Interrelated Fluid Unit And Gear Control Patents (Class 475/78)
  • Patent number: 10661913
    Abstract: A hybrid ram air turbine assembly includes a turbine portion having a plurality of turbine blades connected to a turbine shaft via a hub. A pivot joint is connected to the turbine portion by a hydraulic pump and an electric generator. The hydraulic pump and the electric generator are in-line with each other, and the turbine shaft is connected to a generator input shaft via a first gear set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Larson, William E. Seidel, Scott J. Marks, Timothy Scott Konicek
  • Patent number: 9097320
    Abstract: A planetary gear train of an automatic transmission may include: a first input shaft; a second parallel shaft; a compound planetary gear set on the second shaft, and including a first rotation element engageable with the first shaft through two paths respectively having an external gear, a second rotation element connected to an output gear so as to be operated as an output element, a third rotation element engageable with the first shaft through one path having an external gear and selectively fixed, and a fourth rotation element engageable with the first shaft through one path having an external gear and selectively fixed; four transfer gears forming the external gears; frictional elements including clutches selectively connecting the first, third, and fourth rotation elements to the first shaft and brakes selectively connecting the third and fourth rotation elements to a transmission housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Chang Wook Lee, Kangsoo Seo, Jae Chang Kook, Jongsool Park, Myonghoon Noh
  • Patent number: 8961347
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission (CVT) for a vehicle engine which provides enhanced cold starting and reduced wear under all conditions. The transmission includes mechanical transmission components, hydrostatic transmission components, and a clutch to decouple only the mechanical transmission components from driving engagement with the engine or other power source. Decoupling allows cold starting with significantly reduced parasitic losses. The transmission may use a hydraulic circuit to re-engage the mechanical transmission components with the input power source and full driving re-engagement of the transmission with the power source, such as an engine, after the transmission reaches a desired speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Corey Vaughn
  • Patent number: 8958959
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelling construction machine which has a chassis 1 which has wheels or crawler track units 1A, 1B. The construction machine according to the invention is distinguished by the fact that the gear mechanism system 6 for transmitting the drive power from the drive unit 5, which comprises at least one internal combustion engine 5A, to the working unit 4, which comprises at least one working assembly 4A, does not have a conventional clutch with which the working unit can be activated but instead has a hydrodynamic gear mechanism 10 which has a drive shaft 10A and an output shaft 10B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried von Schönebeck, Sascha Schwippert, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 8764596
    Abstract: A transmission system of a vehicle comprises a pump, an auxiliary pump, and a transmission. The pump pressurizes transmission oil when an engine is operating. The auxiliary pump operably coupled to the pump and located parallel to the pump that pressurizes the transmission oil when the engine is not operating. The transmission selects a gear ratio based on the pressurized transmission oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Inventors: Eric S. Tryon, William S. Reed, Matthew R. Knoth
  • Patent number: 8571774
    Abstract: One disclosed embodiment relates to a propulsion system for a machine. The propulsion system may include a prime mover operatively connected through a continuously variable transmission to a propulsion device. The propulsion system may also include propulsion-system controls that control an operating parameter of the continuously variable transmission, which may include adjusting the operating parameter based on operator input. Controlling the operating parameter may also include determining an adjustment limit for the operating parameter based on one or more operating conditions and applying the adjustment limit to the operating parameter to modify at least one of acceleration and jerk of the machine based on the one or more operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kristofor Lee Dahl, Brian Douglas Hoff, Richard George Ingram, Michael Anthony Spielman, Jr., Benjamin B. Schmuck, Alberto Martinez, Jr., Yaang Zhao
  • Publication number: 20130274048
    Abstract: A transmission unit comprises a planetary wheel set, which comprises a plurality of gearwheel elements and is designed as a pump which effects delivery of hydraulic fluid from a suction zone to a pressure zone of a pump casing containing the planetary wheel set by means of the gearwheel elements. A controllable throttling device is provided in order to selectively throttle a fluid flow pumped between the suction zone and the pressure zone and thereby to brake the gearwheel elements of the planetary wheel set relative to one another. A fluid reservoir, which can be connected simultaneously to the suction zone and to the pressure zone via the throttling device, is arranged in a pump casing interspace formed between a plurality of gearwheel elements of the planetary wheel set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: MAGNA Powertrain AG & Co KG
    Inventor: Herbert Steinwender
  • Publication number: 20130165287
    Abstract: A hydrostatic mechanical transmission according to the disclosure includes: a hydrostatic transmission which transmits power generated in an engine using a pump and a motor; a main transmission unit which transmits the engine power to a final driving unit through a driving shaft; a complex planetary gear which synthesizes and transmits the engine power transmitted from the hydrostatic transmission and the main transmission unit; and an automatic manual sub-gearshift which receives the synthesized engine power from the complex planetary gear so as to perform a transmission function and transmits the engine power to the final driving unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: LS Mtron Ltd.
    Inventors: Su Chul KIM, Sang Heon Lee, Sang Hyun Kim
  • Publication number: 20130137542
    Abstract: A power split transmission, in particular an input-coupled power split transmission, includes a mechanical branch and a hydrostatic branch connected in parallel therewith. The hydrostatic branch has a closed hydraulic circuit with a first working line and a second working line with one of the working lines carrying high pressure and the other carrying low pressure. The circuit has a pressure accumulator for pressure regulation connected to the respective working line carrying high pressure. This configuration provides a power split transmission that has a hydraulic circuit in which the respective working line carrying high pressure is hydraulically smoother or more flexible by virtue of the preferably continuous connection of the pressure accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Robert Bosch GmbH
  • Patent number: 8388484
    Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed for providing an “end-stop” function for a variator in a continuously variable transmission. The variator (8) needs some arrangement for preventing its own drive ratio from going beyond a ratio limit. In accordance with the present invention, this is provided by means of a one-way clutch (22 or 24). The one-way clutch is coupled to both the variators input and its output, and is arranged to engage (lock up) when the variator reaches its ratio limit, so that the variator is prevented from going beyond the limits. The invention is particularly suited to use with transmissions which provide two regimes and a synchronous change between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Torotrak (Development) Limited
    Inventor: Stephen William Murray
  • Publication number: 20120231914
    Abstract: A continuously variable hydrostatic transmission (10) having torque division for a vehicle comprises a first hydrostatic unit (H1) operating as a pump and a second hydrostatic unit (H2) operating as a motor, and further a planetary drive (12), a first shaft (W1) on the drive side and a summing means (W6). The power present at the first shaft (W1) is divided by way of the planetary drive (12) to a mechanical transmission branch (Z9, W2, Z1, Z2) and a hydraulic transmission branch (Z7, W3, Z4, Z5, Z6, H1, H2) formed by the two hydraulically coupled hydrostatic units (H1, H2) and is combined again at the summing means (W6). In such a transmission, a compact and simplified design and great flexibility in application are achieved in that the power transmission between the first shaft (W1) and summing means (W6) can be controlled exclusively by varying the displacements of the hydrostatic units (H1, H2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: MALI Holding AG
    Inventors: Markus Liebherr, Peter Dziuba, Josef Häglsperger
  • Publication number: 20120108378
    Abstract: A sun gear of a first planetary gear train is connected to an input shaft. A carrier of the first planetary gear train is connected to a sun gear of a second planetary gear train and to a first pump/motor. A ring gear of the first planetary gear train is connected to a second pump/motor, and a ring gear of the second planetary gear train is connected to an output shaft. A first clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging a carrier of the second planetary gear train and the ring gear of the first planetary gear train with and from each other, and a second clutch is provided for engaging and disengaging the carrier of the second planetary gear train and a fixed end with and from each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo HIRAKI, Takehiro KOMATSU
  • Patent number: 7998009
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanical and hydraulic composite transmission device which includes an engine, a transmission, a planetary gear case, a variable displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor and a transmission gearbox. The planetary gear case distributes the power driven by the engine to drive the variable displacement hydraulic pump and the center gear respectively. The variable displacement hydraulic pump is connected with and drives a hydraulic motor and a half shaft orderly. The half shaft converges a mechanical power flow driven by the center gear and a hydraulic power flow driven by the hydraulic motor, and extends out of the planetary gear case so as to export power. The special vehicle can run at stepless variable speed under the mechanical and hydraulic composite transmission means while the working device on the vehicle is driven under the mechanical transmission means to work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventors: Hongjian Zhao, Hongzhi Zhao
  • Patent number: 7806796
    Abstract: A power device for motor vehicles installed on a motor vehicle with an internal combustion engine is composed of a first variable displacement hydraulic activator (107), a second variable displacement hydraulic activator (108), a planetary gear mechanism (103) and a mechanical transmission (104). The power device further includes a hydraulic control device (109) and an electronic control device (112) which are used to control the first and second variable displacement hydraulic activators. The control device may carry out the following controls, that is, during the period when the engine outputs power, part of mechanical energy is converted into electric energy via the motor to be stored in the chargeable cell when the power requirement from the motor vehicle increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Raphael Zhu
  • Patent number: 7744499
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission system. The system includes an engine having a drive shaft that extends into and supplies power to a gear box having a first and second planetary gear set, wherein the first and second planetary gear set includes a sun with a first ring gear fixed and a carrier coupled to the drive shaft through a double clutch, a hydraulic pump driven by the engine and hydraulically coupled to a hydraulic motor, a low pressure accumulator coupled to the motor and the pump, a high pressure accumulator coupled to the motor and the pump, wherein the hydraulic motor couples to the suns of both planetary gear sets, wherein the engine drives the carrier of the second planetary gear set with the ring of the second planetary gear set coupled to the drive shaft through a double clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventor: Gary Lee Stecklein
  • Publication number: 20100069193
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling a drive system (1) and to a drive system (1) having a drive machine (2) which is connected to a first element (6) of an epicyclic gearing (5). The drive system (1) also comprises a shift gearing (4) which is connected to a third element (9) of the epicyclic gearing. Also provided is a hydrostatic machine (3) which is connected to a second element (7) of the epicyclic gearing (5). The hydrostatic machine (3) is set to a negligible displacement volume (VhM) A gear stage of the shift gearing (4) is engaged. The displacement volume (VhM) of the hydrostatic machine (3) is increased and the hydrostatic machine (3) charges a hydraulic accumulator (26). After moment equilibrium is reached in the epicyclic gearing (5), the displacement volume (VhM) of the hydrostatic machine (3) is supplied to the epicyclic gearing (5). In the event of synchronization of the epicyclic gearing (5), a clutch (12) for blocking the epicyclic gearing (5) is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias MUELLER, Steffen MUTSCHLER
  • Patent number: 7597641
    Abstract: A gearing unit of a power transferring system includes an input shaft, a hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor, a worm rod and a worm wheel which is cooperated with a pair of planet gears. An output shaft is connected with the worm wheel to transfer torque so as to improve the initial speed, upward slope driving, gear shifting and braking of vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Po-Lu Chen
  • Patent number: 7588510
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission for an agriculture vehicle, such as a tractor. The transmission includes an input shaft, a hydrostatic unit driven by the input shaft, a mechanical transmission driven by the hydrostatic unit and/or the input shaft, and a valve assembly having a pressure control valve assembly to control an output speed of the hydrostatic unit. A mechanical shift control valve assembly is coupled with the mechanical transmission to selectively engage one of the gear sets of the mechanical transmission and adjust the hydrostatic unit speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Douglas R. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7588509
    Abstract: Two parallel planetary gear sets with a common sun gear output are geared to a hydraulic pump and motor system. Input is applied to both planetary gear sets in parallel. Output is from both planetary gear sets in parallel. Two planetary gear set members, one in each set, are geared to the pump and motor and are used to control the ratio of the infinitely variable gear transmission (IVGT). The displacement ratio of the pump and motor, connected to these two members, controls the ratio of the IVGT.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventor: John David Marsha
  • Publication number: 20090105028
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission system or electromechanical transmission system is described which uses pumps/motors or generators/motors having smaller capacity than those employed in the conventional techniques, irrespective of setting of a mode switching point that is a basis for shifting between an input split mode and a compound split mode. A sun gear 7 of a first planetary gear train 5 is connected to an input shaft 4; a carrier 9 of the first planetary gear train 5 is connected to a sun gear 11 of a second planetary gear train 6 and to a first pump/motor 16; a ring gear 10 of the first planetary gear train 5 is connected to a second pump/motor 20; and a ring gear 14 of the second planetary gear train 6 is connected to an output shaft 25.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takehiro Komatsu
  • Patent number: 7416503
    Abstract: A transmission is provided which has a very compact system configuration and is capable of exerting high energy efficiency over all speed regions from a low speed region to a high speed region, while providing improved operability free from a torque shortage. To this end, the transmission has an input shaft 3, an intermediate output shaft 8, a planetary gear mechanism 9, a first pump-motor 7, and a second pump-motor 15 connected to the first pump-motor 7, the input shaft 3 being coupled to a first element (planetary carrier 12) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the second pump-motor 15 being coupled to a second element (sun gear 19) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, the intermediate output shaft 8 being coupled to a third element (ring gear 16) of the planetary gear mechanism 9, and the transmission further comprising a switching mechanism (synchromesh mechanism 6) for selectively coupling the first pump-motor 7 to either the input shaft 3 or the intermediate output shaft 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hikosaburo Hiraki, Takashi Kuse, Toshikazu Okada, Shigeru Yamamoto, Naoki Ishizaki
  • Patent number: 7381144
    Abstract: A gearbox assembly, in particular for a wheel drive of a vehicle with a hydrostatic gearbox having, according to a first driving mode, the sun gear of the single planetary stage in effective interaction with a ring gear of the planetary stage via a first coupling, so that the output speed of the planetary stage is a linear function of the output speed of the hydrostatic gearbox and that, according to a second driving mode, the ring gear is in effective interaction with the hydrostatic gearbox, wherein, at the same time, the sun gear is in effective interaction with a gearbox input shaft via a second coupling so that as a consequence of power distribution, the speeds of the ring gear and the sun gear overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Lohmann & Stolterfoht GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Meise, Bernhard Langenbeck, Steffan Reiblein, Frank Nagel
  • Patent number: 7354368
    Abstract: A method for achieving high quality shifts with one hydraulic unit near zero displacement when using dog clutches. This method includes selecting the proper displacement and vocation (whether the hydrostatic unit works as a pump or motor) of a low displacement hydraulic unit during the shift, selecting the appropriate speed differential between the clutch elements, selecting the proper vehicle speed at which to make the shift, and sequencing the displacement changes of the hydraulic units with a controller in order to achieve the desired shift conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sauer-Danfoss Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic W Pollman
  • Patent number: 7247113
    Abstract: In a working vehicle, a variable output HST and a planetary gear unit are connected with an engine, which is supported on a vehicle frame closer to a first side of a fore and aft direction of the vehicle in vibration free manner so as to together constitute a driving-side unit, which is integrally supported on the vehicle frame in vibration free manner. A transmission case of a transmission is fixedly supported on the vehicle frame closer to a second side of the fore and aft direction of the vehicle with a distance from the driving-side unit. An output element of the planetary gear unit is operatively connected with a wheel drive train of the transmission via a shaft coupling extending along the fore and aft direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokýukoki Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Atsuo Yoshina, Shigenori Sakikawa
  • Patent number: 7207916
    Abstract: A PTO transmission transmits power from an engine-driven shaft to a PTO shaft. The transmission includes a variable displacement hydraulic pump driven by the engine-driven shaft. A planetary transmission unit includes a ring gear driven by the engine-driven shaft, a planet carrier drivingly coupled to the PTO shaft, planet gears rotatably mounted on the planet carrier and in meshing engagement with the ring gear, and a sun gear in meshing engagement with the planet gears and drivingly connected to a fixed displacement variable speed hydraulic motor hydraulically driven by the pump. A one-way clutch is coupled to the sun gear. The one-way clutch allows the sun gear to rotate in only one direction so that at rated engine speed all power is transmitted mechanically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Reno Antonio Rodeghiero, Werner Stettler, Barbara Klabunde, James Albert Niebergall
  • Patent number: 7121970
    Abstract: A variable relief valve is inserted in a hydraulic piping for connecting a first pump/motor to a second pump/motor. The variable relief valve is controlled such that when shifting the transmission from forward to reverse or vice versa, a relief set pressure of the variable relief valve is reduced in response to switching of a forward/reverse shifting clutch mechanism and after completion of the switching of the forward/reverse shifting clutch mechanism, the relief set value is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Funato, Toshikazu Okada, Shigeru Yamamoto, Tomohiro Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 6880429
    Abstract: A transmission assembly includes a housing, an input shaft driveably engaged with a drive source and being rotatably supported in the housing, and an output shaft rotatably supported in the housing. A hydrostatic transmission component is disposed within the housing and is drivingly engaged with the input shaft. A mechanical transmission component is disposed within the housing and is drivingly engaged with the input shaft. The hydrostatic transmission component and the mechanical transmission component are drivingly engaged with the output shaft. The hydrostatic transmission component is moveably mounted within the housing and is axially moveable relative to the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Inventors: Steven A. Daniel, Michael G. Cronin
  • Patent number: 6773368
    Abstract: A power dividing device for a vehicle transmission to provide two rotating outputs having variable relative speed of rotation from a single rotatable input. The device includes a first rotational element and a second rotational element housed within the first element and rotatable about the same axis as the second rotational output. A first fluid chamber associated with the first rotational element and first regulating means to varies the volume of the first chamber in response to rotation of the first rotational element. A second fluid chamber associated with the second rotational element and second regulating means likewise varies the volume to the flow between the first and second chambers the relative timing of variation of the volumes of the first and second chambers determines the speed of the second rotational element in response to rotation of the first rotational element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Geoffrey Allan Williames
  • Patent number: 6761438
    Abstract: In a pump driver for selectively driving a plurality of pumps, a sun gear is rotated by a single drive source. A planetary gear is meshed with the sun gear. A planetary carrier rotatably supports the planetary gear revolvably around the sun gear. A plurality of driving gears are arranged in a one-by-one manner with respect to the pumps such that the planetary gear meshes with one of the driving gears to selectively drive one of the pumps. A revolution limiter allows a revolution of the planetary gear in a first direction and restricts a revolution of the planetary gear in a second direction opposite to the first direction at a position where the planetary gear meshes with one of the driving gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Sato, Kenichiro Arai, Hiroshi Narita
  • Patent number: 6663525
    Abstract: The transmission includes a planetary gear arrangement having a rotatable output, a first rotatable input connected to an output of a fluid motor, and a second rotatable input connected to a clutch or other device engageable or operable for connecting the second input to a rotatable mechanical power source. The transmission includes a fluid operated brake or other device engageable or operable when fluid therein is pressurized for connecting the second input of the gear arrangement to a fixed member for preventing rotation of the second input. When the transmission is placed or moved into a neutral operating state or condition, the fluid brake or other device is automatically engaged or operated to prevent rotation of the second input, and flow of pressurized fluid through the fluid motor is automatically prevented, such that driving rotation of the output of the transmission is prevented. Then, when the fluid brake or other device is depressurized, the transmission output can be manually rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. McKee, Jimmie Clifford, Patrick Dinnon
  • Publication number: 20030125147
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling a transmission in a work machine is provided. The output of a hydrostatic transmission having a source of pressurized fluid is combined with the output of a mechanical transmission having at least one engaged clutch. An operational speed of an engine that provides an input to both the hydrostatic transmission and the mechanical transmission is sensed. The at least one clutch of the mechanical transmission is disengaged and the displacement of the source of pressurized fluid is modified when the operational speed of the engine drops below a stall limit. The disengagement of the at least one clutch and the modification of the displacement of the source of pressurized fluid allow the operational speed of the engine to rise above the stall limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: F. Paul Lutgen
  • Publication number: 20020086757
    Abstract: A shift manipulating apparatus for an automatic transmission is disclosed that transmits manipulating force from a shift lever to a manual valve to position the spool of a manual valve at identical places in ranges P and N. The apparatus comprises a shift lever to receive shift range selection manipulating force of a driver; a manual valve to control oil pressure of the automatic transmission; and a linkage unit for connecting the shift lever and the spool of the manual valve to enable the spool to identically form an interconnection state of ports according to pivot of the shift lever in ranges P and N.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventor: Chang-Wook Lee
  • Publication number: 20020086756
    Abstract: This invention provides a hydraulic control system for controlling a power train including four clutches and two brakes, wherein a first pressure controlled by a first solenoid valve is selectively supplied to two clutches of the power train under control of a first switch valve, a second pressure controlled by a second control valve is selectively supplied to another clutch and a first brake of the power train under control of a second switch valve, hydraulic pressure from a port of a manual valve is supplied to yet another clutch via a control valve, hydraulic pressure from another port of the manual valve is supplied to a second brake via another control valve, and the two control valves are controlled by a third solenoid valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Inventors: Jong-Sool Park, Chang-Wook Lee, Joon-Bae Kim, Jae-Duk Jang, Tae-Kyun Kim, Jin-Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 6358174
    Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission has an operating assembly including an input hydrostatic unit (50) and an output hydrostatic unit (60), each having a rotating cylinder (180, 182) and piston element (210, 212) and a non-rotating yoke element (150, 151). The non-rotating elements are yoke elements (150, 151) linked together to react the separating forces internally, bypassing the housing (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Folsom Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence R. Folsom, Clive Tucker
  • Publication number: 20010029218
    Abstract: A transmission assembly having a hydrostatic transmission with a variable displacement hydraulic device which controls a motor speed ratio. The transmission assembly further includes a mechanical transmission coupled to the hydrostatic transmission and having a first range and a second range and an output shaft driven at a travel speed ratio. The torque through the hydrostatic transmission reverses when the mechanical transmission shifts from the first range to the second range. A synchronous travel speed ratio is the motor speed ratio which produces the same travel speed ratio in both the first gear range and the second gear range. An equal displacement travel speed ratio is the travel speed ratio at which a displacement of the variable displacement device in the second gear range is the same as the displacement in the first gear range. A travel speed ratio differential is a difference between the synchronous speed ratio and the equal displacement travel speed ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 11, 2001
    Inventors: Michael G. Cronin, Brian D. Kuras
  • Patent number: 6269713
    Abstract: A vehicle which can achieve high speed traveling performance as achieved by a normal vehicle, and which can be continuously driven at inching speed with a traveling prime mover of high revolution speed and high output. The vehicle includes a power train including a primary power transmission for normal traveling, which is connected to a prime mover for normal traveling, for transmitting a rotational torque of the traveling prime mover to driving wheels, through a rotary power transmission shaft, a drive shaft speed reducer and drive shaft, an external power takeoff mechanism incorporated in the primary power transmission, a hydraulic pressure generator connected to an external power takeoff shaft of the external power takeoff mechanism, and a hydraulically controlled power transmission for traveling at inching speed, which includes a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pressure generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignees: Projet Company Limited
    Inventor: Osamu Ohke
  • Patent number: 6067878
    Abstract: A system for automatically preventing gear shift operation in a timber harvesting tractor when the tractor is moving. The system includes a drive train powered by a transmission. The drive train includes a transfer case which is shifted by the operator of the tractor through manipulation of an electrical control circuit. The electrical control circuit is rendered ineffective to shift the transfer case when the drive train is being driven by the transmission and the tractor is moving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad K. Jorgensen
  • Patent number: 5971881
    Abstract: A variable speed, reversible transmission that utilizes two gerotor pumps for variable controlling the speed of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input member connectable to a drive source drives first and second epicyclic gear trains, which drive the two pumps. As the fluid flow through each pump is variably restricted, the epicyclic gears associated therewith revolve about the input member, causing a worm gear intermediate the input member and the output member to variably rotate in a forward or reverse direction. The worm gear transmits rotational power from the input member to the output member in response to the fluid flow restriction through each pump. The present invention also provides for the two pumps comprising a modular pump unit and a system of transmissions employing a common modular pump assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Norman E. Jolliff
  • Patent number: 5931758
    Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission receives split power inputs from a vehicle engine, one split input driving a hydrostatic power unit and the other split input driving a mechanical power input. The infinitely variable hydrostatic power output is combined in the mechanical power unit with multiple ratios of its split input power to achieve infinitely variable ratios of hydromechanical output power for smoothly propelling a vehicle from rest through multiple transmission ranges to maximum speed, with synchronous shifting between ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn Bayne Walter
  • Patent number: 5868640
    Abstract: A hydromechanical transmission includes a hydrostatic transmission, a mechanical transmission having a planetary gearing mechanism, both being driven by an engine. The output of the hydrostatic transmission interacts with the mechanical transmission to provide infinitely adjustable power flow through the hydromechanical transmission. The planetary gearing mechanism includes two planetary gear sets and four members to connect the hydromechanical transmission to an output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Alan R. Coutant
  • Patent number: 5865700
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission for an agricultural work vehicle is provided including a motor, a clutch and a differential assembly. The clutch which is rotatably supported by a housing includes first and second input shafts and a first output shaft. The first output shaft is configured to selectively couple to the first and second input shafts. The motor is coupled to the second input shaft, and the differential assembly which is rotatably supported by the housing is coupled to the first output shaft. The differential assembly includes a third input shaft coupled to the first output shaft, and a fourth input shaft coupled to the motor, and a second output shaft. The speed of the second output shaft is a combination of the speeds of the third and fourth input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Horsch
  • Patent number: 5860884
    Abstract: A variable speed transmission or transaxle that utilizes a pump for variable braking of the output shaft or axle. A rotatable input shaft connectable to a drive source extends into a transmission housing and is operatively connected to a gear train that transmits rotational power to a transmission output shaft. A gerotor pump mounted within the housing utilizes a ring gear of an epicyclic gear of the gear train as an inner gerotor gear that meshes with an outer gerotor gear to pump fluid along a fluid conduit. By adjustably varying the resistance of the pump, the revolution rate of the epicyclic ring gear is adjusted which in turn results in a controlling of the speed of rotation of the transmission output shaft. In an alternate embodiment, a reversible transmission is provided by employing two gerotor pumps and two gear trains which allow forward and reverse speeds of rotation of the output shaft to be variably controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Norman E. Jolliff
  • Patent number: 5809846
    Abstract: A method of power transmission in a mechanical/hydraulic type transmission system, by which changeover is smoothly effected between hydraulic power transmission and mechanical power transmission is provided. To this end, there are provided a hydraulic power transmitting means, for transmitting a mechanical power (Pm), which has been converted by a hydraulic motor (42), to the outside (300) by the engagement of a clutch (A), and a mechanical power transmitting means for transmitting a mechanical power (Po) to the outside (300) by the engagement of a clutch (B). Upon changeover from hydraulic power transmission to mechanical power transmission, the releasing of the clutch (A) is performed after the engagement of the clutch (B) is started and before the engagement of the clutch (B) is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Ohkura, Noboru Kanayama
  • Patent number: 5682315
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling a split torque transmission having a hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission. The control system employs a transmission control and includes a transmission input speed sensor, a transmission output speed sensor, a motor speed sensor, a speed input mechanism, a direction control mechanism, and a range selector mechanism. A microprocessor including a fuzzy controller controls the transmission in response to a input from the speed sensors and the speed input mechanism, the direction control mechanism and the range control mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Coutant, Michael G. Cronin, Jerry D. Marr, Sanjay Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 5636119
    Abstract: A downstream rate limiting control is provided for controlling a continuously variable transmission. The rate limiting control monitors a input and a current machine state and computes the difference between these two inputs and compares the computed error to a predefined rate table to determine if the computed error should be limited or modified. The rate signal will modify the computed error within the control logic with respect to operator comfort and machine parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Coutant, Sanjay Rajagopalan
  • Patent number: 5624339
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the shift points in a continuously variable transmission having a closed loop control wherein the output of the continuously variable transmission is generated by a hydrostatic transmission or by a combination of the hydrostatic transmission and a mechanical transmission having a summing planetary and high and low speed clutches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Coutant, Jerry D. Marr
  • Patent number: 5531304
    Abstract: Upon detection of execution of operation for stopping a vehicle during its running state and of a drop in an actual speed ratio below a predetermined value, the actual speed ratio being the actual ratio of the revolution speed of an output shaft to the revolution speed of a power source, a feedback amount is determined, setting the integral component of the difference between a target motor speed ratio and an actual motor speed ratio to zero. Based on the feedback amount thus determined, an operation amount for controlling the angle of a swash plate is computed. With this amount, the angle of the swash plate is controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventors: Tsutomu Ishino, Ryoichi Maruyama, Hiroshi Nakagami, Hisao Asada
  • Patent number: 5421790
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission includes an input shaft, an output shaft, and first and second epicyclic gear trains, each with an input member, an output member and a reaction member. An hydrostatic shunt loop including first and second hydraulically interconnected variable displacement hydraulic units interconnects the two epicyclic gear trains. The input members of both epicyclic gear trains are driven from the input shaft, and the output members of both epicyclic gear trains drive the output shaft. First and second drive trains are provided for alternatively coupling the first variable displacement hydraulic unit respectively to either the input shaft or the reaction member of the first epicyclic gear train. Third and fourth drive trains are provided for alternatively coupling the second variable displacement hydraulic unit respectively to either the output shaft or the reaction member of the second epicyclic gear train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Massey-Ferguson S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Lasoen
  • Patent number: 5391122
    Abstract: A hydromechanical drive system having a swash-plate type hydrostatic axial piston engine and a mechanical transmission including a connection plate having a control surface. The axial piston engine includes an outer housing and a cylindrical drum with working cylinders located within the outer housing. Hydraulic-medium channels are formed in the connection plate which open onto the control surface and the working cylinders are periodically connected with the hydraulic-medium channels during rotation of the cylindrical drum. A gear element is located on the connection plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Forster
  • Patent number: RE37458
    Abstract: A hydro-mechanical transmission for an agricultural work vehicle is provided including a motor, a clutch and a differential assembly. The clutch which is rotatably supported by a housing includes first and second input shafts and a first output shaft. The first output shaft is configured to selectively couple to the first and second input shafts. The motor is coupled to the second input shaft, and the differential assembly which is rotatably supported by the housing is coupled to the first output shaft. The differential assembly includes a third input shaft coupled to the first output shaft, and a fourth input shaft coupled to the motor, and a second output shaft. The speed of the second output shaft is a combination of the speeds of the third and fourth input shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Horsch