Massey Ferguson, S.a.

Agco Sa

Renault Agriculture, S.a.

Patrick Lorriette

Gilles Hoessler

Francis Cazier

Bertrand Duval

Denis Gouardo

Thierry Delort

Lionel Duchamp

A load sensing hydraulic system includes two pumps, at least one hydraulic fluid consumer, and a pressure balance circuit. In the case of no demand from the consumer, hydraulic fluid flows from the pumps through the pressure balance circuit and to tank. In the case of demand from the consumer for hydraulic fluid at a flow rate less than or equal to the flow rate provided by the first pump, hydraulic fluid from the first pump flows to the consumer, and hydraulic fluid from the second pump flows to the tank. In the case of a demand from the consumer for hydraulic fluid at a flow rate greater than the capacity of the first pump, hydraulic fluid from both pumps flow to the consumer.

Load sensing hydraulic system

A vehicle powershuttle system comprising a conventional forward/reverse gearset with a synchromesh and an electronic control system arranged to automatically control the vehicle main clutch, main brake and forward/reverse synchromesh to effect a substantially smooth engagement of forward or reverse drive to the vehicle driving wheels on manual selection of forward or reverse gear.

Automatic forward/reverse gear change system having a main clutch

A wet clutch assembly comprises an input shaft and a stack comprising interleaved first and second sets of clutch members. A hydraulic actuator piston is located concentrically around the input shaft, but is static. A member rotationally fast with one of the sets of clutch members is journalled to the actuator piston by means of a bearing whose inner race is integral with the piston.

Wet clutch assembly

A bearing comprises an inner race, an outer race and rolling members interposed between the inner and outer races with a radial clearance c, greater or equal to zero, remaining. The bearing also comprises a partial sealing member attached to either the inner race or the outer race to one side of the rolling members and which defines a substantially annular chamber between the partial sealing member and the outer race or the inner race respectively. The substantially annular chamber has a length L and a width j and the width j is fractionally greater than the radial clearance c. The partial sealing member may be formed integrally with either the inner race or the outer race or it may be formed separately and subsequently attached to either race as appropriate. The rolling members may be in any appropriate form, for instance balls or rollers.

Method of setting a desired flow rate through a bearing

A wet clutch assembly comprises a stack of clutch members enclosed into a cover. An oil inlet communicates with the interior of the cover at or near the radial center, whilst an oil outlet communicates with the interior at a point near the periphery, adjacent a shoulder in the interior peripheral surface. Oil entering the cover is propelled outwardly and around the interior peripheral surface by the rotation of the clutch members, and builds up against the shoulder creating pressure to expel the oil.

A control system for a synchromesh unit, particularly suitable for controlling a synchromesh in a forward/reverse pre-select gear change system. The system is purely hydraulic, incorporating a double acting hydraulic cylinder (1) for moving the synchromesh. The hydraulic circuit controlling the hydraulic cylinder (1) includes restrictions (R.sub.1), (R.sub.2A), (R.sub.2B) and an accumulator (10), which vary the force applied by the hydraulic cylinder (1). The variation of the force applied by the hydraulic cylinder (1) includes a gradual, progressive increase of force whilst the synchromesh is matching its speed to the gear to be engaged, and subsequently allowing the synchromesh mechanism to move rapidly once its speed is matched with the gear to be engaged, to quickly move the teeth of the synchromesh and the gear to be engaged together. The force applied by the hydraulic cylinder is then increased again to a maximum once the synchromesh is fully engaged.

Gearshift control system

A spring-engaged wet clutch assembly, particularly suitable for a vehicle main clutch, comprises a stack of interleaved clutch members biassed into engagement by a Belleville spring. The clutch assembly includes hydraulic means for disengaging the stack. Interposed between the engagement Belleville spring and the stack is a further Belleville spring or springs which the engagement Belleville acts against, and which provides progressive engagement of the clutch and also allows less powerful hydraulic means for disengaging the clutch to be used.

A hydraulic control valve assembly is described comprising a cut-off valve, a control valve and structure for connection to at least a supply line, a hydraulic apparatus line and a return line. The assembly is constructed and arranged such that the cut-off valve is bistable and controls flow of pressurised fluid from the supply line to the control valve, permitting it when primed and preventing it when closed, and the control valve controls the pressure of fluid supplied to the hydraulic apparatus line. In addition structure means are provided to initiate priming of the cut-off valve, complete the priming of the cut-off valve provided the supply line pressure is above a first predetermined pressure, and maintain the priming of the cut-off valve provided the supply line pressure remains above a second predetermined pressure.

Growing community of inventors

Jaux, France

Patrick Lorriette