle is driven by the first axle drive mechanism and drives a first wheel. A second axle drive mechanism is disposed in a second housing and driven by a second output shaft that extends from a second end of the transmission housing. A second drive axle is driven by the second axle drive mechanism and drives a second driven wheel. The transmission housing, the first housing and the second housing at least partially define an operable space. An input shaft is engaged to the transmission extends into the operable space.

Abstract: A hydraulic motor assembly having a motor, gear reduction set and axle disposed in a housing is disclosed. A brake assembly may be mounted externally to the axle housing portion of the assembly to provide braking for the output axle. The housing may be formed of separate components, including the axle housing portion, an external surface of a ring gear and a hydraulic motor port block.

Abstract: A cylinder block brake for a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle is provided. A braking member is located in a housing adjacent to a motor cylinder block and has a first position where it is not engaged to the motor cylinder block and a second, braking position where it is engaged to the motor cylinder block. A brake actuation shaft is located in the housing and has a cam portion located along its longitudinal axis. The cam portion is positioned to engage the braking member so that rotation of the brake actuation shaft moves the braking member between the engaged and disengaged positions.

Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings, where each output axle is connected to its respective hydraulic motor through a gear train in the axle housing. A brake is provided on each axle housing to directly engage one of the gears in the gear train to provide a braking force for the output axles.

Abstract: In a hydraulic drive apparatus such as a transaxle, a rotatable hydraulic pump and rotatable hydraulic motor are disposed in a housing forming a sump. A hydraulic mounting member such as a center section is disposed in the sump and includes a pump mounting surface for the pump and a motor mounting surface for the motor, with hydraulic porting formed in the center section for connecting the mounting surfaces. The center section includes a channel formed on an external surface thereof, and at least one of the housing members is engaged to the center section to close the channel and form a fluid passage in the center section. This engagement is either direct, such as through sealant, or indirect through a cover.

Abstract: A brake mechanism for a motor assembly including a motor and a reduction gear assembly driving an output shaft or axle is disclosed. A brake rotor is driven by the motor shaft and a brake puck is operatively engageable with the brake rotor for moving the brake rotor toward a braking surface. A brake cam shaft is rotatably supported about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the output shaft and engages the brake puck so that rotation of the brake cam shaft about its axis forces the brake puck to move the brake rotor toward the braking surface.

Abstract: A transaxle including a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors, and the output axles are offset so that the axes of rotation of the axles do not intersect any portion of the transmission housing.

Abstract: A transaxle comprised of a hydrostatic transmission mounted in a transmission housing and having a pair of hydraulic pumps and hydraulic motors operatively connected together through a center section mounted in the housing. First and second axle housings are mounted on opposite ends of the transmission housing, with output axles mounted in the axle housings and connected to the respective hydraulic motors.