Pump And Motor In Series With Planetary Gearing Patents (Class 475/83)
  • Patent number: 6125954
    Abstract: A continuously shifting-type steering system includes a pair of left and right hydrostatic continuously variable transmissions each of which is comprised of a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, and a pair of left and right planetary gear mechanisms each having a first sun gear, a second sun gear, a two-step planetary gear and a carrier. A first driving gear connected to an engine, is operably connected commonly to the left and right first sun gears. Left and right second driving gears secured to motor shafts of the left and right hydraulic motors, are operably connected to the left and right carriers, respectively. Left and right output shafts are operably connected to the left and right second sun gears, respectively. Thus, it is possible to provide an increase in the shifting range of the continuously shifting-type steering system, and an enhancement in low-output performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Oota, Jitsumi Hanafusa, Tomoaki Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6102824
    Abstract: An output shaft is constituted by a plurality of rotary shafts which are disposed on the same axial line so as to be rotatable relative to each other. A cam ring which fixedly encloses one of said rotary shafts has a cam surface with radial projections and recessions on an inner peripheral surface of the cam ring. A cylinder block which is mounted on said one of the rotary shafts has formed therein a plurality of cylinders for containing in each thereof a piston which is radially moved by sliding contact with the cam surface. A sun gear is mounted on said one of the rotary shafts. Planetary gears are mounted on remaining at least one of the rotary shafts so as to be rotatable in gearing mesh with the sun gear and an internal gear which is fixedly mounted around the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignees: Okubo Hagurma Kogyo Kabushiki, Uchida Yuatsu Kiki Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kosodo, Satoshi Otsuka
  • Patent number: 5992150
    Abstract: Hydrostatic transmission comprises a radial piston pump assembly having an axis of rotation and a gear motor. A hydrostatic fluid pathway extends between the gear motor and the radial piston pump such that the gear motor is fluidly coupled to the radial piston pump, wherein the gear motor comprises at least one gear which is capable of being rotatably driven by a fluid being transported along the fluid pathway. Preferably, a piston guide retains the piston heads against the corresponding slippers without requiring any kind of direct mechanical linkage to maintain such coupling. The present invention further provides a hydraulic shock absorber which absorbs pressure pulses generated by a rotating rotary cylinder block of a radial piston assembly, which may be either a pump or a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Frederick P. Eberle
  • Patent number: 5979270
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle axle assembly for a vehicle such as a grass mowing lawn or garden tractor comprising a housing for an internally disposed hydrostatic transmission having a variable-displacement hydraulic pump fluidly connected to a fixed-displacement hydraulic motor, the hydraulic motor being connected by differential gearing to axle shafts supported in the housing. The housing is formed by three housing members, two of which are preferably separable on a parting plane coincident with the longitudinal axes of the axle shafts. One of the housing members being provided with an opening to allow a portion of one of the other housing members to extend through, and where the extending housing member contains within its interior a number of internal fluid passages for fluidly connecting the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Unipat AG
    Inventors: Christian Helmut Thoma, George Duncan McRae Arnold
  • Patent number: 5971880
    Abstract: In a broad aspect, the invention is an infinitely variable ratio transmission that may include an input shaft connected to a carrier plate. The input shaft is disposed within the bore of a sun gear. At least one planetary gear is rotatably attached to the carrier plate. A ring gear is connected to an output shaft. The at least one planetary gear is disposed between and meshed with the ring gear and the sun gear. A pump having a first and second gear enclosed within a housing is disposed about the input shaft. The second gear is attached to the sun gear. A pump oil pickup passageway connects an inlet port on the pump to a pump oil reservoir. A pump oil return passageway connects an outlet port of the pump to the reservoir. A control valve is provided to regulate fluid flow through the pump. Various clutch arrangements are disclosed to provide a reverse mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1999
    Inventor: Fred Keiser
  • Patent number: 5967927
    Abstract: A continuously variable transmission for use on vehicle, which is provided in an FR drive power transmission path to change the rotational drive power of the engine in continuous speed variation, comprises a variable displacement type hydraulic swash plate pump (P) and a hydraulic swash plate motor (M), which are connected with each other through a hydraulic closed circuit (51). The hydraulic pump (P), which is driven by the engine, delivers oil to the hydraulic motor (M), and the hydraulic motor (M), which is driven by the oil being received, transmits the rotational drive power to the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masahiro Imamura, Toru Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5961413
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor comprising a casing, a reaction member, a cylinder block, an inner fluid distributor valve fast with the casing with respect to rotation about the axis of the motor and a driving shaft extending inside the casing coaxially to said axis. The motor is a low-speed, high-torque motor and comprises, disposed inside the casing, a coupling member fast in rotation with the cylinder block, a step-up gear, first and second mechanical engagement means for connecting the coupling member and the driving shaft and, respectively, the coupling member and the step-up gear, in rotation. The coupling member is mobile between a first and a second position in which the first and the second engagement means are selectively activated and de-activated. The motor comprises means for controlling the displacement of the coupling member between its positions. The driving shaft is capable of constituting a portion of the main shaft of the transmission of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics
    Inventor: Louis Martin
  • Patent number: 5951425
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus which houses in a housing axles and an HST for driving the axles so that a running vehicle can be driven by stepless transmission. The hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor constituting the HST are provided on a center section and are fluidly-connected with each other. The center section is formed in plate-like shape and is disposed in the housing horizontally. The hydraulic pump and the hydraulic motor are separated to one side and to another side of the axle and extend longitudinally of the apparatus, thereby making the apparatus compact and improving the weight balance thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaru Iida, Ryota Ohashi
  • Patent number: 5928099
    Abstract: A crawler drive unit for propelling a construction machine such as a shovel-type excavator having a pair of crawler track assemblies comprises a hydraulic motor (11) and a speed reducer (12), the latter including a stationary carrier (29) having carrier pins journaled therein, carrier gears (28) keyed to the carrier pins respectively, a first disk-type portion (40), and a second disktype portion (46) radially inwardly projecting from the first disk-type portion (40). An end face of the casing (13) of the hydraulic motor (11) is substantially coplanar with a surface of the stationary carrier (29) in which the annularly hollowed-out portion (47) is provided and another surface of the stationary carrier (29) which allows one end face of each carrier pin to abut thereagainst. With this arrangement, the stationary carrier (29) can be disposed in close proximity to the end portion (35) of the casing (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: NABCO Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiro Tsunemi
  • Patent number: 5897452
    Abstract: An integrated hydrostatic transaxle including a housing in which a center section is supported. The center section supports a hydraulic pump unit and a hydraulic motor unit having a motor shaft drivingly connected thereto. A differential assembly is drivingly linked to the motor shaft and is used to drive a pair of axle shafts which are supported by the housing. The differential assembly includes a rotatable gear which is maintained in frictional engagement with at least one bearing surfaces for frictionally inhibiting the rotational movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: John Schreier, Matthew Hansen, Todd Horton, Ron Sporrer
  • Patent number: 5873287
    Abstract: A transmission for self-propelled walking lawn mowers includes a casing, an input shaft inserted into an opening formed in the casing, an output shaft disposed perpendicular to the axis of the input shaft, a drive gear mounted on the input shaft, a drive gear mounted on the output shaft, a power transmission gear mechanism for transmitting drive power from the input shaft to the output shaft, and bearing structures for supporting the input shaft. The bearing structures include a lower supporting structure disposed adjacently below the lower end of the input shaft, and the lower supporting structure includes a supporting member which projects from the inner wall of the casing to a position adjacently below the lower end of the input shaft, wherein a lower-end face of the input shaft and an upper face of the supporting member are engaged to hold the input shaft at its horizontal position, thereby reducing the height of a lawn mower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hirohiko Kawada
  • Patent number: 5839984
    Abstract: The invention relates to a drive system for a motor vehicle, in particular for a construction machine. A hydrostatic transmission unit comprising a variable displacement pump (25), a variable displacement motor (1) and a feed pump (26), is connected downstream of a diesel motor (24). In order to change gears in a powershiftable planetary transmission unit (2), gear-shift valves (34, 40) are provided. A brake (14) can be operated by a brake switching valve (30). The brake switching valve (30) is connected via line sections (33, 39) to the gearshift valves. When the brake switching valve (30) is in one switching position, a reservoir (37) is filled with hydraulic fluid. When in another switching position, a connection is made between the reservoir and a brake pressure chamber (20). During normal running of the machine, the reservoir is filled constantly with hydraulic fluid. When the brakes are operated, an adjustable residual pressure always acts on the brake. The brake is designed for dynamic deceleration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Egon Mann, Helmut Eymuller, Eduard Heilig, Jurgen Legner
  • Patent number: 5820506
    Abstract: A wheel drive for working machines, in particular tracked vehicles. A drive shaft (6) connects a hydraulic motor (26), which is in the form of a slow-running radial piston engine, to a planetary gear (11, 40). The hydraulic motor (26) is disposed on one side of a hub carrier (4) and the planetary gear (11, 40) and a hub (1) are disposed on the other side. A sliding ring seal (21) is arranged between the hub carrier (4) and the hub (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Egon Mann
  • Patent number: 5813228
    Abstract: A carrier vehicle having a swing table supported on an under-carriage so as to swing a full turn, and a planetary reduction gear for reducing the revolution of a drive motor and transmitting it to the swing table. The planetary reduction gear is mounted on the under-carriage under the swing table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Shin Caterpillar Mitsubishi Ltd.
    Inventors: Yorimichi Kubota, Katsuo Nagao, Yoshio Hamada, Kazuo Takahashi, Masanori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5807200
    Abstract: A transaxle drive differential assembly powered by an input drive and connected to a pair of axle shafts. The differential assembly includes a housing comprised of a first housing section and a second housing section wherein at least one of the housing sections has a bearing surface. A ring gear, drivingly linked to the input drive, has an inner circumference which is supported on the bearing surface. A differential is drivingly linked to the ring gear and is adapted to drive the pair of axle shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 5709628
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission has at least one pump, first and second motors connected to and driven by the pump and having respective first and second motor shafts, and a planetary-gear drive. This drive has a sun gear connected permanently to the first motor shaft, planet gears in mesh with the sun gear, a planet carrier carrying the planet gears and forming an output, and a ring gear meshing with the planet gears. First gearing and a first clutch are connected between the motor shafts and a brake connected to the ring gear is actuatable to arrest same. A second clutch is connected between the second motor shaft and the ring gear. In a first range the first clutch is closed, the second clutch is opened, and the brake is actuated to drive the sun gear with both shafts with the ring gear stopped. In a second range the first clutch is opened, the second clutch is closed, and the brake is released to drive the sun gear with the one shaft and the ring gear with the other shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Inventors: Gerd Pidde, Detlef Tolksdorf
  • Patent number: 5678462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydrostatic travelling drive for a vehicle, having a primary-adjustable and secondary-adjustable hydrostatic driving gear, which comprises at least two hydraulic machines in the form of a hydraulic pump drivable by a drive motor of the vehicle and a hydraulic motor connected to the hydraulic pump by way of at least one operating line, both of which can be adjusted in their respective stroke volume in dependence upon a control signal changing with the load of the driving gear. To avoid disturbances of the secondary adjustment of the hydrostatic driving gear through momentarily or rapidly occurring fluctuations of the driving-gear load, as control signal for adjusting the hydraulic motor a travelling-speed signal generated by a sensor device and corresponding with the travelling speed of the vehicle is used which with increasing travelling speed effects a swinging-back of the hydraulic motor, i.e. an adjustment in the direction of its minimum stroke volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Hydromatik GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz Bausenhart, Karl-Heinz Leibing
  • Patent number: 5636555
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus wherein a hydraulic motor and a hydraulic pump for a hydro-static-transmission are housed in a transmission casing of the axle driving apparatus and a center section for connecting the hydraulic motor and hydraulic pump is disposed in the transmission casing, the center section being fixed at the butt joint portion at the transmission casing, and an oil passage from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor at the center section is bent at a right angle so as to extend the motor shaft in parallel to the axles, so that the rotation direction of the motor shaft conventionally changed by bevel gears is changed by the oil passages in the center section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Okada, Shusuke Nemoto
  • Patent number: 5617764
    Abstract: A drive device for a power working vehicle has a transmission case for a hydrostatic pressure type continuously variable transmission which includes a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor, the case having a narrow portion and a wide portion with a step being formed on one side of the transmission case. The hydrostatic pressure type continuously variable transmission is mounted to the narrow portion, so that it is accommodated within the height of the step. A differential is provided at the wide portion for differentially operating left and right axles, and a reducing gear mechanism extends from the narrow portion to the wide portion for transmitting an output from the continuously variable transmission to the differential through a multi-stage reduction. Thus, the output from the continuously variable transmission can be transmitted to the left and right axles through a reduction at a plurality of stages, and the structure of the drive device for the power working vehicle may be made simpler and more compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Norio Komura, Tsuyoshi Yoshigasaki, Hiroshi Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5569110
    Abstract: This invention describes an integrated hydro-mechanical transmission having continuous, through zero, variability from maximum forward to maximum reverse and is intended for use in passenger cars and lighter-duty trucks. The integrated hydro-mechanical transmission is capable of achieving high levels of efficiency and lower product cost. The unit is hydrostatically based and is automatically responsive to ratio upshifting as engine speed increases and to downshifting in response to applied load. In addition, the unit is responsive to operator selected inputs for ratio change to accommodate either temporary or extended heavy-load situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1996
    Inventor: Walter S. Warren
  • Patent number: 5528978
    Abstract: A hydromechanical drive assembly having a hydrostatic axial piston motor with a housing and a swash plate and a cylindrical drum located in the housing. A transmission having a housing is located downstream of and coaxial with the axial piston motor and a planetary gear is located in the transmission. A transmission-side driven shaft extends out of each end of the drive assembly. The cylindrical drum and the driven shaft have the same axis of rotation. Spring-actuated hydraulically releasable devices are located in the housing to non-rotatably connect the cylindrical drum of the axial piston motor directly to a ring gear which is non-rotatably connected to the driven shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Forster
  • Patent number: 5528958
    Abstract: A heavy duty hydrostatic transmission having an input into a combined separable pump/motor driven through a shaft in the transmission housing and a "U" shaped double back space conserving gear reduction drive to the axle differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: AGRI-FAB, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond Hauser
  • Patent number: 5501640
    Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1996
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ray M. Hauser, Alan W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5452643
    Abstract: A hydraulic power drive unit (36) including a linear hydraulic piston cylinder unit (64) with a set of longitudinally spaced gear teeth (84) in the form of a rack. A pinion gear (86) is operatively engaged and driven by the rack (84). A differential which may include a carrier (102), planet gears (108, 110) and sun gears (120, 122) may be driven by the pinion gear (86) to selectively transfer drive power to two separate rotary drive outputs (38, 40). A switching valve (160) may be provided which is responsive to a reversal of hydraulic supply pressure. Operation of the switching valve (160) may be limited by mechanical interference between an inhibit dog (181) and a cam surface (196) on the carrier (102). The carrier (102) may also include a separate cam surface (140) positioned for actuation of separate electrical switches (146, 148) in order to monitor position of the drive outputs (38, 40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Mark H. Smith, Michael E. Renzelmann
  • Patent number: 5397281
    Abstract: A shiftable planetary transmission having a housing, a non-rotatable or rotatable transmission component, a sun gear, a carrier and at least one planet gear mounted on the carrier. A rotatable ring gear is connected to the non-rotatable or rotatable transmission component. The ring gear has an annular surface facing the interior surface of the transmission component and a coupling arrangement is non-rotatably connected to the ring gear and a spring-loaded hydraulic activation mechanism is located within the ring gear to axially move the coupling arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Forster
  • Patent number: 5392670
    Abstract: A heavy duty hydrostatic transmission having an input into a combined separable pump/motor driven through a shaft in the transmission housing and a "U" shaped double back space conserving gear reduction drive to the axle differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Agri-Fab, Inc.
    Inventor: Ray Hauser
  • Patent number: 5391123
    Abstract: A hydromechanical drive having a fixed hub support and a rotary hub, a hydrostatic swash-plate type axial piston motor and a planetary gear connected to the output side of the rotary hub. A control surface is formed on the hub support and pressure medium conduits are formed in the hub support and open on the control surface to provide pressurized hydraulic fluid to the axial piston motor. A cylindrical machine part surrounds the cylindrical drum of the axial piston motor and is non-rotatably connected to the rotary hub. A bearing is located between the inner surface of the rotary hub and the outer surface of the hub support to absorb forces from the axial piston motor and from outside the drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1995
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Forster
  • Patent number: 5368527
    Abstract: A hydromechanical drive unit including a swash-plate type hydrostatic axial piston engine having a cylindrical drum located in a housing. A mechanical transmission having a housing connected to the hydrostatic axial piston engine. An output shaft extending through the drive unit having a common axis of rotation with the cylindrical drum. The transmission has an input element non-rotatably connected to the cylindrical drum and an attachment member is located on each end of the output shaft to connect the drive unit to two vehicle axles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Franz Forster
  • Patent number: 5317936
    Abstract: A power transmission structure for a working car provided at the center thereof with a working machine, such as a mower. Power is transmitted by the simplest mechanism from a vertical engine to axles and the working machine. Two output pulleys are attached to a vertical rotary output shaft of the vertical engine. One pulley drives a pump shaft of an axle driving unit and the other pulley drives an input pulley of the working machine. A hydraulic power transmission and a differential gear are laterally eccentrically disposed within the axle driving unit. The hydraulic transmission comprises a hydraulic pump and a hydraulic motor. Power is transmitted from the rotary output shaft of the vertical engine to a vertical pump shaft of the hydraulic pump. A motor shaft of the hydraulic motor is operatively connected to the differential gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1994
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Shiba, Hideaki Okada
  • Patent number: 5314387
    Abstract: An improved hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle using both hydraulics and mechanical gearing; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a more effective and efficient means for braking the transaxle, an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Ray M. Hauser, Alan W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5306215
    Abstract: A drive device specially used in mobile excavators, wheeled loaders and similar work machines contains a power-shiftable transmission (4) designed as planetary transmission and driven by a hydraulic motor (3). The transmission (4) preferably has two speed levels which are alternatively engageable and disengageable via hydraulically shiftable friction clutches (12, 13). Both friction clutches (12, 13) are designed as spring-accumulator clutches and are controllable by oil pressure generated by an oil pump (21) and both friction clutches (12, 13) are controlled via a gear-shift valve (23). One of the two friction clutches (13) is designed as brake and has a static, leakage-oil-free oil supply. When the oil pressure generated by the oil pump (21) falls below a specific value, the gear-shift valve (23) is engaged into its 2nd-gear position in which only the brake is actuatable with oil pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Egon Mann, Helmut Eymuller
  • Patent number: 5289738
    Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle is disclosed of the type including a hydrostatic transmission (11;221), a differential gear means (19;243), and first (21;213) and second (23;215) axle shafts. The hydrostatic transmission includes a transmission case (34;229,231) having a second case portion (31;231) including an output hub portion (97;235). The transaxle includes axle housing casing halves 133,135:209,211) joined together on a plane containing the axis of rotation of the axle shafts, and including an output portion (163,165;209,211) in tight engagement about the output hub portion. Another portion (173;229,231,249) of the transmission case cooperates with one of the axle casing halves to define a secondary mounting means and a torque reaction means which, together with the output hub portion, comprise the only portions of the transmission case operatively associated with the axle housing (131;208).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Dennis E. Szulczewski
  • Patent number: 5259194
    Abstract: An axle driving apparatus in which an oil sump provided in a housing is vertically partitioned into first and second chambers by partition means constructed in the housing. The first chamber is constructed to have an air layer open to the atmosphere, the second chamber is constructed to be always filled with oil. The first chamber and second chamber can flow oil therebetween through an oil introduction passage of the partition means. When oil volume expands by the temperature during the operation of a hydrostatic transmission, while reducing the volume of the air layer in the first chamber, the oil in the second chamber adjustably flows into the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Okada
  • Patent number: 5230519
    Abstract: A hydraulically operated power transmission apparatus transmits the output power from a power source at a selected speed ratio. The power transmission apparatus includes a casing having an opening in one end thereof, a base plate attached to the end of the casing in covering relation to the opening, the casing and the base plate jointly serving as a transmission case defining a closed space therein, a hydraulic pump having a pump drive shaft adapted to be operatively coupled to the power source, the hydraulic pump being disposed in the closed space, a hydraulic motor having a motor output shaft and drivable by a hydraulic pressure generated by the hydraulic pump, the hydraulic motor being disposed in the closed space, a pair of output shafts extending through the casing and the base plate, respectively, and disposed coaxially with each other, a differential mechanism disposed in the closed space and operable by the motor output shaft, the differential mechanism being coupled to the output shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1993
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sadanori Nishimura, Hiroshige Makita, Makiro Ishimoto, Atsuyoshi Kawai, Makoto Ninomiya
  • Patent number: 5201692
    Abstract: A transaxle with a hydrostatic transmission which is compact, reliable and economical to manufacture, including a novel means for hydraulically reducing the speed of the input to the transaxle; an improved differential which is stronger and less complicated than prior art designs; a longer lasting, more effective means of preventing oil leakage from the axle shafts in the transaxle housing; a center section for the hydrostatic transmission supporting the output drive shaft, eliminating the need for additional bearing support; an improved means for hydraulically bypassing the hydrostatic transmission and a unique check valve arrangement for maintaining oil pressure within the hydrostatic transmission. The hydrostatic transmission also includes a pump and a motor whose orientation to one another may be varied according to the space requirements dictated by the size and configuration of the vehicle through the use of a helical gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1993
    Assignee: Hydro-Gear Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Alan W. Johnson, Ray M. Hauser
  • Patent number: 5125291
    Abstract: A transmission includes a transmission casing, a speed reducer mechanism housed in the transmission casing, a hydrostatic power unit mounted on the transmission casing, the hydrostatic power unit comprising a pump having a pump shaft and a motor having a motor shaft, the pump shaft and the motor shaft extending parallel to each other, and an input shaft operatively coupled to the pump shaft. The transmission casing has an interior space divided into a first chamber in which the input shaft is disposed and a second chamber in which the speed reducer mechanism is accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroshige Makita, Mitsuru Komatsu, Norio Komura
  • Patent number: 5107718
    Abstract: A combined hydraulic motor and speed reducer intended to improve the service life of sealing members and bearings by cooling lubricating oil within a speed reducer case. The hydraulic motor includes a motor case (1) having a peripheral surface in which a pair of supply/discharge ports (18, 17) are formed in a diametrically opposite relationship and extend axially from one end of the motor case (1) so as to open to a speed reducer case (6). Cool lubricating oil is supplied to the interior of the speed reducer case, and at the same time, high temperature lubricating oil is discharged out of the motor. In this way, the lubricating oil within the speed reducer case is maintained at low temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Makoto Inagawa
  • Patent number: 5090949
    Abstract: A transaxle housing is provided for a small-sized vehicle such as a grass-mowing lawn tractor and encloses an internally located hydrostatic transmission in association with speed reducing gearing and mechanical differential for reasons of compactness and simplicity of manufacture. The axle housing comprises two members connected together alone a parting plane to define a number of internal chambers, at least one chamber used to enclose the hydrostatic transmission and remaining chambers enclosing speed reducing gearing and differential. One housing element is provided with a vertical input shaft which is operatively connected through bevel gearing to a hydraulic pump, the pump mounted perpendicular and fluidly coupled to a hydraulic motor, the rotary axis of the hydraulic motor being coincident with the parting plane of the housing and parallel to the rotating axes of the half shafts of the transaxle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Unipat AG
    Inventors: Christian H. Thoma, George D. M. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5078659
    Abstract: A transaxle driving apparatus for a small-sized vehicle such as a grass-mowing lawn tractor, formed from a two-piece housing to encapsulate a hydrostatic transmission with associated reduction gearing and mechanical differential member. One housing element is provided with a vertical input shaft which is drivingly engaged to the hydraulic pump of the hydrostatic transmission by means of bevel gearing. A hydraulic motor of the hydrostatic transmission is provided with a motor shaft, a speed reduction shaft, and a differential gear unit attached to the axle shafts, all shafts other than the input shaft being disposed horizontally along the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the transaxle for economy and compactness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1992
    Assignee: Unipat AG
    Inventors: Roland L. von Kaler, Dale I. Havens, Christian H. Thoma, George D. Arnold
  • Patent number: 5067933
    Abstract: A unitized power system and an off road vehicle including such power system are provided comprising an engine having a crankshift; a drive train operatively connected to the engine, the drive train including a variable speed transmission and a driving axle arrangement; and a housing enclosing the drive train and at least a portion of the engine. The variable speed transmission transmits power from the output end of the crankshaft of the engine to driven shafts of the vehicle.Preferably, the unitary housing is provided for encasing all of the output end of the crankshaft of the engine. The variable speed transmission preferably also includes a variable hydraulic pump for converting the engine power into hydraulic pressure, a crescent hydraulic motor for converting the hydraulic pressure into driving power, a reduction gear for reducing the driving power, a differential gear for transmitting the reduced driving power to the driven shafts, and the driven shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignees: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Deere & Company
    Inventors: Lee R. Hardesty, Izumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 5046994
    Abstract: In a vehicle transmission assembly which includes a hydrostatic transmission (14) and mechanical transmission mechanism (21) for driving rear wheel axles (20) of the vehicle at a variable speed, a hydraulic pump (16) and hydraulic motor (17) of the hydrostatic transmission are mounted on a plate member (30), secured to a front of a transmission casing (15), at an upper and lower locations such that only the motor is disposed within the transmission casing at a location above the mechanical transmission mechanism. The mechanical transmission mechanism includes plural transmission shafts (31, 32, 33) all extending laterally of the transmission casing and is connected drivenly to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Shigenori Sakigawa, Ryota Ohashi
  • Patent number: 4976666
    Abstract: A continuously variable split-path transmission particularly for motor vehicles comprises a stepless converter with a summation planetary gear unit for adding up the power which is split at the input shaft of the transmission into two power transmission paths. The specific requirements imposed on the stepless converter are minimal, and thus the efficiency values are favorable. The primary and secondary components of the stepless converter are small and can be advantageously incorporated into a modular unit. It is also possible to adapt such components to the specific requirements of different motor vehicles. The summation planetary gear is linked via a series of clutches to a second planetary gear unit having planetary elements which can be reciprocally coupled to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Michael Meyerle
  • Patent number: 4970914
    Abstract: A variable speed transmission for transmitting power from an output shaft of an engine mounted on a vehicle to driven shafts of the vehicle, wherein a unitary housing means is provided for encasing all of the output shaft of the engine, a variable hydraulic pump for converting the engine power into hydraulic pressure, a crescent hydrualic motor for converting the hydraulic pressure into a driving power, a reduction gear for reducing the driving power, a differential gear for transmitting the reduced driving power to the driven shafts, and said driven shafts. The housing means includes a lower casing portion fixed to a crankcase of the engine, a pump cover portion for encasing the variable hydraulic pump, and an axle housing portion for encasing the crescent hydraulic motor, reduction gear and differential gear, said portions being fixedly connected to each other to form a unitary body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Izumi Takagi
  • Patent number: 4942780
    Abstract: An HST housing axle driving apparatus for a small-sized running vehicle, such as a tractor, in which an axle casing is divided into a left-side half axle casing and a right-side half axle casing. In one of the left- and right-side half axle casings are disposed a hydraulic pump provided with a vertical pump shaft and a hydraulic motor provided with a horizontal motor shaft. In the other of the left- and right-side half axle casings are disposed a speed reduction shaft and a differential gear unit, so that a driving force is adapted to be transmitted from the vertical pump shaft to said horizontal motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 24, 1990
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg., Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Fujisaki, Ryota Ohashi, Shusuke Nemoto
  • Patent number: 4922787
    Abstract: An HST housing axle driving apparatus for a small-sized running vehicle, such as a tractor, in which an axle casing is divided into a left-side half axle casing and a right-side half axle casing. In one of the left- and right-side half axle casings are disposed a hydraulic pump provided with a vertical pump shaft and a hydraulic motor provided with a horizontal motor shaft. In the other of the left- and right-side half axle casings are disposed a speed reduction shaft and a differential gear unit, so that a driving force is adapted to be transmitted from the vertical pump shaft to the horizontal motor shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1990
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Fujisaki, Ryota Ohashi, Shusuke Nemoto
  • Patent number: 4903545
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 27, 1990
    Assignee: Sundstrand-Sauer
    Inventors: Joseph E. Louis, Alan W. Johnson
  • Patent number: RE34833
    Abstract: In a vehicle transmission assembly which includes a hydrostatic transmission (14) and mechanical transmission mechanism (21) for driving rear wheel axles (20) of the vehicle at a variable speed, a hydraulic pump (16) and hydraulic motor (17) of the hydrostatic transmission are mounted on a plate member (30), secured to a front of a transmission casing (15), at an upper and lower locations such that only the motor is disposed within the transmission casing at a location above the mechanical transmission mechanism. The mechanical transmission mechanism includes plural transmission shafts (31, 32, 33) all extending laterally of the transmission casing and is connected drivenly to the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Kanzaki Kokyukoki Mfg. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Hasegawa, Shigenori Sakigawa, Ryota Ohashi