Deere & Company

Thomas Hung Vu

Rainer Gugel

David Mueller

Andrew K Rekow

Werner Stettler

Craig R Eike

Joe R Gray

A method of shifting ranges within a transmission is provided. The method of an embodiment includes determining an intention to change from a first mode to a second mode in the transmission, determining the first mode of the transmission, which includes a first range clutch in an engaged condition and a first synchronizer in a first engaged condition, determining the second mode of the transmission, which includes a second range clutch in an engaged condition and a second synchronizer in a first engaged condition, engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition, disengaging the first range clutch, engaging the second range clutch, and disengaging the first synchronizer from the first engaged condition.

Transmission with a mode selection apparatus

In accordance with an example embodiment, a transmission may include a first mode in which a low range clutch is engaged and a first synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing an output shaft to rotate relative to a first range shaft based upon a ratio of a first range gear to a second range gear. The transmission may include a second mode in which a high range clutch is engaged and a second synchronizer is in a first engaged condition causing the output shaft to rotate relative to a second range shaft based upon a ratio of the first range gear to the second range gear. A shift from the first mode to the second mode includes engaging the second synchronizer in the first engaged condition before disengaging the low range clutch and engaging the high range clutch.

In accordance with an example embodiment, a powershift transmission may include an input shaft, a first counter shaft, a second counter shaft, and an output shaft operably connected to a transmission housing. The powershift transmission may include a plurality of gears and clutches arranged on the shafts resulting in twenty-seven forward modes.

Powershift transmission with twenty-seven forward modes

The powershift transmission comprises nine clutches and eighteen gears, not including the clutches and gears necessary for reverse modes. The powershift transmission provides twenty-four forward modes; a high total transmission ratio of 26.2; and smooth shift steps that are, generally, 15% or less. As such, the transmission utilizes a minimum number of components, while still being extremely functional and versatile.

Powershift transmission with twenty-four forward modes

A baler for making parallelepiped bales includes a planetary gear drive arrangement including a planet carrier coupled through an overrunning clutch for driving an output shaft which extends cross wise to a forward end of an elongate baling chamber. A plunger is mounted for reciprocating within the baling chamber for compressing crop into a bale, with a crank shaft arrangement being mounted for rotation with the output shaft and being coupled to the plunger by a connecting rod arrangement. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a compression stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in a driving mode. When the gear drive arrangement is operating for effecting a reverse stroke of the plunger, the overrunning clutch operates in an overrunning mode so long as compressed crop is exerting a force on the plunger.

Baler plunger drive system

A limited slip differential transmission of the closed type in which a pressurized lubricant is fed to the rotating gears and a series of limited slip clutch plates. The clutch plates are engaged by pressurized control fluid. A valve assembly having a spool valve is responsive to engagement pressure to permit discharge of a portion of pressurized fluid from the clutch plates to a sump chamber and the transmission to purge debris that may have accumulated in the clutch plates. The spool valve is arranged so that fluid is passed only during an intermediate movement of the valve to minimize any pressure loss from the lubricating fluid for the transmission and limited slip clutches.

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Falls, IA, United States of America

Thomas Hung Vu