Fluid Drive Patents (Class 180/367)
  • Patent number: 10738881
    Abstract: In a control unit of a hydraulic control device, a temperature acquisition unit acquires a temperature of a driver and a temperature determination unit determines whether the temperature or a temperature at an approximate line of the temperature has reached a restriction start temperature. If the temperature determination unit determines that the temperature or the temperature has reached the restriction start temperature, a motor controller restricts a motor output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Masamichi Harada
  • Patent number: 10040346
    Abstract: An arrangement of a vehicle is provided having normal transverse engine/transmission normal two-wheel drive operation which can be selectively placed into four-wheel drive operation wherein a pump which powers the coupling or uncoupling is independent of the transmission lubrication pump and is powered by the transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Rode, Jeremy L. Cradit, Keith V. Feldt
  • Patent number: 8997914
    Abstract: A pump supplying reservoir oil reservoired in an input case to devices to be supplied with the reservoir oil and a filter for filtering the reservoir oil circulating in the input case are provided in the input case. A pump supplying reservoir oil in each of left and right axle cases to a hydraulic continuously variable transmission provided in each of the axle cases and a filter filtering the reservoir oil circulating in each of the left and right axle cases are provided in each of the left and right axle cases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Hideya Umemoto, Akira Minoura
  • Patent number: 8668042
    Abstract: A hydraulic system includes a hydraulic transmission including a hydraulic pump configured to be coupled to a prime mover, a hydraulic motor configured to be coupled to an output shaft, and fluid lines coupling the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor to provide a fluid circuit providing flow communication between the hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor, such that operation of the hydraulic pump provides fluid flow to the hydraulic motor, and the hydraulic motor supplies torque to the output shaft. A controller is configured to control operation of the hydraulic transmission. The controller is configured to receive signals indicative of pressure in the fluid circuit and reduce an output of the hydraulic pump when the pressure in the fluid circuit reaches a pressure level, and a rate of response of the reduction of the output of the hydraulic pump is varied based on a temperature of fluid in the fluid circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher M. Elliott
  • Patent number: 8607919
    Abstract: An upper limit speed control part controls the lower limit of motor displacement in conformance with the target upper limit speed via a motor displacement control part when the target upper limit speed is within the normal speed range. The upper limit speed control part controls the upper limit of pilot pressure via a pilot pressure control part in conformance with the target upper limit speed when the target upper limit speed is within the low speed range. Further, when the target upper limit speed is within the low speed range, the upper limit speed control part controls a pilot pressure valve such that the upper limit of pilot pressure increases as drive circuit pressure increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Shirao, Hidehiro Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 8540048
    Abstract: A system for controlling a transmission including a fluid pump and a fluid motor operably coupled to one another in a fluid circuit is disclosed. The system includes a controller configured to receive signals indicative of operator inputs, and determine a variable pressure limit in the fluid circuit based on the signals indicative of operator inputs. The controller is further configured to control displacement of at least one of the fluid pump and the fluid motor based on the variable pressure limit, such that a pressure level in the fluid circuit is maintained below the variable pressure limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley J. Will, Randall T. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8532892
    Abstract: A system includes a pump, accumulator, a sensor which measures line pressure in a fluid circuit, and a controller. The controller plots and calculates respective slopes of first and second sets of measured pressure values from the sensor, calculates a slope ratio, and compares the slope ratio to a threshold. The controller also records the pre-charge pressure as the point of intersection of lines representing the slopes when the ratio exceeds the threshold. A control action is executed when the pre-charge pressure drops below a calibrated minimum threshold. A method includes measuring the pressure values, calculating the respective slopes and the slope ratio, comparing the slope ratio to a ratio threshold, recording the point of intersection of lines representing the slopes as an interpolated pre-charge pressure value when the ratio exceeds the threshold, and executing the control action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Crystal Nassouri, Mark A. Schang, Stephen Lewis Pudvay
  • Patent number: 8522913
    Abstract: A transmission assembly for a work machine (10) includes a transmission (16) having a transmission housing (18), a manifold housing (20) attached to the transmission housing (18), and hydraulic pump (22) configured to be connected to the manifold housing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Marcelo Mussoi, Dwayne A. Nystrom
  • Patent number: 8424633
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission device (1) for a vehicle with a variator (3), a planetary gear unit (4) and a manual gear unit (9) arranged in a transmission housing. The variator (3) is connected with the planetary gear unit (4) and with the manual gear unit (9) in the area of a first shaft (14) and in the area of a second shaft (15). The variator (3) and the planetary gear unit (4) form a module (2) and are arranged on a common carrier plate (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Bailly, Thomas Ratzmann, Jurgen Pohlenz
  • Patent number: 8306707
    Abstract: A system and method of dithering speed and/or torque for shifting a transmission of a vehicle having an engine, a reversible, variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump which can be driven by the engine, a hydraulic accumulator supplied by said motor/pump, and at least one reversible hydraulic driving motor for propelling the vehicle supplied with fluid by the hydraulic accumulator and/or by said motor/pump operating as a pump. A transmission unit connects the engine with the variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump during a first mode of operation (city mode) and connects the engine to a vehicle drive wheel during a second mode of operation. The system utilizes stored hydraulic energy to dither the output of the driving motor in order to achieve quick and smooth shifts between city and highway mode, or between various ranges within the city mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Yisheng Zhang, John Loeffler
  • Patent number: 8221276
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas J. Langenfeld, Shane A. Deters
  • Patent number: 8108111
    Abstract: A variable transmission comprises a first fluid working machine (1) for connection to a prime mover (2), a second fluid working machine (5) for connection to a mechanical load (6) and a fluid system linking the first and second working machines, the fluid system having a high-pressure side (3) and a low-pressure side (4) each connected to both said first and said second fluid working machines (1, 5), a fluid accumulator (7) on the high-pressure side, a means to admit fluid from the reservoir to the low-pressure side and a pressure control valve to maintain the correct pressure in the low-pressure side, wherein the second fluid working machine (5) includes chambers of variable volume having electronically controllable valves such that each of said chambers has pumping, motoring and idling modes of operation, and the second fluid working machine (5) is operable to both source fluid to and sink fluid from each of said high-pressure side (3) and said low-pressure side (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Artemis Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Uwe Bernhard Pascal Stein, Michael Richard Fielding
  • Publication number: 20110284310
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus for being mounted on the body frame of a vehicle and for independently rotating drive wheel members. The axle driving apparatus includes a first axle driving unit (18L) having a housing (40) and a single axle (20L), the single axle (20L) defining a proximal end portion rotatbly mounted in the housing (40) and a distal end portion extending outwardly from a first side of the housing (40). An enlarged region is defined by the housing (40), with the enlarged region extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the single axle (20L). A hydraulic stepless speed change assembly (22) is disposed within the enlarged region. The speed change assembly (22) includes a hydraulic pump (52) having an input shaft (21) projecting from the enlarged region and includes a hydraulic motor (55) including an output shaft (74) driving connected to the single axle (20L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Inventors: Robert ABEND, Norihiro Ishii, Ryota Ohashi
  • Publication number: 20110203868
    Abstract: A working vehicle includes a HST, forward and reverse pedals, a brake pedal, an intermediate link mechanism (ILM) operating in linkage with operation of the forward or reverse (F or R) pedal, a single shift rod receiving the operation from the ILM and rotating a trunnion shaft of the HST to a forward drive side and to a reverse drive side, a neutral return mechanism (NRM) having a cam plate rotating integrally with the trunnion shaft and forming a curved surface portion, a roller moving in contact with the curved surface portion, a lower return arm configured integrally with a return arm that includes the roller, and a first spring acting in a direction of returning the trunnion shaft to a neutral position, a lower return arm onto which the first spring is latched, a F pedal onto which is latched a second spring acting in a direction of returning the trunnion shaft to the neutral position when depression operation of the F or R pedals is not being performed, an ILM including a damper applying a resistance to
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Publication date: August 25, 2011
    Applicant: ISEKI & CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuo TOYOKAWA, Shingo FUJIOKA, Yusuke MURAKAMI, Tomoaki WATANABE, Masahiko YOSHINO, Hiroto MORI, Noboru SAGAWA, Kiyofumi SAKURAHARA
  • Patent number: 7993230
    Abstract: A hydromechanical powertrain for a ground vehicle. The powertrain, more specifically a transmission, includes an input shaft that is coupled to a rotational power source and an output shaft that is coupled to a load. A first hydrostatic unit coupled to a first gear, while a second hydrostatic unit is selectively coupled to one of a pair of clutches. The first of the clutches has a first clutch gear that is selectably coupled to a first mode gear, which is in turn rotationally fixed to the output shaft. The second of clutches has a second clutch gear that is selectively coupled to a second mode gear, which is in turn rotationally fixed to the input shaft. Also coupled to the input shaft is a planetary gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Werner Stettler, Jr., Douglas Rene Johnson
  • Patent number: 7926387
    Abstract: A change-speed control system is provided for a utility vehicle having a stepless change-speed apparatus for speed-changing an engine output and transmitting the speed-changed output to a traveling unit. The system includes an engine speed governor for adjusting speed of the engine, an accelerator controller and a change-speed control linkage device for providing operative displacements in the stepless change-speed apparatus and the engine speed governor in association with an operation of the accelerator controller. The change-speed control linkage device sets an operation amount for the stepless change-speed apparatus and an operation amount for the engine speed governor in correlation with the operation amount of the accelerator controller, such that an acceleration ratio for the engine speed is greater than an acceleration ratio for the stepless change-speed apparatus until the engine reaches a predetermined speed and also the stepless change-speed apparatus reaches a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Horiuchi, Yasunobu Nakatani, Hiroki Bessho, Norimi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7854182
    Abstract: A work vehicle includes a hydrostatic continuously variable speed-change device, a gear type multiple-stage speed-change device disposed downstream of the hydrostatic continuously variable speed-change device with respect to a direction in which power is transmitted, first and second oil passages, a bypass oil passage communicating the first and second oil passages with each other, a valve mechanism for opening and closing the bypass oil passage, and a manual operating member provided in a driving section for opening and closing the valve mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Kubota Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunobu Nakatani, Fumitake Okunishi, Yoshifumi Horiuchi, Hiroki Bessho, Yoshihiro Kawahara, Mitsugu Kobayashi, Shinichiro Saji, Masaki Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100252354
    Abstract: A vehicle with a load sensing hydraulic control system is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Applicant: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Eric Hamkins, Steve Gary Fleischmann, Mark Schultz, Lynn Russell, Kristen D. Cadman
  • Patent number: 7712573
    Abstract: An object of the invention is to change a layout structure of a hydraulic continuously variable transmission apparatus (HST) particularly constituting a hydromechanical continuously variable transmission apparatus (HMT) as a continuously variable transmission apparatus, thereby achieving a simplification of structures of a working vehicle and a traveling drive system, and an easiness of a maintenance. In a working vehicle provided with an HMT structured such as to combine an HST and a planetary gear mechanism as the traveling drive system so as to output and rotate a power of an engine while shifting gear, the HST is provided with a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor integrally in a front wall of a transmission case, and is arranged in an upper side of a transmission shaft transmitting the power to the transmission case from the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kunihiko Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20100096233
    Abstract: A vehicle has a multi-gap magnetorheological fluid (MRF) clutch connecting rotatable input and output members, and includes a drum connected to the output member and a rotor connected to the input member. The drum contains a magnetically-permeable stator and a magnetic core, while the rotor has a magnetically-permeable member extending axially into the drum to define an outer working gap in conjunction with the stator and an inner working gap in conjunction with the magnetic core. MR fluid fills the working gaps, and a magnetic field generator or electromagnet induces a magnetic field when electrical current is passed through a field coil therein to change an apparent viscosity of the MR fluid. The inner and outer working gaps have a predetermined inner to outer gap thickness ratio balancing the slip power dissipation per unit volume in each of the working gaps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: ANTHONY L. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20100084213
    Abstract: A vehicle transmission comprising a multi-ratio gearbox having a gearbox input shaft and a gearbox output shaft, the gearbox being operable to provide a driving connection between the gearbox input shaft and the gearbox output shaft at a selected one of a plurality of gear ratios, a torque converter having a torque converter input for connection to an engine, and a torque converter output driveably connected to the torque converter input by fluid coupling within the torque converter, a first driving connection between the torque converter output and the gearbox input shaft, a second driving connection between the torque converter input and the gearbox input shaft, and a selection means to select one of the first driving connection and the second driving connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 8, 2010
    Applicant: JCB Transmissions
    Inventors: David John HOYLE, Simon James Peter EVANS
  • Publication number: 20090236169
    Abstract: The working vehicle includes an axle unit that has a differential gear device, an axle case, an axle input shaft and first and second main output shafts, and an HST unit that has a hydraulic pump main body, a hydraulic motor main body, a capacity adjustment mechanism, an HST case, a pump shaft and a motor shaft, an HST input shaft, and an HST output shaft, wherein the axle unit is directly or indirectly supported by the vehicle frame so as to be positioned close to a first main driving wheel in a state where the axle input shaft extends in a vehicle widthwise direction, wherein the HST unit is directly or indirectly supported by the vehicle frame at a position away from the axle unit in a state where the HST output shaft extends in the vehicle widthwise direction, and wherein the HST output shaft and the axle input shaft are operatively connected to each other through an endless type transmission member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroshi SUGIMOTO, Hideki Kanenobu, Koji Iwaki, Kenta Sashikuma
  • Publication number: 20090211834
    Abstract: A hydraulic four-wheel-drive working vehicle includes a hydraulic pump unit having a hydraulic pump main body of a variable displacement type, a pair of left and right first motor devices driving a left and right first driving wheels, and a pair of left and right second motor devices driving a left and right second driving wheels, wherein each of the pair of first motor devices and the pair of second motor devices includes a hydraulic motor main body forming an HST in cooperation with the hydraulic pump main body, a motor volume adjusting mechanism, and a hydraulic actuating mechanism that operates the motor volume adjusting mechanism, and the hydraulic actuating mechanisms in the pair of first motor devices and the pair of second motor devices are operated and controlled with use of hydraulic fluid from a single hydraulic pressure source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventors: Toshifumi Yasuda, Takeaki Nozaki, Hideki Kanenobu
  • Patent number: 7565943
    Abstract: A mobile machine, such as an industrial truck, has heat-emitting drive components (K) of a traction drive and a hydraulic work system. The traction drive includes at least one electric traction motor (3) and a traction motor control system (7). The hydraulic work system includes at least one electric pump motor (5) and a pump motor control system (6). At least some of the drive components (K) are located in a cooling circuit. The cooling circuit has a cooling device (1), to which, on the output side, the traction motor (3), the pump motor (5), the traction motor control (7), and the pump motor control system (6) are connected, and which can be connected on the input side, depending on the fluid temperature in a reservoir (9) of the hydraulic work system, to the reservoir (9) or to a return line of the heat-emitting drive components (K).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Linde material Handling GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Herrmann, Alfred Langen, Klaus Schillings, Volker Schreiber, Bernward Welschof
  • Patent number: 7559401
    Abstract: A hydrostatic drive system has a travel drive (4) and working hydraulics (6). The working hydraulics (6) have a variable delivery pump (5) connected to the driving engine (1). The pump (5) is connected to a container (10) on the inlet side and delivers to a delivery line (11), to which at least one consumer of the working hydraulics (6) is connected. The pressure medium delivered by the pump (5) is feedable to a pressure valve (9). The pressure valve (9) is arranged in the delivery line (11) from the pump (5) to a control valve device (13; 15; 17; 18). A container branch line (29), which is connected to a container (10) and in which a circulating device (31) is arranged, is connected to the delivery line (11) downstream of the pressure valve (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Linde Material Handling GmbH
    Inventor: Binio Binev
  • Publication number: 20090159358
    Abstract: A pump impeller (4) of a torque converter (2) is connected to an internal combustion engine (1) of a forklift truck and an automatic transmission (3) is connected to a turbine runner (5) of the torque converter (2) so as to drive wheels (17). A cargo-handling pump (40) which drives a forklift (48) is arranged to be driven using a rotational torque of the turbine runner (5), thereby varying discharge flow rate characteristics of the cargo-handling pump (40) according to a work load of the forklift (48) and a rotation speed of the internal combustion engine (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Takashi HOSOTANI
  • Publication number: 20090133950
    Abstract: A wheel type work machine having improved ease of assembly and a compact-sized traveling system power transmission mechanism. The wheeled work machine comprises a traveling body (2) having an engine (7) mounted at the rear of a machine frame (6) supported by front and rear wheels (4, 5) and the traveling system power transmission mechanism (8) for transmitting power from the engine (7) to the rear wheels (5). The traveling system power transmission mechanism (8) comprises a rear wheel differential device (38) disposed on the front side of the engine (7), a hydrostatic transmission (35) disposed on the front side and the rear wheel differential device and receiving the power from the engine (7), and a mechanical transmission device (37) disposed between the hydrostatic transmission (35) and the rear wheel differential device (38) and transmitting the power from the hydrostatic transmission (35) to the rear wheel differential device (38).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takemura, Ryohei Sumiyoshi
  • Publication number: 20090124456
    Abstract: A system and method of dithering speed and/or torque for shifting a transmission of a vehicle having an engine, a reversible, variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump which can be driven by the engine, a hydraulic accumulator supplied by said motor/pump, and at least one reversible hydraulic driving motor for propelling the vehicle supplied with fluid by the hydraulic accumulator and/or by said motor/pump operating as a pump. A transmission unit connects the engine with the variable displacement hydraulic motor/pump during a first mode of operation (city mode) and connects the engine to a vehicle drive wheel during a second mode of operation. The system utilizes stored hydraulic energy to dither the output of the driving motor in order to achieve quick and smooth shifts between city and highway mode, or between various ranges within the city mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Yisheng Zhang, John Loeffler
  • Patent number: 7516807
    Abstract: The dual-pump fluid distribution system of the present invention preferably includes a sump having hydraulic fluid disposed therein. A first pump driven by an electric motor and a second pump driven by an engine are disposed in fluid communication with the sump. A plurality of vehicle systems are disposed in fluid communication with the first and second pumps. The first pump is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to the vehicle systems when the engine is off. The first and second pumps are both configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to the vehicle systems when the engine speed is at or below a predetermined value. The second pump is configured to transfer hydraulic fluid to the vehicle systems when the engine speed exceeds the predetermined value. Accordingly, the hydraulic pressure needs of the vehicle systems are met for any given engine speed. A corresponding method in accordance with the present invention is similarly provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard W. Carlson
  • Patent number: 7506717
    Abstract: The present invention includes a hydraulic pump (11), a variable displacement hydraulic motor (5) for traveling driven by pressure oil from the hydraulic pump (11), a motor displacement control means (17, 18) for adjusting a displacement of the hydraulic motor (5) in correspondence to a drive pressure at the hydraulic motor (5), an operating member (22) through which a forward travel command and a backward travel command for the vehicle are issued, a control means (12) to be driven in response to an operation of the operating member (22), for controlling a flow of pressure oil from the hydraulic pump (11) to the hydraulic motor (5), a reverse operation detection means (41A, 41B) for detecting a reverse operation of the operating member (22) performed to a reverse side opposite from a direction along which the vehicle is advancing, and a cavitation preventing means (25A,25B) engaged in operation so as to prevent occurrence of cavitation at the hydraulic motor (5) when the reverse operation at the operating mem
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tatsuno, Kazuhiro Ichimura, Hidetoshi Satake
  • Publication number: 20090038305
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for an automatic transmission operatively connected to an internal combustion engine that is operable in a start-stop mode. The hydraulic system includes a hydraulic energy source to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy, the hydraulic energy source including at least one electrically driven hydraulic pump to supply the hydraulic system with hydraulic energy during a stopping phase of the internal combustion engine. To achieve a reduction in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, provision is included to enable the electrically driven hydraulic pump to be switched on in addition to a mechanically driven hydraulic pump, as needed during an operating phase of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventors: Reinhard Stehr, Eric Muller, Jochen Pfister, Roshan Willeke
  • Publication number: 20080236153
    Abstract: A method of operating a hydraulic motor. In one embodiment, the method includes measuring a temperature of hydraulic fluid associated with the hydraulic motor and comparing the measured temperature of the hydraulic fluid to a first temperature threshold. The method also includes controlling an operational state of one or more hydraulic motor functions based at least partially on the comparison of the measured temperature of the hydraulic fluid and the first temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Joseph A. St. Aubin, Jeret L. Hoesel, Walter K. Rolf
  • Publication number: 20080185211
    Abstract: A crawler tractor comprises steering mechanisms (44) (45) for rotating a machine body by causing right and left crawler belts (9) to move differentially. The tractor is characterized in that the steering mechanism (44) is connected to a drive system located behind a reverser mechanism (21) that moves the machine body forward and back. Even when the machine body movement direction is changed from forward to back, the direction of the steering wheel (18) and the direction of the rotation of the machine body are kept the same, so that a reversed steering phenomenon is prevented from occurring, and an appropriate operation in forward or back movement is enabled with a simple structure that does not require an additional mechanism such as a reverse-steering preventions mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Yanmar Agricultural Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Susumu Akashima, Masakazu Komatsu
  • Publication number: 20080153663
    Abstract: The transmission includes a minimal-orbiter gear complex and a single infinitely-variable rotary control device. The minimal orbiter includes only a control gear and an output gear interconnected by the different gearing portions of at least one cluster gear supported by an orbiting web responsive to an input drive provided by a primary engine. The rotary control device may be any kind of apparatus that is capable of providing resistance torque that can match the torque of the primary engine to slow and stop the control gear of the orbital complex. In a preferred embodiment disclosed, the rotary control device is a hydraulic jack machine having a drive shaft connected to an adjustable swash plate that provides primary control of the flow of fluid through the machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: Torvec, Inc.
    Inventors: James Y. Gleasman, Keith E. Gleasman, Donald Gabel
  • Publication number: 20080135323
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hydraulic control system for an automatic transmission of a vehicle in which an oil pump of the hydraulic control system generates hydraulic pressure and a manual valve of the hydraulic control system realizes a line conversion according to a selected shift range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Dalsu Park
  • Patent number: 7374010
    Abstract: A transmission for a working vehicle for transmitting drive power from an engine to a driving axle that includes: a flywheel including a flywheel body operatively connected with the engine and a flywheel housing for accommodating the flywheel body; a main-speed-change unit including a main-input shaft operatively connected with the engine via the flywheel body and a main-output shaft for outputting drive power to be transmitted to the driving axle; and a sub-speed-change unit including a sub-input shaft and a sub-output shaft, and disposed at a distance from the main-speed-change unit. The engine, the flywheel and the main-speed-change unit are integrally connected with each other so as to vibrate freely relative to a vehicle frame, and the main-output shaft of the main-speed-change unit is operatively coupled with the sub-input shaft of the sub-speed-change unit via a vibration-absorbing shaft coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 7331416
    Abstract: This invention provides an oil-hydraulic vehicle whose driving force can be adjusted finely and which can be run smoothly and comfortably. The oil-hydraulic vehicle comprises a wheel-driving means 40 for driving a wheel 31, which includes an oil-hydraulic motor 45 to drive the wheel 31 and a means 41 for controlling the rotational frequency of the oil-hydraulic motor 45. The oil-hydraulic motor 45 includes an output shaft 45s on which the wheel 31 is mounted and a plurality of oil chambers 45a-45e. Each oil chamber contains (i) a driving cogwheel 46 which is mounted on, and drives, the output shaft 45s and (ii) a driven cogwheel 47 which engages with the driving cogwheel 46. The means 41 for controlling the rotational frequency of the oil-hydraulic motor 45 includes a housing 42 with a circular rotor chamber 42h in it and a rotor 43 fitted in the circular rotor chamber 42h for free rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Asahi Corporation
    Inventor: Shigetomi Kumon
  • Patent number: 7281601
    Abstract: A fluid driven differential, having a fluid filled housing, an input shaft, and a pair of output shafts. The input shaft is attached to an automobile driveshaft outside of the housing and to a propeller inside the housing. The output shafts are each attached to an axle and wheel outside the housing and to a turbine inside the housing. When the driveshaft rotates the input shaft, the propeller generates a fluid current that turns the turbines and thereby turns the output shafts, the axles, and the wheels. A pair of return conduits direct fluid from the vicinity of the turbines to the vicinity of the propeller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Salvatore Palazzola
  • Patent number: 7225704
    Abstract: In a transmission for a working vehicle, a working unit includes a hydraulic power unit and a valve unit enclosed in a first bulging portion of a transmission case closer to an upper side or on a top surface thereof and connected with each other along a vehicle lengthwise direction. The first bulging portion is closer to a first lateral side along the vehicle width direction of the transmission case, while a hydraulic pump is located closer to a second lateral side. Hydraulic fluid is drawn from the transmission case, around a lower side of the hydraulic pump, through a suction port thereof, and discharged to a suction port of the valve unit. The hydraulic power unit includes a cylinder tube and piston, extending in the lengthwise direction, and a support shaft, extending along the width direction, which is supported by the transmission case and connected to a lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventors: Norihiro Ishii, Hirohiko Kawada, Hideki Kanenobu, Hiroshi Tottori, Kentaro Nagata
  • Patent number: 7147078
    Abstract: A system for replenishing a source of pressurized fluid for use in driving the wheels of a motor vehicle includes an accumulator containing fluid at relatively high pressure; a reservoir containing fluid at lower pressure; an engine driveably connected to the wheels and having a variable torque output; a pump/motor driveably connected to the wheels, including an inlet and an outlet, and having a variable volumetric displacement for pumping fluid between the accumulator and the reservoir; and a controller for determining a current cruise charge pressure limit for the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of pump/motor torque with which to pump fluid to the accumulator, determining a desired magnitude of engine torque with which to drive the pump/motor at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and controlling the engine to produce the desired magnitude of engine torque, to drive the pump/motor in a pumping mode at the desired magnitude of pump/motor torque, and to pump fluid to the accumulator from
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Teslak, Cliff Carlson
  • Patent number: 7143858
    Abstract: A transmission for a working vehicle for transmitting drive power from an engine to a driving axle that includes: a flywheel including a flywheel body operatively connected with the engine and a flywheel housing for accommodating the flywheel body; a main-speed-change unit including a main-input shaft operatively connected with the engine via the flywheel body and a main-output shaft for outputting drive power to be transmitted to the driving axle; and a sub-speed-change unit including a sub-input shaft and a sub-output shaft, and disposed at a distance from the main-speed-change unit. The engine, the flywheel and the main-speed-change unit are integrally connected with each other so as to vibrate freely relative to a vehicle frame, and the main-output shaft of the main-speed-change unit is operatively coupled with the sub-input shaft of the sub-speed-change unit via a vibration-absorbing shaft coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 6988571
    Abstract: The purpose of the invention is to enable a crawler tractor to brake and stop certainly without applying a load to an engine and a driving mechanism, and without complicated operation. An operation link links a conic linkage (53) which links a steering wheel (7) with a main speed change lever (55) of the crawler tractor, and with an operation mechanism of a brake pedal (54). A neutral return mechanism for the operation link is provided. The operation link neutral return mechanism comprises a hook-like cam lever (61). When the brake pedal is depressed, the main speed change lever is moved to its neutral position before braking force occurs, and then, the brake is actuated. Accordingly, engine brake is used effectively, and the brake can be miniaturized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventors: Eiichi Okamoto, Masakazu Komatsu, Yukio Kubota, Susumu Nochi, Susumu Akashima, Takashi Uno, Gaku Higashiguchi, Shinsuke Tani, Kazuo Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6923092
    Abstract: A control mechanism for a transmission such as a hydrostatic transmission or transaxle which simplifies construction and enables the user to change the orientation of the transmission in a vehicle. A first linkage member is rotatably mounted on a support rod and has first and second oppositely extending arms mounted thereon. The arms of the first linkage member are attached to the vehicle drive control and the transmission control arm. A second linkage member is rotatably mounted on the first linkage member and also has two arms oppositely extending therefrom which are connected to a vehicle brake control and the transmission brake mechanism. This second arm of the second linkage member may be engaged to a return arm that is connected to a transmission brake arm by a spring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Thomas Wiley, Bryce E. Steenburg
  • Patent number: 6913103
    Abstract: A hydraulically driven traveling vehicle comprising a pair of right and left driving axles (driving sprockets) differentially connected to each other by a differential mechanism, the input section of the differential mechanism having the output rotation of traveling HST 110 (110) transmitted thereto, both driving sprockets having mutually opposite two-flow output rotations separately transmitted thereto from a steering HST (120), thereby effecting traveling driving and turning, electromagnetic solenoids (61a, 61b, 62a, 62b) serving as output regulating devices for the traveling HST and the steering HST being provided so that the manipulated variables and directions of a speed change lever and a steering operation tool are converted into electric signals, on the basis of which electric signals the output current values of the electromagnetic solenoids are controlled, causing the respective output rotary speeds of the HSTs to correspond to the output current values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuji Kitasaka, Takeshi Hasebe, Katsunori Katou, Toshiyuki Miwa
  • Patent number: 6896088
    Abstract: The present invention includes a control system for, or methods of controlling a wheeled work machine to accommodate desired travel control. Acceleration and deceleration inputs are provided, as is a controller for controlling hydrostatic motors to achieve desired acceleration and deceleration profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: Clark Equipment Company
    Inventors: Jeffery A. Dahl, Michael J. Henline, Martin Carpenter
  • Patent number: 6877580
    Abstract: A transmission for a working vehicle for transmitting drive power from an engine to a driving axle that includes: a flywheel including a flywheel body operatively connected with the engine and a flywheel housing for accommodating the flywheel body; a main-speed-change unit including a main-input shaft operatively connected with the engine via the flywheel body and a main-output shaft for outputting drive power to be transmitted to the driving axle; and a sub-speed-change unit including a sub-input shaft and a sub-output shaft, and disposed with a distance from the main-speed-change unit. The engine, the flywheel and the main-speed-change unit are integrally connected with each other so as to vibrate freely relative to a vehicle frame, and the main-output shaft of the main-speed-change unit is operatively coupled with the sub-input shaft of the sub-speed-change unit via a vibration-absorbing shaft coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Norihiro Ishii, Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 6874593
    Abstract: A driving apparatus for speed changing and steering of a vehicle consists of a first driving unit for speed changing in advancing and reversing and a second driving unit for steering, which are arranged in a longitudinal row and are attached to a vehicle chassis. Each of the first driving unit and the second driving unit has a common structure, which comprises a housing and an HST and left and right differential output shafts contained in the housing. A left first differential output shaft and a left second differential output shaft are connected with each other so as to be rotated in the same direction, and a right first differential output shaft and a right second differential output shaft are connected with each other so as to be rotated in opposite directions. Both first and second HSTs of the first driving unit and a second driving unit receives power from engine through a common single belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Tuff Torq Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Abend, Kerwyn Stoll
  • Patent number: 6848532
    Abstract: A transmission control system, such as for a self-propelled, walk-behind lawn mower, is provided for controlling first and second hydrostatic transmissions in which each one of the transmissions has a hydraulic dump actuator and a brake actuator. The transmission control system includes a control lever and a linkage. The linkage is engaged with the control lever, the hydraulic dump actuators, and the brake actuators of the first and second hydrostatic transmissions. The control lever and the linkage have a drive position which place both of the hydraulic dump actuators in a drive mode, a neutral position which place both of the hydraulic dump actuators in a neutral mode, and a brake position which place both of the brake actuators in a brake mode. The transmission control system can have a shift slot pattern which defines the drive, neutral, and brake positions of the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Douglas Dean Korthals
  • Patent number: 6848530
    Abstract: An HMT apparatus (T) is mounted on a vehicle (A). In the HMT apparatus (T), input rotational force from an engine (13) is once divided into two systems which are then transmitted by an MT device (23) and by an HST device (24) respectively and are re-synthesized for transfer toward wheels (12) and (16). The HMT apparatus (T) is disposed on the vehicle-body right side of the engine (13) which is sideways-mounted on a vehicle body (1), and its input and output shafts (25) and (26) are disposed in parallel with a crank shaft (13a) of the engine (13) and are disposed to run parallel with each other. The input shaft (25) is coupled directly to the crank shaft (13a) and an input gear (27) of the MT device (23) is mounted on the input shaft (25), and a hydraulic piston pump (30) of the HST device (24) is connected to the right side end of the input shaft (25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss-Daikin Ltd.
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Tani
  • Publication number: 20040222032
    Abstract: A traveling transmission apparatus for a work vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a stepless change-speed unit receiving power from an engine, a gear transmission mechanism receiving power from the stepless change-speed unit and disposed rearwardly of the engine, a rear-wheel differential mechanism receiving power from the gear transmission mechanism and disposed rearwardly of the engine, and a transmission case accommodating the gear transmission mechanism and the rear-wheel differential mechanism and coupled to the rear of the engine. The stepless change-speed unit is disposed rearwardly of the gear transmission mechanism and rearwardly also of an output shaft of the rear-wheel differential mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasunobu Nakatani, Yoshifumi Horiuchi