Abstract: A stress relieved air supported structure having a wall portion including a plurality of relatively elongated panel members joined together by seam means and restrained by harness means; anchor means being provided along the base perimeter of the wall portion; each of the panel members including a membrane configuration, adjoining panel members being joined together by a seam means and having web means interconnected thereto along the seam thereof, and wherein the load of the harness means, seam means, anchor means, and the load and stress of the membrane configurations thereof are a function of the width and height of the air supported structure, the primary radius of curvature thereof, and the design wind speed and inflation pressure thereof.

Abstract: A protective cover for a stack of hay bales is provided, the cover comprising a plurality of panels, each of generally shallow inverted V-shape configuration. The panels are disposed side-by-side on the stack with their adjacent edges overlapping. Each panel is provided with a plurality of anchors which project downwardly and engage between certain ones of the bales thereby to assist in preventing the panels from being carried away by the wind.

Abstract: A telescoping seating system has a plurality of row assemblies which may be extended for use or retracted to nested relation for storage. Each row assembly includes a pair of floor wheel channels. A post is mounted to each wheel channel; and a deck (which may include a riser beam) is connected between the tops of the posts. The invention enables the understructure configuration of all row assemblies to be similar. In a preferred form, the posts extend upwardly and they are inclined inwardly so that all posts on each side of the structure are parallel, and the connection between the posts and decks are in vertical alignment on each side. Thus, all row assemblies have a uniform center span. End cantilever spans beyond the posts are also equal for all row assemblies.

Abstract: A device for draining melted snow from a roof including an adjustable collector tube having means for securing it to a roof at the lower edge of the roof together with a screen unit mounted within the collector tube and spaced from a wall of the tube and means for maintaining a melting agent on the screen whereby ice built up to the screen is melted by the melting agent thereby causing the same to run out of the collector tube.

Abstract: A fixture support for a grid-type ceiling, comprising spaced clip means adapted for mounting on spaced, generally parallel, inverted T-shaped, in cross section, grid bars, with the clips having a plurality of vertically spaced openings therein for mounting a bridging bar therebetween, the bridging bar having hanger means mounted thereon for suspending a fixture, such as an electrical outlet box therefrom, and with the vertically spaced openings on the clip providing for selective vertical positioning of the bridging bar and associated hanger means with respect to the clips, thereby varying the vertical position of the outlet box with respect to the ceiling grid.

Abstract: A ceiling construction for demonstration equipment comprises a number of rectangular panels which between them define guide slots for a sliding link chain which will carry samples. The panels are supported by parallel rails which carry undercut longitudinal grooves on their lower sides for the receipt of clamping elements carried on the upper surfaces of the panels, the disposition of the grooves and clamping elements being such as to maintain a desired width along the length of the slots. Adjacent panels may be spaced as required in the longitudinal direction of the grooves by longitudinally positioned spacing pieces positioned in the grooves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a metal building structure employing box beam upright columns and box beam rafters intermediate the columns, forming a double pitched roof. The columns are of uniform transverse rectangular cross section. The rafters are of transverse rectangular cross section, the height of the cross section increasing from the outer end to the peak of the roof. The lower sides of the rafters are perpendicular to the upright columns.Purlins and girts fastened between the pairs of rafters and the pairs of columns are flush with the sides of the columns and rafters. The columns and rafters are bolted together and channeled passages adjacent the ends provide access to the bolts. An eave strut, connected between the outer ends of the rafters, protrudes outward sufficiently to cover ends of abutting side sheeting, avoiding the need for flashing. A sliding door mounting combines a bracket, carriage, and flashing in an integral piece.

Abstract: A self-aligning construction block consisting of a basic double block having two flat vertical sides connected by two flat vertical end surfaces, the sides being twice the length of the ends with compound angled top and bottom surfaces having two hollowed center portions for receiving a reinforcing cement fill. The top and bottom surfaces of the basic blocks complement each other for automatic stacking. In construction of a wall, the top surface of modified top blocks and the bottom surfaces of modified bottom blocks are flat and at right angles to the side and end surfaces. The angular relationships of the basic block's top and bottom surfaces perforated by two hollow wells allow for reinforcement rods to lie in a transverse axis and at right angles thereto across each hollow well in a substantially coplanar relationship. Any odd space at the end of a wall is taken up by a half block which is constructed exactly as one half of the basic double block.

Abstract: A townhouse unit built with the ground floor level at the approximate grade line in the front and being generally three stories in height is disclosed, appearing to be about two stories in height at the front and featuring, for example, two standard entrance doors (for individuals) in the front, each door leading to a different floor level, one being a formal main entrance door, leading to the main or middle level and opening into a spacious, two-level formal entrance area of substantially the same width throughout, with an interconnecting, fully exposed, decorative stair treatment, and the other door being a fully exposed, service or convenience door, opening into a generally, centrally located service or convenience entrance corridor at the ground floor level.

Abstract: A staircase construction is disclosed in which a plurality of identical riser units are bolted together in series, each riser unit comprising a tread member in the form of a flat slab, and two bracket members each supporting a respective end of the tread member.Each bracket member is formed from metal strip bent to shape in one plane and welded as and where appropriate and has a first horizontal planar part supporting the respective tread member and a second horizontal planar part spaced above the first part by the unit riser height and supporting a rear part of the first horizontal planar part of the next higher bracket member on the same side of the staircase, the last mentioned bracket member being set forward with respect to the bracket member being set forward with respect to the bracket member which supports it.

Abstract: Transmittance of solar radiation (heat and/or light) through a glazing installation is reduced by adhering an additional pane of glass directly onto an installed pane with no airspace therebetween.

Abstract: A structural element having a fire rating of approximately two hours when tested with the standard time-temperature curve established by the American Standards for Testing Materials, said element including prestressed concrete joists each having a plate-like body portion and reinforced support ledges, each ledge has a nailing strip molded adjacent the bottom thereof and each nailing strip including a penetratable area formed internally adjacent thereof, a plurality of sheets of material disposed adjacent the ends of said ledges, each sheet of material forming a butt joint with an adjacent sheet which extends longitudinally along one of said ledges, channel-shaped members disposed along each butt joint intermediate said ledge portion and said sheets and attachment means for attaching said channel-shaped members to the nailing strips and, also, for attaching sheets of material to said nailing strips and channel-shaped members whereby said sheets of material are secured to the joist while preventing undesirable

Abstract: A waterstop of elastic deformable rubbery material used in concrete structures with a substantially flat middle portion and enlarged side wing anchor sections with elastic or metal anchor strips and sponge material attached to the outer edge of the strips and injection tubes from outside the concrete to the sponge material. The method of installing a waterstop in concrete and after setting injecting a fluid curable or settable material to admit the fluid to the concrete matrix in the region of the sealing extensions.

Abstract: A light-weight modular building component of conventional concrete, formed by a unitary or composite rectangular panel having transversely therethrough at least a large centralopening--and also a set of relatively small openings disposed peripherally thereabout; and various multi-planar structural systems embodying this kind of panel design.

Abstract: A wall assembly having a number of wall panels, each wall panel having quick-release fastening means on the inner face thereof for attachment to the vertical studs defining the backing support for the wall panels. After the walls have been put into place in releasable attachment to the studs, they can be secured such as by screws or the like to the studs or to the floor runners above which the studs extend. An improved tape is used as the fastening means.

Abstract: A clip structure for the assembly of concealed grid runners of a suspended ceiling structure, in which the clip is constructed for engagement with a supporting structure such as a flange portion of a suitably supported mounting member, for example a Z-shaped runner, or from the flange of an existing grid system which is to form the support for a new ceiling structure therebelow, in which the clip comprises a mounting structure therefor and a runner-supporting structure integrally connected therewith, the mounting structure being adapted to be engaged with the supporting member which is to carry the same and having the supporting structure extending downwardly from the mounting structure. The latter is provided with a T-shaped notch therein which extends to the bottom edge portion of the mounting structure with such T-shaped notch being proportioned to receive the upper edge bead structure of a runner and interlock the clip thereto.

Abstract: A plastic foam core concrete plank and the method of making same is described which employs foamed plastic core forming members positioned on an initial layer of concrete in a forming pallet and held translationally and vertically in position relative to the initial layer of concrete as a top layer of concrete is poured into position around and over the core members to complete the slab. The core members have a plurality of discontinuous recesses extending from one surface thereof which are exposed to the lower or initial layer to create voids in the slab for light construction and to decrease the thermal transmissions therethrough.

Abstract: A building method and blocks in which the blocks have integrally formed joining elements along two axes, including a yin yang element to allow selective reversibility of the blocks to form a self-joint with another yin yang element on another block. The yin yang element is universal, and the shapes, volumes, and areas of a male yang and a female yin member are substantially equal on each side of a bilateral plane through the yin yang self-jointing element. Molded masonry blocks formed from cement, water, aggregate, and chemical admixture are assembled without mortar to provide a building system characterized by numerous advantages. Integral complementary elements on said blocks provide a continuous weatherstop in the assemblage along an axis different from the axis of a side having a yin yang element.

Abstract: A method of building homes and the like which provides relatively low cost structures of unique esthetic appearance and requiring little maintenance. The method utilizes inflatable balloons on which substantially rigid, thin shells are formed utilizing reinforced and relatively fast curing materials. The present invention contemplates the fabrication of multiple interconnected shells to provide an integrated construction form. Once this rigid construction form is provided, door and window cutouts may be made and molds and/or frames such as window molds and/or frames fastened in place so that relatively thick structural and insulating materials may be placed over the shells to provide the structural integrity of the building when cured.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising a frame, a chain formed into an endless band, a motor mounted to the frame for recirculatingly driving the chain in a generally elongated loop, a plurality of members affixed to the chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, the holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables with their stalks extending in a direction generally normal to the plane of the loop, the clamping portion being movable between an open and a closed position such that when it is in the open position vegetables are able to be placed in the holding portion and when it is in the closed position it clamps the stalks of the vegetables in the holding portion, a cam plate connected to the frame and disposed in the path of the clamping portion for moving the clamping portion from the open to the closed position, and a rotary saw for removing portions of the stalks when the clamping portion is in the closed position,

Abstract: Apparatus for flattening and sealing the mouth of a filled pouch, comprising clamping jaws and coacting gripping rolls arranged to simultaneously grasp the leading and trailing ends at the mouth of a pouch moving along a predetermined path towards sealing rolls for pulling the leading and trailing ends in opposite directions so as to straighten the edges at the mouth and a jet heater situated between the gripping rolls and the sealing rolls for rendering the smoothly straightened edges adhesive while traveling therebetween. The sealing rolls simultaneously squeeze the adhesive edges and chill them to effect a seal. There are belts having spaced parallel runs extending from the coacting gripping rolls to the sealing rolls for gripping the sides of the pouch below the smoothly straightened edges to hold the latter flat as the pouch travels from the gripping rolls through the jet heater to the sealing rolls.

Abstract: Apparatus for packing articles, particularly bottles, in units each consisting of a plurality of parallel rows of articles, each row comprising a plurality of articles, in side-by-side contact, and with the rows in contact, comprising means for collating articles into said units and sleeve-wrapping the units. Each unit of articles, as formed, is deposited on a conveyor and conveyed thereby through a sealing station, means being provided for supplying webs of heat-sealable wrapping material to lie under and over each unit, and for sealing the webs together at the sealing station to form a sleeve of the material around each unit. In collating cylindrical bottles (or other cylindrical articles), the rows are staggered for nesting of the bottles to reduce the voids in the units.

Abstract: Carton setting up and loading machine to facilitate an operator successively setting up in empty chamber-defining shape a plurality of cartons in upright position on their flat stack of bottom closing flaps folded inward and the loading of their chambers to release them to remainder of the machine for sealing of their tops and bottoms. Lateral machine bed has an entrance end and a discharge end with transport means to move a loaded carton laterally forward along a path from the former end to the latter end while sealing closed at least the folded top flaps thereof. A carton setting up and loading lateral support or table top precedes the entrance end of the machine bed adjacent thereto.

Abstract: A method of packing strips of material such as bacon by feeding film over a rotating stepped roll, feeding strips or slices of the material onto the film over the steps of this roll, picking up the slices from the roll in shingled relationship with film interleaved between the slices, and then compacting the shingled strips by passing them from a conveyor driven at one speed to a conveyor driven at a slower speed. A machine is disclosed having mechanical and automatic controls for timing the respective functions in accordance with the operation of the slicer and for synchronizing the elements of the machine.

Abstract: Sleeve wrapping apparatus, particularly for wrapping units each consisting of a plurality of products, such as cans, of relatively low stability, which enables orderly wrapping of a unit without the use of a tray or other receptacle for holding the products in the unit against disorientation, comprising a conveyor for conveying units to be wrapped through a sealing station, means for supplying webs of heat-sealable wrapping material to lie under and over a unit, means for sealing the webs together at the sealing station, and means for separating a number of rows of product from an infeed of products to constitute units each comprising said number of rows for delivery to said conveyor.

Abstract: A "short turn" vehicle having front and rear, centerline mounted, power driven, steerable wheels, and a pair of outrigger stabilizing wheels that are mounted on a rigid frame which is restrained against all but vertical movement relative to the frame. The vehicle is capable of zero radius turns under full load. The vehicle is ideally suited as a conveyance of rotary mowers since the vehicle's wheels "guard" the rotary mowing unit and three preferred arrangements thereof are shown and described.

Abstract: A self-propelled rotary lawn mower. The drive shaft of the engine is operably connected through a clutch mechanism to the cutting blade and to a belt drive connected the front wheels to drive the mower across the terrain. By disengaging the clutch through manual action of a cable, the driving connection to both the blade and the wheels is stopped, so that the blade will not rotate when the mower is stationary. The housing of the mower includes inner and outer housing sections with the space between the housing sections defining a chamber. The exhaust gases from the engine are directed into the chamber and are discharged from the chamber adjacent the grass discharge outlet in the housing. Directing the exhaust gases through the internal housing chamber substantially decreases the noise level of the mower. The four wheels of the mower are adapted to be raised and lowered in unison by single lever control to thereby vary the height of the blade above the ground.

Abstract: A cotton boll gleaner is described wherein the elements for contacting the bolls are a plurality of rigid slender rods whereon barbs are randomly fixed, both axially and radially, so that the barbs extend away from the free end. At a point on the rods remote from the free end, the rod is pivotably coupled to an endless belt or chain. The belt revolves by engaging at least three rotating rollers so that there is a portion of the belt between two rollers moving parallel to and close to the ground, and there is another portion, also between two rollers, that is tilted from the vertical so that the rods depend freely from that portion of the belt. The belt preferably is rotated so that the rods move down along this tilted portion. When the rods are on the portion moving parallel to the ground, the rods are dragged along the ground with the barbs pointing forward so that any cotton bolls in their path are gleaned off the ground.

Abstract: Apparatus for detasseling corn includes a plurality of spaced tassel severing stations each at a predetermined different height and associated with guide or deflector means to discriminate between corn stalks of different heights so as to guide such stalks into the appropriate tassel severing station as the apparatus moves through a row of corn.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a rotary lawn mower including a cutting blade, a cutter blade housing having a depending wall enclosing the cutter blade and a laterally extending discharge chute, a discharge chute extension, and a hinge connection uniting the chute extension to the discharge chute for movement of the chute extension from a raised, generally inoperative storage position to a lowered, guard position and for thereafter preventing upward movement of the chute extension from the guard position.

Abstract: In a machine for coiling a filament-wire for incandescent lamps or gas discharge tubes, a support-wire is continuously fed through an axial bore of a high-speed spindle. A reel supplying the filament-wire is integral with the spindle near the outlet end of the bore where the filament-wire is helically wound on the support-wire after having passed over a guiding edge of an arm protruding from a rotor mounted for free rotation on the spindle. The guiding edge extends along a parabola having its focal point on a rim of the reel adjacent to the coiling location. A braking device acting on the rotor is automatically controlled for maintaining a constant tension on the filament-wire as a function of the decrease in the radius of supply of filament-wire on the reel.

Abstract: Device for automatically starting or resuming operation by joining a thread for spinning in an open-end spinning machine, the device having a pivotable bent suction tube for seizing a thread end located on a take-up coil, the suction tube being formed at the inside of the bend thereof with a longitudinally extending slit for passage therethrough of a sucked-in thread, includes a pivot bearing for the pivotable suction tube, a negative pressure supply line connected to the suction tube at the pivot bearing, a transfer arm connected at one end thereof to the suction tube at the pivot bearing, and thread gripping means mounted for movement from the pivot bearing to the free end of said transfer arm for transfering a thread end from the pivot bearing to the free end of the transfer arm.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for repairing thread breakage occurring in an open-end spinning machine which includes a spinning rotor, a pair of draw rollers, a thread tension sensor and thread windup spindles. The end of the thread to be reattached to fibers located within the spinning rotor is guided back from the windup spindle in such a way as to bypass the drawoff rollers and avoid being pinched thereby. The thread is passed alongside one of the draw rollers, preferably on a specially configured conical surface which facilitates eventual reinsertion between the two draw rollers.The drive of the windup spindle is restarted by the tension sensor when it detects the reattachment of the end of the thread to the fibers in the spinning rotor as manifested by the increased tension in the thread. The increased tension pulls the thread between the drawoff rollers which transport it to the windup spindle at normal operating speed.

Abstract: A method of transporting yarn packages is disclosed, in which yarn packages formed by a first yarn package forming machine or machines of a pre-processing process are transported to another yarn package forming machine or machines of a post-processing in a completely automated manner. The method makes it possible to readily trace the production history of each yarn package while it is processed by the yarn package forming machine of the post-processing process. An arrangement for transporting yarn packages is also disclosed in which yarn packages are transported from a first processing region to a second processing region by first and second yarn package transporting carriers via a yarn package transferring stage. In the arrangement, a mutual positional relationship between the yarn packages loaded on the first yarn package transporting carrier or carriers is unchanged from that between the yarn packages while they were being formed in the first processing region.

Abstract: An open-end spinning machine has a succession of spinning units mounted on the frame thereof for pivotal movement between operative and inoperative positions, each spinning unit including a silver opening section, which contains therein a combing-out zone and a doffing zone. The silver opening section is associated with an impurity collecting chamber having an impurity inlet port arranged to be in communication with a fiber path between the combing-out zone and the doffing zone, and an impurity outlet port, through which the impurities are discharged from the collecting chamber. The outlet port has an open end opening into the atmosphere, and an impurity transfer pipe connected at one end to a source of vacuum is arranged so that the other end thereof faces the open end of the outlet port in spaced relation thereto.

Abstract: In order to reduce the noise generated by the bearing means for a spinning rotor in which the spinning rotor is mounted in a wedge formed by supporting rings and driven by a tangential belt, one common pillow block is provided for all of the supporting rings of a spinning unit, whereby the pillow block is supported in an elastic manner. The bearing conditions do not change in spite of the resiliency, as the individual members do not perform any relative motions one to the other. In order to further preclude the formation of undesired axial forces as a result of the movement of the shaft of the spinning rotor relative to the tangential belt, the elastic supporting means permit movements in only one specific direction, thereby preventing alteration of the axial force between tangential belt and spinning rotor.

Abstract: Draw-false-twist texturable polyester yarns are provided which have filaments having 6-10 essentially symmetric lobes of equal length equispaced around the central axis of the filament, a modification ratio of from 1.17 to 1.85 and a denier per filament between 3.8 R.sub.o and a maximum value which is a function of the modification ratio, the number of lobes and the factor R.sub.o which is a nominal draw ratio. Less than 12% of the draw-false-twist textured filaments have flattened cross-sectional peripheries greater than 10 microns in length.

Abstract: A novelty yarn comprising a ground strand of spun staple fibers with relatively short varying length and varying size auxiliary strands of staple fibers randomly distributed along the ground strand and spirally twisted therearound. The largest size auxiliary strands have portions thereof formed of such a large number of fibers so arranged spirally around the ground strand that adjacent turns of those portions overlie and substantially shield the underlying ground strand from view. Other intermediate size auxiliary strands are formed of a lesser number of fibers and are so arranged spirally around the ground strand that both the ground strand and the auxiliary strand are exposed to view. Still other smallest size auxiliary strands are formed of such a few number of fibers arranged spirally around the ground strand so as to be barely discernible thereon. The ground strand and the auxiliary strand may be of the same or of differing color characteristics.

Abstract: A battery monitoring circuit wherein the voltage discharge characteristic of a battery is utilized to facilitate detection of the impending failure of a battery is provided. The electronic timepiece includes a display device for displaying time in response to timekeeping signals applied thereto and is further adapted to indicate a voltage level representative of impending failure of a battery in response to an indication signal applied thereto. The battery is adapted to deliver at least two characteristic voltage levels, the first voltage level corresponding to a first plateau of discharge, and the second voltage level corresponding to a last plateau of discharge being sustained essentially at the second voltage level for a predetermined interval of time.

Abstract: An electronic clock is disclosed having a time indicating light display on the clock face with the light display being provided by a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned to form three spaced concentric rings for separately indicating time in seconds, minutes and hours. An input signal having a frequency of 60 hertz is frequency divided to provide a signal having a frequency of one hertz that is coupled to a seconds decoder connected to a first 6.times.10 LED matrix. One pulse per minute is provided from the seconds decoder to a minutes decoder that is connected to a second 6.times.10 LED matrix, and one pulse per hour is provided from the minutes decoder to an hours decoder that is connected with a 1.times.12 LED matrix.

Abstract: This invention refers to a high efficiency escapement wherein the pallets embrace more than one fifth of the teeth of the pallets wheel, and wherein the entry-pallet embraces relative to the line joining the center of the escape wheel to the pallet staff at least one tooth more of said wheel than the exit-pallet relative to said joining line.

Abstract: In order to maintain local flame temperatures in a gas turbine engine combustor lower than 3200.degree. F. to prevent excessive formation of nitrogen oxides and above 2500.degree. F. to prevent excessive carbon monoxide formation and flameout, it is desirable to measure the flame temperature at a number of points within the combustor. Appropriate volumes of cool air entering the burner and hot gas in the flame vicinity are withdrawn and mixed to produce a gas mixture at a temperature low enough to be measured by conventional means such as thermocouples. The volume of each gas withdrawn is controlled by flow through a choked orifice. The pressure differential between the combustor pressure and ambient pressure is used to choke the flow control orifices.

Abstract: A pneumatic purge system retrofittable upon existing gas turbine engines which includes an accumulator for storing pressurized gas at the maximum pressure developed by the compressor of the turbine engine. Upon actuating a solenoid fuel shutoff valve to initiate engine shutdown, stored gas from the accumulator flows into the fuel manifold to purge fuel therefrom into the combustion chamber. Timing of the pneumatic purging sustains the combustion process to burn substantially all the purged fuel.

Abstract: A vehicular gas turbine engine includes a first electronic controller responsive to a plurality of engine operating parameters and associated with a power relay box to control operation of engine functions and further includes a manual controller that allows open loop operation of the engine to start and run it at a speed and power level independent of the electronic controller and associated signals of engine parameters. The manual controller includes a timer set to shut the engine down after a preselected time period of manual operation to prevent excessive use of the open loop control thereby to minimize possibility of engine damage.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine fuel delivery and control system is provided with means to recirculate all fuel in excess of fuel control requirements back to the aircraft fuel tank, thereby increasing the fuel pump heat sink and decreasing the pump temperature rise without the addition of valving other than that normally employed. A fuel/oil heat exchanger and associated circuitry is provided to maintain the hot engine oil in heat exchange relationship with the cool engine fuel. Where anti-icing of the fuel filter is required, means are provided to maintain the fuel temperature entering the filter at or above a minimum level to prevent freezing thereof. In one embodiment, a divider valve is provided to take all excess fuel from either upstream or downstream of the fuel filter and route it back to the tanks, the ratio of upstream to downstream extraction being a function of fuel pump discharge pressure.

Abstract: To decrease nitrogen oxide formation the exhaust gases of an external combustion engine are recirculated, thus reducing maximum combustion temperature. The static pressure of the combustion air flow is maintained substantially constant and independent of the magnitude of combustion air flow. Fuel is regulated in proportion to the supply of combustion air.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed in which water is used to cool the turbine. The water is turned to steam in the hot turbine; is super-heated, and then injected into the combustor to aid in the gasification of the fuel, to reduce the flame temperature and improve emissions, as well as increasing the specific output of the engine.

Abstract: A manifold reactor of a dual-walled structure including inner and outer cores, the inner core defining a reactor chamber therein, wherein the space defined between the inner and outer cores is opened to the reactor chamber so as to be filled with exhaust gases which, after having filled the heat insulating space, is drawn therefrom as EGR gas.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated lockup clutch is arranged between the cores of the pump and turbine elements of a torque converter for directly coupling them together for operation above the clutch point. For engagement and disengagement of the lockup clutch, which can be of the multiplate type, the turbine element is moved toward and away from the pump element under the control of a control valve which selectively communicates a clutch actuating chamber within the converter with an external pump assembly and with a fluid drain. Alternatively, a clutch actuating chamber can be formed between the core of the pump or turbine element and a movable pressure plate, so that the latter may travel toward and away from the former for engagement and disengagement of the clutch.

Abstract: A fluid drive vehicle has an engine speed control, a fluid drive transmission having a fluid actuator device for moving a control element from its neutral position progressively to increase the drive ratio, and a control system which includes a first fluid circuit which has a control valve movable from a neutral fluid blocking position progressively to increase the flow of pressurized fluid from an auxiliary pump to the fluid actuator device. A fluid responsive servo mechanism moves the control valve from the neutral position while a fluid motor is operative to move the engine speed control from an idling position to increase the engine speed.