US3734252A — Improvements in and relating to forward/reverse g…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 298 words

In combination, a torque converter having rotating parts drivable by a drive source, a forward/reverse gear transmission of the planetary gear type downstream from the torque converter, said forward/reverse gear including an input member drivingly engageable with the output of the torque converter, an output member and a planetary gear engaging both the input member and the output member on a planetary gear carrier which is rotatable about an axis, a first coupling means for selectively drivingly engaging and disengaging the input member of the forward/reverse gear with the drive source, a second coupling means for selectively drivingly engaging the said input and output members of the forward/reverse gear directly together in a second coupling engaged position for rotation of the output member in a forward direction, a third coupling means selectively engageable to prevent the planetary gear carrier from rotating about said axis and also to disconnect the said direct connection of the input and output members of the forward/reverse gear such that the input member of the forward/reverse gear drives the output member of the forward/reverse gear via said planetary gear in a reverse direction, a control means for disengaging the first coupling means during the change between the connection of said second coupling means and connection of said third coupling means, said second coupling means including a sleeve element which constitutes the direct connection of said input and output members of the forward/reverse gear in said second coupling engaged position, a spring continuously urging the sleeve element to drivingly engage said input and output members together For forward rotation, a power means for concurrently moving the sleeve in opposition to said spring to disengage the second coupling means and also cause engagement of the third coupling means to prevent rotation of the planetary gear carrier.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 298 words

In combination, a torque converter having rotating parts drivable by a drive source, a forward/reverse gear transmission of the planetary gear type downstream from the torque converter, said forward/reverse gear including an input member drivingly engageable with the output of the torque converter, an output member and a planetary gear engaging both the input member and the output member on a planetary gear carrier which is rotatable about an axis, a first coupling means for selectively drivingly engaging and disengaging the input member of the forward/reverse gear with the drive source, a second coupling means for selectively drivingly engaging the said input and output members of the forward/reverse gear directly together in a second coupling engaged position for rotation of the output member in a forward direction, a third coupling means selectively engageable to prevent the planetary gear carrier from rotating about said axis and also to disconnect the said direct connection of the input and output members of the forward/reverse gear such that the input member of the forward/reverse gear drives the output member of the forward/reverse gear via said planetary gear in a reverse direction, a control means for disengaging the first coupling means during the change between the connection of said second coupling means and connection of said third coupling means, said second coupling means including a sleeve element which constitutes the direct connection of said input and output members of the forward/reverse gear in said second coupling engaged position, a spring continuously urging the sleeve element to drivingly engage said input and output members together For forward rotation, a power means for concurrently moving the sleeve in opposition to said spring to disengage the second coupling means and also cause engagement of the third coupling means to prevent rotation of the planetary gear carrier.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The combination according to claim 1 including a servo-motor operable to engage and disengage the third coupling means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 44 words

The combination according to claim 2, wherein said servo motor includes means for engaging the third coupling means to engage the planetary gear carrier with a stationary part of the transmission simultaneously as it disengages the second coupling means from the forward drive position.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 86 words

The combination according to claim 1, said planetary gear transmission including a disc, one face of which engages a radial projection on the sleeve, and said power means being a servo motor acting on the disc to move the same axially to engage a fixed part of the transmission, the connection between the disc and the stationary part of the transmission constituting the third coupling means, and said disc continuously acting through the said radial projection to hold the sleeve to disengage the second coupling means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 71 words

The combination according to claim 4, wherein the sleeve is formed with external splines selectively engagable with splines on both the input and output members in the said second coupling engaged position at one extreme axial position of the sleeve and engagable with splines on only one of said input and output members in the disengaged postion of the second coupling means at the other extreme axial position of the sleeve.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 89 words

The combination according to claim 1, said planetary gear carrier including a planetary gear holder having radial passages, a cut-out disc with spokes extending radially between inner and outer rings thereof and matable in the recesses of the planetary gear holder, said disc and said planetary gear holder being coaxial and said spokes positioned to transmit torque from the outer ring to the planetary gear holder, and said disc connecting the planetary gear holder to a relatively stationary part of the transmission when the third coupling means is engaged.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 34 words

The combination according to claim 6, said disc being movable axially relative to the planetary gear holder and capable of transmitting torque to the planetary gear holder in all axial positions of the disc.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 15 words

The combination according to claim 1, said control means comprising a fluid actuated control system.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 255 words

The combination according to claim 8 including a fluid operated means for engaging the first coupling means, and wherein the control system includes a first valve movable to a forward drive position, a neutral position and a reverse drive position, said first valve operable to either vent two pipes or to vent one pipe and pass fluid through another, a second valve in the fluid path of said two pipes and controlled as to its position by an element movable with said common means, the second valve including means for passing fluid for forward drive only when the gear transmission is in forward drive position and for passing fluid for reverse drive only when the gear is in the reverse position, the said two pipes extending beyond the second valve and communicating with a first servo motor, said first servo motor acting to move a third valve which controls said fluid operated means for engaging the first coupling means, the first valve being constructed and arranged such that when placed in said neutral position, the pipes operative during forward and reverse drive respectively are both vented, when placed in the forward drive position the reverse pipe is vented and when placed in the reverse drive position, the forward pipe is vented, the pipes for reverse drive located between the first and second valves communicating with said common means which is a second servo motor to engage the third coupling means and disengage the second coupling means to connect the gear transmission in the reverse position.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 60 words

The combination according to claim 9, said planetary gear carrier including a disc and a planetary gear holder, the disc forming a part of the third coupling means and movable axially into a coupling position with a stationary part of the gear transmission against the force of a spring by a pivotally mounted lever actuated by said second servo motor.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 50 words

The combination according to claim 10, wherein the relationship between the force of said spring and the size of the said second servo motor and lever is such that the fluid pressure necessary to actuate the first coupling means is higher than that necessary to engage the third coupling means.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 39 words

The combination according to claim 11, said disc being formed with spokes passing through radial recesses in the planetary gear holder during axial displacement of the disc into and out of said coupling position of the third coupling means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 20 words

A gear transmission according to claim 1, wherein the input and output members and the planetary gears comprise bevel gears.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 29 words

A transmission according to claim 1, said torque converter having a direct drive clutch and including means for disconnecting the direct drive clutch when the friction clutch is released.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 44 words

The combination according to claim 1, wherein said control means includes a fluid operated device, a valve means for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to said fluid operated device, and said valve means being operable in response to movement of said power means.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 24 words

The combination according to claim 15, including a manually operated valve for controlling the flow of pressurized fluid to the first said valve means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1976-05-21	1976-11-20	1977-05-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1980-05-21	1980-11-20	1981-05-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1984-05-21	1984-11-20	1985-05-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Improvements in and relating to forward/reverse gear transmissions

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