Patent US119435A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3744584A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydrostatic transmission motors and coordinating clutch for same
Assignee: International Motors LLC
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Filing: 1971-04-29
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Granted: 1973-07-10
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Expires: 1991-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Clutch for interconnecting tracks at two sides of a crawler tractor driven by separate hydrostatic motors. The tracks are driven at the same speed to move the tractor in a straight line. The clutch connects the two sides of the tractor drive, assuring drive at the same speed. Drive for each side comprises a rotatable input member, a hydrostatic pump driven thereby, a hydrostatic motor driven by the pump, and a rotatable output member driven by the motor. The clutch is between the rotatable output members of the two sides of the drive and is engaged for positive inter-connection of the two output members.
Inventors
- 👤 J Swift
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:13
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H47/00; F16H47/02; B; B62; B62D; B62D11/00; B62D11/02; B62D11/06; B62D11/10; B62D11/14; B62D11/18; B62D11/183
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
352 words
In a crawler tractor in which two endless loops of connected track links are separately driven by two output shafts extending in opposite directions from two closely positioned output gears, the output gears are driven by two input gears meshing therewith, the input gears are driven by two hydrostatic motors by virtue of the angles between the axes of the motors and those of the input gears, two hydrostatic pumps drive the two hydrostatic motors, and a single rotating driving part drives the hydrostatic pumps by virtue of angles between the axis of the driving part and those of the pumps: the combination with the output gears and the output shafts, of a clutch positioned between the output gears and having one side connected to one output shaft and the other side connected to the other output shaft, the clutch when disengaged providing for the output gears and output shafts to drive the loops of track links independently at different speeds for turning of the tractor, engagement of the clutch producing coupling of the output shafts to one another through the output gears and thus positively to assure driving of the loops of track links at the same speed for straight line motion of the tractor, in spite of the tendency of the hydrostatic motors to drive the input gears and loops at slightly different speeds even though set to drive them at the same speeds; said one output shaft having an axial recess extending from the end where the associated output gear is located, said other output shaft projecting into the axial recess in the said one output shaft and having longitudinal passage means, said passage means arranged with respect to the other output shaft to transmit hydraulic fluid therethrough, and substantially coaxial therewith, an annular piston surrounding and being surrounded by said one output shaft and said other output shaft, respectively, springs acting against the piston to retract it and engage the clutch, and means for supplying hydraulic fluid through the passage means in the said other output shaft to displace the piston against the springs for disengaging the clutch.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
352 words
In a crawler tractor in which two endless loops of connected track links are separately driven by two output shafts extending in opposite directions from two closely positioned output gears, the output gears are driven by two input gears meshing therewith, the input gears are driven by two hydrostatic motors by virtue of the angles between the axes of the motors and those of the input gears, two hydrostatic pumps drive the two hydrostatic motors, and a single rotating driving part drives the hydrostatic pumps by virtue of angles between the axis of the driving part and those of the pumps: the combination with the output gears and the output shafts, of a clutch positioned between the output gears and having one side connected to one output shaft and the other side connected to the other output shaft, the clutch when disengaged providing for the output gears and output shafts to drive the loops of track links independently at different speeds for turning of the tractor, engagement of the clutch producing coupling of the output shafts to one another through the output gears and thus positively to assure driving of the loops of track links at the same speed for straight line motion of the tractor, in spite of the tendency of the hydrostatic motors to drive the input gears and loops at slightly different speeds even though set to drive them at the same speeds; said one output shaft having an axial recess extending from the end where the associated output gear is located, said other output shaft projecting into the axial recess in the said one output shaft and having longitudinal passage means, said passage means arranged with respect to the other output shaft to transmit hydraulic fluid therethrough, and substantially coaxial therewith, an annular piston surrounding and being surrounded by said one output shaft and said other output shaft, respectively, springs acting against the piston to retract it and engage the clutch, and means for supplying hydraulic fluid through the passage means in the said other output shaft to displace the piston against the springs for disengaging the clutch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a track type tractor having a two-path hydrostatic transmission in the final drive of the tractor: a pair of relatively rotatable oppositely extending output shafts; back-to-back hydrostatic motors individual to the shafts to apply power thereto; individual pumps with service lines transmitting pressure fluid and making separate connections to each motor for delivering the power to turn the shafts under approximately the same or else asynchronous speed conditions; pressure equalizer valve means effective between service lines during the same speed condition to insure the same working pressure in both motors; clutch means operatively disposed between the shafts and effective upon clutching to insure identical speeds thereof; and means common to the equalizer and clutch means to cause the clutching and pressure equalization to be effected in unison and to be interrupted in unison.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
In a track type tractor having a two-path hydrostatic transmission in the final drive of the tractor: a pair of relatively rotatable oppositely extending output shafts; back-to-back hydrostatic motors individual to the shafts to apply power thereto; individual pumps with service lines transmitting pressure fluid and making separate connections to each motor for delivering the power to turn the shafts under approximately the same or else asynchronous speed conditions; pressure equalizer valve means effective between service lines during the same speed condition to insure the same working pressure in both motors; clutch means operatively disposed between the shafts and effective upon clutching to insure identical speeds thereof; and means common to the equalizer and clutch means to cause the clutching and pressure equalization to be effected in unison and to be interrupted in unison.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a track type tractor having a two path hydrostatic transmission in the final drive of the tractor, controllable for steering purposes: back-to-back, mutually spaced apart hydrostatic motors having side-by-side pinions driven thereby; side-by-side, mutually spaced apart gears meshing with the pinions; thrust bearing means in tHe space between and operatively interconnecting the motors to balance the thrust; a pair of relatively rotatable oppositely extending output shafts secured at the inner end to the respective gears; means in the space between the gears, mutually axially aligned both with the shafts and with the gears and effective therewith for operatively coupling same together to establish the same-speed condition for the shafts; pumps with service lines transmitting pressure fluid and making separate connections to each motor for delivering the power to turn the shafts under approximately the same, or else asynchronous speed conditions for the steering purposes described; pressure equalization means effective between service lines during the same-speed condition to insure the same working pressure in both motors; and means operative to cause the coupling and pressure equalization to be effected, and to be interrupted.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
In a track type tractor having a two path hydrostatic transmission in the final drive of the tractor, controllable for steering purposes: back-to-back, mutually spaced apart hydrostatic motors having side-by-side pinions driven thereby; side-by-side, mutually spaced apart gears meshing with the pinions; thrust bearing means in tHe space between and operatively interconnecting the motors to balance the thrust; a pair of relatively rotatable oppositely extending output shafts secured at the inner end to the respective gears; means in the space between the gears, mutually axially aligned both with the shafts and with the gears and effective therewith for operatively coupling same together to establish the same-speed condition for the shafts; pumps with service lines transmitting pressure fluid and making separate connections to each motor for delivering the power to turn the shafts under approximately the same, or else asynchronous speed conditions for the steering purposes described; pressure equalization means effective between service lines during the same-speed condition to insure the same working pressure in both motors; and means operative to cause the coupling and pressure equalization to be effected, and to be interrupted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The invention of claim 3, said coupling means characterized by friction clutch means operative between the shafts upon clutching to insure identical speeds thereof; said operative means characterized by a steering control effective to cause the coupling (clutching) and pressure equalization in unison and the interruption thereof in unison.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a track type tractor having a two path hydrostatic transmission in the final drive of the tractor and controllable by steering control means: a pair of relatively rotatable oppositely extending output shafts; back-to-back hydrostatic motors individual to the shafts to apply power thereto; pumps with service lines transmitting pressure fluid and making separate connections to each motor for delivering the power to turn the shafts under approximately the same or else a synchronous speed conditions; pressure equalizer means effective between service lines during the same speed condition to insure the same working pressure in both motors; and clutch means operatively disposed between the shafts and effective upon clutching to insure identical speeds thereof; said pumps comprising variable speed individual pump means provided with and responsive to steering control means positionable to cause the motors to steer the tractor by driving or, when clutching and pressure equalization are effective in unison, to cause straight line movement of the tractor; the equalizer means being controlled by said steering control means, and the clutch means being controlled by said steering control means and a spring so as to be engaged when the steering control means is in the position for straight movement, whereby the pressure equalization and clutching are automatically effected in unison and automatically interrupted in unison as dictated by the condition of the steering control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
226 words
In a track type tractor having a two path hydrostatic transmission in the final drive of the tractor and controllable by steering control means: a pair of relatively rotatable oppositely extending output shafts; back-to-back hydrostatic motors individual to the shafts to apply power thereto; pumps with service lines transmitting pressure fluid and making separate connections to each motor for delivering the power to turn the shafts under approximately the same or else a synchronous speed conditions; pressure equalizer means effective between service lines during the same speed condition to insure the same working pressure in both motors; and clutch means operatively disposed between the shafts and effective upon clutching to insure identical speeds thereof; said pumps comprising variable speed individual pump means provided with and responsive to steering control means positionable to cause the motors to steer the tractor by driving or, when clutching and pressure equalization are effective in unison, to cause straight line movement of the tractor; the equalizer means being controlled by said steering control means, and the clutch means being controlled by said steering control means and a spring so as to be engaged when the steering control means is in the position for straight movement, whereby the pressure equalization and clutching are automatically effected in unison and automatically interrupted in unison as dictated by the condition of the steering control means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-09 | 1977-01-08 | 1977-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-09 | 1981-01-08 | 1981-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-09 | 1985-01-08 | 1985-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |