Abstract: A hydrostatic clutch system for dually charging the accumulators while speeding up and slowing down. The hydrostatic clutch system includes a hydraulic pump having a pump housing with openings therein; a manifold/end cover; and a fluid circuit assembly in operable communication with the hydraulic pump. The hydrostatic clutch system may be used with at least one transmission or gear set in operable communication with the hydrostatic clutch. The hydrostatic clutch system may be used to create a variable speed from a fixed input speed. The hydrostatic clutch system may also be used as a hybrid system by changing the pump into a motor for launch and for powering the vehicle with the engine disconnected using accumulated hydraulic pressure. The hydrostatic clutch system captures the resistance of the weight of the vehicle in order to make power while the vehicle is accelerating.

Abstract: A fan drive system is provided that is hydraulically controlled having an electrical failure mode wherein midrange operation of the fan drive system is maintained. Accordingly, in the failure mode, a fan drive system hydraulic relief valve is not closed thereby ensuring a degree of operation of the fan drive system even during periods of electrical failure.

Abstract: A clutch device includes a sleeve-shaped first drive member, a first seal member, a second seal member, a plug, a second drive member, and a control member. The first drive member, the first seal member and second seal member cooperate to form a sealed chamber filled with hydraulic liquid. The plug divides the sealed chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, and the plug defines a screw hole and an opening communicating the first chamber with the second chamber respectively. An output shaft is extended from the plug. The second drive member is driven by the first drive member, and includes a screw shaft threadedly engaged with the screw hole of the plug. The control member is configured for covering or uncovering the opening of the plug. The clutch device is used for prevent overload.

Abstract: A shaft coupling device to couple first (10) and second (12) shafts, said device comprising a fluid coupling (14) having a first portion (14a) attached to the first shaft (10) and a second portion (14b) attached to the second shaft (12) wherein the device further comprises engagement means (44) operable to switch the device between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the engaged position having each of the first and second shafts (10, 12) engaged with its respective portion (14a, 14b) of the fluid coupling and the disengaged position having at least one of the first and second shafts (10, 12) disengaged from its respective portion (14a, 14b) of the fluid coupling.

Abstract: A hydraulically actuated torque coupling device is provided for transmitting a drive torque from an input to at least one output. The torque coupling device comprises a rotatable hydraulic manifold block having a plurality of cylinder bores defined therein, a multi-lobed cam ring rotatable coaxially with the manifold block, a plurality of pistons each disposed within corresponding one of the plurality of cylinder bores in the manifold block for reciprocating therewithin upon relative rotational movement between the manifold block and the cam ring and defining a plurality of pressure chambers within the corresponding cylinder bores, and restrictor device in fluid communication with each of the plurality of pressure chambers such that the restrictor device controls a discharge pressure attainable within each of the plurality of pressure chambers during discharge strokes. Each of the plurality of pistons rotably engages the at least one cam ring at distal ends thereof.

Abstract: A clutch operating system includes a clutch pedal; a clutch master cylinder that generates hydraulic pressure by operation of the clutch pedal; a clutch release cylinder that operates the clutch by the hydraulic pressure; and a clutch fluid reservoir that stores fluid. The clutch master cylinder includes a cylinder with a wide section, an intermediate section, and a narrow section; a piston in the cylinder, with an intermediate section that fits in the intermediate cylinder section, and a narrow section that fits in the narrow cylinder section; a reservoir fluid line fluidly communicating the clutch fluid reservoir and the clutch master cylinder; an operating fluid line fluidly communicating the clutch release cylinder and the clutch master cylinder; a return spring providing a restoring force to the piston; and a piston rod that delivers movement of a clutch pedal to the piston.

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque between two rotatable, coaxial shaft members (1, 2) contains a clutch (35) between the two shaft members and engageable—to counteract rotational speed differential between the shaft members—by a hydraulic piston (18) under the control of an electrically controlled throttle or pressure valve (26), and a clutch pump (36) for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston, the clutch pump being driven by either one or both of the shaft members. The hydraulic piston (18), the valve (26), and the clutch pump (36) are connected in a hydraulic system also containing a feeder pump (31) for maintaining a certain base pressure in the system. The hydraulic system conditionally allows flow from the feeder pump (31) past the valve (26) to the hydraulic piston (18) irrespective of the flow from the clutch pump (36).

Abstract: A device for transmitting torque between two rotatable, coaxial shaft members contains a clutch between the two shaft members and engageable to counteract rotational speed differential between the shaft members by a hydraulic piston under the control of an electrically controlled throttle or pressure valve, and a clutch pump for supplying hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic piston, the clutch pump being driven by either one or both of the shaft members. The hydraulic piston, the valve, and the clutch pump are connected in a hydraulic system also containing a feeder pump for maintaining a certain base pressure in the system. The hydraulic system conditionally allows flow from the feeder pump past the valve to the hydraulic piston irrespective of the flow from the clutch pump.

Abstract: A power combining device is provide for use in a work system to combine mechanical power and hydraulic power. The power combining device includes a first rotatable input/output member connected to a power source, a second rotatable input/output member connected to a working member. A valving plate, a drive sleeve and a camplate are drivingly connected to the first rotatable input/output member. A rotating barrel having a plurality of piston disposed therein to define pressure chambers is drivingly connected to the second rotatable input/output member and operative in cooperation with the valving plate to control pressurized fluid within the pressurized chambers. The subject power combining device is compact and cost effective to produce.

Abstract: A power combining device is provide for use in a work system to combine mechanical power and hydraulic power. The power combining device includes a first rotatable input/output member connected to a power source, a second rotatable input/output member connected to a working member. A valving plate, a drive sleeve and a camplate are drivingly connected to the first rotatable input/output member. A rotating barrel having a plurality of piston disposed therein to define pressure chambers is drivingly connected to the second rotatable input/output member and operative in cooperation with the valving plate to control pressurized fluid within the pressurized chambers. The subject power combining device is compact and cost effective to produce.

Abstract: A limiter plug and a drain plug are juxtaposed in a valve block. The limiter plug is provided with a thermo-switch of which operation, when a predetermined temperature is reached, opens a communication passage for drainage by means of a limiter pin. The drain plug is provided with a drain pin for draining a high-pressure oil in conjunction with the drainage action of the limit pin induced by the thermo-switch so that, when the predetermined temperature is reached, it substantially nullifies the torque for switching from 4 wheel-drive to 2 wheel-drive. In the status of no operation of the thermo-switch, the drain pin when a predetermined torque is reached, gradually opens the drain hole while catching a balance, to limit the torque to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A valve block coupled to a rotor is provided with a drain mechanism that includes a drain pin adapted to open and close a drain hole. The drain pin is incorporated in a drain plug by providing a support by a return spring. The drain pin has an orifice for generating a flow resistance. One end turn portion of the return spring is press fitted into the interior of the drain pin having the orifice, while the other end turn portion of the return spring is press fitted into the interior of a limiter plug having a limiter pin, whereby the drain pin is rotationally positioned to alleviate cavitation noises.

Abstract: A torque varying mechanism comprises an accommodation hole that has a relief hole formed in its bottom and that receives a check ball therein. The accommodation hole is configured so as to present a relationship in which the area of flow passage between the accommodation hole and the check ball increases linearly as a function of the amount of displacement of the check ball after opening of the relief hole, after which the flow passage area keeps a unvarying value. A hysteresis characteristic is imposed on a switching point where switching is made between a high torque transmission characteristic and a low torque transmission characteristic relative to an increase and a decrease of the vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A joint includes therein a valve serving to cut off torque transmitted from a front wheel associated driving shaft to a rear wheel associated driven shaft by the action of a weight based on a centrifugal force when a predetermined number of rotations is reached. The valve is coupled to a rotor or a housing connected to the driven shaft so that the rotations of the valves are in synchronism with rotations of the driven shaft. For this reason, the number of rotations of the valve is determined by the number of rotations of the rear wheel associated with the driven shaft, allowing the torque to be cut off depending on the vehicle velocity.

Abstract: A drain plug is disposed in a drain hole through which oil is discharged from a high-pressure chamber formed in a valve block. Within the drain plug there is arranged a drain pin that slidably opens and closes the drain hole. A fixed pin serves to restrict a displacement of the drain pin. A thermo-switch is located within a low-pressure chamber behind the drain pin in such a manner as to be urged by a return spring so that the drain pin is pressed to keep the drain hole closed. When a predetermined temperature is reached, the thermo-switch allows its head pin to extend, with the reaction force as a result of abutment of the head pin against the fixed pin causing the thermo-switch to retreat to release the pressing force exerted on the drain pin. In consequence, the drain pin is displaced by a high pressure toward the direction in which the drain hole is opened, allowing high-pressure oil to be drained into the low pressure side.

Abstract: An axially extending extension is formed on a bearing retainer provided adjacent to a valve block of a joint and press-fitted into the interior of a housing. The extension has at its outer peripheral end a bearing by way of which the bearing retainer is rotatably supported by a differential gear case located outside thereof. This allows moment arising from rotational secondary torque received by the housing to be transmitted from the bearing retainer extension via the bearing to the outside differential gear case, thereby preventing the moment from acting on a main shaft which is a centrally located output shaft.

Abstract: A torque characteristic shifting mechanism is provided in an accommodation hole of a rotary valve. The torque characteristic shifting mechanism changes over the torque characteristics in a multi-step manner with an increase of the vehicle velocity by setting the distances so as to meet the relationships R3≈R2>R1 or R2>R3>R1 where R1, R2 and R3 are the distance from a center of rotation of a weight member accommodated rockably around the center of rotation to a center of the ball blocking the drain hole, the distance from the center of rotation to a center of gravity of the weight member and the distance from the center of rotation to a center of a spring, respectively.

Abstract: A plunger is accommodated in each of a plurality of plunger chambers formed axially in a rotor, with the plunger being displaced by rotation of a cam face associated with a housing. A first one way valve for intake is incorporated in the head of each plunger and a second one way valve for discharge is disposed within in a discharge hole leading to the plunger chambers. The intake stroke of the plunger caused by rotation of the cam opens the first one way valve to suck oil from a low pressure chamber into the plunger chamber. The discharge stroke of the plunger opens the second one way valve to allow the discharged oil to flow through the orifice into the low pressure chamber, whereby a torque corresponding to the relative rotational-speed difference is transmitted from the housing side to the rotor side.

Abstract: A receiver comprises an external body (5) having a thrust face (166) and a centring surface (167), and a concentric internal tube (6) with a flange (61) in contact with the thrust face (166), the centring surface (167) being part of a portion (153) of increased thickness which has a shoulder (195) formed by deformation so as to trap and grip, between the latter and the thrust face (166), an intermediate member (95) and the outer periphery of the flange (61).

Abstract: A hydraulic ball coupling assembly (1) comprises an inner hub (2) and an outer hub (3) disposed for relative coaxial rotational engagement. The inner hub (2) includes a continuous sinuate recessed track (4) extending circumferentially around the cylindrical outer surface (5). The outer hub (3) includes a plurality of uniformly spaced axially extending grooves (6) on the inner cylindrical surface (7). The grooves (6) extend in a direction substantially normal to the general effective direction of the sinuate track (4). A slider (10) is reciprocally disposed within each groove (6) and located in the intersecting region (11) of the sinuate track (4) and the respective groove (6) such that relative rotation of the inner and outer hubs (2, 3) causes each slider (10) to oscillate axially within its respective groove (6) while traversing the track (4).

Abstract: A fluid clutch comprising a driving section, a rotational shaft rotated by the driving section, a driving disk driven rotationally by the rotational shaft, a casing containing the disk and rotatable around the rotational shaft as a center, a partitioning member disposed in the casing for dividing the inside of the casing into a torque transmission chamber and an oil reservoir in which an oil is supplied from the oil reservoir to the torque transmission chamber thereby transmitting the torque from the driving disk to the casing, wherein the fluid clutch comprises a pump mechanism that rotates due to a difference between the number of rotations of the rotational shaft and the number of rotation of the casing, a first flow channel for sucking the oil in the torque transmission chamber by the pump mechanism and a second flow channel for sending the oil pressurized by the pump mechanism into the oil reservoir, a valve member for opening and closing a supply aperture formed in the partitioning member for causing th

Abstract: A viscous shear coupling for distributing torque between front and rear axles of an all-wheel drive vehicle is provided which comprises a housing, a set of inner blades interdigitating with a set of outer blades, the inner and outer blades being axially spaced apart from each other and axially slidably mounted within the housing, a viscous liquid located within the housing, an adjusting piston within the housing which is axially displaceable so as to adjust the axial distance between adjacent inner and outer blades. The viscous shear coupling further includes a control pressure circuit for delivery of a control pressure fluid to the adjusting piston, a control valve for regulating the delivery of the control pressure fluid to the adjusting piston, and a control device (e.g., a microprocessor) which calculates a desired adjusting piston speed based on driving conditions and adjusts a valve current delivered to the control valve in order to obtain the desired adjusting piston speed.

Abstract: A locking limited slip planetary differential for the transfer case of an all-wheel drive vehicle. First and second coaxially juxtaposed sun gears are mounted to first and second output shafts, respectively, for rotation therewith. A plurality of first planet gears are rotatably mounted on a carrier, each of which meshes with the first sun gear. A plurality of second planet gears is also rotatably mounted on the carrier. Each of the second planet gears meshes with the second sun gear and with an associated one of the first planet gears. A hydraulically actuated clutch pack is provided for selectively connecting the carrier to the first sun gear to limit relative rotation between the first output shaft and the second output shaft. The clutch pack is actuated by a swash plate pump mechanism provided on the first and second sun gears which supplies hydraulic fluid to the clutch pack when the first and second sun gears rotate relative to one another.

Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator is provided at the outer periphery of and out of contact with a casing of a transmission joint for transmitting torque between two shafts. The electromagnetic actuator produces an electromagnetic field within the joint main body when an exciting current is supplied to a solenoid coil of the actuator. A movable magnetic ring is provided in the casing so as to be movable in the axial direction. The ring is moved in the axial direction by receiving an electromagnetic force induced by the field produced by the electromagnetic actuator. A relief valve connected to the ring is moved over an orifice of a pump, and a spring biasing the relief valve is compressed due to such movement, thereby establishing a relief pressure.

Abstract: Two rotary shafts to transfer a motive power are relatively rotatably coupled. One of the shafts is coupled to a rotor and the other is coupled to a cam. A plurality of plungers which execute a stroke motion in the axial direction by the relative rotation with the cam are provided for the rotor. The oil injection and discharge into/from the plunger enclosing chamber are executed by a rotary valve. The rotary valve automatically switches a phase relation so as to obtain correct opening/closing timings even if the direction of the relative rotation changed. The rotary valve rotates integratedly with the cam side and opens or closes intake/discharge holes of the plungers for a plurality of intake ports and discharge ports which are alternately formed on the cam surface. The discharge ports on the front surface of the rotary valve are mutually coupled by communicating grooves formed on the back surface. An orifice is formed between the communicating groove and the intake port.

Abstract: A device to oppose a difference in relative rotational velocity between two rotatable shafts includes a set of primary braking elements arranged to rotate with one of the shafts and a set of secondary braking elements arranged to rotate with the other shaft, whereby both sets of braking elements are moved into engagement with one another from a free running position in order to oppose the difference in rotational velocity between the two shafts. One of the shafts carries a rotatable unit having a circular surface which is slightly displaced from a 90 degree angle from the drive shafts. This unit is connected for rotation with one set of the braking elements and is movable sideways relative to the other set of braking elements connected to the other shaft.

Abstract: An infinitely variable high efficiency drive mechanism that can act as a transmission or as a coupling between a prime mover and the reducing gears of a standard or automatic transmission, replacing a clutch or torque converter as a means of power transmission. This mechanism includes a hydraulic pump with a self-contained valve that keeps high pressure oil flow to a minimal distance. It can regulate shaft output torque ratio from zero (neutral) to 1:1 in locked position with minimal efficiency losses.

Abstract: A hydrostatic clutch, includes coaxial driving and driven rotative members, so that when in the clutched condition rotative power is transferred from the driving to driven member. The clutch includes a plurality of pistons bearing upon an inclined cam, and move in a reciprocating motion when the cam which is coupled to either the driven or driving shaft, rotates. A second cam also driven by the driven or driving members, is adopted to be disposed with respect to the mobile member which drives it, into two positions offset by 180.degree.. The second cam acting upon a suction valve controlling the intake of hydraulic fluid, via opposing springs. At least one double stage or delivery valve is carried by the same mobile driving or driven member. A fixed casing is connected to the mobile member carrying the delivery valve or valves, through a rotating seal. The fixed casing is connected via a plurality of hydraulic channels to various hydraulic fluid regulation member.

Abstract: This clutch device is designed to be friction-less, and it employs hydraulic fluid for the engaging action upon a drive flange, without the use of friction linings. Primarily, it consists of an internal housing, return spring, piston and pushrod, which are moved by a cam rotated by the power source to cause a pumping action in the housing. Check valves are also included in the stationary housing, and apply and release control valves of the stationary housing open and close the fluid passages, for the clutch engaged, or released clutch condition.

Abstract: A self-contained fan clutch including a housing in which is contained a rotatable drive disc driven by a source of power connected to the housing and the drive disc. Also mounted within the housing is an annular piston having an annular piston portion reciprocable within a cylinder member, the piston portion carrying a friction facing engageable with the driven drive disc when the piston is actuated within the cylinder. The piston divides the cylinder into a high pressure side and a low pressure side with the piston, piston portion and cylinder carried by the housing with the housing having a series of fan blades mounted thereon.The cylinder member mounts a reciprocal pump plunger actuated by a cam mounted on the driven drive disc for pressurizing the high pressure side of the cylinder which causes the friction facing of the piston portion to engage the drive disc and be rotated together with the housing and fans thereon. The pump plunger is actuated by a thermal sensor pill.