Abstract: A center section for a hydrostatic transaxle has a generally L-shaped member having a hydrostatic pump and motor mounting surfaces thereon disposed at right angle to each other. The L-shaped member has first and second legs at right angles to each other with the pump and motor mounting surfaces thereon.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles has an L-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, and is mounted within the housing. The center section has passages and ports which are interconnected by certain passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast. The center section has hydraulic pump and motor mounting surfaces on legs extending at right angles to each other.

Abstract: A turning speed control system for use in a track-laying vehicle comprising: a steering motor for driving crawler belts provided at both sides of the vehicle such that a relative travel difference is caused between the crawler belts, thereby turning the vehicle to the right or left; a steering instructing device which can be displaced from a neutral position by operation and which instructs, according to the direction and distance of its displacement, a turning direction and a turning radius for the vehicle, the turning radius decreasing as the displacement distance increases; a displacement detector for detecting the displacement of the steering instructing device; and a control unit for performing a control such that when making the turning radius of the vehicle small by increasing the revolution speed of the steering motor according to the displacement of the steering instructing device detected by the displacement detector such that the crawler belts are driven with a relative travel difference therebetwe

Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles has an L-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, and is mounted within the housing. The center section has passages and ports which are interconnected by certain passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast. The center section has hydraulic pump and motor mounting surfaces on legs extending at right angles to each other. The pump has a vertical input shaft extending through the housing and an axis of rotation at right angles to a housing parting plane.

Abstract: A system and process for controlling the steering of a track trencher excavation machine includes a multiple mode steering control that performs a plurality of functions depending on a selection of one of a plurality of operational modes. A computer modifies the functions of the multiple mode steering control depending on a selected operational mode, and coordinates propulsion of the track drives of a track trencher to effect steering changes of the track trencher in response to signals produced by the steering control.

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A geared steering system, which is capable of actuating rightside and leftside driving mechanisms to ensure efficient operation of a crawler vehicle, has a geared steering device (30) and a control system. The geared steering device (30) has one power input shaft (31), leftside and rightside steering brakes (38L, 38R) and leftside and rightside direct-coupled clutches (36, 44), one turn clutch (46), three planet gear trains (40, 43, 48), leftside and rightside power output shafts (32L, 32R) coupled to leftside and rightside steering brake hubs (34L, 34R), and a hydraulic turning motor (83) coupled to the turn clutch (46) with gears.

Abstract: A geared steering device (30) selectively operates rightside and leftside driving mechanisms (2,3) of a crawler vehicle (1) for more efficient operation of the crawler vehicle. The geared steering device (30) comprises a power input drive element (33) for inputting a driving power from a prime mover (7), rightside and leftside steering brakes (38R, 38L), rightside and leftside direct-coupled clutches (36, 44), a turn clutch (46), three arrays of planet gear trains (40, 43 and 48), and power output shafts (32R, 32L) coupled to right and leftside steering brake hubs (34R, 34L). A control unit compares an actual steering ratio of a geared steering device (30) with a designated steering ratio, outputs control signals to respective solenoid valves for controlling the direct-coupled clutches, the turn clutch or a steering brake so as to cause the actual steering ratio to approximate the designated steering ratio.

Abstract: According to the present invention, front visibility is improved, entry into a cab or exit therefrom by an operator is facilitated, fine operability by a traveling pedal is improved, and foot fatigue is decreased. To achieve this, when the palm rest (56) is detected in its neutral position N, forward or rearward speed signals for respective traveling hydraulic motors in response to detection signals of control input detectors (19a, 20a) of left and right traveling knobs (19, 20) are outputted to respective control valves from a controller (15).

Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle having a common housing for a hydrostatic transmission and a pair of oppositely-extending differentially-connected axles to have the common housing provide a common sump therefor and with a specifically-shaped center section interconnecting the pair of hydraulic displacement units constituting the hydrostatic transmission. The center section is a unitary member separate from the common housing, with the exterior thereof exposed to the common sump. The center section has passages and arcuate ports which are interconnected by certain of said passages and which are located whereby the center section may be cast to minimize any machining required to finish the center section. Such casting can result in a porous center section with possible leakage from a passage having high pressure fluid.

Abstract: A steering system for a bulldozer, comprising a steering direction indicating device for indicating a lateral direction in which a vehicle body is to be steered, a dozing operation detector for judging by detection whether the bulldozer is in dozing operation, a steering controller for controlling the vehicle body to be steered in the lateral direction indicated by the steering direction indicating device when the dozing operation detector judges that the bulldozer is in dozing operation, by tilting a blade in the indicated lateral direction in order to impose offset load on the vehicle body, and by causing a difference between the relative travel speeds of right and left crawler belts attached to the vehicle body at least when light load occurs in the dozing operation.

Abstract: A variable speed friction drive apparatus for a lawn mower includes a pair of drive cones supported by a frame for rotational movement about a common first axis, and a pair of drums supported by carriages for rotation about axes transverse to the lengths of the carriages. Each carriage is supported on the frame for movement between a neutral position in which the associated drum is disengaged from either of the cones and a plurality of driving positions in which the drum engages either of the cones. A universal joint connects the rear end of each carriage to the frame for universal pivotal movement about the joint, and both ends of each carriage are independently biased toward the neutral position.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable bumper cart amusement vehicle is disclosed that is quite portable, uses a self-contained power supply and is designed to be operated on a plurality of surfaces without electrically-conductive flooring or a special track or facility.

Abstract: A self-contained steering, clutch, and brake assembly is provided having a housing for connection to a rotating drive shaft having a drive hub mounted on an extension thereof, a brake hub mounted to the housing, and a clutch drum movable to engage either the drive hub or the brake hub. These engagements are made through coaxial, multi-disk clamping assemblies which serve to increase engagement surface area within the minimal confines of the housing. The clutch drum is constantly connected to a standard size wheel axle through a compound reduction chain drive which is also enclosed by the housing. The clutch drum is normally biased into engagement with the drive hub and a rotary cam actuator is provided to move the clutch hub against the biasing spring and into engagement with the brake hub. The housing is adapted to be bolted directly to the mower deck without special deck reconfiguration.

Abstract: A power driven wheel chair is described which includes a rear wheel support frame and at least two ground engaging rear wheels mounted in spaced relation to opposed sides of the rear wheel support frame. A front wheel support frame is pivotally secured to the rear wheel support frame for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis. At least two ground engaging front wheels are mounted in spaced relation to opposed sides of the front wheel support frame. A drive motor provides motive force to at least one wheel of one of the pairs of at least two ground engaging wheels. A chair is mounted on one of the rear wheel support frame and the front wheel support frame. The wheel chair, as described, has added stability as relative pivoting of the rear wheel support frame and the front wheel support frame maintains the wheels in contact the ground at all times.

Abstract: A drive system (1) for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The drive system (1) includes left and right wheels (2,3) driven by left and right hydrostatic drive units (5,6), respectively. A rear wheel (4) is used to steer the motor vehicle. A linkage system including links (9,10,12) is used to connect or disconnect the drive units (5,6) to or from their respective wheels (2,3) when the steered rear wheel (4) calls for a direction of turning.

Abstract: A device for controlling hydraulic steering clutches and brakes in a crawler vehicle such as a bulldozer has a simple structure so as to be manipulated by a monolever. The device comprises a single steering lever (5), four proportional pressure control valves (1), (2), (3), (4), left and right steering clutch pistons (7), (7a) and left and right brake cylinders (8), (8a). The four valves are composed of two sets of valves, one set of two valves for steering clutches, in which the timing of the rise of hydraulic pressure is earlier, and one set of two valves for brakes, in which the timing of the rise of hydraulic pressure is later than the former.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the steering of a vehicle that is tracked or that has non-steerable wheels, by applying a steering command signal to a differential control system for controlling the wheels or the tracks of the vehicle, which steering command signal is obtained on the basis of a steering instruction given by an operator or a driver of the vehicle, as modified by a correction effect obtained from a signal representative of the instantaneous angular velocity in yaw of the vehicle as provided by a rate gyro sensor and as amplified by a gain k that varies as a function of the stable or unstable behavior of the vehicle in steering. The invention makes it possible to ensure that the vehicle remains stable while steering by avoiding uncontrolled skids or oversteer.

Abstract: In a vehicle having first and second wheels (e.g., front and rear wheels) to be driven with a speed difference, the wheels are driven by a toroidal type continuously variable transmission having a single input shaft and which is effective to accommodate the speed difference between the first and second wheels without a separate differential for such purpose.

Abstract: A drive unit of a vehicle toy realizes a high-speed performance and a large-torque performance, is excellent in operability and provides improved battery life. In the drive unit, there is provided a motor gear driven by a radio-controlled motor, first and second drive gears for independently driving left-hand and right-hand wheels, first and second intermediate gears for causing the first and second drive gears to rotate at a lower speed, and an idler gear meshing with one of the intermediate gears to cause the first and second drive gears to rotate in opposite directions. A travelling gear assembly is rotatably driven by the motor gear to travel along a path between a forward position for forward vehicle toy drive and a turn position for vehicle toy turning, the travelling gear assembly directly driving the first and second drive gears in the forward position and driving the same gears through the first and second intermediate gears and the idler gear in the turn position.

Abstract: An apparatus provides improved vehicle handling during turning maneuvers by providing control of vehicle understeer. The understeer control includes determining a desired turning radius for the vehicle, a corresponding ideal outer to inner wheel speed ratio. A closed loop torque command is determined in proportion to the difference between the ideal wheel speed ratio and the actual wheel speed ratio. The closed loop torque command is used in conjunction with an open loop torque command responsive to operator power demand to provide wheel speed control in a manner to maintain the desired vehicle understeer characteristics.

Abstract: An electric drive system for tracklaying vehicles includes a pair of electric motors and an infinitely variable speed, hydromechanical steering transmission including a pair of hydrostatic propulsion units and a plurality of planetary gears sets. The hydrostatic units are driven by one or both of the electric motors to produce separate hydrostatic propulsion outputs which are combined with the mechanical outputs of the motors by the planetary gear sets to generate separate hydromechanical propulsion outputs on right and left transmission output shafts for vehicle propulsion and steer in two speed ranges.

Abstract: An engine-transaxle-belt drive configuration is provided for a lawn and garden rear engine vehicle. The transaxle housing has been adapted to receive the engine drive pulley and electric clutch in order to lower the engine mounting and vehicle center of gravity. A releasable fastening structure is provided to facilitate clutch movement and removal of the transmission and implement drive belts.

Abstract: A differential device has a drive shaft, a pair of cones connected to it so as to rotate at the same speed, a pair of wheel shafts with a pair of ring wheels fitted on them such that the ring wheels are engaged in a rotational direction with conical surfaces of the cones. The ring wheels are slidable in an axial direction and are positioned parallel to the axis of the corresponding wheel shafts. The ring wheels are transmissively in contact with the outer conical surfaces of the pair of cones. A steering mechanism is included for moving these ring wheels axially on the wheel shafts proportional to the amount of steering. A pair of brake teeth are on the ring wheels and a corresponding pair of brake teeth are attached to a fixed casing. When one of the ring wheels moves toward a smaller-diameter side of the corresponding cone, and gets off of the corresponding conical surface, the other ring wheel keeps making transmissive contact with a larger diameter of the other cone corresponding to the other ring wheel.

Abstract: A steering system for a tracked vehicle extracts a portion of power from an engine which propels the vehicle, and combines the power with the remainder of the engine power by differential gear assemblies at the tracks of the vehicle for effecting a steering movement of the vehicle while the vehicle is being propelled in either the forward or reverse direction by the engine. The steering system includes a variable hydrodynamic torque converter coupled to the engine and outputting torque via a reversing gear set to an output shaft system having gears for constraining the output shafts to rotate in opposite directions. A clutch assembly is located outside of a housing which encloses the torque converter, and includes individual clutches which are selectively activated to couple forward or reverse rotation from the reversing gear set to the output shafts for selectively steering the vehicle in a right turn or a left turn.

Abstract: An automatic working machine which moves forward and turns back with a pre-determined shifted displacement to perform a task in a back and forth manner. The machine comprises sensors for detecting the boundaries of a defined area. The machine moves forward until the sensors detect a boundary or until a specific distance has been traveled, then the machine turns and proceeds forward in the opposite direction. The machine continues to perform in the specific back and forth motion until the task is completed.

Abstract: A steering roller arrangement for a trackless floor vehicle in the form of a so-called three-wheeled vehicle is described. With this vehicle, in addition to two running wheels, a steering roller is provided which can be swiveled about a vertical axis by means of a ring mount for traveling in a curved line and to achieve a trailing effect. Relative to the rotatable part of the ring mount, the steering roller is movable between two opposite trailing positions such that, with a reversal of the direction of travel, the required alteration of the steering roller trailing effect is brought about by a corresponding adjustment of the steering roller. In this way uncontrolled veering of the vehicle is avoided which occur with conventional three-wheeled vehicles on account of the rotation of the steering roller by 180.degree. caused by the trailing effect of the steering roller. The steering roller is expediently displaceable in a straight line by a linear guide between the two trailing positions.

Abstract: A transmission of compact construction particularly suitable for use on a crawler mini shovel car having a boom mounted on a front portion of the vehicle body and an engine and a transmission mounted on rear portions of the vehicle body. The transmission includes an input shaft disposed within a transmission case in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle FR (forward-reverse) transmission shafts rotatably provided on the opposite sides of the input shaft in parallel relation therewith and coupled with the input shaft through gears, a worm gear provided at an end portion of each FR transmission shaft, and a worm wheel meshed with the corresponding one of the worm gears on the FR transmission shafts and mounted on each of worm wheel shafts coupled with left and right crawler drive shafts through reducing gears.

Abstract: A frictional disk-type side brake is disposed within a space around a clutch housing (3) of a side clutch (2). The brake comprises a disk member (4), supported by the clutch housing, and two sets of separate frictional plate members (5A, 5B) supported by a transmission casing (1). The two sets of plate members are particularly disposed such that the disk member is faced, at its angularly spaced two parts, to the two sets of plate members. An adjustable reaction member (8) is provided against which the disk and plate members are pressed so as to actuate the brake. The disk member is prevented, when the brake is actuated, from taking an inclined posture so that a high efficiency and durability of the brake are attained, while a compactness of the brake is assured.

Abstract: A vehicle steering system with power assistance means comprises an output component 4 displaceable relative to a housing 1 for that component and in response to a steering input for effecting a steering maneuver. The housing 1 is mounted for displacement relative to a frame part 9 of the vehicle. An hydraulic servo motor 13 is provided for assisting displacement of the output component 4 and reacting between the output component 4 and the vehicle frame part 9. An hydraulic pump 44 supplies working fluid to the servo motor 13 and a control valve 20 controls the supply of working fluid to the servo motor 13 in response to relative displacement between the housing 1 and the frame part 9 as a reaction to a steering maneuver and that response controls the servo motor 13 to assist the maneuver.

Abstract: A stepless transmission and steering system is provided for a vehicle having at least two propelling elements such as wheels, tracks, propellers and the like driven by two output shafts. A housing contains a pair of planetary transmission gear sets, both driven by a common input shaft. Each gear set powers one of the output shafts. A separate variator is connected to each gear set. Each variator controls the speed and direction of rotation of its associated output shaft in a continuous, stepless fashion with a single control member. A neutral-seeking servo mechanism is provided. By turning both output shafts at the same speed and direction, the vehicle runs in a straight line. When one shaft is turned faster, the vehicle runs in a curved line. When each shaft is turned in opposite directions, the vehicle turns within its own length. The variators may include variable diameter pulleys coupled with endless belts.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the use of two clutches, one associated with each wheel of a two wheel snowblower, selectively operated by a pivoting control on the handle so as to allow for power steering of the snowblower.

Abstract: A transmission comprises transmission shafts connected to right and left wheels, respectively. Each transmission shaft has a side clutch and a side brake. The side clutch includes clutch balls movable radially of the transmission shaft between a clutching position engaged with a first engagement portion of the transmission shaft and a declutching position radially retracted from the transmission shaft. The side brake includes brake balls movable radially of the transmission shaft between a braking position engaged with a second engagement portion of the transmission shaft and a releasing position radially retracted from the transmission shaft. A shifter sleeve is axially movably mounted on each transmission shafts. The shifter sleeve includes a first space for accommodating the clutch balls, a second space for accommodating the brake balls, and a projection for pressing the clutch balls and brake balls.

Abstract: A hydrostatic steering arrangement and control having the high speed steering capability of an output-driven system and the low speed steering capability of an input-driven system. The engine drives the vehicle through a fluid coupling and a multiple ratio hydraulic transmission, and the hydrostatic pump of the steering system is driven by the output (turbine) of the fluid coupling. Increased steering capability at vehicle speeds which would otherwise limit the steering capability, is achieved by controllably slipping the active torque transmitting device of the transmission. In this mode, the hydrostatic pump speed is permitted to increase, and the steering system operates essentially as though it were input-driven.

Abstract: A rotary hydraulic piston transmission located within an axle housing is provided that includes reduction gearing and a mechanical differential for the purpose of compactness and simplicity of manufacture. The axle housing comprises two main elements which, when attached together, form internal cavities, one cavity expressly used for the hydraulic transmission which comprises a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor mounted on either side of a partition member, and where the partition member divides the cavity into an upper and lower chamber for location of the hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor, respectively. The remaining cavities contain the reduction gearing and mechanical differential, and where the cavity containing the hydraulic transmission is purposely segregated from the remaining cavities in order to prevent material worn from the gears from entering the oil chambers of the hydraulic transmission.

Abstract: A differential drive and steering system for a vehicle includes a differential drive device including an input shaft which is drivingly connected to a pair of output shafts by a differential gear device. A torque converter is drivingly connected with the differential gear mechanism and includes a speed control shaft journaled on the differential gear mechanism housing. A pair of variable pitch pulleys are respectively mounted on the speed control and input shafts and are connected by an endless belt. A transmission shaft is drivingly connected to one of the output shafts and is connected to the speed control shaft by a planetary gear mechanism. A drive sprocket is keyed to the input shaft and a driven sprocket is secured to the planetary gear mechanism. An endless chain is trained about the sprockets whereby the vehicle may be steered by selectively varying the pitch on the pulleys.

Abstract: The invention provides a self-propelled fully operational loose bulk material slinger in a vehicle equipped to be driven. A slinger and hopper is mounted on a chassis supported by a triangular arrangement of road wheels. Individual powering of two road wheels, one on each side of the chassis, allows self-powered mobility and the road wheels can be steered for directional release of a material being stockpiled. A third small road wheel attached to swivel, balances the vehicle and can be retracted and extended to angle the vehicle for increasing and decreasing trajectory height of material being stockpiled. An engine and a hydraulic system provides mobility and mechanical adjustability to the vehicle. A stand-on control station allows the slinger vehicle according to the invention to be fully controlled by a single operator.

Abstract: Vehicle propulsion systems many times have a transmission with a directional control mechanism, right and left drive units, and a differential steer mechanism. In these vehicles, there is no way of independently stopping one of the drive units in order to provide a pivot turn for better control of the vehicle when maneuvering in tight areas and on slopes. In order to ensure that the operator has selective, independent control of applying one or the other of the right or left brakes for steering, a control and a logic system is provided in a propulsion system to automatically apply the right or left brake on the respective drive unit with respect to operator input conditions. In this arrangement, if the operator selects a clockwise steer of the vehicle, it will steer in the clockwise direction regardless of whether the vehicle is moving in the forward direction or the reverse direction. Likewise, the same is true if the operator selects a counterclockwise steer direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle has been provided with a first load carrying frame having freely rotatable supporting wheels attached thereto. A second frame in non-rotable and compliantly suspended from the first frame. A device is mounted to the second frame for driving and steering the vehicle.

Abstract: Improved steering systems are provided for skid-steering vehicles such as military tanks, track-type tractors and the like. A diesel engine may be used to rotate a drive shaft interconnected by port and starboard planetary gear assemblies, to apply driving power simultaneously to both track-drive mechanisms. Steering is provided by port and starboard hydraulically-actuated motors, each positively interconnected with the ring gear or other suitable component of its respective planetary gear assembly, whereby each track-drive mechanism may be controlled separately and independently of the other.

Abstract: The type of machine in which the invention finds maximum utility is the self-propelled, user-guided garden machine such as a rotary tiller. A typical machine of that genre has a straight-through axle without a differential and opposite ends of the axle project as right and left shafts to which right and left ground-engaging wheels are respectively affixed. The improvement provided by the present invention resides in right and left clutch-brake units arranged symmetrically at each side of and external to the transmission case. The keys normally fixing the wheels to their shafts are removed and the wheels are instead journalled on the respective shafts and the clutches are alternately engaged and disengaged between the shafts and wheels to facilitate steering of the machine. Each clutching unit includes a brake and controls are provided for effecting braking and clutch disengagement at either side of the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus for driving and steering an invalid chair, or other light wheeled vehicle, comprises a transverse drive transmission shaft (8) with end cones (9 and 10) which contact across the periphery respectively of each of a pair of road wheels (11 and 12). By transverse axial movement of the drive transmission shaft the contact diameter of the cones can be varied and thus the relative speed of the road wheels controlled for differential steering.

Abstract: Left and right side clutches (15) and side brakes (18), each fashioned into a frictional disk type, are disposed between an axle-driving power output shaft (12) and left and right wheel axles (11). Axially spaced left and right side clutch gears (13) which carry, at boss portions thereof, left and right clutch housings (14) extending towards each other are rotatably mounted on the output shaft. The clutch of each side is disposed within each of the housing (14) and includes frictional elements (17) supported by the housing. The brake of each side is disposed within a space around each housing (14) and includes frictional element(s) (20) supported by the housing.The clutch and brake of each side are operated by a single mechanism including a shifter sleeve (22), slidably mounted on the housing (14), and a pivotal clutch control arm (21) extending through a peripheral wall of the housing.

Abstract: A water washing robot having features uniquely useful in cleaning the interior of oil storage tanks and which comprises components that can be independently moved inside a storage tank and conveniently assembled therein. The assembled robot comprises a frame, a positive displacement pump carried by the frame, an articulatable water washing nozzle detachably mounted on the frame for spraying water on the interior surfaces of a storage tank. The robot is hydraulically powered.

Abstract: A steering mechanism for a tracked vehicle wherein a motor-operated gear is rranged to rotate two planetary gear components in opposite directions. A single input shaft drives two planetary gear systems at different speeds and/or different directions to achieve a vehicle steer action. The mechanism is compactly arranged so that the control gearing is centered on the input shaft axis.

Abstract: A driving and steering mechanism for a vehicle having a pair of driving wheels includes a steering wheel rotatably mounted to the vehicle and an accelerator foot pedal pivotably mounted to the vehicle. Transmissions associated with the driving wheels include a pivotable control arm for controlling the operation of the transmission, which independently controls the speed and direction of rotation of the associated wheel. The vehicle is turned by causing one wheel to rotate faster than the other wheel. A zero turning radius turn can be effected by causing the driving wheels to rotate in opposite directions.The driving and steering mechanism includes a pair of floating links pivotably connected at one end to a respective transmission control arm. Steering links, associated with the steering wheel, are pivotably connected to a respective floating link distal the connection to the control link.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transmission having an input shaft coupled to a motor unit on one side of the transmission and a braking device located on the other side of the unit. Planetary gear trains are located together on one side of the gear box with shafts coupled to the drive wheels or tracks extending through the braking unit on one side and through the gear box on the other. The gear box is connected to the planetary gear train by an output shaft and housing which is also connected to the braking device. Finally, a steering device is located within the transmission housing and serves to controllably interconnect the planetary gear of the planetary gear trains. This advantageously permits the brake unit to be mounted outside of the transmission housing which includes the planetary gear trains, the gear box and the steering device.

Abstract: A motorized wheel chair is provided comprising a chassis having two rear wheels and one front wheel mounted thereon. The front wheel is steerable by a handlebar. The rear wheels are driven by an electric motor, coupled to a gearbox, for reducing the speed of the wheel chair. The gearbox drives a friction drive assembly which is engageable with the rear wheels and also is coupled to the handlebar such that one of the rear wheels will be disengaged depending upon which direction the handlebar is turned. The device is provided with a switch which cuts power to the device when a change in surface elevation of a desired amount is detected either in front of or behind the device. A second switch may be provided to stop the vehicle upon contact with a foreign object. A third switch may be activated remotely to stop the device. Also, the chassis is adjustable in length, such that as a child grows the device may be adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A driving and steering mechanism for a vehicle having a pair of driving wheels includes a steering wheel rotatably mounted to the vehicle and an accelerator foot pedal pivotably mounted to the vehicle. Transmissions associated with the driving wheels include a pivotable control arm for controlling the operation of the transmission, which independently controls the speed and direction of rotation of the associated wheel. The vehicle is turned by causing one wheel to rotate faster than the other wheel. A zero turning radius turn can be effected by causing the driving wheels to rotate in opposite directions.The driving and steering mechanism includes a pair of floating links pivotably connected at one end to a respective transmission control arm. Steering links, associated with the steering wheel, are pivotably connected to a respective floating link distal the connection to the control link.

Abstract: A process is described which will autonomously map an area, autonomously rch for concentrations of depleted uranium, automatically record the intensity of radiation, and record the exact map location in real time.