Deere + Company

Richard A Michael

Gordon L Marquart

James Henry Kress

Dalsang Kanabhai Chaudhari

A multi-speed power shift transmission providing a total of six speeds including forward and reverse gears with a minimum of friction elements. The transmission uses one compound planetary assembly of the Ravigneaux type coupled to a simple planetary assembly. The planetary assemblies are joined by two simple interconnections which transfer power between the planetary sections. The transmission uses three brakes and two clutches to provide the total of six (6) speed changes. Connection of the planetary carrier of the compound planetary assembly to the ring gear of the simple planetary assembly and a primary sun gear of the compound planetary assembly to the sun gear of the simple planetary assembly provides four forward speeds and two reverse speeds. This interconnection arrangement between the two planetary assemblies also provides favorable power splitting across the planetary sections which will permit a reduction in the size of gear elements and other transmission components.

Simplified power shift transmission

An improved full range hydromechanical transmission is disclosed which is designed to be connected to a driven input member, such as a drive shaft of an engine. The transmission combines a hydrostatic drive unit with mechanical gearing in the form of a compound planetary gear set to obtain a full range, infinitely variable hydromechanical transmission. This hydromechanical transmission is especially applicable for use in agricultural and industrial type tractors.

Full range hydromechanical transmission

An improved self-energized synchronizer for bringing two rotatable members which are aligned about a common axis into synchronization. The synchronizer includes a body member carried on the first rotatable member which in turn engages with an annular shifter collar. Positioned adjacent to the shifter collar is an axially movable annular blocking ring having a frictional surface. Situated on the other side of the blocking ring, opposite the body member, is a drive collar which is rotatably fixed to the second rotatable member. The improvement to the synchronizer includes a frictional disk and a self-energized mechanism for transferring frictional torque between the first and second rotatable members. The self-energized mechanism is positioned for engagement with the blocking ring, while the frictional disk is positioned between the drive collar and the self-energized mechanism. As the operator axially moves the shifter collar, the blocking ring is brought into contact with the self-energized mechanism, and a portion of the mechanism is axially forced into contact with the frictional disk. This contact causes the frictional disk to assist in decreasing the relative rotation between the first and second rotatable members once the self-energized mechanism frictionally engages the blocking ring.

Self-energized synchronizer

This invention relates to a floating manifold capable of transferring hydraulic fluid between a stationary member and a rotatable member. The floating manifold is comprised of a collar axially aligned onto a portion of the rotatable member, a passage means extending radially into the collar for the passage of a hydraulic fluid, and attachment means mounted on the outer periphery of said collar for permitting limited axial and rotational movement of the collar relative to the stationary member.

Floating manifold

A planetary transmission for selectively shifting among four forward speeds includes a first ring gear secured to a drive shaft. The first ring gear drives a compound planetary gear set which is journaled on a driven-shaft-connected planet carrier. A first planet gear set of the compound planetary gear set meshes with a carrier-journaled, third planet gear set which meshes in turn with a second ring gear. The first planet gear set further meshes with a first sun gear which is concentric with the first ring gear and which encircles and is clutchable to the driven shaft to provide one forward speed ratio between drive and driven shafts. A second plane gear set of the compound planetary gear set meshes with a second sun gear which is coaxial with the first sun gear and concentric with the second ring gear. First, second, and third brakes are respectively connected to the second ring gear, the second sun gear, and the first sun gear to stop and allow rotation of said gears to provide three additional forward speeds.

Transmission

A planetary transmission for selectively shifting among four forward speed ratios includes a first ring gear secured to a drive shaft and encircling a single planet carrier which is secured to the driven shaft. The first ring gear meshes with a carrier journaled first planet gear set which meshes with a driven shaft-encircling first sun gear. The first planet gear set further meshes with a carrier journaled second planet gear set which has integrally connected thereto a third planet gear set. The third planet gear set meshes with a second sun gear and an encircling second ring gear. First, second, and third brakes are respectively connected to the second ring gear, the first sun gear, and the second sun gear to stop and allow rotation of said gears to provide three forward speed ratios between drive and driven shafts. A clutch is provided between the second sun gear and the planet carrier to selectively cause common rotation thereof to provide a fourth forward speed ratio.

Growing community of inventors

Waterloo, IA, United States of America

Richard A Michael