Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Gerald E Whitehurst

Arthur J Ritter, Jr

Robert L Shelby

Richard L Hedgcock

A geared steering clutch mechanism (18) for use in a vehicle having left and right side propelling devices (11,12) such as tracks, a power drive (16), and a final drive (15) connecting the power drive to the respective left and right propelling devices. The steering clutch mechanism includes a first clutch (24) selectively operable to connect the power drive to the associated final drive to provide a high speed connection therebetween, a speed reduction gear assembly (55,56,58), a second clutch (45) selectively operable to connect the power drive to the associated final drive through the speed reduction gear assembly to provide a reduced speed connection therebetween, and a brake (38) for braking the final drive concurrently with arranging the clutches to positively disconnect the power drive from the final drive. The final drive may be a multispeed drive so that the use of the clutch mechanism provides a two-time multiplication of the number of available output speeds as a function of the selective operation of the clutches. The speed reduction gear assembly may include a planetary gear (56) in meshing engagement with a sun gear (55) connected to the second clutch. The first clutch may be arranged to provide a substantially direct one-to-one driving connection between the power drive and final drive.

Geared steering means

A lubricating system for use in a rotative drive assembly including a clutch pack and a brake pack. The system is arranged to utilize a movement of the piston actuator of the clutch and/or brake pack for controlling delivery of the lubricating oil thereto. The system may be arranged to provide a minimum delivery of lubricating oil to the clutch pack and/or brake pack at all times.

Metering device for steering brake lube systems

A modular steering clutch and brake pack for use in a vehicle power drive system. The clutch pack and brake pack comprise independent assemblies with a carrier removably disposed therebetween. The brake pack is removably bolted to a first housing and the clutch pack is removably bolted to a second housing. The brake pack includes a plurality of brake plates and the clutch pack includes a plurality of clutch plates. The carrier further defines a mandrel for maintaining alignment of the brake plates and the clutch plates during adjustment thereof in the make-up of the clutch and brake assembly. Suitable bearings are provided on the carrier for journaling the brake pack and clutch pack. The carrier may be splined to selected plates of the brake pack and clutch pack and to the output shaft of the power drive system.

Growing community of inventors

East Peoria, IL, United States of America

Gerald E Whitehurst