Reversing clutches with selector and pressure modulating valve

Claim 2

A power transmission comprising, a hydraulically actuated forward clutch of the modulatable friction plate type, a hydraulically actuated reverse clutch of the modulatable friction plate type, and a hydraulic valve assembly for controlling the selection of engagement of either of said clutches and also for controlling the modulation of the selected clutch, said valve assembly comprising; a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a fluid orificing hole, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with said orificing hole, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and also modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body both communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said hydraulically actuated clutches having conduit means communicating with said passage means in said selector spool, whereby modulating pressure is delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston towards said valve spool to thereby also bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the cooperative arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston and said hole in the said selector spool is such that when said selector sPool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked, and said piston is then shifted axially by pressure fluid on said piston side to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid is directed to said engaged clutch at a pressure dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool, thereby to cause clutch engagement.

Claim 3

The transmission set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said selector spool includes a central stem with an axial passage therein and said orificing hole is located in said stem and in fluid communication with said axial passage, and further characterized in that said control piston includes a sleeve in which said generally V-shaped opening is located.

Claim 4

A power transmission comprising a power input shaft, a power output shaft, intermeshing gear means between said shafts, a hydraulically actuated forward clutch of the modulatable friction plate type and a hydraulically actuated reverse clutch of the modulatable friction plate type connectable with said gear means, and a hydraulic valve assembly for controlling the selection of engagement of either of said clutches and also for controlling the modulation of the selected clutch, said valve assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a central stem with an axial passage therein and a hole in said stem and in communication with said axial passage, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a sleeve defining a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with the hole in said selector spool stem, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled as modulating pressure into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said hydraulically actuated clutches having conduit means communicating with said passage means in said selector spool, whereby modulating pressure is delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston and its said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston sleeve and said hole in the said selector spool stem is such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid is directed to said engaged clutch in an amount dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool to cause clutch engagement and consequent rotation of said output shaft in either direction of rotation and at a predetermined constant speed.

Claim 5

A power transmission comprising a power input shaft, a power output shaft, intermeshing gear means between said shafts, a hydraulically actuated forward clutch of the modulatable friction plate type and a hydraulically actuated reverse clutch of the modulatable friction plate type connectable with said gear means, and a hydraulic valve assembly for controlling the selection of engagement of either of said clutches and also for controlling the modulation of the selected clutch, said valve assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a central stem with an axial passage therein and a hole in said stem and in communication with said axial passage, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a sleeve defining a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with the hole in said selector spool stem, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled as modulating pressure into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said hydraulically actuated clutches having conduit means communicating with said passage means in said selector spool, whereby modulating pressure is delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston and its said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston sleeve and said hole in the said selector spool stem is such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid is directed to said engaged clutch in an amount dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool to cause clutch engagement and consequent rotation of said output shaft in either direction of rotation and at a predetermined constant speed.

Claim 6

A fluid pressure control valve assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of two loads when said selector spool is initially rotated from a neutral position, said selector spool having a fluid orificing hole, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with said orificing hole, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said passage means in said selector spool being communicable with said loads for conducting modulating pressure selectively to said loads, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston and said hole in the said spool in such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid can be directed to said loads in an amount dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool.

Claim 7

A fluid pressure control valve assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of two loads when said selector spool is initially rotated from a neutral position, said selector spool having a fluid orificing hole, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with said orificing hole, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said passage means in said selector spool being communicable with said loads for conducting modulating pressure selectively to said loads, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston and said hole in the said spool in such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid can be directed to said loads in an amount dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool.

Claim 8

A control valve assembly comprising; a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of two loads when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool also having a hole in its periphery, a fluid control piston member axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with the hole in said selector spool, means for biasing said piston member toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said piston member biasing means away from said piston member, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool and with each other via said valve spool, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said piston member biasing means and towards said piston means to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston means remote from said piston member biasing means to thereby bias said piston means towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said piston member biasing means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure passage means to said modulating pressure passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston means and said hole in said selector spool is such that when said sleector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston means is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid can be directed to a selected load via said rotatable spool passage means in an amount dependent on tHe amount of rotation of said selector spool.

Claim 9

A control valve assembly comprising; a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of two loads when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool also having a hole in its periphery, a fluid control piston member axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with the hole in said selector spool, means for biasing said piston member toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said piston member biasing means away from said piston member, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool and with each other via said valve spool, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said piston member biasing means and towards said piston means to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston means remote from said piston member biasing means to thereby bias said piston means towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said piston member biasing means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure passage means to said modulating pressure passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston means and said hole in said selector spool is such that when said sleector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston means is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid can be directed to a selected load via said rotatable spool passage means in an amount dependent on tHe amount of rotation of said selector spool.

Claim 10

A control valve assembly for controlling the selection and amount of modulation and a pair of hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction plate clutches, said assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a central stem with an axial passage therein and a hole in said stem and in communication wtih said axial passage, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a sleeve defining a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with the hole in said selector spool stem, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled as modulating pressure into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said passage means in said selector spool being communicable with said clutches, whereby modulating pressure can be delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston and its sleeve towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston sleeve and said hole in the said spool stem is such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid can be directed to said engaged clutch in an amount dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool.

Claim 11

A control valve assembly for controlling the selection and amount of modulation and a pair of hydraulically actuated, modulatable friction plate clutches, said assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a central stem with an axial passage therein and a hole in said stem and in communication wtih said axial passage, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a sleeve defining a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with the hole in said selector spool stem, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled as modulating pressure into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said passage means in said selector spool being communicable with said clutches, whereby modulating pressure can be delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston and its sleeve towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid passage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said piston sleeve and said hole in the said spool stem is such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until said piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid can be directed to said engaged clutch in an amount dependent on the amount of rotation of said selector spool.

Claim 12

In combination with a water craft having an engine, a power transmission driven by said engine and including a hydraulically actuated forward clutch of the modulatable friction plate type and a hydraulically actuated reverse clutch of the modulatable friction plate type, and a propeller shaft driven in either rotational direction by said transmission, and a hydraulic valve assembly for controlling the selection of engagement of either of said clutches and also for controlling the modulation of the selected clutch, said valve assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a fluid orificing hole, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with said orificing hole, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating presSure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said hydraulically actuated clutches having conduit means communicating with said passage means in said selector spool, whereby modulating pressure is delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid pasage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said control piston and said hole in the said selector spool is such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid is directed to said engaged clutch in an amount dependent on the amount of said rotation of said selector spool to cause clutch engagement and consequent rotation of said propeller shaft.

Claim 13

In combination with a water craft having an engine, a power transmission driven by said engine and including a hydraulically actuated forward clutch of the modulatable friction plate type and a hydraulically actuated reverse clutch of the modulatable friction plate type, and a propeller shaft driven in either rotational direction by said transmission, and a hydraulic valve assembly for controlling the selection of engagement of either of said clutches and also for controlling the modulation of the selected clutch, said valve assembly comprising: a valve body and a rotatable selector spool in said body and having passage means for directing fluid pressure selectively to either of said clutches when said selector spool is initially rotated in a corresponding direction from a neutral position, said selector spool having a fluid orificing hole, a fluid control piston axially shiftable on said selector spool and having a generally V-shaped opening in its periphery which is registerable with said orificing hole, spring means for biasing said piston toward one axial position, a hydraulic valve spool axially shiftable in said body and biased by said spring means away from said piston, a high pressure fluid passage means and modulating pressure fluid passage means in said body and communicable with said hydraulic valve spool, whereby high pressure is throttled into said modulating pressure fluid passage means, said modulating presSure fluid passage means also being in communication with the end of said valve spool which is remote from said spring means to thereby urge said valve spool against said spring means and towards said piston to additionally bias the latter, said modulating pressure fluid passage means also in communication with said selector spool passage means, said hydraulically actuated clutches having conduit means communicating with said passage means in said selector spool, whereby modulating pressure is delivered selectively to said clutches, said high pressure fluid passage means also communicating with the side of said piston remote from said spring means to thereby bias said piston towards said valve spool to thereby bias the latter through said spring means to a position which permits an increase of pressure fluid from said high pressure fluid passage means to said modulating pressure fluid pasage means, the arrangement between said generally V-shaped opening on said control piston and said hole in the said selector spool is such that when said selector spool is rotated in either direction from neutral, said hole is blocked until piston is shifted axially to uncover said hole and modulating pressure fluid is directed to said engaged clutch in an amount dependent on the amount of said rotation of said selector spool to cause clutch engagement and consequent rotation of said propeller shaft.

Claim 14

The combination set forth in claim 7 further characterized in that said selector spool includes a central stem with an axial passage therein and said orificing hole is located in said stem and in fluid communication with said axial passage, and further characterized in that said control piston includes a sleeve in which said generally V-shaped opening is located.