Transmission providing hydrostatic drive and hydromechanical drive

Claim 2

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; and output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in both said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of both of said first and second planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; the carrier of said second planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; and said mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means.

Claim 3

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establiShing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; mechanical drive train means including planetary gear means and selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in both said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of both said first and second planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; the carrier of said second planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; and said mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means.

Claim 4

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establiShing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; mechanical drive train means including planetary gear means and selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in both said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of both said first and second planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; the carrier of said second planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; and said mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means.

Claim 5

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; and forward and reverse drive means for selectively providing a forward drive and a reverse drive between said input shaft and all said mechanical drive train means.

Claim 6

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; and forward and reverse drive means for selectively providing a forward drive and a reverse drive between said input shaft and all said mechanical drive train means.

Claim 7

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hyDrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively driving connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; forward and reverse drive means for selectively providing a forward drive and a reverse drive between said input shaft and all said mechanical drive train means; a pair of steer planetary gear means each having a sun gear member, a ring gear member and a carrier member carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear member and said ring gear member; means drivingly connecting said output shaft to one pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means; direction reversing gear train means operatively connecting another pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means; and variable speed ratio steer hydrostatic drive means for operatively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said another pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means whereby the remaining pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means provide two output drives having equal speed on establishment of said speed range drives with a differential speed effected between said output drives to produce steering whenever said steer hydrostatic drive means drives said direction reversing gear train wherein said differential speed is varied by varying the speed ratio of said steer hydrostatic drive means.

Claim 8

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hyDrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively driving connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; forward and reverse drive means for selectively providing a forward drive and a reverse drive between said input shaft and all said mechanical drive train means; a pair of steer planetary gear means each having a sun gear member, a ring gear member and a carrier member carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear member and said ring gear member; means drivingly connecting said output shaft to one pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means; direction reversing gear train means operatively connecting another pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means; and variable speed ratio steer hydrostatic drive means for operatively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said another pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means whereby the remaining pair of like members of said steer planetary gear means provide two output drives having equal speed on establishment of said speed range drives with a differential speed effected between said output drives to produce steering whenever said steer hydrostatic drive means drives said direction reversing gear train wherein said differential speed is varied by varying the speed ratio of said steer hydrostatic drive means.

Claim 9

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of each said planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; both the carrier of said second planetary gear means and the ring gear of said third planetary gear meAns drivingly connected to said output shaft; said first mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; and said second mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the carrier of said third planetary gear means.

Claim 10

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of each said planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; both the carrier of said second planetary gear means and the ring gear of said third planetary gear meAns drivingly connected to said output shaft; said first mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; and said second mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the carrier of said third planetary gear means.

Claim 11

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of each said planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; both the carrier of said second planetary gear means and the ring gear of said third planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; said first mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the carrier of said third planetary gear means; said first mechanical drive train means including fourth planetary gear means; said second drive establishing means comprising a first brake operable to cause said fourth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means including fifth planetary gear means; and said third drive establishing means comprising a second brake operable to cause said fifth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the carrier of said third planetary gear means.

Claim 12

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of each said planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; both the carrier of said second planetary gear means and the ring gear of said third planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; said first mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the carrier of said third planetary gear means; said first mechanical drive train means including fourth planetary gear means; said second drive establishing means comprising a first brake operable to cause said fourth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means including fifth planetary gear means; and said third drive establishing means comprising a second brake operable to cause said fifth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the carrier of said third planetary gear means.

Claim 13

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shAft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of each said planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; both the carrier of said second planetary gear means and the ring gear of said third planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; said first mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the carrier of said third planetary gear means; said first mechanical drive train means including fourth planetary gear means; said second drive establishing means comprising a first brake operable to cause said fourth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means including fifth planetary gear means; said third drive establishing means comprising a second brake operable to cause said fifth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the carrier of said third planetary gear means; and a clutch for selectively locking up said fourth planetary gear means to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means with a speed ratio drive different than that provided on engagement of said first brake whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a fourth speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and wherein the speed ratio in said fourth speed range drive is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means.

Claim 14

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shAft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; second mechanical drive train means including selectively operable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means; each said planetary gear means comprising a sun gear, a ring gear and a carrier carrying a pinion meshing with said sun gear and said ring gear; the sun gear of each said planetary gear means drivingly connected to said hydrostatic drive means; means grounding the carrier of said first planetary gear means; said first drive establishing means comprising a clutch operable to drivingly connect the ring gear of said first planetary gear means to said output shaft; both the carrier of said second planetary gear means and the ring gear of said third planetary gear means drivingly connected to said output shaft; said first mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means operable to drivingly connect said input shaft to the carrier of said third planetary gear means; said first mechanical drive train means including fourth planetary gear means; said second drive establishing means comprising a first brake operable to cause said fourth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the ring gear of said second planetary gear means; said second mechanical drive train means including fifth planetary gear means; said third drive establishing means comprising a second brake operable to cause said fifth planetary gear means to provide the drive connection between said input shaft and the carrier of said third planetary gear means; and a clutch for selectively locking up said fourth planetary gear means to drivingly connect said input shaft to the ring gear of said second planetary gear means with a speed ratio drive different than that provided on engagement of said first brake whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a fourth speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and wherein the speed ratio in said fourth speed range drive is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means.

Claim 15

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; and second mechanical drive train means including selectively opErable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means.

Claim 16

In a transmission the combination of an input shaft; an output shaft; variable speed ratio hydrostatic drive means drivingly connected to said input shaft; first planetary gear means including selectively operable first drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said hydrostatic drive means to said output shaft to provide a first speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; second planetary gear means drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; first mechanical drive train means including selectively operable second drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said second planetary gear means whereby said second planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a second speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft; third planetary gear means operatively drivingly connected to both said hydrostatic drive means and said output shaft; and second mechanical drive train means including selectively opErable third drive establishing means for selectively drivingly connecting said input shaft to said third planetary gear means whereby said third planetary gear means combines power from said input shaft and said hydrostatic drive means to provide a third speed range drive between said input shaft and said output shaft and whereby the speed ratio in all said speed range drives is varied by varying the speed ratio of said hydrostatic drive means.