Abstract: A method of shifting ranges within a transmission is provided. The method of an embodiment includes determining an intention to change from a first mode to a second mode in the transmission, determining the first mode of the transmission, which includes a first range clutch in an engaged condition and a first synchronizer in a first engaged condition, determining the second mode of the transmission, which includes a second range clutch in an engaged condition and a second synchronizer in a first engaged condition, engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition, disengaging the first range clutch, engaging the second range clutch, and disengaging the first synchronizer from the first engaged condition.

Abstract: A method of shifting ranges within a transmission is provided. The method of an embodiment includes determining an intention to change from a first mode to a second mode in the transmission, determining the first mode of the transmission, which includes a first range clutch in an engaged condition and a first synchronizer in a first engaged condition, determining the second mode of the transmission, which includes a second range clutch in an engaged condition and a second synchronizer in a first engaged condition, engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition, disengaging the first range clutch, engaging the second range clutch, and disengaging the first synchronizer from the first engaged condition.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission may include a first mode in which a low range clutch is engaged and a first synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing an output shaft to rotate relative to a first range shaft based upon a ratio of a first range gear to a second range gear. The transmission may include a second mode in which a high range clutch is engaged and a second synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing the output shaft to rotate relative to a second range shaft based upon a ratio of the first range gear to the second range gear. A shift from the first mode to the second mode includes engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition before disengaging the low range clutch and engaging the high range clutch.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a powershift transmission may include an input shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, and an output shaft operably connected to a transmission housing. The powershift transmission may include a plurality of gears and clutches arranged on the shafts resulting in twenty-seven forward modes.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission may include a first mode in which a low range clutch is engaged and a first synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing an output shaft to rotate relative to a first range shaft based upon a ratio of a first range gear to a second range gear. The transmission may include a second mode in which a high range clutch is engaged and a second synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing the output shaft to rotate relative to a second range shaft based upon a ratio of the first range gear to the second range gear. A shift from the first mode to the second mode includes engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition before disengaging the low range clutch and engaging the high range clutch.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment, a powershift transmission may include an input shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, and an output shaft operably connected to a transmission housing. The powershift transmission may include a plurality of gears and clutches arranged on the shafts resulting in twenty-seven forward modes.

Abstract: The powershift transmission comprises nine clutches and eighteen gears, not including the clutches and gears necessary for reverse modes. The powershift transmission provides twenty-four forward modes; a high total transmission ratio of 26.2; and smooth shift steps that are, generally, 15% or less. As such, the transmission utilizes a minimum number of components, while still being extremely functional and versatile.

Abstract: A baler for making parallelepiped bales includes a planetary gear drive arrangement including a planet carrier coupled through an overrunning clutch for driving an output shaft which extends cross wise to a forward end of an elongate baling chamber. A plunger is mounted for reciprocating within the baling chamber for compressing crop into a bale, with a crank shaft arrangement being mounted for rotation with the output shaft and being coupled to the plunger by a connecting rod arrangement. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a compression stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in a driving mode. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a reverse stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in an overrunning mode so long as compressed crop is exerting a force on the plunger.

Abstract: The disclosed powershift transmission comprises nine clutches and eighteen gears, not including the clutches and gears necessary for reverse modes. The disclosed powershift transmission provides twenty-four forward modes; a high total transmission ratio of 26.2; and smooth shift steps that are, generally, 15% or less. As such, the disclosed transmission utilizes a minimum number of components, while still being extremely functional and versatile.

Abstract: A baler for making parallelepiped bales includes a planetary gear drive arrangement including a planet carrier coupled through an overrunning clutch for driving an output shaft which extends cross wise to a forward end of an elongate baling chamber. A plunger is mounted for reciprocating within the baling chamber for compressing crop into a bale, with a crank shaft arrangement being mounted for rotation with the output shaft and being coupled to the plunger by a connecting rod arrangement. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a compression stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in a driving mode. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a reverse stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in an overrunning mode so long as compressed crop is exerting a force on the plunger.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a disk brake system for a hydraulic disk brake retractor system that maximizes running clearance while still effectively providing for manual braking in a power-down condition. The invention uses a simple spring-loaded brake retractor system comprised of a brake piston, a brake spring, and a retractor shaft.

Abstract: A wind energy capturing device for moving vehicles including a wind turbine powered electrical power generator for installation on the roof of a moving vehicle such as a truck cab or tractor. The invention takes advantage of the powerful wind force generated by the vehicle moving on the road at moderate to high speed impinging against the wind deflector mounted on the truck cab or tractor. This otherwise “wasted” wind energy is captured and directed to the face area of the rotor blade, rotating the turbine, which, in turn, drives the generator to generate electricity. The electrical energy may be stored in a battery system and used to drive the motors of an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle.

Abstract: A wind energy capturing device for moving vehicles including a wind turbine powered electrical power generator for installation on the roof of a moving vehicle such as a truck cab or tractor. The invention takes advantage of the powerful wind force generated by the vehicle moving on the road at moderate to high speed impinging against the wind deflector mounted on the truck cab or tractor. This otherwise “wasted” wind energy is captured and directed to the face area of the rotor blade, rotating the turbine, which, in turn, drives the generator to generate electricity. The electrical energy may be stored in a battery system and used to drive the motors of an electric vehicle or hybrid-electric vehicle.

Abstract: A continuously variable hydro-mechanical transmission. The transmission includes a transmission housing and a hydrostatic power unit associated with the housing. The hydrostatic power unit includes a pump coupled to a motor with the hydrostatic power unit coupled to a first input shaft and a first output shaft. The hydrostatic power unit is selectively coupled to a synchronous lockup clutch with the first output shaft, wherein a hydrostatic input speed range is selected. A compound planetary gear unit is mounted in the housing with the compound planetary gear unit including a second input shaft, a third input shaft, a fourth input shaft and a second output shaft. The compound planetary gear unit is selectively coupled to the load, selectively coupled to the hydrostatic power unit and coupled to the power source.

Abstract: A continuously variable hydro-mechanical transmission. The transmission includes a transmission housing and a hydrostatic power unit associated with the housing. The hydrostatic power unit includes a pump coupled to a motor with the hydrostatic power unit coupled to a first input shaft and a first output shaft. The hydrostatic power unit is selectively coupled to a synchronous lockup clutch with the first output shaft, wherein a hydrostatic input speed range is selected. A compound planetary gear unit is mounted in the housing with the compound planetary gear unit including a second input shaft, a third input shaft, a fourth input shaft and a second output shaft. The compound planetary gear unit is selectively coupled to the load, selectively coupled to the hydrostatic power unit and coupled to the power source.

Abstract: A PTO assembly that supplies rotational motion to at least one piece of equipment used in conjunction with a power source. The power source can be mounted on a work vehicle or in a power station. The PTO assembly is coupled to the output shaft of the power source and comprises a PTO housing with an input shaft and an output shaft rotatably mounted in the housing in a spaced apart parallel relationship. Each shaft has mounted on it three gears with corresponding gears on each shaft intermeshed. The input shaft has the three fixed drive gears. The output shaft has a high gear ratio gear and an intermediate gear ratio gear mounted to freewheel until engaged to the output shaft by a splined shift hub moved by a single shift fork. The output shaft also has a low gear ratio gear mounted on an overrunning clutch which allows the low driven gear to freewheel when either of the high driven gear or the intermediate driven gear is engaged to the output shaft.

Abstract: A clutch is disclosed including at least one fixed member, at least one clutch plate movable between engaged and disengaged positions, a housing about the clutch plate, a piston to move the clutch plate, a pressurized fluid supply to the piston, a passage through the piston, and a valve member located proximate the passage for opening and at least partially closing the passage. Also disclosed is a clutch including at least one fixed member, at least one clutch plate movable between engaged and disengaged positions, a housing about the clutch plate, a piston to move the clutch plate, an opening through the piston, and a valve member disposed within the opening for opening and closing the passage.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus for cooling a clutch assembly in a power transmission device with a fluid. The power transmission device includes a shaft, a drive member fixed to the shaft and a driven member supported for rotation by the shaft. The clutch assembly includes at least one clutch plate and at least one friction disk which cooperate to couple the drive member and driven member when engaged and uncouple the drive member and driven member when disengaged. A fluid operated actuator selectively moves the clutch plate and friction disk between engaged and disengaged positions. The improvement comprises a passage in the shaft which conducts a cooling fluid to a location for bathing the clutch assembly and removing heat from the clutch assembly. A bore in the shaft is in communication with the passage at a location between a source of the cooling fluid and the clutch assembly.

Abstract: A differential mechanism usable as an inter-axle differential or as a conventional axle differential includes a carrier mounted for rotation in a differential housing. The carrier rotatably mounts a pair of face-type side gears located in a spaced apart, confronting relationship. A plurality of spur-type pinion gears are rotatably mounted within said carrier; the spur-type pinion gears are in meshing co-engagement with the confronting side gears and have radial axes of rotation with respect to the rotational axis of said carrier. Thrust/friction washers are disposed between the carrier and each face gear and provided limited slip capability to the differential. The differential can easily accommodate variations in torque split by installing unequally sized side gears. Changing the side gears does not require changing the size of the pinion gears to achieve other than 50/50 torque split between axles that are connected to the carrier.