The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 18, 2000
Filed:
Aug. 07, 1998
Stephen C Garnett, Princevill, IL (US);
Randall A Harlow, Brimfield, IL (US);
Alan R Coutant, Hinckley, GB;
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A fan drive is disclosed which includes a planetary gear set having a first rotatable output member connected in driving relation to the fan, a second rotatable output member connected in driving communication with a hydraulic circuit, and a rotatable input member connected in driven communication with a power source, the first and second output members being connected in differentially rotatable communication with the input member. During operation, the hydraulic circuit is operable to vary the rotational speed of the second rotatable output member of the planetary gear set, to thereby vary the rotational speed of the first rotatable output member and the connected fan. According to one preferred aspect of the present invention, the input member of the hydraulic circuit is an input shaft of a hydraulic pump, the rotational speed of the pump being variable by throttling fluid flow therethrough. According to another preferred aspect of the present invention, the hydraulic circuit includes a hydraulic motor connected in driven communication with the second output member of the planetary gear set and in fluid communication with a hydraulic pump to enable power delivered to the hydraulic motor through the planetary gear set to be returned to the power source through the pump.