Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In a powershift, step ratio transmission (10) including input (12) and output (22) drives respectively connectable to an engine and a load; plural independent powerpaths (42, 44) each having associated therewith a powershift friction clutch (54, 90) alternately engageable to connect the associated path with one (22) of the drives, at least one step ratio gear (50, 84), and clutch means (48, 82, 92) engageable to drivingly connect the associated path with the other drive (12) via selected ones of the ratio gears while the associated powershift clutch is disengaged; characterized by: an auxiliary gear assembly (20) associated with said one drive and one of said paths and shiftable between at least two positions for changing the effective ratio of at least one of the ratio gears of the associated path while the powershift clutch of the associated path is disengaged.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In a powershift, step ratio transmission (10) including input (12) and output (22) drives respectively connectable to an engine and a load; plural independent powerpaths (42, 44) each having associated therewith a powershift friction clutch (54, 90) alternately engageable to connect the associated path with one (22) of the drives, at least one step ratio gear (50, 84), and clutch means (48, 82, 92) engageable to drivingly connect the associated path with the other drive (12) via selected ones of the ratio gears while the associated powershift clutch is disengaged; characterized by: an auxiliary gear assembly (20) associated with said one drive and one of said paths and shiftable between at least two positions for changing the effective ratio of at least one of the ratio gears of the associated path while the powershift clutch of the associated path is disengaged.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The transmission of Claim 1, wherein the step ratio gears respectively associated with said one and said other path are for providing two sequential speed ratios between the input and output drives and said auxiliary gear assembly changes the effective ratio of the gear (84) associated with said one path from a speed ratio succeeding the speed ratio of the gear in the other path to a speed ratio preceding the speed ratio of the gear in the other path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transmission of Claim 1, wherein said other drive is said input drive and said one drive is said output drive.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
78 words
The transmission of Claim 1, wherein the ratio gear (50) of another of said paths provides a first speed ratio between said input and output drives, and said ratio gear (84) of said one path provides a second speed ratio between said input and output drives when said auxiliary gear assembly (20) is in said first position and a low speed ratio between said input and output drives when said auxiliary gear assembly is in said second position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transmission of Claim 1, 2, 3, or 4 wherein each of said paths includes at least two step ratio gears (84, 86 and 50, 52) and said clutch means included a double-acting synchronizer clutch (48, 82).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
82 words
The transmission of Claim 4, further including a reverse step ratio gear (88) associated with said one path and drivingly connectable to said other drive via said clutch means associated with said one path, said reverse ratio gear for providing a reverse speed ratio between said input and output drives when said auxiliary gear assembly is in said first position and a deep reverse speed ratio between said input and ouput drives when said auxiliary gear assembly is in said second position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
The transmission of Claim 6 wherein each of said paths includes at least two forward speed step ratio gears (84, 86 and 50, 52), and said clutch means includes a double-acting synchronizer (48, 82) clutchingly disposed between the two forward ratio gears in each path and a separate synchronizer clutch (92) associated with the reverse ratio gear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
The transmission of Claim 1, wherein said auxiliary gear assembly includes: a driveshaft (22) defining said one drive; a lay shaft (134); first (128) and second (132) gear means rotatably mounted on said driveshaft, said first gear means in direct driving relation (112, 114) with said associated path via the associated powershift clutch (90), and said second gear means in driving relation with said first gear means via said lay shaft; and synchronizer clutch means (130) operative to effect driving connections between said driveshaft and selected ones of said first and second gears while said powershift clutch of said associated path is disengaged.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
87 words
The transmission of Claim 1, wherein said auxiliary gear assembly includes: a driveshaft (22) defining said one drive; a plural speed ratio, planetary gear assembly (150) having one planetary gear element (156) in direct driving relation with said associated path via said associated powershift clutch (90) and a second planetary gear element (158) in direct driving relation with said driveshaft; and synchronizer clutch means (130) operative while the powershift clutch of said associated path is disengaged to selectively shift said planetary gear assembly between said plural ratios.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The transmission of Claim 8 or 9, wherein each of said paths includes at least two step ratio gears (84, 86 and 50, 52) and said clutch means includes a double-acting synchronizer clutch (48, 82).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
The transmission of Claim 8 or 9, wherein each of said paths includes at least two forward speed step ratio gears (84, 86 and 50, 52); said one path includes a reverse speed step ratio gear (88); and said clutch means includes a double-acting synchronizer (48, 82) clutchingly disposed between the two forwara ratio gears in each path and a separate synchronizer clutch (92) associated with the reverse ratio gear.