The Gleason Works

Zexel-gleason Usa, Inc.

Zexel Torsen Inc.

Thomas B Ryan

Shiro Ichiki

Gene A Stritzel

Kenneth A May

Mark S Brewer

Robert K Holzwarth

A traction control system combines a power limiting system having multiple operating modes with a power distributing system that resists differentiation between drive wheels. Sensors monitor vehicle turning, differentiation between the drive wheels, and wheel slipping of at least one drive wheel. The operating mode of the power limiting system is changed to reflect additional traction information available from monitoring the state of differentiation through turns.

Combined power limiting and power distributing traction control system

Differential with outwardly directed planetary gear separating forces

A parallel-axis gear differential (10) includes a planetary gearing assembly of sun gears (22 and 24) and planet gears (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36) carried within a housing (12). The planet gears (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36), which are mounted in pairs within pockets (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48) formed in the housing (12), include a first point of meshing engagement (74, 76) with one of the side gears (22, 24) and second and third points of meshing engagement (78 and 80) with a paired planet gear. A radial load component 'Ws1' at the first point of engagement (74, 76) is adjusted with respect to a combined radial load component 'Ws2' of the second and third points of engagement (78 and 80) for maintaining the planet gears (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, and 36) in their proper running positions within pockets (38, 40, 42, 44, 46, and 48).

Frictional effects at different gear mounting surfaces within a differential are varied to control bias ratio. The gearing arrangement includes side gears respectively coupled to axle ends and element gears which transfer and divide torque between the side gears. Coefficients of friction at end faces of the element gears are varied between different element gears to control overall bias ratio while minimizing the effect of changes in overall bias ratio on an inherent bias ratio imbalance between opposite directions of differentiation. Helical gear portions are formed at the ends of the element gears to better balance thrust forces acting on different element gears.

Differential with varied frictional surfaces

A gear-shaped tool (30) having stock removing surfaces (38) is rotated together with a bevel or hypoid work gear (32) in accordance with their respective number of teeth, and the gear-shaped tool 30 is also moved relative to the work gear (32) in the manner of a theoretical generating gear (46) rolling through mesh with the work gear (32) for generating desired tooth surfaces (40) in the work gear (32). Generating motions of between the gear-shaped tool (30) and work gear (32) may be controlled independently of indexing motions of the gear-shaped tool (30) and work gear (32) to improve performance of a gear finishing operation.

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Webster, NY, United States of America

Thomas B Ryan