Abstract: A hydrostatic transaxle is disclosed of the type having a central manifold (13) and right and left motor axle assemblies (15, 17). Each motor axle assembly includes a fluid motor (35) and a speed reduction gear set (51). The manifold defines a pair of aligned openings (81R, 81L) and disposed therein is a pair of elongated brake actuation members (83R, 83L), each member being axially moveable in its opening away from a central reference plane (RP). A cam means (95) defines right and left cam surfaces (107R, 107L) engaging the brake actuation members. Movement of the cam means forces the actuation members axially outward, until each engages friction pad (109), providing braking of a reaction plate (115) between the friction pad and a back up plate (119). The disclosed braking arrangement is simple and inexpensive, and achieves braking upstream of the reduction gear set, thus requiring less braking torque than would be required in the case of a conventional wheel brake. Also disclosed is an embodiment (FIG.

Abstract: A single hydraulic pump (6) is employed in a vehicle for supplementing fluid to a hydrostatic transmission (1) and for supplying fluid to a fluid-operated clutch (2) and to high pressure-actuated hydraulic actuators (3, 4, 5). Fluid discharge path (7) of the pump is connected to the hydrostatic transmission through a pressure-reducing valve (8). Fluid drain path (9) of the reducing valve is fashioned to a fluid supply path for the clutch. A second fluid supply path (11) is connected to the discharge path for supplying fluid to the hydraulic actuators and include a relief valve (12) or orifice (12A) for maintaining fluid pressure in the discharge path higher than the output pressure of the reducing valve. A high pressure relief valve (10) for establishing fluid pressure to be applied to the actuators is connected to the discharge path for minimizing a discharge pressure required to the pump.

Abstract: A controller for a hydraulic fluid flow control apparatus determines a quantity necessary for loading/unloading operations according to a signal from a lever operating degree detector, and controls a variable displacement type hydraulic pump to obtain the quantity. Accordingly, unnecessary hydraulic fluid flow in the hydraulic apparatus is reduced. The controller determines when a vehicle is stopped according to a signal from a clutch ON-OFF detector or a neutral sensor, and can raise the rpm of an engine. Therefore, when the loading/unloading operations are being executed while the vehicle is stopped, there is no need to operate the accelerator pedal.

Abstract: A mini hydroelectric power plant is provided that utilizes a water driven turbine to drive an electric generator for producing electricity. Flowing water is collected from the turbine and pumped back to a reservoir to be used again for driving the turbine.

Abstract: The vibrating roll apparatus has a hydrostatic roll body drive drive. An internal-combustion engine drives a pump unit which includes an inclined disk pump of variable displacement and a filling pump. At least one hydraulic drive motor which is fed a pressurized medium by the inclined disk pump powers the hydrostatic roll body drive. An eccentric body in the roll body of the vibrating roll is driven by a mechanical power transmission device with a built-in clutch also powered by the internal-combustion engine. According to the invention the clutch is flanged to the pump unit and provided with a hydrostatically-operated clutch mechanism, which is connectable with the pressurized side of the filling pump by a clutch valve for engagement of the clutch. In this way a space-saving compact form for the drive for the eccentric body including means for its control with optimum conditions for clutch operation is attained.

Abstract: A shaft-turning device includes a driving element in the form of a hydraulic motor having a first pressure fluid inflow line, and an element for connection with a shaft to be turned in the form of a clutch having a second pressure fluid inflow line communicating with the first pressure fluid inflow line. The clutch includes locking elements being hydraulically forced counter to a spring force.

Abstract: A brake actuator for use in combination with a hydraulic motor which includes a port structure. The port structure defines an interface with a motor block of the hydraulic motor and includes ports for supplying fluid to the motor. A brake is operatively associated with the hydraulic motor. A hydraulically operated piston is disposed substantially within the confines of the port structure for actuating the brake.

Abstract: In a hydraulic system loaded on a working vehicle, an oil pump is fixedly secured to a casing block of a transmission system disposed on a vehicle body as separated from an engine, an input shaft of this oil pump is drivably coupled to an input shaft of the aforementioned transmission system, and a clutch is interposed between the input shaft and a transmission mechanism of the transmission system. Preferably, a control valve is fixedly secured to the oil pump, and a delivery port of the oil pump is directly coupled to an inlet of the control valve. Furthermore, so improved structures of a hydraulic switching valve adapted to be disposed on an outlet side of the control valve is proposed.

Abstract: An inventive oil pump system in a power train has a simple oil-delivery arrangement employing a hollow torque-input member containing a member to which oil is to be delivered, a drive shaft extending from the interior of the torque-input member and capable of being rotated by the torque-input member, an oil pump disposed coaxially with the drive shaft, a sleeve fixed to the oil pump and coaxially surrounding the drive shaft, a hollow pump-drive shaft coaxially surrounding the drive shaft, being journalled within the sleeve thus forming an oil-discharge passageway surrounding the drive shaft, and a coupling comprising a non-circular opening in the torque-input member and one end of the pump-drive shaft being inserted into the opening, the end of the pump-drive shaft having a non-circular cross-section capable of engaging the walls of the opening while leaving some radial clearance between part of the walls of the opening and the outer surface of the end of the pump-drive shaft.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling the speed of rotation of a shaft. A sensor senses the speed of rotation and generates a first signal representative of the sensed speed. A controller compares the first signal with a second signal representative of a predetermined speed and generates an error or control signal representative of the comparison. The control signal is fed to the field of an alternator in such manner that the field of the alternator increases as the sensed speed increases over the predetermined speed. The field of the alternator opposes rotation of the alternator shaft. The alternator shaft is operatively associated with the shaft whose speed is being controlled so that the increase in alternator field force results in the application of a braking force on the shaft to thereby reduce its speed of rotation to the desired speed. As the shaft's speed approaches the desired speed, the alternator field force is decreased so as to prevent reduction of the shaft's speed below the desired value.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power transmission control apparatus having a clutching function and a modulating function and enabling a vehicle installed with this apparatus to make a sudden start after a clutch has been disengaged. The apparatus includes a main change speed control valve (V2), a backward and forward switch valve (V1), a modulation valve (MV) and an inching valve (IV).

Abstract: A hydraulic power system having a variable displacement hydraulic pump, a hydraulic motor driven by the hydraulic pump for actuating a load, with the pump and motor being connected to constitute a closed hydraulic circuit. A hydraulic servo controls the displacement volume of the pump, and a motor stop arrangement prevents, in its operative position, the motor from rotating. The system includes a control valve responsive to a main line pressure in the closed hydraulic circuit for controlling a hydraulic fluid supply to the hydraulic servo to prevent the main line pressure from substantially exceeding a predetermined level, and a control is responsive to the operation of the hydraulic servo for releasing the motor stop arrangement from the operative position when the hydraulic servo is operating.

Abstract: Hydrostatic transmissions are commonly employed in the drive train of earthmoving and industrial vehicles. It is difficult to stop some such vehicles at a precise location on a slope due to the presence of a delay valve included in the controls for delaying application of a friction brake until the vehicle has been stopped by the hydrostatic transmission. In the present control system, a manual control valve (74) is moved to a first operative position and a hand control lever (25) is manipulated in combination therewith to reduce the displacement of a variable displacement pump (12) to establish a minimum drive condition sufficient to hold the vehicle motionless. Thereafter the manual control valve (74) can be moved to a second operative position to apply a friction brake (18) while the transmission maintains the vehicle motionless.

Abstract: A hydrostatic transmission has an engine-driven, bidirectional, variable-displacement drive pump connected in circuit with a bidirectional, variable-displacement propelling motor. A charging pump is also connected to the circuit of the drive pump and the propelling motor. A brake assembly normally locks the output shaft of the propelling motor against rotation and releases same only while being supplied with a hydraulic brake release signal. The control system for the hydrostatic transmission comprises a speed control valve actuated manually to deliver fluid pressure signals to servo controls for adjusting the outputs from the drive pump and the propelling motor, and a brake control valve pilot-operated to deliver the brake release signal to the brake assembly. Also included are a charge sensor valve and a speed control sensor valve.

Abstract: An axle shaft and pump drive mechanism (12) for a vehicle (10) includes a continuously variable transmission unit (24), an axle shaft (20), a pump (22), and a coupling device (34,78) for connecting the transmission unit (24) to the axle shaft (20) or to the pump (22) and operating them individually through an infinitely variable speed ratio range. When the vehicle, such as a backhoe loader, is not being propelled, the continuously variable transmission unit (24) can be used to drive the implement pump (22) which can then be of the fixed displacement type for improved effectiveness.

Abstract: A hydraulic power brake system has a pump driven through a variable torque magnetic clutch by an engine-drive pulley. A rheostat controlled by movement of the brake booster push rod varies the amount of current to the clutch to control the torque transmitted to the pump. The pump pressure output varies directly with clutch torque. Pump pressure is delivered to a closed center hydraulic booster. The pump does not operate when no braking effort is required.

Abstract: A low noise level, rapidly reversible propulsion system for a submarine or other vessel comprises a non-reversible adjustable speed prime mover, a reversible drive mechanism driven by the prime mover and including a fluid-cooled torque converter and speed reduction apparatus, an energy-dissipating load selectively connectable to the reversible drive mechanism, and a propeller driven by the reversible drive mechanism.

Abstract: A crawler tractor vehicle having steering clutches and associated steering brake includes a control apparatus for each clutch and brake system, including a valve made up of a valve body, and a clutch valving spool and a brake valving spool movably associated therewith. In one embodiment, the clutch valving spool and brake valving spool are identical in configuration, and are disposed in a common bore. Actuator means are associated with such clutch valving spool and brake valving spool, in one embodiment including an actuator assembly made up of a plurality of plungers movable relative to each other and relative to the valve body to provide particular movement of the clutch and brake valving spools. In another embodiment, the actuator means comprise mechanical linkage means, for providing movement of brake and clutch valving spools positioned in respective separate bores defined by the valve body.

Abstract: A hydromechanical/hydrostatic automotive energy management system comprising two hydraulic units, the system adapted to provide: An efficient, continuously variable optimal transmission ratio, an intermittent optimal engine operation in city traffic and regenerative braking, thereby, the system is able to reduce a car's fuel consumption by as much as one half while improving drivability.

Abstract: A hydrokinetic torque converter with an internal friction clutch wherein provision is made for actuating the clutch in response to changes in hydrokinetic torus circuit pressure and wherein provision also is made for engaging and disengaging the clutch by controlling the direction of fluid flow to and from the torus circuit of the converter.

Abstract: A vehicle having a prime mover, a hydrostatic transmission transmitting power from the prime mover to ground engaging members on said vehicle, a power take-off arranged to be driven by said prime mover and clutch means for selectively engaging the power take-off with the prime mover. The vehicle also includes regulator means operable upon the transmission to maintain the power consumption of the transmission below a predetermined level, and compensating means operable upon the regulator means upon engagement of the clutch means to reduce the predetermined level of power consumption of the transmission.

Abstract: The hydraulic machine comprises an outer rotor, rotatably mounted around a longitudinal axis and connected, through an input shaft, to a driving motor, and an inner rotor mounted at the interior of the outer rotor, rotatable around a transverse axis, and connected, through a gear drive, to an auxiliary shaft coaxial to the input shaft. A hydraulic circuit is arranged at the interior of the inner rotor, and it presents an active circuit consisting of a pipe winding. The ends of the hydraulic circuit are connected, through rotary connections, to a fixed outflow and a fixed inflow connection. Upon rotation of the outer rotor and of the inner rotor around their respective axis, the inner rotor is subjected to a field of accelerations of Coriolis which generates between the ends of the active circuit a substantially sinusoidally varying pressure difference.

Abstract: An accumulator for a hydraulic control system of frictional engagement mechanisms comprises a housing with a stepped bore, a first stepped piston reciprocable within the bore to form a back pressure chamber communicated with a source of line pressure, a second piston reciprocable within the first piston in a predetermind stroke to form an accumulation chamber communicated with the line pressure source, and a spring for biasing the second piston toward the accumulation chamber. In the initial stage, only the second piston is retracted against biasing force of the spring to modulate the line pressure acting on the frictional engagement mechanisms and is engaged at its retracted stroke end with the first piston. Subsequently, the first piston is retracted together with the second piston against the biasing force and the pressure in the back pressure chamber to further modulate the line pressure.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine for vehicles in which an infinitely variable transmission in the form of a hydraulic transmission is coupled to the engine. A flywheel stores and releases braking energy, and has a disengageable coupling connecting the flywheel with the variable transmission to at least one wheel drive shaft. The hydraulic transmission has a pump unit and a motor unit which are hydraulically operable. The pump unit and motor unit are reversible for braking the vehicle, whereby the motor is driven by the wheels of the vehicle and operates as a pump, and the pump unit operates as a motor.

Abstract: A control system for an engine driven power train having a variable torque absorption transmission mechanism typically including a torque converter, in conjunction with a hydraulic control circuit for the implement of an excavating-loading vehicle such as a loader. The control circuit comprises lift and tilt cylinder means connected via respective control valves to a pump driven by the vehicle engine. The pump also communicates with the transmission mechanism via a variable pressure regulator valve which functions to condition the transmission mechanism for a relatively high torque absorption characteristic during vehicle propelling operation so that engine torque may be efficiently transmitted to the drive wheels of the vehicle.

Abstract: An improved drive system includes a pair of hydrostatic transmissions which are driven by a common engine or prime mover and are drivingly connected with different tracks of a vehicle. The input to output speed ratios of the hydrostatic transmissions are simultaneously varied by operating a single speed control valve to port control fluid pressure to pressure responsive secondary or control motors in pump and motor actuators of the hydrostatic transmissions. A pair of charge pumps are provided to charge the hydrostatic transmissions and provide control fluid. If the fluid pressure output of either of the charge pumps falls below a predetermined level, a control arrangement reduces the control fluid pressure transmitted to the pump and motor actuators by the speed control valve to deswash or destroke both of the transmissions. The control arrangement also short circuits the hydrostatic loops interconnecting the pump and motor units. In addition, the brakes of the vehicle are engaged to stop the vehicle.

Abstract: A fluid system having a variable displacement fluid pump connected in a closed-loop fashion to a pair of inlet ports of a fluid motor of the type having two output shafts and a fluid pressure responsive means operable upon communication with fluid pressure through said inlet ports to translate said fluid pressure to one of the output shafts in the form of a high torque output while rotating one shaft at a low speed. The fluid pressure responsive means of the fluid motor is further operable to translate fluid pressure to the other of the drive shafts in the form of a low torque output while rotating the other shaft at a high speed. Suitable clutching means responsive to selective operation of the system are provided for alternate and independent coupling of the motor output shafts to a common system drive shaft to provide an output of which the speed and torque may be selectively varied from a high speed-low torque output to a high torque-low speed output.