Eaton Corporation

Pneumo Abex Corporation

Thomas N Riley

Ronald K Markyvech

Thomas G Ore

Alan R Davis

Mark A Hirsch

Philip A Morris

Kuan-Jen Jeng

C David Bradley

A range selection control system for a transmission facilitates safe operation of a power take off. A fluid actuated range piston assembly within a range cylinder moves between low range and high range positions. Range cylinder and range piston assembly define sealed high range and low range chambers. A neutral cylinder intersects range cylinder. A fluid actuated neutral piston assembly within neutral cylinder defines a neutral chamber. Neutral piston assembly engages range control piston assembly responsive to pressurization of neutral chamber. Neutral piston assembly is received by an engagement feature of range piston assembly when range control piston assembly is in a neutral position, retaining range piston assembly there. An electrically responsive locking mechanism locks neutral piston assembly in place when range piston assembly is in the neutral position. The locking is controlled by a condition of an electrical switch indicating a transmission condition.

Transmission range shift control with neutral position lock

A mechanical transmission system () is provided with a detent mechanism () for applying a selectively variable detent resistance to disengagement of an engaged gear ratio. To provide resistance to shift lever () induced jumpout when no intent to shift is sensed, a greater detent resistance is provided, and to provide improved shift quality upon sensing an intent to shift, a lesser detent resistance is provided. The mechanism also may be utilized to maintain the transmission in neutral.

Variable resistance shift rail detent assembly and shift control method employing same

A mechanical transmission system (10) is provided with a detent mechanism (156/172, 186/196) for applying a selectively variable detent resistance to disengagement of an engaged gear ratio. To provide resistance to shift lever (31) induced jumpout when no intent to shift is sensed, a greater detent resistance is provided, and to provide improved shift quality upon sensing an intent to shift, a lesser detent resistance is provided. The mechanism also may be utilized to maintain the transmission in neutral.

Variable resistance shift rail detent assembly and shift control method

A ball ramp mechanism is used to load a clutch pack in a transmission inertia brake to slow a rotating shaft where an armature having an angled peripheral surface engages a mating surface formed in an inertia brake housing to form a cone clutch where the armature is magnetically pulled toward the brake housing by an electromagnetic field generated by an electrical coil thereby introducing a frictional braking force on the armature. The armature is nonrotatably connected to the control ring of the ball ramp mechanism through a plurality of tapered pins which engage a corresponding plurality of conical sections so that relative rotation between the armature and the control ring causes the armature to be forced toward the housing thereby increasing the braking force on the armature and control ring. Relative rotation between the control ring and an actuation ring causes a plurality of rolling elements to transverse tapered grooves formed on the control ring and the actuation ring thereby axially expanding the ball ramp mechanism to load the clutch pack.

Transmission inertia brake with self energizing

A compound change gear transmission (11) of the type including a multiple speed ratio main transmission section (15) and an auxiliary transmission section (17), and a shift rod (83) to engage selected main section gear ratios, and a shift rod (85) to engage selected auxiliary gear ratios. An interlock assembly (91) is included of the type having an interlock pin member (103), which normally prevents axial movement of either shift rod when the other is displaced. The shift rod (83) for the main transmission section has an interlock deactivation position corresponding to a non-neutral, predetermined gear ratio of the main section. The shift rod (83) defines an interlock recess (105) which receives the interlock pin (103) when the shift rod is in the interlock deactivation position, thus permitting simultaneous axial movement of the shift rod (85) for the auxiliary section.

Change gear transmission and shift rod interlock therefor

Helical spline actuator includes a pair of cylinder housings connected together in end-to-end spaced apart aligned relationship by means of a center mount. A shaft is mounted for rotation within the two housings, and has a rotatable drive member extending outwardly therefrom between the spaced apart inboard ends of the housings and out through a circumferential slot in the center mount. Pistons are axially movable within each of the housings toward and away from opposite ends of the shaft. Inboard of the pistons are helical drive members for converting axial movement of the pistons into relative rotational movement of the shaft and drive member connected thereto.

Growing community of inventors

Portage, MI, United States of America

Thomas N Riley